Los Feliz Ledger [ focus on the advertiser ]
Thai Sabai Massage By Laura J. Weinstock / Ledger Contributing Writer THAI TOWN— I’d never had a traditional Thai massage before, so I approached my 90-minute appointment at Thai Sabai with some trepidation. I needn’t have worried. From the moment I walked in the door my experience was wonderful. The dÊcor is light and airy and immediately put me at ease. I was ushered into a private massage room that did not resemble typical, massage settings. Instead of a table, there was a
mattress on the f loor, with three shiny, black stones and a paper orchid at the foot. Another orchid lay on the pillow. I was given a loosefitting top with ties and a pair of very large shorts and told to change into them. From that point on, I entered an other-worldly event. It was as if I’d gone to Thailand, without ever leaving L.A. Sasivipa, the senior masseuse at Thai Sabai, was incredible. With 33 years of nursing under her belt and a decade
of massage on top of that, she trains the other massage therapists. Even though her daughter gave birth to a baby girl at 4 a.m. the morning of my appointment, Sasivipa was able to give me her full attention and energy. Thai massage, which originated 5,000 years ago and is three hundred years old in its current form, seems like a misnomer. It is actually a combination of stretches and body rotations, acupressure, mild chiropractics and energy work. In typical massages, I emerge practically comatose, only to find my relaxed muscles tightening back up an hour later. To my delight, this did not occur after my Thai
[ BEING WHOLE ]
Heal Thy Self By Elma Mayer / Ledger Columnist The conceit of western medicine is that medical treatment heals. But a treatment cannot heal you. A cast cannot knit a broken bone. It can only provide support so the bone can re-grow. Antibiotics, painkillers and surgery do not heal. They kill bacteria, shortcircuit the nervous system and remove unwanted matter. But they do not regenerate – only your body can. You are the best healer there is. You’ve already healed yourself countless times, without professional help. Your inner healing technology kicks in, and the cut heals, the hurt mends. Human healing ability is taking a huge evolutionary leap. New technologies abound – and they’re not just machines. Myriad healing modalities are now available to the general public, like Reiki, Chi Gong, Yuen Method and Emotional Free-
dom Technique. More people than ever are healers. We are evolving our ability to heal, consciously and actively – far beyond the body’s already-amazing capability to regenerate. Imagine healing with conscious control, at will. This is not just fantasy. The ability to heal intentionally exists right now. Anyone can do it. Try it now. Here’s a very simple, general technique. Notice an area of discomfort in your body. Now imagine there’s a switch on your spine that “turns on� healing. Flip the switch to the “on� position – just pretend – visualize it. Now, check in with the area of discomfort. If there’s even a little improvement, in the next few minutes, know that you’re not making it up. You have activated self-healing. Don’t assume that healing
only comes from professionals. Doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and therapists can assist you. But they cannot heal. Only you have the ultimate power to heal yourself. You are a healer. Elma Mayer, MA, is a Certified Practitioner and Teacher of The Yuen Method of Chinese Energetics. www.nowhealing. com (323)309-7687.
massage, despite the unusual positions into which she manipulated my body. Sasivipa even massaged my legs in between her two feet! In contrast to Western massages that start with the back and neck Sasivipa began with my feet and legs. Instead of simply working troubled areas just once, she returned
to them again and again, approaching the muscles from different angles. When it was over, I felt calm, but also energized. Thai Sabai, 5261 Hollywood Blvd. LA, CA 90027 (323) 485-2800 or www. thaisabai.com
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www.losfelizledger.com
October 2007