I first came across Tok Sen during my first visit to the Spa Sanctuary at Camelback Resort, in Paradise Valley, Arizona. I had signed up for the Essence of the Soul Reading. However, my therapist is one of the few therapists trained in the tok sen therapy. In fact, if I am not mistaken she may have been the one to bring it to the spa. So during my treatment she recommended Tok Sen in the future.
What is Tok Sen?
Tok Sen is a Thai massage treatment. As far as my research can tell, it is unique to a particular region of Thai, so you may not even find it throughout all of Thailand. The name is derived from Tok which means hammer, and Sen, which represents the Sen lines, or essentially what are the body’s meridian lines in Thai culture. The treatment is in essence a tapping along your sen lines.
The Spa Sanctuary at Camelback Resort is the only place in the United States where you can get this particular treatment. Of course, that meant I HAD to check this out. When, I recently made a trip back to Phoenix for a conference, I was sure to go back and specifically book this treatment.
A Special Outfit
Since, the treatment also incorporates traditional Thai massage along with the Tok Sen, you are essentially clothed for this treatment. They give you an outfit to put on for the treatment. A VERY loose fitting bottom and top. I mean, I probably could have fit two of me in the pants, and I am not super skinny! So the pants were folded and tucked at the waist. And of course I am swimming in the pants and top, but it makes sense, you need plenty of give in the fabric for the moves. I felt a little self-conscious while waiting for my service, with everyone else in their comfy spa robes, but hey, I was having Tok Sen. In fact, I was the lucky one!!!!! In fact, when one of the other therapists came to get his guest, he saw me in my outfit and got excited and said “Oh, someone is having Tok Sen!”.
The Experience
Physically, the tapping is very repetitive and soothing and thus very relaxing. But from a Metaphysical stand point, I felt something deeper happening. For me, I just felt like things were breaking up. It must be old stagnant energy clearing way for fresh, vibrant energy flowing freely for the sen lines. But for me, it was deep than that. I am currently in the process of breaking free from old habits, thoughts, patterns and even and old job. In fact recently, I keep breaking glass, and somehow I just keep thinking, I am breaking free! And that what sort of what my experience of having Tok Sen during this time of change was about.
I was reminded of the quote from Michelangelo about carving, that he sees a block of stone and carves until the image is set free. And I felt on some level that i was being set free by the chisel of Tok Sen. Fresh energy pouring in for a fresh start, a fresh perspective.
That is the duality of the treatment. It IS both energizing in the sense that energy is flowing now that blocked sen lines have been cleared. But its not a go out and tackle my to-do list or run 13.1 miles kind of energy. There is a relaxation to it, and just wanting to simply be still and present with this energy. In other words, enjoying the vitality of life and happiness.
Summary
I highly recommend Tok Sen, if only for the fact that its not everywhere. So, if you make it out to the Spa Sanctuary, or in the Phoenix area, it is worth checking out. For me, I almost feel like its part of an annual tune-up and will definitely be having it again. Certainly at Spa Sanctuary, but also I just might have to add experiencing Tok Sen in Thailand to the #SpaBucketList.
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