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Rating: 
Summary: Easy To Read With Excellent Graphics
Review: 4.5 StarsMaria Mercati has done an excellent job of bringing Thai massage to neophytes such as myself. The text is very readable and it tends to put the reader into the proper, relaxed state of mind. The bodywork shown within really works and is not difficult to learn. I just wish for more: more history and more exercises. This is an excellent, inexpensive resource.
Rating:
Summary: Easy To Read With Excellent Graphics
Review: 4.5 Stars Maria Mercati has done an excellent job of bringing Thai massage to neophytes such as myself. The text is very readable and it tends to put the reader into the proper, relaxed state of mind. The bodywork shown within really works and is not difficult to learn. I just wish for more: more history and more exercises. This is an excellent, inexpensive resource.
Rating:
Summary: quality phtos, clear anatomical descriptions, solid presenta
Review: This is a quality book that is a good introduction to the marvelous field of Thai Massage. The photos are clear and the descriptions of technique are competent. There are aspects that are lacking though that are extremely well covered in another book entitled, 'Thai Massage: A Traditional Medical Technique'by Dr. Richard Gold and published by Churchill Livingstone. This book presents Thai Massage as a primary component of an entire traditional medical system. The theories and history of Thai Medicine are covered and the development of the medicine in the context of Buddhist culture is very well presented.This book also has excellent photos and clear and easy to follow descriptions. Thai Massage is a unique style of bodywork that will see rapid growth in the West as it becomes better known.These books will certainly help that growth.
Rating:
Summary: quality phtos, clear anatomical descriptions, solid presenta
Review: This is a really good book which shows each position clearly. The pictures clarifies and guides the reader along with insets which describes each muscle being affected. Easy for anyone to follow.
Rating: 
Summary: Great first book on Thai massage
Review: This is a really good book which shows each position clearly. The pictures clarifies and guides the reader along with insets which describes each muscle being affected. Easy for anyone to follow.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource
Review: This is a wonderful Thai massage reference book. The pictures are easy to follow, the text is understandable and includes precautions, healing benefits and muscles stretched and pressed for each asana. There are pictures of men and women with sen lines imposed on a skeletal layout - it seems to make it particularly understandable in locating the sen lines on the body. There is a section on muscles - including diagrams and a chart listing the attachments, action and key thai manipulations acting on the muscle, and which lessons address the muscle. For my particular learning style this is a wonderful book and has been very helpful to me. I think that this is an excellent book for beginners and experienced therapists as well.
There is also a chapter of massage routines to ease specific chronic pain and a program for beginners to follow.
Ms. Mercati has solid training in Thai massage as well as Chinese Tui Na Massage and accupuncture. I received my initial training in Traditional Thai Medical Massage from students of Dr. James. It was a wonderful introduction to Thai Massage and as I further my education I know that it provided a solid foundation on which to build.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: This new contribution to the list of recent books on Thai Massage is worthy of a look. It is profusely illustrated with nice photographs and graphics as well. It is seriously lacking in some important details however. For a book that promotes itself as comprehensive we wonder why there are no references to proper Thai names or to the traditional thai Ayurvedic medical theory upon which the massage is actually based. Like other books written by beginners or at least less than advanced practitioners, the assumption is proposed that this ancient massage form is based on TCM, or traditional Chinese medical theory, this is simply not true. The other mistake is in promoting purely western ideas as to the where and why of the postures which in fact are classic yoga. Additionally there is very little information on the variations of traditional schools and forms available, such as the clear distinctions between Classic Southern and Northern method. There is also lacking any recognition of the acknowledged living masters and schools teaching today. Maybe in her next effort Ms. Mercati will acknowledge the true heritage of one of the worls finest massage and bodywork systems.
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