If you have ever received a Thai massage, you may have heard the term ‘sen lines’ from your therapist. What are sen lines and why are they important for your physical and mental health and emotional well-being?
Sen lines are the energy pathways that run through your body, according to traditional Thai medicine. They are similar to the concept of meridians in Chinese medicine or nadis in Ayurveda. Sen lines carry vital life force or prana throughout your system, nourishing your organs, tissues and cells.
There are 72,000 sen lines in your body, but only 10 of them are considered major and are used in Thai massage. These 10 sen lines correspond to different physical and mental aspects of your health, such as digestion, respiration, circulation, immunity, emotions and spirituality.
When the sen lines are flowing freely, you experience balance, harmony and wellness. However, when the sen lines are blocked or disrupted by stress, injury, illness or negative emotions, you may experience pain, discomfort, disease or emotional distress.
There are many different sen lines in the body, but most Thai massage practitioners focus on the following main ones.
Sen Sumana: The central line that runs from the top of the head to the navel. It is associated with the respiratory and digestive systems.
Sen Ittha: The left line that runs from the left nostril to the left shoulder, arm, leg and foot. It is associated with the feminine energy and the parasympathetic nervous system.
Sen Pingkhala: The right line that runs from the right nostril to the right shoulder, arm, leg and foot. It is associated with the masculine energy and the sympathetic nervous system.
Sen Kalathari: The pair of lines that run from the navel to the chest, shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. They are associated with the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Sen Sahatsarangsi: The pair of lines that run from the navel to the eyes. They are associated with vision and light perception.
Sen Thawari: The pair of lines that run from the navel to the ears. They are associated with hearing and sound perception.
Sen Lawusang: The pair of lines that run from the navel to the nose. They are associated with smell and taste perception.
Sen Ulangka: The pair of lines that run from the navel to the knees. They are associated with movement and balance.
Thai massage is a holistic therapy that aims to restore the flow of energy in your sen lines by applying pressure, stretching and twisting techniques along their course. By doing so, Thai massage can help you release tension, improve circulation, enhance flexibility, boost immunity, calm your mind and promote healing.
Comments