Discover the history of Thai massage and the story of Janthra, whose lifelong passion led her to open Janthra Spa in Paris.
Janthra’s Story: A Lifelong Passion
Janthra Spa was born out of a passion: Janthra’s lifelong love of massage.
Born in a small rural village in north-eastern Thailand, Janthra was given her name by her father. Meaning “shining full moon”, it was inspired by the beautiful moonlit sky on the night she was born.
From a very young age, Janthra discovered the art of massage by helping to relieve her grandmother’s aches and pains after long days working in the rice fields.
Although she never had the opportunity to pursue formal education, Janthra had always dreamed of becoming a doctor. Instead, she devoted herself to her passion for traditional Thai massage, studying this ancient healing art at the renowned Wat Pho School in Bangkok.
While still a young woman, she left Thailand and embarked on a remarkable journey that took her first to Cambodia, then to Kenya, where she worked with the Red Cross, and later to Switzerland.
She eventually settled in France in 1998, driven by a dream that had become her life’s purpose: to open her own spa, bringing well-being, relaxation and happiness to everyone who walked through its doors.
Traditional Thai Massage – An Ancient Art of Well-Being
Traditional Thai Massage, also known as Thai Yoga Massage, is an ancient healing practice rooted in traditions influenced by Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
This unique art of touch gently guides the recipient through a series of yoga-inspired positions, combining massage techniques, acupressure, work along the body’s traditional energy pathways (Sen), and gentle passive stretching.
In Thailand, Nuad Bo Rarn, or traditional Thai massage, is sometimes affectionately described as “yoga for lazy people”.
According to tradition, the founding father of Thai massage was Jivaka Kumarbhaccha, a renowned physician and healer who is believed to have treated the Buddha himself.
Over more than 2,500 years, Thai massage traditions developed in close association with Buddhist temples. They evolved into a practice through which those following a spiritual path could share the values of meditation, mindfulness and compassion through the art of touch.
Today, traditional Thai massage is increasingly appreciated throughout the Western world, where people are discovering its remarkable ability to promote relaxation, flexibility and a sense of harmony between body and mind.
Discover the Art of Thai Massage at Janthra Spa
We invite you to experience this timeless Thai tradition at Janthra Spa, in the heart of Paris.
In 2019, UNESCO added Nuad Thai to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, marking a milestone in the history of Thai massage.
Discover the benefits of this extraordinary art of well-being and let yourself be captivated by the energy, authenticity and expertise of our massages.
Janthra Spa – The Art of Traditional Thai Massage, Inspired by a Lifetime of Passion.
