You’ve booked your first Thai massage, but you’re not quite sure what to expect? Will the massage be intense? Do you need to bring anything? Will you have to undress? What is the ideal duration?
These are just some of the questions you might have before visiting a spa for the first time.
At Janthra Spa, in Paris’s 6th arrondissement, we welcome both regular Thai massage enthusiasts and those discovering this practice for the first time. From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, we’re here to answer your questions.
BEFORE YOUR MASSAGE: WHAT TIME SHOULD YOU ARRIVE?
We recommend arriving 10 minutes before your appointment.
This gives you time to settle in comfortably and ask any questions you may have. It’s also the perfect opportunity to let us know about any particular areas of tension, parts of your body you’d like us to focus on or, conversely, areas you’d prefer us to avoid.
SHOULD YOU EAT BEFORE A THAI MASSAGE?
You can certainly eat before your appointment. We simply recommend avoiding a particularly heavy meal just before your session. You’ll generally spend part of your massage lying on your stomach, so having a very full stomach may make certain positions a little less comfortable.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING FOR YOUR MASSAGE?
At Janthra Spa, we provide everything you need for your comfort: indoor slippers, towels and suitable massage clothing. If you’re also planning to enjoy our private Jacuzzi, particularly as part of our Janthra Spa Wellness Ritual, remember to bring your swimming costume. Alternatively, we can provide disposable underwear.
All you really need to bring is the desire to relax…
DO YOU NEED TO UNDRESS FOR A THAI MASSAGE?
It depends on the treatment you’ve chosen.
For a Traditional Thai Massage, we provide loose-fitting cotton clothing. The massage is performed fully clothed, allowing your therapist to carry out the movements and stretches without a direct contact with your skin because of the pressure applied which could be unpleasant.
For an oil massage, we provide disposable underwear. Your body remains covered with a towel throughout the session, with your therapist uncovering only the area being massaged.
For Foot and Hand Reflexology, we ask you to uncover your feet and calves, as well as your arms and shoulders, so that your therapist can work on these areas comfortably.
Your privacy is respected throughout your massage.
WHERE CAN YOU LEAVE YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS?
Your clothes, bag and personal belongings remain in your private treatment room throughout your session.
If you’d like to take a shower, the private bathroom has a dedicated space where you can keep your belongings safely away from the water.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A THAI MASSAGE?
Once you’re comfortably settled, your massage can begin.
At Janthra Spa, our therapists start with your feet, gradually working their way up your body to the crown of your head.
The duration you’ve booked are dedicated entirely to your massage.
BUT WHY START WITH THE FEET RATHER THAN THE BACK OR SHOULDERS?
There are several reasons.
Firstly, feet hold a special place in Traditional Thai Massage. They are gently cleansed before the session, and the initial pressure signals to the body that it’s time to relax. As feet are particularly sensitive, starting here also allows your therapist to gradually adjust the pressure to suit you.
Working from the feet upwards also creates a natural progression through the different areas of the body, without repeatedly returning to the same areas.
WHAT TECHNIQUES ARE USED DURING THE MASSAGE?
Thai massage involves much more than simply applying pressure to the back.
Depending on your chosen treatment and individual needs, your therapist may use a variety of techniques:
- Pressure applied using the hands, thumbs or elbows
- Stretches to encourage mobility
- Assisted joint movements
- More focused work on particularly tense areas
- Flowing, gliding movements during oil massages
Your therapist adapts her techniques to your body, your preferences and the areas of tension she identifies. This is why two people booking the same treatment won’t necessarily experience exactly the same massage.
CAN YOU CHOOSE THE INTENSITY OF YOUR MASSAGE?
We actively encourage you to communicate with your therapist. During your session, she’ll ask whether the pressure feels comfortable.
There’s no single level of intensity that suits everyone. Areas of particular tension may be more sensitive to pressure. As the massage progresses, these areas may gradually relax, leaving you with a feeling of lightness.
Before and during your massage, you’re welcome to ask as often as you need your therapist to increase or reduce the pressure, spend more time on a particular area or avoid certain parts of your body altogether.
WHAT IF YOU DON’T WANT CERTAIN STRETCHES?
You’re completely free to decline any stretch or movement that doesn’t feel right for you.
During our Traditional Thai Massage or Asian Mix Massage, certain assisted movements may also produce joint cracking sounds, particularly towards the end of the session.
These aren’t systematic and depend on the areas of tension identified by your therapist. If you’d prefer to avoid any movements that might cause your joints to crack, simply let her know.
IS A 30-MINUTE MASSAGE ENOUGH?
It all depends on what you’re looking for. A 30-minute massage can be particularly beneficial if you’d like to focus on a specific area of your body.
For our Asian Mix, Essential Oil or Hot Oil Massages, you can choose to focus on your upper body, particularly your back, shoulders and neck, or your lower body, including your legs and feet.
Some guests request a full-body massage in just 30 minutes. However, it’s worth remembering that the more areas your therapist needs to cover, the less time she can spend on each one. If you’d like to address particular areas of tension, we therefore recommend focusing on one part of the body.
Longer sessions allow your therapist to dedicate more time to each area, providing a more comprehensive massage experience.
It is considered that the perfect duration of a Thaï massage is 1h or 1h30.
WILL YOU LEAVE COVERED IN OIL AFTER YOUR MASSAGE?
It’s a perfectly reasonable question, especially if you’re booking your first oil massage and have plans afterwards.
At Janthra Spa, your therapist gently removes any excess oil with a towel. A light layer may remain on your skin, much like the moisturiser you’d normally apply. A shower is also available should you wish to use it. Your therapist will also wash her hands before beginning your scalp massage, ensuring that no oil is transferred to your hair or scalp.
HOW WILL YOU FEEL AFTER A THAI MASSAGE?
Everyone responds differently. Some people experience a deep sense of relaxation, sometimes accompanied by a desire to sleep. Others feel a renewed burst of energy. These sensations can also vary from one session to another, depending on how tired you are, the techniques used and the intensity of your massage.
After a particularly firm massage, certain areas may also remain slightly sensitive for a short while. The important thing is to give yourself time to settle back into your body and return to your usual activities at your own pace.
ONE LAST MOMENT OF RELAXATION BEFORE YOU LEAVE
At our spa in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the experience doesn’t end with your therapist’s final movement. After your session, we invite you to extend your moment of relaxation with a hot drink and a delicious bowl of fresh fruit. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the spa for a little longer before returning to the rhythm of your day.
YOUR FIRST THAI MASSAGE AT JANTHRA SPA
Your first Thai massage may raise plenty of questions, but there’s no need for complicated preparations. Simply arrive a little early, let us know what you’re looking for and allow us to guide you.
Whether you’re seeking a gentle massage, more focused attention on areas of tension or simply a peaceful break from everyday life, our therapists adapt their techniques to your needs.
There’s no single right way to experience a massage. What matters is finding what feels right for you.
Discover our range of Thai massages and book your next session at Janthra Spa, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris.
