T'AI CHI CHIH - T'ai chi chih is a series of simple, non-strenuous movements known to relax the body and refresh the mind. Moves can be performed by anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. T'ai chi chih can help you feel calm, even in the midst of activity, and helps relieve daily tensions and stress based on principles of relaxed breathing, rhythmic movements and equilibrium of weight.
T'AI CHI CHUAN - This is an internal practice blending healing, martial art and meditative art. Dedicated to physical health and spiritual growth, t'ai chi chuan was developed by monks around 1,000 A.D. in order to defend themselves against bandits and warlords.
TAIKYO SHIATSU - Taikyo shiatsu is a style using ancient Taoist yin/yang and taijiquan principles combined with the gentle stretching of Zen shiatsu. From the Eastern perspective, this shiatsu focuses on stretching and palming the meridians, opening channels to induce flow of stagnated energies, and supplying circulation (oxygenated blood) to the organs. The application of the Taoist principles enables the therapist to generate and utilize optimum energy to perform the shiatsu efficiently. From the Western perspective, stretching increases bone, sinews and muscle flexibility, and enhances mobility. A unique "wave" technique - visualizing an ocean wave forming (potential), reaching the highest crest, falling (kinetic) and expanding (distribution) the energy - is used in this technique. The following Taikyo essentials achieve optimum shiatsu efficiency and transmission as well as distribution of energy. Spirit: state of being; Intent: volition or plan of action; Calm: state of mental stillness to perceive; Posture: proper body positioning for optimum operational efficiency; Presence: the sum of the previous above Essentials; Intuition: ability to perceive; Breathing: qigong mode; and Simplicity: unpretentiousness. "Reeling the silk" is a technique that enables manipulation by gripping with a wrist motion, producing pressure without using the fingers. This technique enables efficient massaging of the "18 joints" of the body. Qigong breathing from the Hara, or dantian, is one of the important keys to generate efficient energy output. Taikyo shiatsu emphasizes philosophy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, essentials, breathing, taijiquan postural efficiency and the above mentioned techniques.
TANTSU TANTRIC SHIATSU - Tantsu Tantric Shiatsu is a unique form of bodywork on land. It was invented by Harold Dull who also created Watsu, or water shiatsu. Tantsu brings Watsu's in-water nurturing and power back onto land. In a Tantsu session, the giver cradles the receiver with their whole body. No oil is used; the receiver lies fully clothed on the floor, while the giver kneels or stands beside the person. Like shiatsu, Tantsu is based on point work and powerful stretches to release chi (life force) along the body's meridians and in the energy centers, or chakras. Tantsu focuses on connecting the chakras and freeing the natural movement of energy along the spine. Learning to give a Tantsu session involves the giver in a process that leads to a deeper connection with others and with one's own centers and flows of energy.
TARA APPROACH - Developed by Dr. Stephanie Mines, the TARA Approach is a holistic system for the critical transformation of psychological, physical and emotional shock and trauma. Combining the ancient oriental healing art of Jin Shin with therapeutic dialogues, this approach activates healing from sexual abuse, battering relationships, abusive family environments, neglect and illness.
TELLINGTON TOUCH - Health and behavioral therapy for pets that includes touch, manipulation, and guiding the animals through movement exercises. Designed to work on emotional and health problems, the touches are not massage or acupressure, nor are they invasive. The techniques are designed to create a calm, attentive, focused state of consciousness. Situations helped by Tellington Touch include barking, biting, jumping up, fear and shyness, inappropriate urination, separation anxiety, and more.
TERA-MAI SEICHEM - This is an ancient art of healing using the Universal elemental energy rays of earth (Reiki), air/ether (Angeliclight), fire (Sakara) and water (Sophi-El). Tera-Mai Seichem translates from Sanskrit as "action of compassion."
THAI MASSAGE - Considered a sacred medical massage in Thailand, it is a combination of assisted Yoga postures, palm presses and thumb pressure designed to increase flexibility, improve blood and lymph circulation, promote relaxation and release blocked energy. They call it a “lazy man’s yoga”.
THERAPEUTIC TOUCH (TT) - Developed through the collaboration of a nursing professor and a spiritual healer, Therapeutic Touch is based on ancient energy healing methods. Practitioners, primarily nurses, are trained to feel or sense energy imbalances in the client and to use "lying on" of hands to disperse blocks and channel healing forces to the client's body. The therapist uses a light touch or holds the hand above the body, with the client generally seated. Meditation is used by the therapist to center himself and strengthen his connection to the client's energy system. Therapeutic Touch has been applied in an assortment of medical situations, including the care of premature infants and emergency room patients. It is known to induce a state of relaxation within minutes. Therapeutic Touch is considered safe because of its gentle, non-invasive approach. Developers of this technique affirm that everyone has the potential to heal with Therapeutic Touch and may be taught the methodology in one day.
TIBETAN POINT HOLDING - Developed in 1989 by Karen Peterson and John Walsh, Tibetan point holding focuses on prolonged holding of acupressure points to generate emotional release. Lengthy holding allows the client to address internal thoughts as they arise. As many as five practitioners are used to hold pressure points on the client for up to two hours. Treatment needs are assessed through iridology or kinesiology.
TOUCH FOR HEALTH - Developed by chiropractor John Thie, Touch for Health combines methods and techniques that include acupuncture principles, acupressure, muscle testing, massage and dietary guidelines. The method of treatment requires a second person who performs muscle testing. This determines which muscles are strong or weak, indicating if a physical problem or organ malfunction exists. Once weak muscles are determined, a variety of methods are used as part of a muscle strengthening program. Such techniques include finger pressure on neuro-vascular holding points on the head and pressure on the acupressure holding points. After the muscles have been strengthened, Touch for Health theory states that energy then flows through the body, improving vitality and ability to maintain good health.
TRADITIONAL MALDIVIAN SAND MASSAGE - Combines the essence of the Maldives: sand, sea and fresh air. The first part of this Maldivian tradition takes place on the soft coral sand at the waters edge.
TRAGER - Trager Approach is a movement education modality developed in the 1920s by American medical practitioner Dr. Milton Trager. It makes extensive use of touch-contact and encourages the client to experience the freeing-up of different parts of the body. The approach consists of simple exercises called Mentastics and deep, non-intrusive hands-on work, including fluid, gentle, rocking movements. The idea is to use motion in the muscles and joints to produce positive sensory feelings that are then fed back into the central nervous system. The result is a feeling of lightness, freedom and flexibility. A Trager session takes from 60-90 minutes. No oils or lotions are used. The client wears a swimsuit or underwear and lies on a well-padded table in a warm, comfortable environment. No long, broad strokes are used over the surface of the body and, unlike various techniques of deep tissue manipulation; it does not utilize extreme pressure or rapid thrusts to create structural change and does not produce pain as a necessary adjunct to its effectiveness. During the session, the practitioner makes touch-contact with the client in such a gentle and rhythmic way that the person lying passively on the table actually experiences the possibility of being able to move each part of the body freely, effortlessly and gracefully on their own. The practitioner works in a relaxed, meditative state of consciousness. This allows the practitioner to connect deeply with the recipient in an unforced way, to remain continually aware of the slightest responses, and to work efficiently without fatigue. After getting up from the table, the client is given instruction in the use of Mentastics, a system of simple, effortless movement sequences to maintain and enhance the sense of lightness, freedom and flexibility instilled by the table work. Mentastics is Dr. Trager's coinage for "mental gymnastics" - a mindfulness in motion - designed to help clients re-create for themselves the sensory feelings produced by the motion of their tissue in the practitioner's hands. It is a powerful means of teaching the client to recall the pleasurable sensory state that produced positive tissue change. Because it is this feeling state that triggered positive tissue response in the first place, every time the feeling is clearly recalled the changes deepen, become more permanent, and more receptive to further positive change. Changes described have included the disappearance of specific symptoms, discomforts, or pains, heightened levels of energy and vitality, more effortless posture and carriage, greater joint mobility, deeper states of relaxation than were previously possible, and a new ease in daily activities.
TRAUMA ERASE - Developed by Pauline Carte, PhD. Dr. Carte was a pioneer in the field of kinesiology and started her massage career in the 1950's. This amazing therapy literally erases trauma from ones body and mind.
TRAUMA TOUCH THERAPY - Trauma touch therapy was developed to address the needs of clients affected by trauma and abuse, including sexual and emotional abuse or battering and the trauma of war, surgery or criminal violence. Focused on empowering the client, this technique combines therapeutic movement and breathwork with psychotherapeutic elements to bring body and mind together in holistic healing. The pace of therapy is determined individually according to the client's need. Relearning touch from a healthy perspective is a major focus of the therapy. The trauma touch training program was developed in 1993 at the Colorado School of Healing Arts.
TRIGGER POINT THERAPIES - This refers to any of several systems of working with trigger points. Trigger points are tender congested spots in muscle tissue, which may radiate pain to other areas. Significant relief results when the trigger point is treated. The techniques used in trigger point therapies are similar to those used in Shiatsu or acupressure, but trigger point therapies are based on western anatomy and physiology. Several institutions have refined the art of trigger point therapy into a self-contained modality, and teach their therapy in a non-massage context.
TRIGGER POINT MYOTHERAPY - Trigger point myotherapy is a non-invasive therapeutic modality for the relief and control of myofascial pain and dysfunction. The goal of treatment is the client's recovery from or a significant reduction in myofascial pain. The treatment goal is achieved through a systematized approach. Treatment consists of trigger point compression, myomassage, passive stretching and a regime of corrective exercises. Success may be measured subjectively by the level of pain reduction experienced by the client and objectively through increased range of motion, strength, endurance and other measures of improved function. Trigger point myotherapy relies heavily on client-therapist interaction, including verbal and non-verbal elements. The myotherapist encourages the client to be personally responsible for their improvement, with attention to such factors as nutritional intake, stress, proper exercises, mechanical abnormalities and other physical components. These elements protect the client from delayed diagnosis, delayed treatment or contraindicated treatment that is the concerns of first order. Trigger point myotherapy is an integrating approach to myofascial pain and dysfunction.
TUI NA (PRONOUNCED T-WEIGH NA) (CHINESE MEDICAL MASSAGE) - Tui Na is Asian bodywork that may be the most commonly practiced bodywork in the world. It is routinely used in Chinese hospitals as a healing modality. The original massage therapy found practiced in the largest health care system in the world. Tui Na is not only the main physiotherapy used in hospitals throughout the Far East but also found in health centres where Oriental people go for a relaxing and therapeutic massage.
TURAYA TOUCH SYSTEM - With Turaya Touch, using the body's system of light energy, the practitioner places their hands on various parts of the client's head, back, shoulders, and abdomen. This technique brings about a feeling of deep relaxation as it releases the energy blocks causing mental and physical distress. Turaya also unlocks creative potential at the cellular level.
TURKISH MASSAGE - utilized in Turkish baths, Turkish massage has provided therapeutic bodywork for hundreds of years. These baths and the massage techniques utilized have 3 goals: relaxation, refreshment and a promotion of overall health. Turkish massage techniques consist mostly of strong, repeated strokes.