Thai massage is the lazy woman's yoga - all the benefits, none of the work. You lie passively while an energetic masseur pulls and manipulates your body into numerous stretches. Even better, it is the latest fad to fire the imagination of celebrities and yoga devotees alike.

Sting and Kevin Bacon are the most recent converts to Thai massage. It's also a popular craze among American fitness cognoscenti who, instead of suffering the indignity of getting sweaty in the gym, are heading for the Institute of Thai Massage near West Palm Beach, Florida. London's Life Centre in Notting Hill, where Mariella Frostrup goes to limber up, also reports a surge of enthusiasm for the new effort-free yoga, and the Kailash Centre of Oriental Medicine in St John's Wood is taking more bookings than ever. "It's the ideal form of yoga," says Howard Evans, a Thai massage practitioner who teaches the technique at the University of Westminster. "Many yoga classes are dynamic, so are designed to give you a workout. But one of the main ideas of yoga, is that you should relax into it. Thai massage allows just that."

The technique evolved as part of an ancient medicinal tradition that emerged in India more than 2,000 years ago, where it grew up alongside yoga and Ayurvedic medicine. It spread to Thailand with Buddhism and is used with herbs and spiritual practice to enhance wellbeing and heal illness.

"Yoga and Thai massage come from similar traditions, so many of the moves are very similar," explains Evans. "Rather than kneading muscles as in Swedish massage, you manipulate the limbs and joints, stretching them gently. That makes the muscles- not only near the skin's surface, but deep within the body - relax. You also press on key pressure points on the feet, spine,Uarms and hands."

Practitioners work along the body's 10 main energy or "sen" lines, which correspond to the "nadis" of yoga and the "meridians" of Chinese medicine, and nearly always begin a Ethe feet. "The feet are filled with nerves that correspond to different points in the body, so stimulating them will relax you everywhere," says Evans. "Then you work up the legs, to the stomach, back and arms. You end at the head and neck, having gradually relaxed everything."

The energy lines, he explains, correspond to the lymphatic system and work on the body's connective tissue. Stimulating these lines releases toxins, boosts blood circulation and frees up muscular tension.

Ultimately, the aim is to restore any energy imbalances in the body. "The overall effect is immense: a good Thai massage can cure headaches and fatigue, ease insomnia and alleviate digestive problems, anxiety and depression," says Evans.

Mos Ipeople, however, have it simple to relax. Nicole Henry, a 29- year- old PR executive, embarked on a nine-day course in Thai massage late last year. "I'd go for a 90-minute massage feeling tired and run down after a late night and a hectic day at work," she says. "I'd come out feeling incredibly energised. It totally transformed my mood, taking away any negativity or tension.

"Also, I found it much more dignified than the semi-naked oily Swedish massage," she adds. You stay fully clothed for Thai massage, although the clothes you wear should be light and loose.

"Now I practise on friends; it turns them into blobs of jelly. It is almost as effective healthwise for the person giving it as for the one receiving - you have to climb all over the person, stretching them around, which is a workout in itself."

For information on practitioners nationwide, courses and massage, contact Howard Evans (tel: 020U7727 8526). Massage students offer Thai massage at the University of Westminster Polyclinic (£15 for a 90-minute session; tel: 020 7911 5041). Thai massage is also available at the Kailash Centre of Oriental Medicine,
7 Newcourt Street, London NW8 (£65 for 90 minutes; tel: 020 7722 3939).

The Institute of Thai Massage website is at www.thai- massage.org/