The spa industry in China is just taking off, but developers and
spa professionals are already looking toward the future. Chinese
spa professionals have drawn inspirations from ancient Chinese
disciplines to create something new.
Summa Spa Institute International in Beijing has successfully
created a new treatment integrating tai chi philosophy with massage
therapy.
"Tai chi is very helpful for all types of activities, especially
good for co-operating with massage therapy," said the institute's
Principal Assistant, Connie Pong.
"The slow and fluid movements help the therapists to focus on
delivering a more intense, effective and creative massage."
The ancient Chinese discipline tai chi integrates mind, body and
spirit, and it is an oriental system for self-defense and health
maintenance which can be of benefit to better balance,
coordination, increased joint flexibility and strength.
Tai chi exercise itself is based on the concept of qi which is
our vital energy that moves through the body. The circular path of
qi begins at the dantian energy center of the lower abdomen, which
then moves outward through the palms of the hands, then returns to
the center.
"The massage therapy is an excellent opportunity to bring qi
into the body while moving the body," Pong said.
"Our therapists must stay with acute mental focus and remain
correct postures and positions. They are like a tree, with feet
like the roots, the torso like the trunk and arms like the limbs
and branches," Pong said.
Stability and grounding are the feet and legs, direction of
movement begins at the torso, and expression is through the arms
and hands. By keeping the joints slightly bent and relaxed, the
feet can step lightly and softly to produce a strong and fluid
movement.
Whenever the feet are pointed, the hips will move in that
direction, and wherever the hips move, the arms and hands will
follow. Feet are positioned squarely under the knees, hips and
shoulders.
"With this type of movements, we can move through all of our
activities more effectively and enjoy increased energy trough
proper postures," Pong said. "This energy may not appear forceful,
but it is powerful."
While moving the body during massage by using tai chi technique
and postures, comply with the breathing technique, the therapists
are just like dancers. The rhythm can be adjusted to the client's
breathing, letting them set the pace. The movement is from hard to
soft, up to down, in to out. Yin-yang concept is fully utilized in
this tai chi massage.
"Tai chi massage is creative," Pong said. "Each massage is
different according to client's need. Therapists just follow the
flow of client's body need."
(Shanghai Daily July 11, 2007)