What is a Traditional Khmer Massage?

A traditional Khmer massage often combines gentle stretching, pressure point stimulation, and rhythmic movements. Therapists may use their hands, elbows, forearms, and occasionally feet to perform the massage, focusing on energy pathways and specific muscle groups. The massage aims to restore balance and energy flow within the body, offering both physical and mental relaxation. Traditionally, natural oils or balms might also be used to enhance the therapeutic effects of the massage.

The Benefits of a Khmer Massage

Bye-bye Stress & Jetlags: Traveling to a foreign country can be overwhelming, but a traditional Khmer massage is like a magic stress-eraser. It’ll melt away your worries and leave you feeling calm and refreshed, ready to start exploring Siem Reap’s ancient wonders.

Boost Your Energy: Good circulation is key to feeling energetic and alive. A Khmer massage will kickstart your circulation, giving you that extra oomph to tackle the day head-on.

Aches & Pains Be Gone: After a day of exploring temples or other thrilling adventures in Cambodia’s hot and humid climate, your muscles deserve a good massage. Skilled hands will work out all the tension, leaving you feeling flexible and blissfully relaxed.

Affordable Bliss: Here’s the best part – Getting a massage in Cambodia won’t break the bank! You’ll enjoy double the pampering time and luxury for half the price compared to your hometown. It’s guilt-free indulgence for both you and your wallet.

Khmer Massage vs Thai Massage

Traditional Khmer massage and Thai massage share similarities in their focus on relaxation and therapeutic benefits. However, they differ in techniques and approaches. As mentioned above, Khmer massage incorporates gentle stretching, pressure points, and rhythmic movements, often targeting specific muscle groups. Thai massage involves stretching, compressions, and passive yoga-like positions. Both aim to improve well-being, but Khmer massage emphasizes targeted pressure and stretching, while Thai massage focuses on guided stretches and movements to release tension and enhance flexibility.

Choosing The Right Spa

If budget permits, we strongly advise steering clear of the numerous low-cost massage venues lining Pub Street and Old Market area. They are easily identifiable by masseuses stationed outside, brandishing menus and calling out to passersby with offers of $5 or $6 massages. These establishments might seem tempting at first glance. However, beyond the allure, it’s important to realize that these spots not only lack expertise, hygiene standards, and use low-quality massage oils that might cause skin irritation but also tend to underpay their staff. Unless you’re seeking a swift 30-minute foot massage before venturing into Pub Street, disappointment is likely.

Our Recommended Spas in Siem Reap

Instead, continue reading for our tried-and-tested selection of the best spas in Siem Reap. These venues excel in traditional Khmer massages and a diverse range of other treatments, catering to various price points.

Kaya Spa

Ready for a peaceful body-and-mind relaxation experience? Kaya Spa offers the best value right in the city center! They provide high-quality traditional massages and special treatments such as aromatherapy, candle, herbal compress, and stone massages, along with body scrubs, facial masks, and hand and foot care. The experienced therapists use all-natural spa cosmetics by Senteurs d’Angkor, which contain carefully selected ingredients. You can personalize your massage oil with five aromatic synergies: Oriental, Sensual, Refreshing, Relaxing, and Re-balance.

Ketanak Spa

Ketanak Spa is a unique ‘home spa house’ located just 10 minutes from the city center. Nestled in a delightful garden, this concept offers the perfect escape to unwind and chill. Designed with guest comfort and tranquility in mind, the spa boasts seven rooms, ensuring a serene and intimate atmosphere throughout your journey. Devoted to natural well-being, Ketanak Spa specializes in massages, treatments, scrubs, facials, hammam sessions, and head massages. With a team of skilled therapists, each dedicated to delivering exceptional expertise, every guest is treated to heartfelt experiences that leave them feeling pampered and rejuvenated. Embrace the serenity and peace this spa offers, as it becomes your oasis of relaxation.

Also Don’t Miss: The Thrill of a Fish Massage

Did you know that visitors of Pub Street can experience a fish massage, a unique local attraction? This unconventional spa treatment involves immersing your feet in street-side tanks filled with Garra rufa fish, known as “doctor fish,” which nibble away dead skin cells, providing a gentle exfoliation. This stimulating yet relaxing activity offers a unique way to unwind amidst the bustling energy of Siem Reap, leaving feet feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Did we miss your favorite spa in town? Let us know in the comments or send us a message through the contact form!

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History

Due to the destruction of Cambodian culture and heritage under the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, much information about the tradition of Khmer boxing has been lost. Many of the masters died, or fled the region. Even after the fall of the regime, former boxers (as is the case with many specialists in Cambodian arts) were frightened to revive the art and there has only really been a resurgence in the last 15 years. After research conducted in 2011, a number of scholars and authorities agreed upon “Kbach kun boran Khmer” (literally “Cambodian ancient fighting arts”) upon as the umbrella term for native pre-modern fighting arts.

Martials arts have certainly been part of Khmer culture for centuries. Bas-reliefs at the base of the entrance pillars to the Bayon temple depict various fighting scenes. One relief shows two men appearing to grapple, another shows two fighters using their elbows – both techniques used in different forms of Khmer boxing.

In 1995, Cambodia was keen to unite all the ASEAN nation martial arts under one name “Sovannaphum boxing” or “SEA Boxing”, representing Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. However, this was not accepted by other nations – especially Thailand – who were keen to preserve their unique form and name of their international sport.

Pradal Serey

Pradal Serey (meaning “free fighting”), also known as Kun Khmer, is a kickboxing form descended directly from early forms of Khmer fighting techniques. It is a national sport in Cambodia and has been slightly altered from the ancient form to allow for modern competition. Pradal Serey is hugely popular in Cambodia and many fights take place across the country every week. The sport has an organizing body called Cambodian Boxing Federation (CBF). Multiple tournaments are screened every week across a variety of TV channels. There is a Pradal Serey boxing stadium in Siem Reap, known as “The Ring of Champions”. The 700-seater CTN Angkor Arena hosts tournaments every Wednesday featuring fighters from all over the world and broadcasts live on Cambodian Television Network (CTN).

Some boxing specialists are wary of the modernization and popularization of boxing. Tournaments used to happen in pagodas, which meant spectators and boxers alike behaved in a respectful manner. The modern stadium sport has a very different feel and is linked heavily with gambling, which older practitioners feel to be disrespectful to the art.

A match consists of five three-minute rounds with a one-and-a-half or two minute break between each round. Boxers wear leather gloves and nylon shorts. Rules prohibit biting, blows to the back and the genitals, holding onto ropes and striking the opponent while on the ground. Victory is obtained by knockout. Pradal Serey has four types of attacking moves – punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes. While it is often characterized as a kick-boxing martial art, actually more victories in Pradal Serey come from elbow strikes.

Bokator

Bokator is often confused with Pradal Serey, or used as a phrase for Khmer boxing as a whole. However, it is a specific version of Khmer boxing that has been popularized in recent years. San Kim Sean is often credited with reviving this style of boxing in Cambodia. A boxing practitioner and teacher, Sean fled to the US during the Khmer Rouge era. Returning to Cambodia, he began teaching Bokator in Phnom Penh in 2001 and also began seeking out the remaining living masters (known as Bokator Lokru – or Bokator teachers). In 2006 Phnom Penh hosted the first national Bokator competition with 20 lokrus taking part. Many people claim that Sean “invented” the Bokator name and style of boxing and are dismissive of it as just another modern version of the ancient Khmer tradition.

Bokator uses weapons techniques, with bamboo staffs and short sticks. Unarmed attacks involve a combination of elbow and knee strikes, shin kicks, submissions and ground fighting. Bokator fighters wear different colored kromas around their waist denoting their level. The first grade is white, followed by green, blue, red, brown, and finally black, which has 10 degrees. Fighters also wear silk cords around their heads and biceps.

Bokator is a broader sport that Pradal Serey, which is a more condensed style of fighting using a smaller range of techniques. The Bokator art has 341 sets based on life and nature and in the unarmed spectrum of the art alone there are over 8000 different fighting techniques. There are different styles for different animals (bird, naga, horse etc) all of which have different moves associated with them.

Practicing the art

Most Cambodian boxers compete to earn money to feed their families and do not come from privileged backgrounds. In the past, boxers were paid by the crowd and rewarded with food, money and alcohol if they did well. This still happens today but now organized fights have official fees. This can be a little as $15, or as much as $100 for famous name boxers. Fighters can earn up to $1000 in international tournaments.

There are a number of Bokator and Kun Khmer fighting schools around the country – the biggest concentration existing in Phnom Penh and a few in Siem Reap. Battambang is also well-known for producing Kun Khmer champions. There are very few classes available that are aimed at tourists, as most schools exist to train the next generation of Cambodian fighting champions. However there are some that will welcome drop-ins to their classes, although be prepared for an intense physical workout, and the likelihood that few people will speak English, or a second language.

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What is a Sak Yant Tattoo?

So why is it so special? Sak Yant is not your average tattoo, in fact it is not even a tattoo… In its entirety it is a spiritual journey that may go on for years. Each Yantra (a form of mystical diagram) tells a story, offers protection to the person, or fills something that is missing in the person’s heart. Then it is tattooed on, after consultation with the “Master” to help make the right decision. This process demands mindfulness from the selection of the yantra, the offerings to the master and the blessings that follow – the tattoo process itself is one to be felt for every moment of the event. The pain, they say, is more than modern tattoo procedures, but that is the point.

Once the yantra is chosen and offerings have been proffered, the tattoo is applied using either a traditional bamboo stick (it’s been slightly modified to allow for a new hygienic needle to be used each time) or a modern tattoo gun, it’s up to the preference of the recipient. They also use modern ink because it lasts longer, however traditional ink is occasionally still used; made naturally from the native plants and minerals of Cambodia that are spiritually blessed and deemed to be more powerful in its affect.

The Sak Yant Master & Apprentices

The Master, after discovering information of this ancient tradition, is continually learning. At the same time, he will take on select apprentices. It’s not for everyone and the applicants have to seek this vocation and apply themselves, they have to fight (not literally) for their position and show their dedication. They begin by learning the alphabet and vowels of the Sak Yant language, which originates from Bali Sanskrit and is the same language Buddhist monks use in the pagodas of Cambodia. After the first stage, they learn close to 50 foundation symbols, followed by mantras (spiritual words in Sanskrit) and the meaning behind each symbol.

They obey the tradition strictly. For the blessing, the one to be blessed must bring 7 types of fruit, and specified flowers and incense.

Federation Khmer Sak Yant

Siem Reap based “Federation Khmer Sak Yant” are starting to make a name for themselves. They consist at present of Master Teven Say and his 3 apprentices, all brothers from Kampong Cham. They began as martial arts students and gradually have all joined with the Sak Yant Federation. We spoke with Sambath and he provided a lot of information about their work. He also explained that the reason Sak Yant and Bokator are closely linked is because fighters believe that the Sak Yant will give them strength for their fights.

We also spoke to two people who recently underwent this ritual, David and Adam from The Little Red Fox in Siem Reap’s Kandal Village. Adam described his experience as “amazing…. Painful!” and that the chants that the Master and apprentices use during the tattooing are designed to “open the skin”. Adam was very happy with the professional attitude and cleanliness of the equipment, he explained how the setting, close to rice fields, is very peaceful, perfect for this experience.

David showed his tattoo and explained that his yantra is actually one part of a series of 7 and that he’ll definitely be going back for “the next chapter” of his story.

They also talked about how the tattoo healed really quickly, unlike modern tattoos, it doesn’t get scabby and painful, you don’t need to wrap it up and apply antiseptic, in the same way you do with modern tattoos.

David explained how spiritual the whole event is from start to finish, how it was so rewarding because they really took their time and invested their full energy into it and because of that, they got so much out of it too.

The blessings take place on a Sunday, so their advice to anyone interested would be to book for a Sunday in order to have the whole ceremony in one sitting, otherwise, if you have the tattoo on anther day, you return on the Sunday to have your tattoo blessed.

How to Contact Federation Khmer Sak Yant

Sambath manages the Facebook page and he’s very responsive – Federation Khmer Sakyant and his brother manages the website and emails: www.federationkhmersakyant.com.

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