Thai Massage Intro -38 Sen

Sen


Despite all teachers considering this concept essential, I have encountered numerous conflicting definitions for these lines of the body.
 Subtle Sen: are linked with the mind and consciousness, while gross Sen lines are found on the physical body. Thai massage practitioners work with the latter, which can be sub-categorized as follows:
Major Sen: Large tendons, ligaments, veins, specific fascial sheaths
Minor Sen: Channels that branch from the major Sen
Invisible Sen Lines: Lines too small to see, such as hormone and nutrient movement lines.

What unifies these trajectories into the gross category is that they are associated with the earth element and wind, known as the movement element. What do these parts have to do with movement?

They involve energy transferrals of some kind — like the pumping of blood, the contraction of muscles, or the pumping of neural impulses.

The role of a bodyworker in traditional Thai massage is to manipulate the wind in the channels and clear blockages, as opposed to just focusing on the muscles.

Reasons for using Sen lines and not simply focusing on muscle tissues can be spiritual, purely medicinal, or both. While scientific research continues to investigate why Thai massage is so effective, one thing is sure — manipulating Sen lines to enhance the free flow of energy transfer will reduce pain, increase health, and heighten one’s sense of well-being.

At CATA, we offer a set of coursework in which we take considerable time to examine each Sen from multiple different angles, including their locations, the structures involved, how they relate to the myofascial system of the body and the positions which are best suited to access them during treatments to develop a complex understanding of Sen lines, enabling all of our students to work with the Sen holistically.

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Itha Pingala:

Itha: Left channel for  feminine qualities (Lunar), Emotional, feelings

The trajectory of the main channel: Starts at the navel, descend the front of left thigh, turn at left knee, ascend back of left thigh, ascend on left side of spine, turn at top of head, finish at left nostril.

Pingala:  Right channel for male qualities (Solar), Analysis, thought

Trajectory of the main channel: Same as ITTA on Right side

Sen Itha and Sen Pingala are two major energy channels in the body that play a significant role in Thai Massage sessions. Sen Itha, also known as the left energy channel, runs along the left side of the body, while Sen Pingala, the right energy channel, runs along the right side. These energy channels are believed to carry life force energy, or “prana,” throughout the body.

Sumana:

Indications:

 Sense of taste and smell. related to digestive issues, abdominal pain. SEN Sumana also pertains  to chest problems, hiccups, asthma, spasm of the diaphragm, nausea and cold. All Chakras are located on this Line.  Similar to the yogic nadi shushmana.

Trajectory of the main channel: :Starts at the navel;, ascend inside throat, finish at the base of the tongue.

Sen Sumana is a significant concept in Traditional Thai Medicine. It encompasses various aspects related to the sense of taste and smell, as well as digestive issues and abdominal pain. Additionally, Sen Sumana is associated with chest problems, hiccups, asthma, spasm of the diaphragm, nausea, and cold. It is important to note that all Chakras are located along this line. The trajectory of the main channel starts at the navel, ascends inside the throat, and finishes at the base of the tongue. Sen Sumana is comparable to the yogic nadi shushmana.

Lawusang/Ulanga:

Indication:

Deafness, ear infections, middle and inner ear problems, coughing,    facial paralysis, toothache and sore throat.

Anatomy Chain:

Starts at the Navel runs to the nipple up the Posterior Scalene to the front of the ear and back along the hairline behind the ear to finish under the ear lobes.

Sen Lawusang/Ulanga is a significant energy pathway in Traditional Thai Medicine. It begins at the navel and runs up to the nipple, then travels along the posterior scalene muscle to the front of the ear. From there, it continues along the hairline behind the ear and concludes under the ear lobes. This energy pathway is associated with various health issues, including deafness, ear infections, middle and inner ear problems, coughing, facial paralysis, toothache, and sore throat. During a Traditional Thai Medicine session, practitioners may focus on Sen Lawusang/Ulanga to address these specific conditions.

Sen Sahatsarangsi/Thawari:

Connected to the sense of sight and is hence used for redness/swelling of the eyes. Facial paralysis, toothache, fever, chest pain, manic depressive/psychosis, gastrointestinal diseases, urogenital diseases, arthritis of the knee, paralysis of legs, knee pain. Sen Thawari is used in for Jaundice and appendicitis.

Sen Sahatsarangsi/Thawari is a term used in Traditional Thai Medicine to refer to a specific energy pathway in the body. It is primarily connected to the sense of sight and is often used to address issues related to the eyes, such as redness and swelling. However, its influence extends beyond ocular health. In a Traditional Thai Medicine session, Sen Sahatsarangsi/Thawari may also be utilized to treat a variety of other conditions. These include facial paralysis, toothache, fever, chest pain, manic depressive/psychosis, gastrointestinal diseases, urogenital diseases, arthritis of the knee, paralysis of the legs, knee pain, jaundice, and appendicitis. This energy pathway plays a significant role in addressing a wide range of ailments, making it an essential aspect of Traditional Thai Medicine.

Kalathari:

Indication:

Sen Kalathari is closely associated with muscular, skeletal, skin system and also considered the psychic/mental line.

Thai application: for paralysis of arms and legs. Pain in the arms/legs, angina pectoris, epilepsy, schizophrenia, hysteria, various and sundry mental diseases. Cardiac Arrhythmia, arthritic fingers, jaundice, hernia, chest pain, shock,   rheumatic heart disease.

Sen Kalathari is a term that holds significant meaning in the realm of traditional Thai medicine. It is closely linked to the muscular, skeletal, and skin systems, as well as the psychic and mental aspects of the human body. In Thai medicine, Sen Kalathari is commonly used to address a range of conditions and ailments. It is particularly effective in treating paralysis of the arms and legs, as well as pain in these areas. Additionally, Sen Kalathari is known to be beneficial for individuals suffering from angina pectoris, epilepsy, schizophrenia, hysteria, and various other mental disorders. It has also been found to be helpful in cases of cardiac arrhythmia, arthritic fingers, jaundice, hernia, chest pain, shock, and rheumatic heart disease. Traditional Thai medicine practitioners often incorporate Sen Kalathari into their treatment sessions to provide relief and promote overall well-being.

Trajectory:

Major 1: Starts at the Navel crosses to the Nipples and runs into the armpit. From there down the inside of triceps brachi long head and down to the elbow from there it runs between flexor carpi radialis and Palmaris Longus. On reaching the wrist, it opens into five branches which end at the tip of each finger.

Major 2: Starts at the tips of each finger and runs the reverse path of Major line 1 back to the navel. From here it crosses to the other side of the body down to the groin and down to the upper thigh along the adductors. It then crosses the knee and runs along the between the gastroc and soleus muscle. It crosses the front of the malleolus down under the foot to the Plantar aponeurosis and spreads to the end of each toe.

Major 3: Starts at where the Major line 1 crosses into the armpit at the Pectoralis minor and goes up clavicle to the clavicular head of the SCM muscle. From here it goes up the clavicular strand of the SCM and up the face to the corner of the eyes

Sen Sahatsarangsi, also known as Thawari, is a fundamental concept in Traditional Thai Medicine sessions. It refers to the energy pathways that run throughout the body, similar to the meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine. These pathways are believed to carry life force energy, or “lom,” and play a crucial role in maintaining physical and mental well-being. The Sen Sahatsarangsi system consists of 72,000 energy lines, with ten main lines considered the most important. These main lines correspond to specific organs and body systems and are targeted during Thai massage and other therapeutic techniques. By working on the Sen Sahatsarangsi, practitioners aim to restore balance and harmony to the body, promoting healing and overall health.

Kalathari:

Indications:

Hernia, Frequent Urination, Impotence, Infertility, issues with the Ovaries, Uterus, or Prostate, Ejaculation, Premature Ejaculation, Irregular Menstruation, Uterine Bleeding, Urinary Retention, Diarrhea, Abdominal pains, and balancing of Libido.

Sen Kitcha is a concept in Traditional Thai Medicine that encompasses various aspects related to the reproductive and urinary systems. It is believed to play a significant role in maintaining the overall balance and well-being of individuals. Sen Kitcha is associated with conditions such as hernia, frequent urination, impotence, infertility, issues with the ovaries, uterus, or prostate, ejaculation, premature ejaculation, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, urinary retention, diarrhea, abdominal pains, and the balancing of libido. During a Traditional Thai Medicine session, practitioners focus on addressing these specific concerns through various therapeutic techniques and herbal remedies. The aim is to restore harmony and optimize the functioning of the reproductive and urinary systems, thereby promoting overall health and vitality.

Trajectory:

Sen Khitchanna starts at the navel (umbilicus) and runs to the penis and testicles (called Sen Pitakun) for men, or to the urethra and vagina (called Sen Kitcha) for women.

Sen Khitchanna is a significant concept in Traditional Thai Medicine. It refers to a specific energy pathway that runs from the navel (umbilicus) to the genital area. For men, this pathway is known as Sen Pitakun and it extends to the penis and testicles. For women, it is called Sen Kitcha and it extends to the urethra and vagina. This energy pathway is believed to play a crucial role in maintaining overall health and balance in the body. During a Traditional Thai Medicine session, practitioners may focus on stimulating or balancing the energy flow along Sen Khitchanna to promote well-being and address specific health concerns.

Sen Nantakawat

Indications:

Sen Nanthakrawat is one of the ten main Thai Sib Sen Energy Lines as used in Traditional Thai Massage and Thai Yoga and mostly related to the functioning of genital and lower excretion organs.

Sen Nantakawat is a significant component of Traditional Thai Massage and Thai Yoga. It is one of the ten main Thai Sib Sen “Energy Lines” that play a crucial role in this practice. Specifically, Sen Nantakawat is primarily associated with the functioning of the genital and lower excretion organs. In the context of a Traditional Thai Medicine session, understanding and working with Sen Nantakawat is essential for addressing issues related to these areas of the body. Its inclusion in the practice allows for a holistic approach to healing and promoting overall well-being.

Trajectory:

Two lines. One starts at the navel and travels to the urethra (Sen Sikhini). The other starts at the navel and runs to the anus (Sen Sukhumang).