Leusii Reusi Dat Ton: The Thai Hermit’s Exercises
"Reusi Dat Ton is a little known aspect of traditional Thai healing and culture.
It consists of breathing exercises, self-massage, dynamic exercises, poses, mantras, visualization, and meditation.
Reusis were also known as “Jatila,” “Yogi,” and “Chee Prai.”
It consists of breathing exercises, self-massage, dynamic exercises, poses, mantras, visualization, and meditation.
- “Reusi” in Thai, from the Sanskrit Rishi, is an Ascetic Yogi or Hermit.
- “Dat” means to stretch, adjust, or train.
- “Ton” is a classifier used for a Reusi and also means oneself.
Reusis were also known as “Jatila,” “Yogi,” and “Chee Prai.”
The Reusiis were custodians and practitioners of various ancient arts and sciences such as: tantra, yoga, natural medicine, alchemy, music, mathematics, astrology, palmistry, etc. They have counterparts in many ancient cultures such as: the Siddhas of India, the Yogis of Nepal and Tibet, the Immortals of China, the Vijjadharas of Burma, and the Cambodian Eysey (from the Pali word for Reusi, Isii)
Indian Siddha Tibetan Yogi Cambodian Eysey Thai Reusi. There are different Reusi traditions within Thailand. There is a Southern Thai/Malay Tradition, a Northeastern Thai/Lao Tradition, a Central Thai/Khmer Tradition, and a Northern Thai/Burmese/ Tibetan Tradition. In Thailand, there are Reusis as far South as Kanchanaburi Province who follow the Northern Thai/Burmese/Tibetan Reusi Tradition. A typical Reusi Dat Ton program would begin with breathing exercises and self-massage, followed by dynamic exercises and poses (some of which involve self acupressure), and finish with visualization, mantras, and meditation. The exercises and poses of Reusi Dat Ton range from simple stretches that almost anyone could do to very advanced poses which could take many years to master." ~ “Self-Massage and Joint Mobilization of Traditional Thai Yoga: Reusi Dat Ton Part 1 Handbook” by David Wells |
Congratulations of finding this practice! Please contact me directly for any questions or guidance with the practices. Private and group sessions available. Thank you for journeying along. |
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