Thai Yoga is Not Yoga | TraditionalBodywork.com

Published July 9, 2017February 7, 2019 | Updated February 7, 2019

Reusi Datton statue at Wat Pho temple grounds in Bangkok — IMAGE BY HELISSA GRUNDEMANN

Reusi Datton or Thai Yoga is not really Yoga. It’s a bit the same as with Traditional Thai Massage which is not really massage.

However, when seeing a Reusi Datton session one can easily get the impression of a series of Yoga-movements being executed. But doing it yourself, one very quickly discovers that it only remotely resembles (Indian) Yoga.

Reusi Datton is a seven-fold diamond in simultaneous, parallel, integrated action: strength, stretch, reversed breath, balance, postural correction (chiropractics), muscle relaxation, and (Thai) dance.

That makes this bodywork tradition quite hard to perform correctly and a seemingly simple work-out of about 45 minutes is in fact a very intense, concentrated, and meditative experience.

As believed to be the basis and foundation of Traditional Thai Massage (Nuat Thai), a Reusi Datton session also prepares the body well (warms it up) to receive a Thai Massage workout immediately afterwards. A little bit the same effect as having a Herbal Ball massage session before a Thai Massage.

Reusi Datton is ideal bodywork for the Thai Massage practitioner as a preparation and stretcher before doing a massage session or as a compensator afterwards. Moreover, various exercises can be taught to the receiver to do “at home,” hence continuing the therapeutic work that needs to be done.

Reusi Datton or Thai Yoga is not really Yoga. No. But it sure as well does the job.