Experiencing massages in Nepal and Bhutan, as is true anytime three of the five senses are tapped, is an extra sensory experience. Such is the case with swirl, sniff, sip for oneophiles. The same can be true for a modern rock concert where visuals and vibrations are matched with sound. And so it is also true for modern massages with flutes and lutes piped in and essential oils combined with touch.
But what of a possible fourth sense being touched in the process? Does the contorionistic movement of a Thai massage release the audible and physical gases to open the chi? Or do specific incenses tap different senses homeopathically during a Tibetan Buddhist session as they suggest when selling those scents? How bout a reflexology session where pressure on the sole audibly and noticeably releases lower back muscles?
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Temple bells in Kathmandu -
A quiet moment of meditation at Boudanath -
Sunset at the rooftop pool and spa in Kathmandu -
Refreshing lime and mint drink in Patan -
The holiday celebration of Mha Puja or prayer for self for the coming year.
On a recent trip I had four short massages in three weeks – all completely different and yet compellingly pointing toward this elusive fourth “sense” of release. A half hour back and shoulder in KTM included a reverse guru series of knee folds which unexpectedly and positively turned me into jelly. Forty-five minutes of reflexology when my feet were particularly worn out energized much more than feet and legs in Pokhara. An hour foot massage in Thimpu after a stressful flight and journey revived my normal shoulder-blade stress storage without even taking my shirt off. And a half hour back massage in Paro released what was left of the anticipatory stress of the long journey home. There’s something therapeutic that the easterners know without all the numbing jumbo of our American sales pitches.
For the record, all four massages cost less than $1 a minute and some were half that. Total for three and a quarter hours was $69. Moral to the story? Go for it. Try something new.
Thinking about experiencing some of Bhutan’s massage experiences? Check out our discussion about Gross National Happiness. https://focusbyhenderson.com/gross-national-happiness-a-zen-lesson-in-bhutan/ or the continuing conversations about travels in Nepal https://focusbyhenderson.com/boudanath-stupa-and-a-lesson-in-buddhism-in-nepal/
