ruesi Dat Ton – Traditional Thai Stretching

Ruesi Dat Ton, the old traditional Thai Self Stretching, includes 18 exercises that can be performed standing or sitting. It is a holistic practice for body and mind and a valuable method to reduce stress, improve mobility, strengthen the body and increase overall well-being.

• Relaxes muscle tension
• Strengthens joints and muscles
• Promotes mobility, balance and coordination
• Improves energy flow
• Promotes the ability to concentrate and mental rest
• Strengthens general health

The exercises are easy to learn and are very suitable for a daily 30-minute routine. Stretches combined with strength exercises and conscious breathing are designed to address energy points and energy lines (Sen) of traditional Thai medicine (TTM).

Ruesi Dat Ton can provide effective and sustainable help with acute or chronic symptoms and many degenerative ailments. Examples include

• Backache
• Tension in the shoulder
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Osteoarthritis pain
• Circulatory disorders
• Lack of energy and fatigue
• Insomnia
• … and much more

Difference to Yoga

Ruesi Dat Ton consists of simpler, shorter and less demanding positions. They can therefore be carried out safely by little trained or poorly stretchable people and up to old age.

Historical background

According to legend, Ruesi Dat Ton was developed by so-called «Ruesi» for self-treatment. Ruesi are, or were ascetic living hermits who led a nature-oriented, spiritually oriented life and were considered healers, medicine men and spiritual masters. Illustrations and statues, which can also be seen in many Wat in Thailand, usually show them with long hair, beard and only dressed in a tiger fur. In today's Thailand, there are no real live ruesi anymore.

The exercises were later also practiced by Buddhist monks in order to strengthen the general physical fitness in addition to mental strengthening through long meditations.

What is assured is that the Thai King Rama I ordered in 1772 to collect and document the knowledge and exercises. Today, of the original 80 exercises, their 18 are taught. Corresponding portraits and statues can be preserved and viewed in the Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok.