About
Thai Massage at Urban Nirvana
Services
Appointments
Practitioners
Insurance Coverage
MISSION STATEMENT:
Urban Nirvana, first and foremost, brings authentic Thai Massage to downtown Toronto to create a peaceful atmosphere in a chaotic society.
Urban Nirvana is a community that fosters a safe and nurturing environment to explore the art of Thai Massage and Yoga, encouraging spiritual awakening, emotional growth and physical unfolding.
Urban Nirvana aims to restore calm and balance through a fusion of personal touch and empowering people to take health into their own hands; we celebrate life, cultivate beauty and uplift others around us.
Thai Massage at Urban Nirvana, Toronto
Thai Massage is a healing art that has been around for over 2000 years. It was founded by Shivago Komarpaj, who was said to have been Buddha’s doctor. Thai Massage developed in Thai temples and was enjoyed by Thai royalty for centuries. The traditional method served at Urban Nirvana is a unique form of integrative massage therapy in a studio with a modern-easter edge. At Urban Nirvana, we strive to keep the autentic feel to this ancient modality.
Clients are provided Thai fisherman pants and t-shirts for the treatment, as Thai Massage is traditionally done fully-clothed without the use of massage oils. The massage is done on a mat and involves yoga stretches and deep-pressure massage to increase range of motion and stimulate circulation. Practitioners palm, elbow, knee and walk on clients thoughout the treatment, using acupressure on points along ten energy (Sen) lines of the body. Any energy imbalances are broken up, releasing physical and emotional blockages. In Thailand, Thai Massage studios are as common as a Tim Hortons in Canada. They are on every street and form part of everyone’s life for a one-stop treat. Thai Massage is accessable to everyone, regardless of age or mobility.
Treatments average 90 minutes per massage in Thailand. Urban Nirvana offers sessions from 60 to 120 minutes.
Services
Thai Massage (15 – 120 minutes)
RMT Massage ~ Swedish and Thai style
Classes ~ Yoga / Pilates / the Groove Method (dance / fitness) / DOWH / Fusion classes
Workshops ~ Intro to Thai Massage / Couples Thai Massage / Restoravite meets Thai Massage
Packages
MOST POPULAR:
4-Pass for 60 minutes ~ $300 (Thai Massage by Holistic Practitioners)
See Rates for full price list.
Urban Nirvana offers:
- Authentic Thai style massage
- Individual structures like in Thailand which allow practitioners to walk on backs / feet / legs of clients
- Private areas on raised platforms with sleek, dark bamboo floors and silk curtains
- An environmentally conscious, modern studio
- A unique healing experience
- Thai fisherman pants and a T-shirt so you can come straight from work
- A lazy solution to Yoga
- A choice of authentic Thai practitioners or Canadian practitioners
- Thai balm on the neck and any painful spots to heat and ease tensions
- Different treatment options:
- Couples massages
- Thai Herbal heat Therapy
- RMT Thai Treatment
- Private, couples and group classes (Multi-disciplinary)
- Packages for Thai massage and classes
Appointments
Appointments are available 7 days a week from 10 to 8 on weekdays and 10 to 6 on weekends.
Drop in appointments and same day appointments available.
24 hour full payment cancellation policy in effect.
Book online with our Appointment Book
or call 647-242-7047
Practitioners
Lisa-Anna A
rcus is the founder of Toronto’s Urban Nirvana. Lisa’s Thai Massage background and certification come from Thai Massage Toronto (TMT) and from the International Thai Massage School (ITM) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Lisa worked for many months in Thailand, working and learning authentic Thai Massage skills. She saw the value of this ancient healing therapy in order to decrease pain and discomfort in the body, and increase people’s sense of calm and equilibrium. Lisa was inspired to open a studio to cater to Toronto, keeping the eastern edge and recreating a Thai Massage environment like in Thailand. She is insured through the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) and licensed by the City of Toronto as a Holistic Practitioner. Lisa is honoured to share her passion for Thai Massage with Toronto at a beautiful studio on Yonge Street.
Lisa is available for appointments Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Denise Mitsche is a dedicated Thai Massage practitioner and Private / Group Pilates instructor. She believes in the importance of taking care of our body; “It is such an amazing instrument that we have been given, and we should try to keep it in tune and listen to it as long as we can!” Denise believes that Thai massage is a fabulous way to treat your body to what it deserves. “You will love it,” says Denise. Denise spent many years as a ballerina in Toronto and Amsterdam and trained at the National Ballet School of Canada. Denise got certified as a Thai massage practitioner from Lotus Palm.
Denise is available for Thai Massage and Private / Semi-private Pilates from Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.
Michelle Laporte (Vanya) has trained and studied Thai Massage in India and in Canada with both Lotus Palm and Still Light Center. She has taken all 6 levels and is now an advanced Thai Massage Practitioner. Her holistic outlook and practise combines mindfulness, energy work and overall body relaxation and revitalization. She is a certified Holistic Practitioner, Dance Our Way Home facilitator, an experiential Outdoor Educator, and meditation facilitator (Osho Dynamic Meditations). Come to the mat to explore the wonders and healing properties of Thai Yoga Massage!
Vanya is available Monday-Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays.
Natsuang Houghton (Petch) was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. Traditional Thai Massage has been part of Petch’s life since she was young. She was taught massage in school and at the temple. She earned certification from The Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society, the Ministry of Public Health for Thai Massage, Reflexology and Aromatherapy. She has been practicing in Canada for over two years and joined Urban Nirvana in January, 2011. Over the years, Petch has learned to treat a wide variety of people and use her advanced skills to help relax and rehabilitate.
Petch is available Wednesday – Saturday.
Is Thai Massage Covered by Insurance?
Thai massage is an ancient healing modality that people have used for centuries to relieve muscular tension, relax the mind and align energies in the body. A practice with such deep roots (it dates back thousands of years) and desired results (thousands of people testify to its benefits) ought to be formally recognized as a therapeutic treatment.
In Thailand and other parts of the world, Thai massage is considered an essential part of well-being, along with proper nutrition and physical exercise. In Canada, Quebec is the only province (so far) to officially recognize Thai massage and allow its practitioners to register with the provincial massage therapists’ association Regroupement des Massothérapeutes du Québec (RMQ).
In Ontario, Thai massage practitioners are not yet able to register with the same governing body as registered massage therapists (RMTs). RMTs as well as chiropractors had to do much lobbying in order to obtain their status as recognized professionals by insurance companies. We believe that as more and more people choose natural, holistic approaches to wellness, more and more insurance companies will begin to honour Thai massage.
Thai massage practitioners in Ontario can register with Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) and also qualify for liability insurance as practitioners through a number of agencies.
Some insurance companies in Ontario do cover “Holistic Health Practitioners.” Check with your particular insurance company to find out what services it covers. If Thai massage isn’t covered by your insurance company, please ask why, and suggest that it should be.
