David Wells - Self Massage and Joint Mobilization of Traditional Thai Yoga: Reusi Dat Ton Part 1 Handbook

Self-Massage and Joint Mobilization of Traditional Thai Yoga: Reusi Dat Ton Part 1 Handbook by David Wells

Text and Photos Copyright 2016 by David Wells except where otherwise noted.

Parts of this book were previously published in the article Reusi Dat Ton: The Thai Hermits Exercises in Yoga Mimamsa, July 2012, Volume XLIV, No.2, Kaivalyadhama, Lonavala, India.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, digital, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

All Rights Reserved

ISBN-13: 9781533201010

ISBN-10: 1533201013

LCCN: 2016907948

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, North Charleston, SC

Thanks to the following people who helped make these Handbooks possible: my Reusi Dat Ton Models: Sarah Carl, Laura Covington, Julia Henry, Deborah Hodges, Matthew Holton, Satya Larrea, Jack Maxwell, Randi Morrison, and Erin Wright; to Linley Eathorne, Jill & Grace Harman, and Sherian Thomas for photography and special assistance; to Elaine Esquibel for editing; to Dusnee Mathison for translation; to Oscar de Crdenas for graphic design; to Sarah Carl, Romina Correa, Jessica Dafni, Oscar de Crdenas, Enrique Dianti, James Galusha, James Hooker, Laura Iwasetschko, Nephyr Jacobsen, Ulric Legouest, Sunny Nilchavee, Fabian Novellino, Kristin Nuttall, Gregory Oed, Pierce Salguero, Mr. Shirpurkar, Delfina Sommerville, Hemali Thakkar, Dustin Williams, and Jennifer Vanderburg for advice, and to Danko Lara Radic, Caitlin Ryan, Reusi Prasanga Samavajra, and Heath Reed for Charts, Illustrations, and Photos.

Special Thanks to my teachers and their teachers: Dr. Ajahn Prasong Sompetch, Grandfather in Chiang Mai, Reusi Tevijjo, and the late Ajahn Pisit Benjamongkonware for having the Wisdom to learn, preserve, and pass on the wonderful Tradition of Reusi Dat Ton which was nearly lost to our modern world.

Finally an extra special Thanks to my primary teacher, Reusi Tevijjo, for generously sharing with me the mysteries of this rare gem. In truth, these books are as much his as they are mine.

This Handbook Self Massage and Joint Mobilization of Traditional Thai Yoga: Reusi Dat Ton Part 1is the first in a series of Handbooks which will cover the full range of practices of Reusi Dat Ton or Traditional Thai Yoga. Future volumes will include Basic Exercises and Breathing of Traditional Thai Yoga: Reusi Dat Ton Part 2 and The Complete Guide to Traditional Thai Yoga: Reusi Dat Ton Part 3.

The techniques, ideas, and suggestions in this book are not intended as a substitute for proper medical advice. Consult your physician or health care professional before beginning this or any new exercise program, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, if you are elderly, or if you have any chronic or recurring physical conditions. Any application of the techniques, ideas, and suggestions is at the readers sole discretion and risk.

David Wells

It brings me much happiness to see these books finally ready to be shared with the world. David has spent many years traveling throughout Asia seeking teachers who would share with him the ancient tradition of Reusi Dat Ton. This information is incredibly difficult to find. What little Reusi Dat Ton information that has previously been accessible to the general public both in Asia and the West has been largely superficial and inconsistent. Through much effort and dedication, David has successfully created a thorough guide to the Reusi Dat Ton practices that honors their ancient roots and adheres to the traditional methods through which they have been preserved for hundreds of years .

My teachers have long spoken of the importance of preserving the knowledge of their lineage and of doing so in the most traditional methods possible. As modern society rockets ahead, so many traditional practices have been scattered or lost, disappearing as the last lineage holders pass on. Preserving practices such as Reusi Dat Ton is more important than ever as we near the tipping point where we risk losing these traditions forever. For this reason, I have been very happy to support David on this project and share with him what little knowledge I have from my own Reusi Dat Ton studies and practices .

Davids efforts have resulted in a rich resource for this little known and often misunderstood tradition. These books will benefit many who have long sought to learn more about these practices as well as those who are yet to discover them. It is my hope that by sharing this information, David has opened the door for greater understanding and exploration of Reusi Dat Ton and the greater traditions from which it came.

Reusi Tevijjo, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Reusi Dat Ton: The Thai Hermits Exercises

Reusi Dat Ton is a little known aspect of traditional Thai healing and culture. It consists of breathing exercises, self-massage, dynamic exercises, poses, mantras, visualization, and meditation.

Reusi in Thai, from the Sanskrit Rishi , is an Ascetic Yogi or Hermit. Dat means to stretch, adjust, or train. Ton is a classifier used for a Reusi and also means oneself. So Reusi Dat Ton means the Hermits or Yogis self-stretching or self-adjusting exercises. Reusis were also known as Jatila, Yogi, and Chee Prai. The Reusis were custodians and practitioners of various ancient arts and sciences such as: tantra, yoga, natural medicine, alchemy, music, mathematics, astrology, palmistry, etc. They have counterparts in many ancient cultures such as: the Siddhas of India, the Yogis of Nepal and Tibet, the Immortals of China, the Vijjadharas of Burma, and the Cambodian Eysey (from the Pali word for Reusi, Isii )

There are different Reusi traditions within Thailand. There is a Southern Thai/Malay Tradition, a Northeastern Thai/Lao Tradition, a Central Thai/Khmer Tradition, and a Northern Thai/Burmese/Tibetan Tradition. In Thailand, there are Reusis as far South as Kanchanaburi Province who follow the Northern Thai/Burmese/Tibetan Reusi Tradition.

A typical Reusi Dat Ton program would begin with breathing exercises and self-massage, followed by dynamic exercises and poses (some of which involve self acupressure), and finish with visualization, mantras, and meditation. The exercises and poses of Reusi Dat Ton range from simple stretches that almost anyone could do to very advanced poses which could take many years to master.

Yoga is not a single tradition, but a family of self-cultivation traditions that are widespread across India, Tibet, and Southeast Asia. They typically involve a tantric view of the relationship between body, mind, and spirit being managed through energies (usually understood as winds), and they typically involve a combination of meditation, breathing exercises, and physical postures to manage these energies. With this definition of yoga, then one can simply say that Reusi Dat Ton is a Thai form of yoga.