Hemp Clothing

The hemp textile fiber possesses exceptional qualities, and its cultivation is environmentally friendly. Discover our hemp clothing models and all the advantages of this noble textile that is making a comeback!

Clothing, fabrics, sails, ropes… Hemp is a very useful plant in many fields and has multiple advantages.

A plant with extraordinary properties.

Cultivated for at least 5000 years, hemp is a plant with exceptional qualities. It was widely used before the industrial era in many fields, then neglected in favor of other materials.

Food, cosmetics, paint, stationery, textiles, navigation, construction, medical applications, animal litter, soil regeneration… Its uses are numerous, and its cultivation requires neither chemical fertilizers nor pesticides.

In the medical field, hemp is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, stimulates appetite, and aids sleep. It proves to be very useful in the treatment of many diseases.

The oil extracted from its seeds is edible and possesses exceptional nutritional qualities.

Today, hemp is experiencing a resurgence of interest, thanks in particular to its ecological qualities and its contribution to sustainable development.

A high-quality textile

The qualities of hemp textile are numerous: this noble and eco-friendly fabric has many remarkable properties!
  • Thermoregulator: in winter it keeps warm as it is robust and thick, in summer it keeps cool as it allows the skin to breathe and does not stick…
  • Naturally antibacterial, it is ideal for sensitive skin and does not cause allergies.
  • Can be worn for several days without washing, does not retain body odors, and absorbs moisture. Moreover, after washing, it dries quickly in the open air.
  • Durable, resistant, and robust, it maintains the same shape throughout its life, does not shrink when washed, you can keep it for many years!
  • Environmentally friendly, hemp is an excellent alternative to cotton, linen, and preserves the environment and therefore human health.

A garment that reflects your essence

The clothes you wear can change your life! Hemp clothing brings you well-being and energy, supporting your creative potential as they resonate with your inner self… They help you listen to your body and your heart and develop your natural gifts!

Indeed, the clothes you wear can either block your energy or, on the contrary, balance and harmonize you. Like a second skin, seemingly tailored for you, hemp clothing supports you on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels, providing protection and freedom!

Arasia’s hemp clothing models

Our clothing helps you stay attuned to your sensations: They don’t stick to your skin and don’t constrict you… The feeling is both soft and sturdy… The color is natural and soothing… Energies flow… The shape is loose and comfortable, allowing you to forget it and focus on the essentials! You have great freedom of movement, you regain lightness, while cultivating respect for your body and the planet! Moreover, they will enhance your silhouette.

Our 100% hemp Thai pants are unisex and one size fits all. The fabric is very comfortable, natural, and durable. The mottled beige color is very natural. It adjusts to your waist size thanks to a series of folds, it is adjustable in width and height. There is a large pocket on the side.

How to put on your Thai pants?

[Link to the video]

Men’s Hemp Tunic offered by Arasia

Our men’s 100% hemp shirt with its Mandarin collar and two beautiful wooden buttons. It is available in 3 sizes.

Thai hemp Capri pants offered at Arasia boutique

These items come from fair trade with Thai artisans.

Soon we will offer you Thai hemp Capri pants and Thai hemp skirts!

Thank you for reading, and see you soon on the online store!

Dive into the Rich and Fascinating Culture of Thailand

The kingdom of Thailand is renowned for its vibrant culture, highly developed craftsmanship, and profound spirituality. Situated in Southeast Asia, Thailand, also known as the ‘Land of Smiles,’ is home to over 68 million people, known for their hospitality!

Ancient stone sculptures of Buddha are artworks that depict Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. His face is typically characterized by half-closed eyes, a subtle smile, and a serene and calm expression.

History

The former name of Thailand is the ‘Kingdom of Siam.’ Its rich and complex history dates back to antiquity, with kingdoms such as Sukhothai and Ayutthaya flourishing from the 13th to the 18th century.

Thailand has consistently maintained its independence against neighboring empires like the Khmers and the Burmese, as well as against European colonial powers.

The history of Thailand is captivating, filled with determined warriors, revered monks, and sacred rituals that continue to endure today.

In 1782, Rama I established the Chakri dynasty in Bangkok, laying the foundation for the present reigning dynasty.

Today, Thailand is an endearing country with a rich culture, a developing economy, and global tourist appeal, all while facing modern challenges and striving to balance tradition and modernity.

Buddhist Calendar

The Buddhist calendar, based on lunar cycles, is widely used in Buddhist countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Its starting point is the death (or passage into Nirvana) of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha.

In practice, 543 years need to be added to our calendar to obtain the current year in the Buddhist calendar (so, in 2023, we are in the year 2566 or 2567 B.E. for Buddhist Era).

Language

The official language is Thai, spoken by the majority of the Thai population and used in some neighboring countries due to Thailand’s cultural and economic influence.

Thai has borrowed words and expressions from other languages, notably Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese, English, and other regional languages.

It’s a tonal language: the meaning of words can vary based on the tone used during pronunciation. There are five different tones in Thai (high, low, rising, falling, and mid-level).

Thai Alphabet

The Thai alphabet is a complex and unique writing system. It is written from left to right, and words are separated by spaces. The order of diacritical marks is specific; they are placed around the base consonant to form a complete syllable. Tone marks are used to indicate the syllable’s tone.

The Thai alphabet is an abugida script consisting of 44 initial consonants (ก ข ค ฆ ง จ ฉ ช ซ ฌ ญ ฎ ฏ ฐ ฑ ฒ ณ ด ต ถ ท ธ น บ ป ผ ฝ พ ฟ ภ ม ย ร ล ว ศ ษ ส ห ฬ อ ฮ); 32 basic vowels (Short vowels: อะ อิ อี อุ อู อำ อํ แอะ แอ โอะ โอ อา; Long vowels: อาะ อิ อี อุ อู อำ อํ แอะ แอ โอะ โอ อา); diacritical marks (vowel marks), and 5 tone marks (5 tones).

The Thai alphabet might seem complex, but with practice and perseverance, it is possible to learn to read, write, and speak Thai. This learning experience can be rewarding and provides a deep understanding of the country’s culture and history.

Hospitality

Thais are known for their friendliness and hospitality towards visitors. Extending a warm welcome to foreigners is an important value in Thai culture.

Monarchy and Respect

The monarchy is a revered institution in Thailand. The king is regarded as a symbol of unity and stability. Respect for the monarchy is deeply embedded in Thai culture.

In Thailand, images of the king are often displayed in public spaces, places of worship, official buildings, homes, schools, and other locations as a sign of devotion, respect, and loyalty to the monarchy.

Social Hierarchy

Notions of respect and hierarchy hold significant importance in Thai culture. Thai people place great emphasis on demonstrating respect towards their elders and figures of authority.

Religion and Spirituality

Theravada Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand. Religious ceremonies, offerings, and Buddhist rituals are integral parts of daily life in Thailand.

Offerings to the Buddha encompass a variety of items and are not intended to “feed” the Buddha, who has attained Nirvana and does not require food or material goods. Offerings serve as practices to cultivate positive qualities such as gratitude, compassion, generosity, and spiritual awareness.

These offerings are diverse and include incense, candles, flowers, food, water, precious items, as well as music and chants.

Monastic Life

Monks play a significant role in the community by offering teachings and spiritual guidance to the faithful. They also conduct blessing ceremonies for special occasions such as weddings.

Buddhism holds a central place in life in Thailand and is considered a moral guiding force for most of its inhabitants. It’s common for Thai men to spend a period of time as monks, which can range from a week to several months, or even longer.

This experience in monastic life is seen as a way to accumulate merit and deepen one’s understanding of Buddhism.

Spirit Worship

Spirit houses are altars dedicated to protective spirits and ancestors. In Thailand, they can be found at every street corner, in front of houses, or nestled in trees! Although spirit houses have roots in pre-Buddhist animistic beliefs, they harmoniously coexist with Buddhism in Thailand.

Thai culture is infused with Buddhist traditions as well as ancestral animistic practices. Thais believe that spirits reside in the skies, trees, rivers, and the sea, and they worship these spirits in spirit houses, dedicated temples and shrines, and in nature. Spirits are believed to have a significant influence on the fortune and destiny of families and individuals.

Temples in Thailand

Thailand is renowned for its magnificent temples, known as “wats” in Thai. Buddhist temples serve as important spiritual and cultural centers.

The country is home to numerous temples, both historic and contemporary, serving as places of worship, meditation, teaching, and religious celebration.

In Bangkok, we recommend visiting Wat Phra Kaew, situated within the Grand Palace complex, which houses the revered Emerald Buddha, a highly venerated religious statue. Wat Pho and Wat Arun are also must-visit temples in the capital. Less known, Wat Pariwat, located away from typical tourist routes, is a personal favorite of mine!

Covering Buddha statues with thin sheets of gold symbolizes devotion and reverence. The gold leaves represent the purity of the Buddha’s spiritual light. They adorn the statue and reflect light, serving as a reminder that Buddhist teachings illuminate the world like the sun.

Throughout the country, many other temples and sacred sites reflect the spirituality, architecture, and history of the nation. Their splendor and diversity are truly extraordinary!

The temple guardians, known as “Yaksha” or “Yak,” are mythological figures often placed at the entrances of temples to protect them and prevent negative or malevolent influences from entering their sacred inner space. These imposing statues can have a fierce and powerful appearance or take the form of fantastical or animal-like creatures.

Traditional Festivals

Thailand is rich in traditional festivities. One of the most iconic is Songkran, the Thai New Year celebrated in April. During this period, people engage in water fights and visit temples for purification rituals.

During Loy Krathong, which usually falls in November, Thais release small fire-lit lanterns onto rivers to symbolize the letting go of worries and sorrows.

Phi Ta Khon, also known as the Ghost Festival, is unique to the Dan Sai region. It features dances, colorful masks, and festivities to honor spirits and attract prosperity.

The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok showcases splendid, elaborately decorated barges in an impressive procession that honors the royal family.

Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival is a period where participants abstain from meat and perform religious rituals to purify the mind and body.

The Surin Elephant Festival highlights the relationship between elephants and local communities through shows, parades, and cultural activities.

These traditional Thai festivals are just a few examples, reflecting the country’s cultural diversity.

Transportation

Options Thailand offers a wide variety of transportation options for travelers. Tuk-tuks, small three-wheeled motorized vehicles, are popular for short city trips. Taxis, both traditional and app-based, are widely available in urban areas.

An iconic mode of transportation in Thailand, the tuk-tuk is a small three-wheeled vehicle often brightly decorated with lights and various ornaments. It’s a picturesque transportation experience highly favored by tourists!

The public transportation network includes local and intercity buses, providing an economical option for traveling between cities and provinces. Motorcycle taxis are common for quick and affordable travel in congested areas.

The longtail boat, known as “reua hang yao” in Thai, is the traditional Thai boat.

Trains connect numerous regions of the country, offering more comfortable and scenic travel options, notably the famous “Death Railway” connecting Bangkok to the Kanchanaburi region. Boats and ferries are used for navigating along rivers and visiting the islands.

The capital, Bangkok, is nicknamed “the Venice of Asia” due to its numerous canals, known as “klongs,” that crisscross the city.

Additionally, modern options like air-conditioned buses and minivans are popular for longer trips between cities. Domestic flights are also a convenient option for covering vast distances quickly.

Food

The durian is dubbed “the king of fruits.” Its intense aroma and strong smell may deter some individuals, leading to regulations prohibiting its consumption in certain public places. However, others consider it a delicate and prized delicacy. Its unique and rich taste is a blend of sweetness, creaminess, and hints of almond.

Food is also at the heart of Thai culture. Thai cuisine is renowned for its unique blend of flavors, spices, and fresh ingredients. Thai dishes often strike a balance between the five fundamental tastes: sweet, salty, spicy, bitter, and sour. Food markets, street stalls, and restaurants are popular places to savor local cuisine.

The Pad Thai is an iconic dish and a delightful example of the rich palette of flavors and aromas that Thai cuisine has to offer. It consists of stir-fried noodles that combine sweet, salty, spicy, and sour tastes, garnished with fresh ingredients and herbs. Pad Thai is internationally celebrated for its well-balanced combination of textures and flavors.

Thai families often spend a lot of time preparing meals to celebrate special occasions and share them with their loved ones.

The dragon fruit, or pitaya, is widely cultivated in Thailand. Its flesh is sweet, juicy, and speckled with small black seeds. The fruit can be consumed fresh, sliced or cubed, added to fruit salads, smoothies, or used as a decorative topping.

Traditional Arts

Traditional Thai arts include classical dance, music, khon (classical masked dance), and Nuad Boran (traditional massage). Sepak takraw (kick volleyball) and Muay Thai (Thai boxing) are also significant cultural expressions.

Thai dance is elegant and diverse. Dancers often wear lavish costumes, masks, and portray mythological or historical characters.

Muay Thai is a traditional Thai martial art. Muay Thai fighters are renowned for their courage, endurance, and technique. They use punches, elbow strikes, knee strikes, and kicks for both defensive and offensive purposes, both in the sport and real-life situations.

Muay Thai is both a competitive sport and a form of traditional martial art deeply rooted in Thai culture, playing a significant role in the country’s identity.

Sepak takraw is a traditional Southeast Asian ball sport popular in Thailand. Players use only their feet, knees, heads, and chests to touch the ball and pass it over the net. Touches need to be executed swiftly and agilely to keep the game in motion. Professional players are stars in the country, and the sport is also enjoyed as a recreational activity.

Sepak takraw is spectacular to watch due to the acrobatic movements of the players in touching the ball. There are several styles and techniques of play, including “sepak raga” (played with the hip) and “sepak bulu ayam” (played with the inside foot wrapped around the ball).

Thai Traditional Crafts

Thai traditional craftsmanship, rich and diverse, dates back several centuries and is known worldwide for its high-quality and beautifully crafted products. Thai artisans specialize in various crafts, from pottery and weaving to jewelry making and sculpture. The vibrant colors, elaborate patterns, and diversity of offered items reflect the creativity and skills of local artisans.

Handwoven Silk: Produced for centuries to create clothing, bags, bedspreads, and other fashion items, Thai silk is renowned for its softness, high quality, and intricate patterns. Silk fabrics are also hand-dyed.

Wood, Bronze, and Other Material Sculptures: Thai artisans are esteemed for their skills in sculpting and carving. They create sculptures of Buddha, deities, animals, and other ornamental motifs.

Garuda, known as “Krut” in Thai, is a creature that is part-human, part-bird, symbolizing power, dignity, strength, loyalty, protection, and the Thai royal family. As a national symbol, it adorns official buildings, passports, and banknotes. A yellow flag with a red Garuda is raised over the royal palace when the king is present.

Ceramics and Pottery: Bowls, vases, plates, and figurines are crafted using traditional pottery and ceramic techniques.

Hand-Painted Umbrellas: Thai umbrellas, made from mulberry paper and bamboo, are hand-painted with floral patterns, traditional scenes, and elaborate designs.


In Thai culture, umbrellas are considered symbols of auspiciousness, protection, and good luck. They are often given as gifts during special occasions.

Jewelry: Silver, along with other materials, is used to craft intricate jewelry and ornaments, sometimes adorned with precious or semi-precious stones.

Thai Puppets: Traditional Thai puppets are crafted from carved wood and hand-painted. Traditional puppet shows often narrate epic and mythological stories.

Traditional Masks: Thai masks, frequently used in ceremonies and festivals or as decorative items, are made from natural materials such as wood, papier-mâché, and palm leaves.

Khon is a traditional Thai dance-theatre performance that depicts episodes from the Ramakien, a Thai epic based on the Hindu Ramayana. Khon masks are elaborate and colorful, representing mythical and legendary characters.

Woven Baskets: Handwoven baskets made from wicker and rattan are used for transporting goods and local produce. They are also frequently employed as decorative items.

Lacquerware Painting: Lacquerware craftsmanship involves applying layers of colored lacquer to wooden objects, creating intricate patterns and designs.

Wooden Massage Accessories: Designed for use in traditional Thai massage techniques or self-massage to help alleviate muscle tension and promote relaxation. These accessories include tools like reflexology sticks, reflexology boards, self-massage rods for the back, and more.

Cushions and Mattresses: Crafted using traditional artisanal techniques such as weaving, hand-stitching, and padding, Thai cushions and mattresses are often versatile and highly decorative.

Comfortable Clothing: “Made in Thailand” clothes includes Thai pants and Thai skirts, often made from soft cotton and natural fabrics, lightweight, breathable, and ideal for warm climates. They can be worn casually or formally, often adorned with embroideries or decorative details.

Traditional Clothing : Traditional Thai clothing reflects the history, culture, and societal influences of Thailand through the ages:

Women:

Chut Thai is worn during special occasions like religious ceremonies, weddings, and other significant events. Sabai is a silk stole worn over Chut Thai or other traditional clothing. Chakkri is often worn by women from royalty or high-ranking status.

Men:

Chang Kben is a traditional outfit consisting of a fabric belt wrapped around the waist and a matching shirt. Aksra is formal wear for men during special occasions. Chatai is worn notably by farmers for outdoor work, comprising loose trousers (suea pat) and a short-sleeved shirt.

These examples represent only a small fraction of the extensive range of Thai craftsmanship, which plays a crucial role in the country’s culture by preserving ancient traditions and crafting beautiful and functional objects.

The lotus and the naga are two significant and culturally important elements in Thailand. In Buddhism, the lotus is closely associated with spiritual awakening. It also symbolizes the illusory nature of the material world as, despite having roots in the mud, it rises above the water without being tainted by it. The naga (serpent) is a mythological creature, regarded as the guardian of underground treasures and knowledge, as well as the protector of waters and natural elements.

In summary, Thailand is a nation deeply rooted in Buddhist culture, rich artisanal tradition, spirituality, and annual festivals. Thai culture is steeped in ancient history, religious traditions, regional influences, and a strong national identity.

Yoga: Reconnect with yourself, to meet the challenge of modern times!

Access to a better self-knowledge through Yoga:
Discovery and exploration of his body, his breath, and appeasement of the mind.

Yoga, an ancestral practice, can be defined as a dive into oneself, with the aim of balancing and unifying our whole being (Body-Soul-Spirit), thanks to the different body postures (Asanas) and breathing (Pranayama ) conscious.

Find the divine within you.

The original meaning of the Sanskrit word Yoga (योग) is “union with God”: the primary goal of yoga is the union of the individual Self with the Universal Self.

Discipline born in India, in the Harrapan valley around 2250 BC. J.C, Yoga would be a gift offered to humanity by the God Shiva, through Matsyendra, the little fish who became human, and who was the first yogi of all time.

The many benefits of yoga

Regular practice quickly brings about a real inner and outer transformation. With the harmonization of the body/mind/breath system, we feel a balance and serenity that increase our confidence in ourselves and in the universe. At the same time, our relationships with others improve.

Yoga improves general well-being, and vital energy, it enriches our lives, a bit like spiritual nourishment!

The more one progresses in the practice, the more one gains in strength and physical and mental health, and experiences more satisfaction in the practice and in everyday life.

The many benefits include:

  • Strengthening of all muscle chains
  • Flexibility, Better endurance
  • Decreased blood pressure and heart rate
  • Reduction of stress and anxiety
  • Improved concentration, clearer mind
  • Openness to others and to spiritual evolution

Yoga is not only gymnastics but a holistic practice, that is to say, it conceives the human being in its entirety.

The practice does not stop with the end of the session, and the benefits are felt in all aspects of your life.

With the awareness of oneness of self with all things, we sharpen our ecological commitment, for we understand that Gaia is sacred, and that she needs each of us.

To go further in practice, we modify the quality of our diet, it becomes healthier and more balanced.

We experience more pleasure in daily discipline and self-transcendence: the flexibility of the body becomes flexibility of the mind!

The practice of yoga has become beneficial and essential for many. It will lead you to greater harmony in your life!

Yoga, a universal and adaptable discipline, is accessible to all.
Its many forms are now practiced daily.
by millions of people around the world!

Thai traditional massage, “Nuad Boran”’s spirit

My name is Yeshé and I am a traditional Thai massage therapist based in Toulouse, France.

Here I am massaging my friend Marie with “Sugar” the cat – Baan Hom Samunphrai, Chiang Mai, December 2022

When Cindy asked me to write about traditional Thai massage (also known as ‘Nuad Boran’), specifying: “but not about the benefits, because it has been done already”Yes, I can do that, I thought, but I wasn’t much inspired by it. I could have described the feeling of well-being Traditional Thai Massage brings to one’s as if all the  knots were being untangled in one’s body and a new fresh energy allowed to circulate in through one’s whole self. Of course I could have written about the profound physical  effects Thai Massage has on athletes, for example,  or on people who suffer from chronic headaches or debilitating lumbago issues. And yes, I do know how to write scientific articles, I can source my sentences with the utmost serious standardized nomenclature in the world. But scientific literature studies the results, and therefore the benefits… Then I started looking into magazine articles for a source of inspiration — in vain. I found the articles repetitive, written with more or less of an engaging or rather descriptive style. When I started copying and pasting a title and looking for synonyms, I thought this isn’t going to work for me.

Because to be honest, in my own Nuad Boran training I received almost no theoretical knowledge, but on the contrary I had the sense of absorbing wave after wave of non-verbal experience, transmitted orally and by touch, and always out of my teacher’s very own being. My experience was far more non-descriptive, transformative… universal. What is inspiring me to write this article on Traditional Thai Massage is my very particular experience in 2022 in Chiang Mai, and the connection I have made through it with the whole new world of ‘Nuad Boran’.

Deity in Nature – November 2022

Traditional Thai massage: my experience in northern Thailand

Between acupressure, yoga and meditation, traditional Thai massage is a common thing in this fish-filled rivers and rice fields’ Land. Traditional Thai massage is a true cultural heritage, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.

These “ancient pressures” (literal translation) are 2500 years old. It is said that their roots go back to India and to Doctor Shivago (Shivaga Komarapat), contemporary of Buddha and the Buddha’s sangha’s therapist. 

At the bottom right, below the Buddha on the altar is a wooden statue of Doctor Shivago – December 2022

“Walking on the parents”

As for my teacher, Homprang Chaleekanha, thai massage was always practiced at home (in 1958 her village was like one big house!) ) and as a child she called Thai massage “walking on the parents.” 

Today, Traditional Thai massage is an integral part of traditional Thai medicine. Homprang explained that she herself worked in the clinic at the beginning of her practice.

What I find interesting is that Nuad Boran is not just a technique, but a way of being. Slowness, removal of stress seems to be part of the way of life. We in the West, who are wracked with anxiety and depression, could surely benefit from this holistic approach. 

I will try here to describe what I have been able to capture of Nuad Boran’s essence.

Massages in a temple in Chiang Mai – November 2022
Baan Hom Samunphrai School (on the left, the dining room, on the right my accommodation) –
November 2022

Living examples

At school, we meet Homprang, the fierce Homprang, who rebelled against her father as a youngster and against the future he reserved as a farmer. The one who cares for and masterfully leads her own school, allowing a big part of her family to be fed and employed today. Homprang shows the example, the way to practice Nuad Boran and takes away all stress and pain. She is used to making decisions in a determined and confident way. She is also my first Asian teacher. It may be a detail for you, but for me it means a lot. I grew up in the south of France and as a Eurasian, I had never had a role model looking like me. The fact that she is so fierce is just the cherry on top of the cake.

There is also Homprang’s right arm, her sister-in-law nicknamed Baang, the one with whom we spend hours, who corrects and massages us. Baang is of incomparable sweetness and kindness. She works without counting her hours, always with the same slowness, the same calm, the same serenity. She doesn’t own a cell phone, does not have any social media, she doesn’t manage the school, doesn’t really speak English, doesn’t wear any makeup and wears simple comfy clothes. But, above all, she conveys a lot through her way of being.

She corrects my movements by gently taking my hand and putting it in the right place. She speaks quietly. One single word. Sometimes, she would show several movements and I’d feel lost. It’s no big deal. I focus. I will understand next time. We are training every day. She hangs out the laundry slowly, walks quietly, calmly prepares the ginger tea. 

I received a massage from her that lasted more than 3 hours. I was surprised by her touch’s compassion and also by her slow pace. Homprang confirmed that this was, indeed, the way they teach Nuad Boran.

One afternoon, I saw Baang talking under the porch with my mother. I decided to take a break from training and join them. A heart-to-heart discussion ensued. She is authentic, human. Her lack of a hierarchical stance definitely puts me at ease.

Baang showing me a gesture – November 2022

It takes a village (to raise a child)

And the village is in Thailand. My 15-month-old baby at the time is also welcome at the school. Everybody there took such great care of us.

Cuddle in a tuk-tuk – Chiang Mai, 2022

There is not “one” mother, Thai babies have multiple mothers, in the sense that everyone takes care of them. And it’s true that wherever I go with my baby, adults naturally take care of it, and seem very happy about it! How pleasant! At the restaurant, at the café, at school… everywhere, I meet kind and caring people towards him, towards us. This feeling of unity and mutual aid heals me and fills my heart with serenity. Having a baby is already tiring enough as it is, and having to worry about not disturbing others, or worry about being able to be welcomed properly is an additional burden that creates a lot of unnecessary stress for young parents. Here, there is no such problem, everyone participates. I am grateful to every person who smiled at him, handed him a piece of coconut, taro, talked to him, played with him, played guitar, hide and seek, saved him from falling , cooked him something, offered him something, if only a smile or a “tsa ééé” (I deduced that it was the equivalent of the French “coucou”, like many Thai people have fun playing hide and seek while saying the famous “tsa ééé” )

Maw2 Homprang, school founder, herbal doctor and Nuad Boran specialist, picking flowers with baby Noah – November 2022
2 “Maw” means “doctor” – term referring to surgeon or dentist. Homprang is often referred to as Maw Homprang because she is a licensed “Maw Saunphrai”. It literally means a “plant doctor” but is usually translated as “doctor of traditional medicine”. She is also sometimes referred to as “Ajarn” Homprang, by her professional colleagues, meaning Professor.

The bloodline1

The feeling of belonging that is so good is also fostered by our “bloodline” . We talk about “Mothers” , “grandmothers” as any person from which the teaching comes from (no matter the gender from my understanding but I may be wrong!).

Mae” is a respectful term that can be used before the teacher’s first name. Mae means “mother“. All the rivers in Southeast Asia are mothers, like Mae Ping, the brown river which crosses Chiang Mai and on which thousands of Krathongs (small floating baskets with a candle) are placed during the great annual Loy Krathong festival as an offering to the Goddess River.

 1Alternative word to “lineage”, the original word I used. I’ve been told “lineage” might be too much associated with a father-like image, and the notion of succession. We’d like to take away any anxiety from “who the father is” and the pedestal a successor can be put on by using more of a motherly, water-inspired image. “Mothers” or “Grandmothers” do that, no matter the gender. We could also say the flow, the stream, the bloodline.

Loy Krathong Festival in Chiang Mai – November 2022
Krathong of flowering bamboo that I am about to drop on the Ping River – November 2022

In addition to daily yoga, we sing and pay homage to the founder of Thai massage and our “bloodline”. I think of Thai medicine women, as well as all the massage therapists who have massaged me since childhood, in Thailand and elsewhere, instilling in me a taste for it. I am also thinking about the rice farmers who for hundreds of years have also perpetuated and shaped the traditional Thai massage. We mass as we irrigate a rice field. Sometimes to irrigate an area, you have to open the valves elsewhere.

Anchoring

Nuad Boran is practiced on the ground, comfortably lying down or sitting on a mattress. It promotes anchoring. We become aware of our link with Earth, with nature. 

Traditional Thai massage is practiced dressed in Thai pants and a large cotton T-shirt, soft, natural and comfortable. I find it really practical and pleasant. With Thai people, no problem. It is simple, and I like it when things are simple (I’m a mother of 2 young children). It is also something containing, unifying, a mother’s womb like image. It is also reassuring for many people and their insecurities. “No Sylvie, no need to wax yourself.” Nothing will be seen either. All modesty is preserved.

Posture demonstration – December 2022
Cathy massaging mom. Photo taken by myself. My mother and I were the guinea pigs of Catherine Mangematin, trained at Nuad Boran in Thailand – Tarn, 1997
I am 10 years old and sleep in a mezzanine among the Taras, Bosch’s Garden of Delights and Thai cushions – Fiac, 1997

To feel

“Feeel” Homprang repeats. We are talking about a society that has not split the body from the mind (see Descartes’ error, Antonio Damasio, 1995), which has not hierarchized the mind above the body. Mind, body, soul together as one. What is beautiful is the feeling of wholeness. It’s not having a cut. There is a soothing wholeness that prevails. No painful split. 

We have the right to feel, it is even essential! Emotions are normal internal events, which have to pass through us. They need to go out because, yes, it goes without saying, but let’s make it clear: “it’s better afterwards”.

Buddhism is part of the culture, but spirituality is not a religion! Anything with the right intention can be spiritual. It is a question of intention. Statues and carvings of Buddhas are found in nature, covered in moss, vines and foliage, forming one. It is the very spirit of Nature.

Meditative Buddha in nature – November 2022
Noah, here seated on the steps of a flowery moss-covered stupa, quickly figured out how to greet here – December 2022

Nuad Boran is like a river

The silt bed of the Nuad Boran river is in direct connection with the Earth since it is composed of it. Nuad Boran River’s visage is fashioned by the different strata of past mothers. The inscription in the line of these wild women, wise women, and medicine-women – allows to calm the ego and to remember that one is not a “self made woman”. We know what we know thanks to the work of previous generations. 

From this awareness, the emptiness in oneself can be born, allowing one to better listen to one’s receivers. Listening to the words, the pains but also observing the breathing, the body… Listening to one’s feelings and one’s intuition makes it possible to locate knots, blockages, tensions… and in order to adapt to the recipient with as much fluidity as possible… 

Like a river, the practitioner in Nuad Boran will become one with the water element, so as not to shock or block, but to bring transformation through movement. The massage therapist in Nuad Boran seeks to refluidify the solidified fluid elements by series of waves, tapping, pitching…etc (“Thai body therapy, NUAD BORAN, From sources to practice., Charles Breger) 

Finally, the notion of inter-being seems essential (Thich Nhat Hanh), of systemic inter-activity (Charles Breger) or even the notion of mirror neurons, transference, empathy… The awareness that myself as I am impacts the other and vice versa. Energies and diseases can be transmitted and therefore it is important to take care of yourself to take care of the other. To catch nothing and give nothing harmful.

Practice and western adaptation

Today, I practice traditional Thai massage in Toulouse and the Tarn areas in France, adapting it to western constraints. A time constraint: traditional Thai massage can last for hours (3 to 4 hours). I offer a very complete version of 1h30, a shorter one of 1h.

The temperature too: I invested in a mattress heater and we keep our socks on in the winter! I have other training projects in Thai massage (womb lifting, therapeutic, etc.). Slow but steady. One thing at a time. It’s my new mantra. Before each massage, you will see me (or not) join my hands in a lotus bud: I ask for protection, permission to touch the body and to heal it. Then, I drive out the bad energies, and the massage begins. 

Yeshé Dionnet-Barbot, massage therapist

Passaddhi, well-being of the mind & body 

07 70 18 50 29

passaddhi.massages@gmail.com

www.passaddhi.fr

@passaddhi_thai_massages sur Instagram (https://instagram.com/passaddhi_thai_massages)

@passaddhi.massages on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/passaddhi.massages

Article posted with Homprang Chaleekanha and Cathy Mangematin’s kind permission. Special thanks to Christopher Woodman for conscientiously proofreading the English version. 

Homprang enjoying the moment sitting on her pontoon with my baby – November 2022

Anāhata, the heart chakra

The Sanskrit word “chakra” means wheel or disc, and refers to the subtle energy centers of our body.

Anāhata the heart chakra is located in the center of the chest, halfway between the lower 3 chakras and the upper 3 chakras.

It is the fourth of the seven main chakras, and the point of balance between the body and the soul, between the material and the spiritual.

Depiction of Anāhata

The Hindu tradition represents Anāhata by a blue or green lotus with 12 petals, with in its center, a yantra formed of two intertwined triangles: the triangle points upwards which represents the male principle Shiva, and the triangle points downwards which represents the female Shakti principle.

The masculine and feminine principles come together to generate balance and harmony.

Center of Love and Sensibility

This chakra, capable of releasing a benevolent energy of healing love, both towards oneself and towards others, is the source of the positive feelings of compassion, patience, peace, happiness and joy.

It is through the heart chakra that we connect with others, so it is the center of our relationships with others.

“Anāhata” means “unstruck sound” in Sanskrit. It is the sound which produces itself, which does not need anything to exist. Indeed a heartbeat exists by itself!

Seat of consciousness and creativity

The 4th chakra is the seat of the “I” and the ego, but also of the divine self (Atma), and of self-awareness in relation to others.

It is the most important energy center of the body. It integrates the emotions produced by the first three chakras and manages the more stable feelings integrated in the upper three chakras.

Anāhata is the junction point between telluric and celestial energies. This chakra is an integral part of the processes of transformation and regeneration. It activates the power of the imagination and therefore the ability to create.

Place a green or pink colored stone on your heart chakra for a few minutes to activate it!

Connections for Anāhata

The organs associated with Anāhata are the heart, lungs, hands and skin. Its element is air, which represents freedom, lightness, voluptuousness and infinity. His sense of touch, his animal the black antelope. Its mantra is Yam and its note is Fa.

How to Activate the Heart Chakra

When Anāhata is closed, we are selfish, cold, demanding. When it is overly open, we are overly expansive, or possessive, overwhelmed with desire, jealousy, sadness, and dependent in our relationships with others.

When Anāhata is well balanced, we are kind to others, and forgive easily. We feel understanding for all that is. We accept our true nature. It is an essential prerequisite to flourish and evolve in a positive way.

To activate Anāhata, you can for example:

  • Surround yourself with green and/or pink
  • spend as much time outdoors as possible
  • pay more attention to your breathing
  • let go of your problems
  • practice selfless giving to loved ones or complete strangers
  • Meditate by focusing on your heart chakra
  • chant the mantra Yam, out loud or in your head
  • The 4th chakra is activated by physical contact and hugs, whether with people or animals.
  • The incense and essential oils recommended for opening Anāhata are: lemon verbena, basil, peppermint, ylang ylang, rose, neroli, bergamot, geranium, lemon balm, eucalyptus radiata…
  • Pink or green colored stones are also effective: aventurine, amazonite, agate, jade, pink quartz.
  • In yoga, the postures of the cobra, the fish and the camel open the rib cage and are excellent for activating Anāhata.

The beginnings of Arasia-Shop

Thailand

It all started in 2005, when during my first trip to Asia, I fell in love with Thailand!

Bangkok by night

This country is also known as “the land of smiles” and it was not a metaphor at the time. Victim of its tourist success, things have changed somewhat since…

I was seduced by the beauty and diversity of the landscapes and by the warm welcome of the inhabitants. From there was born my passion for Asian culture, the finesse of its craftsmanship, the kindness and spiritual wisdom of its inhabitants, as well as its incredible culinary richness, its spicy and tasty dishes…

So I naturally wanted to create Arasia to share all my discoveries with you!

Cambodia

After several months in Thailand with Jérôme, the co-creator of Arasia, we continued our adventure in Cambodia.

After an incredible journey in a dilapidated coach, we visited the sumptuous ruins of Angkor. Then we continued to the capital Phnom Penh, then the seaside resort Sihanoukville. Finally we discovered “Rabbit Island”, a quiet island without any civilization, road or means of communication near the Vietnamese border.

Cambodia is a very poor country, with a very violent history, which has deeply affected us.

Indonesia

During our second Asian trip in 2008 we landed in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. We suffered an impressive cyclone following which the city was largely flooded for several days. Everything stopped, there was no longer any means of communication and it was almost impossible to leave the city.

Once things were back to normal, we headed to Bali, “The Island of the Gods”. I had my second crush, for this island full of charm, traditions and spirituality!

Malaysia and India

We visited modern Kuala Lumpur, then crossed northern Malaysia by bus to the Thai border. From there we flew to South India with Chennai, Pondicherry and Auroville, then Mabalipuram, Cochin and Goa.

I discovered India, a fascinating and refined country, with millions of Gods and facets!

It is quite naturally that we came up with the idea of setting up a website offering articles from these countries! Now Jérôme has left Arasia and I continue to manage the shop with as much pleasure as at the beginning!

It’s a job that suits me very well and that gives me many opportunities: to meet interesting people, to travel, to visit places outside the tourist circuits, and to combine business with pleasure 🙂

Flower of Life

What is the Flower of Life?

The flower of life is the graphic expression of a concentration of physical laws but also of metaphysical laws.
This mandala, geometric, sacred and harmonious pattern, leads us to a reflection on the logical construction of our universe and on the interdependence of all things.
It is sacred, venerated, respected by all the traditions of the world, and its symbolic energy is powerful.
It generates a beautiful and stable shape wave. A wave of life and positive expansion that harmonizes thoughts, the environment and energizes water and food! Its regenerating vibratory power is extraordinary.

People have pondered this

Nassim Haramein is an internationally recognized physicist and cosmologist. He discovers for the first time at the Temple of Osiris in Egypt the 2D representation of the flower of life. He will later discover another representation of it in Beijing in China, in the forbidden city, another sacred site. A 3D sphere, located under the paw of the “Fu-Dog”, the “Guardian Lion” considered as the guardian of knowledge.
Leonardo da Vinci, mathematician, studies the shape of the flower of life and its mathematical properties.
It was also made popular by Drunvalo Melchizedek through his two books on “The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life”. In it, he recounts in detail the techniques necessary to create the energy field of the evolved man.

You can download this flower of life, to print it and use it in your environment, to purify your water, your minerals, your plants, to slip under your pillow, etc…

A universal symbolic power

The flower of life has been found in Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Ireland, England, Israel, India, Japan, China, Germany, Spain, Switzerland..

It contains many mathematical or symbolic representations:

The 5 Platonic solids representing the 5 elements,
Metatron’s Cube
The 7 planets (the center: the Earth + the 6 centers of the second level of circles, which form the seed of life),
The 12 signs of the zodiac (the 12 centers of the 3rd level of circles),
and some of its secrets have so far remained unrevealed.

Due to its many properties, the flower of life naturally releases very powerful vibrational waves. It can be used to energize water, food, and to purify and recharge minerals.

It is also an ideal medium for meditation, because the more we contemplate it, the more our mind can grasp the mystery of divine design.

See the flower of life items and jewelry in your Arasia store

The tree of life, a mythical symbol

Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Buddhist monk, poet and author of many books (more than 130, including Vietnam: a lotus in a sea of fire; There is neither death nor fear; The Fullness of the moment, living in full consciousness; Peace in itself, peace on the move.), Thich Nhat Hanh is a tireless peace activist who traveled the world and founded many religious and social institutions.

He is affectionately nicknamed Thay, which means “teacher” in Vietnamese.

Thich Nhat Hanh in 2007 in Vietnam

Youth and ordination

Born in French Indochina (now Vietnam) in 1926, Thich Nhat Hanh has been a Zen Buddhist monk since 1942, when he was 16 years old.

In his youth, he befriended a French soldier who wondered about the usefulness of war. Thich Naht Han was against the Vietnam War and did not want to take sides.

Vietnam War and exile

In 1961, he went to study at Princeton University in the USA, in 1963 he returned to his country and founded a non-violent resistance movement to war.

Accused of communist propaganda, he was forced into exile from 1967. He obtained the right of asylum in France.

Also in 1967, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King, but the prize was not awarded that year.

Martin Luther King born in Georgia (USA) in 1929 and assassinated in 1968
is a nonviolent activist for the civil rights movement

Plum village in France

In 1982, he settled in the southwest of France, and founded Plum village, the largest Buddhist monastery in the West.

In this Buddhist community, which has 200 resident members and welcomes 10,000 visitors a year, many practices are taught: the art of mindful living, meditation, inner smiling and conscious breathing.

End of life of Thich Nhat Hanh

In 2005 he returned to Vietnam, to the temple of Tu Hieu in Huê, where he had begun his career as a monk, and he died there in 2022 at the age of 95.

Some quotes from Thay, Thich Nhat Hanh

“The miracle is not walking on water, it is walking green Earth in the present moment and appreciating the beauty and peace that is available now.”

“It is very important to know how to listen with compassion. To listen with compassion is to listen with the will to relieve the other of his suffering, without judging him or seeking argument.

“Meditation is not escaping from society, but coming back to ourselves and seeing what is happening. Once you see, you have to act. With mindfulness, we know what to do and what not to do to help.”

“Christians are my brothers. I don’t want to make them new Buddhists. I want to help them deepen their own tradition. »

The law of attraction, or how to attract all your desires to you!

The law of attraction is one of the fundamental laws of the universe. It works in all areas of our lives: money, health, relationships, work, etc.

How does this law work, and how can we apply it in our daily lives to benefit from its magical benefits?

It’s actually very simple: our thoughts and emotions emit electromagnetic waves. We attract what we think about, just like a magnet. We are the creators of our lives.

Our thoughts manifest in our life to become our reality.


In practice :

The first thing is to sincerely believe that this law exists. Then manifest gratitude and abundant joy for and toward the universe. Because it is still extraordinary to be alive and to be able to feel so much happiness! Our luck to be who we are and to have everything we have is extraordinary. We must be aware of this.
Then think about what you really want in your life. Put it in writing, in the present, and in the positive as if you had already obtained it. (“I’m buying a new wardrobe”, “I’m fulfilled”, “I’m healthy”, and no negative phrases like “I don’t want to get sick”).
Do not doubt your choices… Relax, stop worrying, and let go!
Then each day visualize that you already have everything you aspire to. Create a mental image, it is the language that the universe captures best.
Little by little, if we really know what we want, and by concentrating as much as possible on the positive side of things, we profoundly transform our way of thinking and therefore the reality of our life.
Joy and abundance, as well as all their extraordinary effects, will then replace the limiting beliefs (eg, I cannot afford to buy this or that; my health does not allow me to practice this or that sport, etc. ), and old negative patterns in our lives.
In the film “The Secret”, several specialists from various backgrounds express themselves and develop around the law of attraction. This secret has been well known to certain groups for hundreds or even thousands of years, but it has often been well hidden. Nowadays we are witnessing the emergence of more and more “connected” human beings, more spiritual and who seek to raise their vibratory rate: The “secret” is now accessible to a greater number of individuals!

Minerals and Chakras

One of the approaches on minerals consists in linking them, according to their colors, to one or more chakras. By placing a mineral of corresponding color on each chakra, you contribute to the opening of the chakras!

The ARASIA shop offers you minerals, in the form of rolled stones, or jewelry. But also advice to take advantage of their virtues on physical, mental and spiritual well-being on a daily basis.

The chakras are, according to traditional Indian medicine, the energy centers of information and consciousness in our bodies. They each correspond to specific functions.

The first chakra (minerals of black or red colors)

Red jasper, and red or black colored stones (black tourmaline, bull’s and falcon’s eye, etc.) are linked to the 1st chakra. It is the root chakra, the one that connects us to the Earth.

They are anchor stones, very useful to help us “keep our feet on the ground”! They help us become aware of our inner strength and feel secure in life.

The second chakra (minerals of orange color)

Carnelian, amber, and orange colored stones are connected to the 2nd chakra. It is the sacral chakra, which is the center of the emotions. These stones bring us creativity and vitality.

The third chakra (minerals of yellow color)

Yellow calcite, tiger eye, citrine, and yellow colored stones are connected to the 3rd chakra, that of the solar plexus.

These stones increase motivation and self-confidence.

The fourth chakra (minerals of green or pink colors)

Rose quartz, unakite and aventurine are connected to the 4th chakra, the heart chakra. They bring us love, compassion, openness of heart.


The fifth chakra (minerals of light blue or blue-green color)

Chalcedony and stones of light blue or blue-green color are connected to the 5th chakra. It is the throat chakra that is the center of communication.

These stones help us express ourselves, listen to others, and clarify and organize our thoughts.


The sixth chakra (minerals of dark blue color)

Sodalite, lapis lazuli, blue quartz, and dark blue, indigo and violet colored stones are connected to the 6th chakra), that of intuition and the 3rd eye.

These stones bring us clairvoyance, balance and capacity for imagination.

The 7th chakra (minerals of purple, white or gold colors)

Amethyst, and the stones of white, gold and violet colors, are connected to the 7th chakra, the crown chakra which connects us to the divine.

These stones push us to gain height over the little hassles of daily life, to put things into perspective, to calm our emotions. They open us to cosmic consciousness, spirituality and the divine.

Litho-therapy or how to use your stones?

A very effective way to benefit from the virtues of minerals is to put them, for a few minutes, directly on the corresponding chakra.

Lie down comfortably and arrange one or more minerals of corresponding color on your chakras. This is the basis of litho-therapy (alternative medicine using the energy of stones to heal).

During a litho-therapy treatment, it is important to have an anchor stone, black tourmaline for example. Place it at the level of the base chakra (at the level of the pubis, or between the 2 feet), in order to remain well connected to the earth.

It is also advisable to purify and recharge your minerals correctly before a litho-therapy session.

Litho-therapy is not an exact science. It is advisable to let your intuition speak to find out what suits you best.