A first Thai massage is a quiet step into unfamiliar territory for many guests. You arrive from the everyday, jacket and phone in hand, unsure whether to lie down or undress, whether it will hurt, whether talking is allowed. This text walks you through a typical session at our studio on Stievestraße, the way it unfolds at Sala Thai, so that you can arrive at ease.
Arrival and intake
We recommend arriving 5 to 10 minutes before your appointment. You take off your shoes, receive a glass of water or tea and take a seat in the reception area. We then have a short intake conversation: which areas of your body feel tense, have you had recent surgeries or injuries, are you taking blood-thinning medication, are you pregnant? These questions are not a formality — they help us adapt the session to you. Feel free to say what you would like: gentler or firmer, focus on back and shoulders, no neck stretches.
Changing and greeting
For a classical Thai massage (Nuad Phaen Boran) you remain fully clothed. We provide loose cotton trousers and a wide top that allow for stretching and bending without restricting movement. Underwear stays on. For an aromatic oil massage, you lie on a treatment bed, covered with a cloth, and warm oil is used.
Some practitioners greet you with the Wai gesture — palms joined in front of the chest. This is a polite Thai greeting, not a ritual you need to return. A nod or smile is enough.
The session itself
A classical session usually begins at the feet. There is a practical and cultural reason: the work starts at the periphery and moves towards the centre, and in Thai tradition the feet mark the starting point of a respectful treatment from the ground up. From there, the practitioner works upward with calm, rhythmic pressure:
- Lower legs and thighs — along the outer and inner lines of the legs
- Hip area and lower back — with thumbs, palms and sometimes forearms
- Back and shoulder blades — often in alternating side positions
- Arms, hands, neck and head — towards the end, often in a seated position
Passive stretches are woven in: your legs are carefully bent, your arms opened, your back gently rotated. You do nothing actively — let the practitioner work and keep breathing calmly. The practitioner uses thumbs, palms, forearms, elbows, knees and feet. It sounds like a lot, but it flows.
A Thai massage traditionally takes place on a mat on the floor. For aromatic oil treatments, and for guests who find the floor uncomfortable, we use a treatment bed.
During the treatment
Talking is allowed but not necessary. Most guests fall quiet after a few minutes. If the pressure becomes too strong or a stretch goes too far, please say so — "a little gentler please" is entirely enough. Good Thai massage works at the edge between clearly noticeable and pleasant, never into pain.
Resting and ginger tea
When the session ends, stay lying for two to three minutes. Your circulation needs a moment to settle. We then serve a warm ginger tea — a well-loved Thai spa tradition that marks the transition. Take your time getting dressed. Many guests describe a pleasant heaviness, sometimes a slight tingle.
At the reception desk we offer a few suggestions: drink plenty of water, take the rest of the day a little slower, avoid intense training right afterwards.
A note on contraindications
Not every situation is suitable for a Thai massage: acute inflammations, feverish infections, recent surgeries, thrombosis, certain cardiovascular conditions and the first trimester of pregnancy are among the topics that should come up during the intake conversation. When in doubt, please check with your physician beforehand. A Thai massage at Sala Thai is an offering for wellbeing, not a medical procedure.
Arriving in Nymphenburg
If you are not ready to return to the city straight away, Munich-Nymphenburg offers the luxury of a direct transition into greenery: the Nymphenburg Palace Park is a few minutes on foot from Stievestraße 15. A slow loop along the canal is the fitting close. We are reachable by tram 17 and buses 51 and 151 — ideal if you prefer to leave the car at home.