Dan wrote [[how important is it for a practitioner of thai massage to
believe in ayurvedic medicine?]]
** Though new here, I will attempt to answer this, based on personal
perception.

Ayurvedic medicine, like Western medicine, or any other form of
medicine is not something to [believe in]. Like most healing
modalities, it depends on the individual to determine - through
application - whether or not any of these approaches works for you.
Afterall, the secret of health is knowing one's own body.

[[.. can thai massage be understood, and practiced purely within the
framework of western anatomy and physiology?]]
** Certainly. However, one of the reasons why Oriental forms of
healing are becoming more popular is due to their holistic approach &
effectiveness. The Western allopathic system responds primarily to
mental & physical ailments. Eastern systems focus on life habits,
customized diets, meditation & exercise.

[[.. after all, how many yoga practitioners believe in prana,
how many tai chi students believe in qi / chi?]]
** Your perspective is typical of the Western mind-set, that unless
something can be proven under the microscope, its value contributes
little in your awareness. Therefore, rest assurded that the likes of
Prana / Chi have been scientifically determined in the West. They
have been labeled "orgone."

http://www.orgonomicscience.org/

As to whether or not yoga students [believe] in Prana .. as the
director of a Yoga Shala, I can assure you that the awareness of Life
Force energy becomes apparant through practice. Even the most
structured mind-set quickly comes to realize that a dramatic & life-
affirming change is taking place within them. One that they have the
ability to control.

Om Peace!..
Valarie