When I moved to India, I became a massage addict. They were so affordable that I started getting one once a week. The same woman who came to thread my eyebrows would give me my weekly massage at home. I ended up getting certified in Thai massage and enjoyed giving them myself. I have travelled to almost 30 countries and now get massages everywhere so that I can try out new styles. Here are 8 incredible massages to experience around the world. These are some of my favourite massages that you too can try while you travel. This barely scrapes the surface though as each country has multiple massages and spa treatments to offer. Try to be open-minded and ask for the traditional massage of the country you visit. It might just become your next favourite massage style.
Indian Ayurvedic
There is focus on getting the blood flowing, which means long full strokes from the top of your leg to the bottom, or arm, back, etc. They are fast paced and very repetitive. The oil is the key, and a lot of it is used. Sometimes, it's heated.
Thai
This massage is done with clothes on, on a yoga mat on the floor. Some call this massage the 'lazy man's yoga'. The masseuse will bend and twist you while pressing their palms all over your body and adding a bit of reflexology to your feet.
Hawaiian Lomi Lomi
One of the greatest massages of all, Lomi Lomi is often done on the beach and the masseuse will create long stroking movements with their forearm. It's all about lengthening.
Hot Stone
This is the best for stress relief. It's not really based from any location and can be an add-on to Lomi Lomi or even Indian or Balinese massage. The stones aren't too hot and the masseuse actually holds the stone in her hand as if an extension of her hand and gives the massage. The stones are changed every couple of minutes to stay hot.
SE Asia Bamboo
The sticks of bamboo are about 6 inches long and the masseuse use one of the two at a time. Often, they are heated. This allows them to have a bit of stability so that they can push harder, giving the client a deeper massage, which is more intense than a typical 'deep tissue' massage.
Balinese
Perhaps the most popular massage in the world, it perfectly combines Thai massage and Swedish. Usually, it starts with palm presses and some stretching and ends as a normal Swedish massage.
Swedish
This is the 'relaxation' massage. This will be what you think of as a normal or basic oil massage with calming music and quite soft pressure.
Aromatherapy
Although many types of massages will use certain scents or even let you choose a scent, an aromatherapy massage uses different scents to give you ultimate relaxation. My favourite thus far is 'plumeria', a Hawaiian scent.
Sign up here with your email