简体中文
EnglishWhat Is Northern Style Thai Massage and How Does It Differ from Southern Style?
Updated
Northern Style Thai massage is the lineage practiced at The Center for Thai Massage & Oasis Healing Arts in Lucas Valley, Marin County, California. It centers on Chiang Mai and is known for a slower, meditative rhythm that blends gentle rocking, rhythmic acupressure, and yoga-like assisted stretches. Southern Style, centered on Bangkok, uses brisker, firmer acupressure along energy lines ("meridians") and less of the stretch-focused work. If you want a deeply relaxing session built around assisted stretching, Northern Style fits; if you prefer firmer, faster pressure work, Southern Style is the closer match.
The shared foundation
Both styles belong to Nuad Bo-Rarn, a healing art the Center describes as more than 2,500 years old, rooted in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Buddhist spiritual practice, and Yoga. The difference is emphasis and tempo, not origin.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | Northern Style (Chiang Mai) | Southern Style (Bangkok) |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic center | Chiang Mai, northern Thailand | Bangkok, southern Thailand |
| Signature work | Yoga-influenced assisted stretches | Acupressure along energy pathways |
| Pressure and tempo | Gentle rocking, rhythmic, meditative | Brisk, firm |
| Overall feel | Deep relaxation and revitalization of body, mind, and spirit | More vigorous pressure-led bodywork |
What a Northern Style session is like
The Center describes the work as fluidly and meditatively blending gentle rocking, rhythmic acupressure, and assisted stretches. In practice, that means the practitioner moves you through stretch positions rather than working mostly with thumb and palm pressure while you lie still. The pace is slow and continuous, which is why the style is often chosen for relaxation rather than targeted deep-tissue pressure.
Who practices it here
The Center was established in Mill Valley in 1995 by Kimberly Call, CCHT, CMT, HHC, described as the first to pioneer and promote Northern Style Thai Massage in Marin County. She was trained and certified as an instructor in 1995 at ITM (Institute of Thai Massage) in Chiang Mai, an institution twice given Thailand's King's Award, and is described as a Lineage Master of Nuad Bo-Rarn. Her clientele has included Academy and Tony Award-winning actors and Guinness World Record-setting athletes.
The setting
Sessions take place in a private, by-appointment studio in the open-space hills of Lucas Valley, in a 1958 Eichler building with floor-to-ceiling glass walls looking over park and valley views toward the ocean. It sits about 1.5 miles from Highway 101 and roughly 17 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The studio is described as designed to nurture body, senses, mind, and spirit — a detail worth weighing if atmosphere matters as much to you as technique.
How to choose
- Choose Northern Style if you want assisted stretching, a slow meditative pace, and a session aimed at full-body relaxation.
- Choose Southern Style if you want firmer, faster acupressure focused on energy lines.
- Check fit with the practitioner if you have limited mobility or injuries, since assisted stretches involve being moved through positions. The site does not publish pricing, scheduling, or health-screening details, so confirm those directly before booking.