Exploring the Authenticity of Thai Massage Inspired by The White Lotus

Free up at least two hours of my afternoon, abstain from eating for an hour prior, wear clothes that allow my full range of motion, and be prepared for a physical and psychological experience. These are instructions I was given before my first Thai massage.

The pursuit of this service was admittedly inspired by The White Lotus on HBO. The third season takes place at the eponymous hotel’s Thailand location, a wellness resort where guests receive no such guidelines upon scheduling their massages. The “sports massage” that Saxon Ratliff (played by actor Patrick Schwarzenegger) signs up for seems much different from the traditional Thai version—or at least the one that I experienced.

Ironically, my authentic wellness moment occurred in the West—the Midwest, to be exact—at a Cincinnati-based yoga school and studio named the Lotus Yoga Temple. And while my Thai yoga massage may be more aligned with the show’s larger setting, it wouldn’t fit within the walls of the titular hotel, and it would definitely be a bit too real for the swanky Ratliff family.

All About My Three-Hour-Long White Lotus-Inspired Thai Massage

When I arrived at the church-turned-Masonic-center-turned-yoga space, the smell of incense penetrated the building’s exterior cement block walls. I waited outside to be let in by Will Brashear, the school’s owner and an Ayurvedic yoga therapist who has practiced and trained others in yoga and Thai massage for more than 20 years.

Brashear greeted me and led me up a set of stairs to a small balcony that looked over the school’s main yoga sanctuary. It was dimly lit by table lamps and candles, and the limited floor space was covered in blankets and pillows—no massage table in sight.

Rather than a fluffy bathrobe or counters covered in oils and lotions, the room was adorned with educational posters and tchotchkes. I kept my yoga pants and athletic tank on and placed my head on a pillow on the floor in the center of the room. My body did its best to melt into the warmth of a heated pad beneath me as I mentally prepared for an all-encompassing, nearly three-hour journey.

But First, What Is Thai Massage?

At its core, traditional Thai massage is the palming and thumbing of the body’s energy lines or meridians while it’s moved through assisted yoga postures and stretches—some call it “lazy man’s yoga,” Brashear told me. Along these meridians are acupressure points that, when massaged in combination with stretching, may release muscular tension, improve circulation, and boost the immune system. The “ancient healing way,” as Brashear called it, draws inspiration from traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and Japanese shiatsu.

Brashear emphasized that there are various interpretations of Thai massage. He believes that many practitioners prioritize forcing clients into demanding positions at the expense of concentrating on acupressure, which minimizes the effectiveness of the treatment by increasing injury risk. He calls his own approach “Acu Thai”, blending stretching, acupressure, and spiritual guidance together.

As he meticulously massaged one point at a time, Brashear offered insights into the significance of my soreness with references to yoga’s universal five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space.

I Quickly Realized That Thai Massage Is a Little Painful—but in a Good Way

Brashear began the massage by squeezing my feet and popping as many toes as he could. After these acupressure points were attended to, he instructed me to press into his hand like a gas pedal during the foot and ankle stretches. Moving up one leg, he applied significant pressure with fingertip-focused bursts on various sections of the limb, ultimately reaching my outer thigh—a point he termed “jumping circle”—which caused me to react involuntarily.

In Brashear’s view, it should be a pleasurable experience that respects one’s pain threshold. He encouraged clear communication about pain levels and made adjustments as necessary. (I was honest, and so was he.)

We Had a Pretty Deep Conversation

Throughout the session, Brashear and I engaged in conversation, which he explained is a critical part of his assessment. I shared insights about my stressors regarding work and family, and my aspirations for creativity. He continued to work methodically on each limb, alternating between different techniques.

I Found Out That I Had Blocked Energy

According to Brashear, areas of tenderness indicate blocked energy that may contribute to mental and physical challenges. He identified my problem areas relating to the elements of earth and space, which he suggested hinted at an imbalance in my life. Following the massage, he provided tailored yoga postures and self-care recommendations aimed at restoring equilibrium.

“To decrease the earth element, be mindful to avoid taking on responsibilities that are not yours to carry,” he suggested. To enhance the space element, he encouraged me to pursue new projects, embrace small risks, and try activities like squat jumps.

The session wrapped up with more stretching. As I lay on my stomach, he guided my arms into an assisted cobra pose, leaving me feeling like a ragdoll. After returning to my back, he completed the treatment by palpating pressure points on my skull, ears, and jawline.

He visually sealed the experience, stating: “See nothing but black, like a blank slate.”

Grounded, Dreamy, Real Results

Brashear invited me to enjoy silence at the end of the session before we discussed my experience. He shared occasions where clients have canceled surgeries, cried, or experienced release from persistent pain after sessions. His ultimate aim is to enhance people’s well-being. “The emotional stuff is the most rewarding,” he noted.

Initially, I felt anxious about the massage, but I maintained an open mindset. Ultimately, I emerged feeling physically grounded, albeit with a bit of tremors in my legs. Mentally, I felt notably dreamy, desiring to sink into bed—an unusual feeling for someone typically energetic.

In the following days, soreness arose in the targeted areas, particularly in the outer thighs, which developed bruising. While I have yet to implement the balancing practices provided, I have noticed a sense of increased limberness and decreased tension in my upper body, a common stress target.

Although it wasn’t set against a backdrop of luxury like the massages depicted in The White Lotus, my Thai massage was profoundly effective and enlightening, proving that one doesn’t need a lavish resort to enjoy an extended wellness experience.