Massage Guidelines 

March 2, 1996

Michael C Callaway

Prepare For The Session

Begin with the room warm and snug, cushions, blankets and towels available, and any oil or powder you may need at hand.

You will break the flow of the treatment if you have to stop to go in search of another heater, or more oil. And you will defeat the whole object of the exercise if your partner cannot relax because he or she is chilly or uncomfortable.

Think about what you will need for your own comfort 

To give good massage you must be able to move freely, it is essential to comfortable clothes

You must make sure that you feel relaxed, not strained.

Never make do with a slightly awkward position, thinking that the discomfort will disappear.

Your tension will be transmitted to your client.

Your comfort is linked to your posture and breathing.

Whether you are sitting, kneeling or standing, your body should feel balanced and relaxed. To allow the healing energy to flow freely.

Keep your back straight do not stoop or bend, and move from your belly and pelvis, using your whole body to apply pressure, do not depend on strength of just your hands or shoulders.

Breathe deeply and let your body "dance" as you move, you will avoid getting tense or tired.

It is possible to end a treatment with as much or more energy as when you started.

Central to the success of any massage is your state of mind and attitude to your partner.

Before a massage, talk to the client about what you are going to do and find out if there are any special considerations. Encourage the client to interrupt you during the session if he or she is uncomfortable or if your pressure is too light or too heavy.

Chatting should be discouraged, it will only dilute the concentration and focus of the session.

Do not attempt to give a massage if you are upset, angry, or not feeling well not -- your energy be depleted,

Your mood will affect your client.

Stay "centered" and give your partner your full attention.

For all massage therapy you keep your attention on the -- here and now,

When you are centered, you are guided by your intuition and will be able to sense the sources of tension or energy imbalance in your Client.

You will be able to find the right touch for each part of the clients body, and to differentiate between a "good hurt" therapeutic in nature and excessive pressure.

Creating a Relaxed Environment

Relaxation is central to any form of massage, and the more you do to provide a calm, comfortable setting, the more effective your treatment will be.

Probably the two most essential requirements are heat and quiet.

The room you choose should be draft free and very warm - 72 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit -- particularly for an oil massage, when the receiver will be naked.

You should have a sheet or towel available, to cover your partner at the end of a session, or during it if he or she feels cold.

Make sure you have a few small cushions or pillows at hand, to use as padding

Choose a time for giving massage when you and your client can be quiet and undisturbed.

Play relaxing music in the back ground, if it is OK with both of you.

The lighting in the room should be soft and subdued,

Candlelight is ideal. As a final touch, you call use flowers or add a fragrance to the room

Create an atmosphere That is safe and relaxing.

Working Surfaces

Shiatsu is generally given on tile floor, holistic massage on the floor or on a massage table, Reflexology is given with the receiver sitting or lying back in a chair.

For Shiatsu, you need floor space the for massage - at least 8 by 6 feet. If your floor is well-carpeted, you need only spread out a folded blanket or sleeping bag for the client, covered by a sheet or towel.

Working on a table is less tiring, for you can easily reach all parts of the body without bending. Don't use a bed or spring mattress   - pressure you apply will be absorbed by the mattress.   Massage Tables come in many sizes and styles and cost from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Giving and Receiving

Massage is a two-way flow of touch and mutual exchange of energy.

The hands, which both give and receive

Through your hands you perceive and discover the uniqueness of the person you are touching; through their skin they receive the gift of your touch.

The receiver gives his or her trust, to the giver;

The giver responds by being open and sensitive to the receiver's needs

Centering

Centering is a way of focusing, of gathering your energy into a point so that you can direct it more easily into any activity you choose. It is a state of balance, quietness, strength and presence in the moment. centering means focusing on the hara, the center of energy in the abdomen

For any form of massage, as for the martial arts, being centered in the hara is of primary importance for it enables you to be flexible yet resilient, to work with your intuition rather than your mind.

When your energy is directed, you need less muscle power and can give a series of massage treatments without becoming tired or drained. Being centered also entails having the correct posture- with spine erect and neck and shoulders relaxed - and remaining "grounded" or aware of your contact with the ground, through your legs and feet.  

The Hara

Hara is the Japanese word for belly or abdomen, -- in Chinese is point is called Tan Tien and in Arabic as Kath. It refers to the source of vital energy and strength in the lower abdomen, more precisely to a point a few inches below the navel called the "Tan-Den" The hara is the second of the seven energy centers, recognized by many cultures, but most commonly known by their Sanskrit name as chakras.

Regarded as the "earth" center , it allows the energy from the earth to be gathered up into the pelvis, then relayed out via the arms and hands. It is our center of gravity, power, equilibrium and stability, the nucleus of our physical and psychic powers.

When practicing any form of massage - or any of the martial arts - if you work from the Hara, your energy comes from your center of gravity and you can operate without effort or strain.

Massage

Massage is the sharing of touch yet massage goes farther than skin-deep, deeper even than muscles and bones - a caring massage penetrates right to the depth of your being.  

This kind of massage is called holistic, or intuitive massage, to distinguish it from Swedish massage.

Holistic massage treats the individual as a whole, rather than just concentrating on oil, and physical conditions, and

Holistic massage movements are generally slower and more meditative.

In holistic massage, the attitude of both giver and receiver, and the communication between them, are of paramount importance.

The receiver's role is to be relaxed but alert, concentrating on the giver's touch, while the giver should try to remain centered and bring an attitude of genuine caring to the massage.  

The basic massage we will present is divided into strokes and parts of the body in order to help you to learn, but it is not meant to be adhered to rigidly.

To the receiver it should feel like one continuous sequence in which the strokes flow rhythmically.

Do not let the material overwhelm you. Practice a little at a time and you will soon find that your hands relax and the strokes begin to come naturally

With experience you will begin to revise strokes and develop your techniques as the body beneath your   hands communicates it’s needs to you.      

The formal sequence as an alphabet from which to build your own language of touch according to your partner's needs.    

When giving a massage, ask for feedback on what feels good, but avoid too much verbal communication, as it will distract concentration from your hands.

The slow, rhythmic strokes are more relaxing and will feel safe to your partner .

Arrange to have a massage yourself while you are learning, so that you can experience different speeds and pressures of stroke for yourself.

A good massage affects you on all levels of your being.

Physically. its benefits include relaxing and toning your muscles; assisting the venous flow of blood; increasing the hemoglobin level; encouraging the lymphatic flow; and stretching the connective tissue of joints. Holistic massage also affects the energy centers or chakras of the "subtle body".

On a mental level, massage not only relieves stress and anxiety, it also helps you to become more conscious of your body as a whole, of the parts that you are in touch with and of those that feel "cut off'. Once you are aware of where your energy blocks lie, you call begin to try and integrate your body, and, in developing a more positive self- image, take responsibility for your own happiness and health.

A caring massage creates feelings of well-being, trust and joy. It can also release a great deal of energy that is being wasted in tension and by transforming chronic habits of acting and reacting, effect a profound change on posture and facial expression. The emotional aspect of massage is very important.

On a spiritual level, the benefits of massage are hard to describe, for we are talking of something that is intrinsically indefinable - the essence, the "life force" the whole that is more than the sum of its parts. But it is not uncommon during a holistic massage for both giver and receiver to attain a state of heightened awareness, of "presence in the moment", that is akin to the experience of meditations.

Oiling and Oils

As you come to work on each new part of the body you begin by oiling it. This allows you to slide your hands smoothly and evenly over the contours without any risk of friction or jerkiness. It also nourishes the skin.

Many people initially overestimate how much oil is needed -in fact, only a thin film is sufficient to lubricate the skill, if your partner's body is swimming in oil, you will be unable to make proper contact. For most parts of the body, a single application of oil is all that is necessary.

For larger expanses, such as the back, or hairy areas, such as the front of the legs, you may need to apply extra oil. Since most oils are quickly absorbed by the skin, each   part of the body is oiled separately, rather than all at once, with the oil rubbed into the skin by long gliding strokes.

There is no need to buy ready made massage oils, which tend to be expensive.

You can use a vegetable oil, such as sunflower, safflower or coconut. Almond oil is very pleasant, though costly; olive oil tends to viscous. You can also use mineral oils, such as baby oil, though these are less easily absorbed. Petroleum based oil should not be used. If you do use a plain oil, you may like to scent it with a few drops of perfume or lemon juice. In aromatherapy, essential oils containing plant hormones are rubbed into the skin for specific therapeutic purposes. Sandalwood, jasmine, orange, blossom and tangerine all have a relaxing effect on the nervous system. Sage is good for muscular involvement

Oil should be kept in container that can be closed this will keep it from spilling.  

Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature and must be heated -- the client will enjoy the warm oil. Coconut oil will wash out of sheets and towels and will not rancid.

There are non-oil products available for massage such as Biotone or Elements these products will lubricate the skin are water soluble, they will not stain clothing. The creams and lotions are expensive $35 to $40 for a half gallon.

Baby Powder can be used in place of oil, it provides some lubrication of the skin. Powders can also be used as after and oil massage to absorb excess oil or lotion from the receivers body.

Some givers apply oil to large sections of the body at a time. others apply oil as they go. Very deep work is often done with very little oil the holistic relaxing massage uses more oil this lessens the friction and enhances the overall energetic connection between he giver and receive increases. The more sensual types of body work use large amounts of oil to magnify the sensation of touch.

Excess oil and lotions should be remove from the client using a warm wash cloth with a couple of drops of liquid soap.

To apply oil hold your hands away from the client’s Body pour a little oil into one palm., rub your palms together to spread the oil , bring your hands gently into contact with the receiver and begin to apply the oil using long stroke.

Preference of client should be considered when selecting a lotion.

Preparations

It is at the very beginning of a massage that the mood is set the for the whole session, so be well prepared.

warm the oil beforehand - by standing the container in hot water or in front of a heater a coffee cup warmer works well for warming oils or lotion.

Place the oil in a safe place where you are unlikely to knock it over and where you can get to it easily .

Before applying the oil you should center yourself,   l et your hands rest briefly on your partners body for the first gentle contact.

Pour about half a teaspoon of oil into one palm, keeping your hands to one side so that no stray drops accidentally fall on your partner.

Making and Breaking Contact

The sensitivity with which you make and break contact with your partner is very important.

After oiling your hands, let them float slowly down toward the part of the body you are about to massage, as if suspended from parachutes.

Just as you may feel the heat or energy that surrounds the body before you actually touch the skin, so your partner may sense the presence of your hands above the body.

Make sure your hands are relaxed when they touch the body and when you need more oil or to move to a new part of the body, let the break be smooth and gentle.

Some schools of massage advise always keeping one hand in contact as you work, but if your breaks are smooth, this is not necessary. When working on the floor it is better to - break contact when you move to anew part of the body, as it is hard to change position with some jogging of the body. Allow your intention to connect to the receiver. It is better to break contact physically than to have poor or clumsy contact.  

Basic Strokes

A whole body massage consists of a relatively small number of different strokes, repeated in a variety of ways, according to the particular needs of the client.

we have divided these strokes into four main types - gliding, medium - depth, deep tissue and percussion. Think of them as your ABC of massage with which you can build your own language of touch.

When learning new strokes, don't get too preoccupied with technique. It is more important to stay aware of what you are sensing with your hands and to keep the flow of strokes continuous.

If you don't have someone to practice on, try the strokes out on your own legs, sitting on the floor.   This will show you how the strokes feel, both from the giver's and the receiver's perspective.

Practice on your dog or cat as well, this is a true test of quality touch, animals do not have agendas.

Experiment with different speeds and amounts of pressure and develop a sense of rhythm, so that your hands flow from one movement into another.

Use music as a training tool fast -- slow rhythms will help you develop timing and grace. Music helps the givers to be present in their bodies not their head.

Practice with the lights out or a blind fold, this requires you to work by touch only and develops tactical senses.

Gliding Stroke

Like waves rippling over rocks, these gentle rhythmic strokes glide over the skin. By nature general rather than specific, they are used on all parts of the body to begin and end a massage, and as transitional strokes to ease the flow from one movement to another. They never work deeply on the muscle masses. The long stroke is abroad, fluent, and soothing movement, It is used on each part of the body to apply oil and to warm and relax the area. In broad circling, the hands describe large spheres as if doing the breast stroke in miniature. This stroke also serves to spread the oil more evenly over the body. perform both strokes with your hands relaxed so that their whole surface comes into contact with the receiver's body. Feathering is a brief delicate stroke which brushes over the surface of the skin. It is mainly used to break contact gradually, the strokes fading away like echoes of what has gone before.

Medium - Depth Stroke

Following on from the gliding strokes, you now start to work more deeply on the large muscle masses, using these kneading, pulling and wringing strokes. In all three, your hands echo one anothers movement in a continuously alternating rhythm, relaxing the muscles, draining away waste products, and aiding venous and lymphatic circulation. Kneading consists of alternately squeezing and releasing handfuls of flesh in a broad, circular motion. It is useful for stretching and relaxing the soft, fleshy areas of the body, such as buttocks and thighs. Pulling is a firm lifting stroke used on the sides of torso and limbs. In wringing, the hands move toward each other from opposite sides, so that the flesh is first bunched up, then stretched between them.

Deep Tissue Strokes

Deep Tissue Strokes Deep and focused, these friction movements make use of thumbs, fingertips or heels of hands to reach right down into the tissue to where more hidden tensions may lie. Having soothed and relaxed your partner with the broader, lighter gliding and medium-depth strokes, you now penetrate below the superficial muscle layers or work around the joints with deep tissue strokes. It is important to work deeper gradually. In general, you will find that the body is less fragile than you think, but people vary greatly in their tolerance levels, and although it is sometimes effective to go to the borderline of pain, it is counterproductive to overstep the mark. To perform any of the deep strokes, focus your awareness on the part of the hand you are using, but use your body weight to add depth to your pressure, allowing your hands to remain strong but relaxed.

Percussion

Within this form of massage, percussion belongs in a category of its own - for, unlike the other   strokes, its movements are stimulating rather than relaxing.  

It encompasses a range of brisk rhythmic strokes performed repeatedly with alternate hands.   Hacking, cupping, and pummeling are all fairly noisy to apply; plucking is quieter.

The main value of percussion is to stimulate the soft-tissue areas, such as thighs and buttocks, toning the skin and improving the circulation.

Before trying the strokes out on a partner, practice them on your own leg.

Make sure that your hands and wrists are loose before you start and experiment with different speeds and pressures.   Percussion is not always appropriate. Reserve it for occasions where a vigorous approach is required.

The Basic Massage Sequence

When learning massage, it will help you to understand and memorize the sequence of strokes if you can see how it is broken down. You start by massaging the back of the body, working down from head to feet, then turn the person over and massage the front of the body, once again working down from the top. The sequence is made up of seven distinct areas - two on the back of the body, and five on the front, no matter which area you are working on, you follow roughly the same order of strokes. First you oil the part of the body thoroughly then work from lighter, broader strokes to the deeper, more specific ones, ending once more with lighter ones. When giving a full massage you are affecting many of the body's systems, including the lymphatic and venous circulation, the nervous system.   Traditional massage works "toward the heart", to aid the venous circulation, but since we are interested here in relaxing and balancing a wide range of processes, our sequence of strokes adheres to this rule only where it is particularly appropriate. On the arms and legs, for example, you use firmer strokes toward the heart and lighter ones away from it, to assist the flow of blood back to the heart,

The Back

The back is the main supportive structure of the body and an area of great mobility and strength. Since it is more protected than the softer front of the body, it is the best place to start a massage. For by the time you come to work on the more vulnerable front of the body, your partner will generally be feeling more trusting and relaxed. The back is also the single largest area you will be massaging and as such it often merits more time and attention than any other part. And because you reach nerves on the back that spread to every part of the most people feel a deep sense of release after a thorough back massage. It is imperative that you are comfortable so that you can reach down and a cross the back.

To avoid tiring yourself, remember to use your whole body, and not just your arms. As your massage begins with the back, it is here that you are accustoming the receiver to your touch and becoming acquainted with the feel of his or her body.

Shoulder from Head

After oiling the back, you start to work on the shoulders, one at a time. Begin with the shoulder away from which the receiver's head is facing if not using a face cradle. First, circle around the Shoulder blade and up the side of the rib-cage. Then start to work more firmly, kneading all the fleshy areas of the shoulders. Gradually begin to use more pressure, applying the thumb- rolling stroke around the base of the neck and the Trapezoids. Pay special attention to any little knots of tension you may find interspersing this more concentrated work with soothing broader strokes. Finish with deep alternate thumb strokes along the side of the spine.

Shoulder from Side

You now shift your position to work on the same shoulder front the side, facing your partner's head. Lift the forearm carefully on to the lower back, Anchoring the arm on the back, cup your other hand under the shoulder joint - left hand under left shoulder and vice versa. Having isolated the shoulder blade by raising it, use your free hand to begin to work around and across it. Once you have squeezed along the spine of the blade and kneaded the back of the neck, slide your partner's arm down gently off the back and reposition yourself at the head. Ask the receiver to turn his or her head the other way, when ready, then repeat the sequence on the other shoulder. Always check with the receiver before placing the arm on the lower Back this is the same position as an attacker would to subdue a person and many people fined it the position to be threatening CHECK FIRST DON’T ASSUME.                                                                  

Lower Back and Buttocks

To work on the lower back and buttocks, you must position yourself at your partner's side, level with the thighs. First you thoroughly knead the lower back; then you massage one buttock, before pulling up that side of the torso. The lower back is a common seat of tension and discomfort. Since it is linked to the, pain in the lumbar region often suggests Problems connected with grounding, security and sexuality. A good way of completing the sequence, after pulling up the sides, is to use a gliding stroke down the, from shoulder to foot. Now move to the other side of your partner and repeat the sequence on the opposite buttock and side.

Spine

According to yoga, the condition of the spine affects us at every level-physical, emotional, and spiritual. The spinal nerves link the brain with all other parts of the body and since they lie close to the surface of the back, massage can have a profoundly relaxing effect.

Spinal massage divides into three main strokes:

broad stroke, called the "rocking horse", which is in two parts, one soothing, the other more stimulating;

Deep friction stroke which eases tension around the vertebrae; and finally,

Connecting stroke with your forearms which imparts a feeling of wholeness to the entire back. In general, you avoid pressing directly on the vertebrae and work on either side of the spine letting your hands melt away any knots you find as you work up the back.

Back of Legs

To complete your massage on the back of the body you work on the back of the legs, and finally on the feet. In bringing energy down to the legs and feet, you are helping your partner to feel more grounded and stable. The soft, fleshy backs of the legs are ideal for kneading and wringing. If this area is especially sensitive or painful, you may find that your partner suffers from lower back problems, since the sciatic nerve runs from the base of the spine right down the back of the leg to the heel. By massaging the back of the leg you therefore not only relieve tenderness there but also affect pain or stiffness in the lower back. If there is active sciatic nerve involvement massage in this area is contraindicated.

Half Lotus Leg Lift

In addition to using the different basic strokes to massage your partner, you can incorporate various “Passive” exercises into your session. These mobilize the joints and stretch the muscles by placing the receiver's body in certain positions. The "Half Lotus" Leg Lift - so-called because the movement imitates the Half Lotust position in yoga - it exercises the hip joint and stretches the muscles at the front of the thigh. When lifting your partner’s leg, let your whole body take the weight, not just your shoulders and arms. And flex the leg only as far as the point of resistance. There should be no strain or discomfort, either for you or the receiver.

Draining the Leg

These strokes work with the circulation, assisting the flow of blood and lymph back to the heart. Positioned either at your partner's foot or by the side of the leg, you begin to work up front the ankle, first with your thumbs, then with the heels of your hands. when you come to the back of the knee, your strokes should be broader and lighter-if you press too hard, the knee-cap will be pushed uncomfortably against the working surface. The draining stroke with the heels of the hands is most effective on the back of the thigh and buttocks, where there is a generous expanse of flesh, but you can also use it on the calves.

Working Down The Leg

Having drained the leg up to the hip, you now begin to move down again toward the foot, using a kneading stroke on the thigh and calf. After thoroughly massaging the entire leg, you can either pull down the inside of the leg in overlapping strokes or wring your hands along the leg. The back of the legs is particularly suitable for wringing work as there are no protruding bones to interrupt your path.

The Ankle

Like any other joints, ankles often store tension, blocking the free flow of energy between the feet and the legs. People with stiff ankles may suffer from cold feet and may be "ungrounded, their connection with the ground, with reality, is unsure. Massage will not only help to restore flexibility and assist energy flow, it will also relieve any build-up of fluid. Three of the movements shown here serve both to test, and then to increase mobility and suppleness in this area. Rotating the ankle gives you a sense of the flexibility of the joint; flexing the foot tests the tension in the muscles and tendons. If the hamstrings are tight, you will not be able to push the foot far forward; if the extensor muscles at the front of the lower leg are tight, pushing the foot backward, This can be painful so be kind.

The Foot

The human foot has evolved into a highly complex structure, made up of 26 small bones, some of which form two large supporting arches. As well as carrying the entire weight of the body, feet serve as a marvelous shock absorbers. In addition, the sole of the foot contains thousands of nerve endings, with reflex connections to the whole of the rest of the body. In massaging the feet, therefore, you are affecting the entire body, not just the feet themselves. For this reason many masseurs concentrate on a foot massage when there is not enough time for a full body massage. Once you have finished one foot, move over to work on the back of the other leg and foot, starting from the beginning of the sequence. Treating the feet ends the massage on the back of the body. After completing both legs, let you’re partner rest for a few moments. Then suggest that they turn over to facilitate work on the front of the body.

Shoulders, Neck, and Scalp

Once your partner has turned over, you begin your massage on the front of the body by returning to the shoulders, one of the principal storehouses of tension in the body. In a healthy individual, feelings that arise at gut level are expressed physically through the arms and hands, or vocally, through the throat. But many of us are forbidden to express our emotions freely as children, and learn to suppress feelings of anger or sorrow by tightening up in the shoulders and throat. So this area merits our attention from both the back and front of the body. The main advantage of working on the shoulders from the front is that the receiver's own weight presses down on to your hands under the back, giving extra impact to the strokes. The sequence of strokes may seem a little complex at first as a lot of it happens out of sight, between your partner's back and the working surface. But once you have learned it, you will find it a most rewarding part of your massage session, and one that feels especially good to the receiver.

Neck Stretches

These stretching movements lead on naturally from any of the long strokes. Instead of bringing your hands off the top of head, you simply stop at the base of the skull and, holding the head securely, gently pull it toward you. You can also stretch the neck forward, backward, and to one side. This stretches right along the top of the shoulder and side of the neck. Many people will be relaxed enough to surrender their heads to your hands - their heads will feel heavy when you lift them. Others who are tense will unconsciously move their heads themselves. If this happens, simply ask your partner to be aware that they are "holding on" while you attempt to loosen the neck by stretching it. But don't be impatient if they are unable to "let go" just carry on to the next stroke.

Shoulder, front and Back Sequence

Now you have loosened the whole neck up a little, you start to focus on one side at a time. laying the head on its side on one land, you use the other hand to work the whole upper back and neck area on the opposite side,. Since much of the sequence takes place out of sight, under the back, we have provided diagrams to illustrate the path of your hands. The sequence consists of pushing your hands under the back pulling up toward the Neck across three different areas of the back in a fan shape. You will find it easier to get your hands under some backs than others - don't try too hard but be content to go as far as you can comfortably manage, without stress. As you pull your hands toward you, the flesh may bunch up at the neck don’t disconnect continue on slowly upward your pressure will release the folds.

The Scalp

Surprisingly, the scalp Can get tense and contribute to tension headaches and also to hair problems, such as dandruff and hair loss. Massage helps to relieve this tightness and aids the circulation; in the process it also improves the health of the hair.

Spinal Stretch

This is the only stroke in the front of shoulders and Neck sequence that requires cooperation on the part of the receiver, who must lift up his or her head to enable you to reach under it with your hands. The stroke stretch the whole spine and feels very good to the receiver. You may need to practice a little before you can execute it smoothly. Be sure to always pull from the hara and pelvis, not just from the shoulders.

The Face

The face is generally the part we notice first in other people. It is uncovered, exposed and reflects the history of its owner, whether openly or secretly. Its expression is sculpted by the tiny muscles that give us the mobility to make faces. Stress and tension are reflected in tightness around the brow, jaw and eyes, joy and serenity in an open relaxed expression. And whether we wear a constantly smiling mask of appeasement or one of mock surprise, with eyebrows fixedly raised, the patterns frozen on our faces help reveal our attitudes and character. By enabling us to relinquish some of our masks, a caring face massage can lead to a sense of deep relaxation and throughout the whole body, and to the comfort of just enjoying "being", without having to appear to be something else.

The Face

You don't need to oil your hands to massage the face, as what you already have on your fingers will be enough for this relatively small area. Before giving a face massage for the first time, practice on your own face to sec how it feels. The face is bonier and less fragile than it looks and you may be surprised to find that you can apply quite deep pressure without discomfort. Thresholds of comfort vary, however, so you should be sure to get feedback on your pressure from your partner. Before beginning, check whether your partner is wearing contact lenses ; if so, refrain front working over the eyelids. in this sequence, you work gradually down the face, stroking across it in strips front the center to the sides. Make your movements slow and "clean" and keep your awareness in your fingers.

Eyes, Nose and Cheeks

Continuing on down the face, you now work over the eyebrows, eyelids, and nose to the chin. Twelve pairs of cranial nerves link the brain directly with the face and the five senses. Working around the eyes, eyebrows, and temples in particular, often helps to soothe away stress, relieve headaches and clear the sinuses.

Chin and Jawline

Massaging the lower part of the face consists in squeezing the chin, working along the jawbone and then circling over the chewing muscles, or masseters.   If you find it hard to locate these  muscles, place your fingers on  the cheeks and ask your partner to clench their teeth. You will  feel the muscles rise up and  harden as they contract. The jaw is related to the pelvis, and tension in one usually means tension in   the other. If your partner holds a lot of the tension in the hips, it is often helpful to loosen the jaw before working directly on the pelvis.

Cheeks and Ears

This two-part sequence begins with a broad stroke across the cheeks and ends with stretching and squeezing the ears. Way back in our history we were able to move our ears - some people still retain the ability to wiggle them. This may explain why it feels so pleasurable to have your ears massaged - echoes of a long-lost skill.

Connecting Face and Head

This is a long stroke in three parts, connecting the face with the neck and head. For best effect, let it be one smooth flowing movement, ending in a gentle stretching of the neck.  

Arms and Hands

When we evolved from walking on four legs and stood upright, we freed our upper limbs for a variety of uses to get food and fuel and to ward off danger. We also exposed our soft bellies, and our relationships with one another acquired a new sensitivity. The arms and hands are intimately connected to relating - how we relate to each other and to the world at large, to how we give and take. They are instruments of doing and expressing - out of which feelings can flow freely, provided no chronic tensions are present in the shoulder and throat area. Through our arms and hands, we express our most powerful emotions, showing love by embracing, giving, protecting or stroking, hatred or rage through hitting, punching, shaking our fists. An arm and hand massage is a relaxing experience, especially for those who tend to "bottle up'' their feelings.

Draining the Arm

This sequence works with the circulation of blood and lymph ill the arm. Its purpose is to assist the lymphatic flow and the blood's venous return to the heart. Veins are closer to the skin's surface than arteries, which carry blood away from the heart. You start by draining the forearm, then work along the upper arm. While squeezing down the forearm. you may notice your partner’s fingers opening and closing; this is because muscles controlling the fingers are in the forearm.

Stretching

Stretching is passive exercise, when applied to the arm the oil the shoulder joint stretch and tone the connective tissues - the ligaments and tendons that attach the bones of the joint; stimulate the production of synovial fluid -- the lubricant (oil) of the joints and extend the joint's range of movement. As with any other passive exercise it is you that does the work here, your partner should surrender to the movement.

Shoulder Joint and Arm

Having stretched the arm and shoulder joint, you now place it back by your partner's side and work around the shoulder girdle and down the arm. You begin with a stroke that squeezes from the center of the upper chest and back out to the shoulder joint, then continue with some medium-depth work down the whole arm to the elbow and the wrist. At the shoulder you are working on a ball and socket joint which has a wide range of movement, enabling the swing round in a broad circle. The elbow is a hinge joint, that allows only up and down movement. The bones of the forearm can rotate over each other.

Wrist and Hand

A hand massage is especially relaxing - both because our hands are so accustomed to being touched and because, like the feet, the hands have reflex connections with the whole of the rest of the body. The area in the motor and sensory parts of the brain that: is concerned with the hands is disproportionately large, indicating their unique sensitivity and functional importance. In fact, with their opposable thumbs, the hands are one of the main features that distinguish us from other animals. Pay special attention to the joints, for it is these that give the hands their great mobility. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the side effects of the computer age and is nothing more than overuse of the wrist.

Front of Torso

We face the world with the front of the body, exposing the belly, our most unprotected part. The front of the torso is linked to the way we feel and the way we relate. The torso consists of two main areas - the hard protective cage of the chest, which houses the heart, lungs and other organs, and the soft unprotected muscle wall of the belly, containing our guts - our deepest feelings. When massaging the front of the torso, be aware that this is an area of vulnerability. Before beginning, take a moment or two to study your partner's breathing pattern and observe which parts of the torso move with the breath, as you will be coordinating some of your strokes with the breathing. Our breathing pattern is intimately linked with our vitality and our emotional health, if your partners is trusting, having this area massaged can be profound experience for both giver and receiver, establishing a deep contact.

Rib-cage and Chest

As well as protecting the vital organs in the upper chest, the rib cage plays an Important part in the breathing process. We tend to think of the rib-cage as fixed and static. In fact, when we breathe in correctly, the ribs rise up, pushing the breastbone forward, opening up the chest cavity, causing air to be drawn into the lungs. The muscles used in breathing are the large diaphragm muscle that crosses the body horizontally just below the rib-cage, and those connecting the ribs themselves. To allow proper breathing, the diaphragm must he relaxed and the rib-cage flexible. Massaging this area loosens the muscles and increases the mobility of the ribs.

The Abdomen

To work on the abdomen you move round to one side of your partner, level with the belly. The abdomen is highly sensitive, so let your hands come down gently initially and pause for a moment before you start. You begin by moving your hands in clockwise circles around the belly. It is important that you travel clockwise direction, for this echoes the direction of the large intestine. After rotating your hands over the belly in a broad circle, you gradually increase the depth of your pressure, using smaller circles. You end your massage on the front of the torso by working with the rhythm of your partner's breath. your partner breathes slowly and deeply you glide your hands over the torso in a long circulatory stroke - up from the belly to the chest on an inhalation and down the sides on an exhalation. It is up to you to follow your partner's breath with your hands - not vice versa.

Front of Legs

In Western society today, many of us have lost touch with our bodies, with the earth on which we stand. Too much of our time and energy are spent five feet off the ground, living in our heads. A whole body massage ends on the front of the legs, so that you bring the receiver's awareness right down to the toes and he or she leaves the massage session feeling "grounded". The sequence you follow is similar to the one you used on the backs of the legs. But here the terrain is a little different - as well as the soft muscle area of the thigh, you are working on the bony areas of the shin, and the knee. Knees that are continually braced or pulled back indicate a somewhat insecure personality that is striving to maintain a hold on life and stand its ground. Massage can help release the energy blocked in the legs, allowing the person to move more freely through life.

Stretching the Leg

When receiving a massage, it feels unexpectedly good to have your limbs passively exercised like having someone do yoga for you, without your having to make any effort. In stretching the leg you are exercising three joints - the ball and socket hip joint and the hinge joints of knee and ankle. As the giver, you will find it more effective and less tiring if you pull with your whole body, not just your arms. And make sure that your grip on the foot is comfortable to your partner. Some people are ticklish

Working up the Front of the Leg

This sequence basically consists of draining strokes to aid the circulation, interspersed with some more precise work around the knee-cap. On the lower leg, you must be sure to work on the muscles on either side of the shinbone. Direct pressure on the shinbone can be painful for the receiver. On the thigh, you use broad, fairly deep strokes to push upward, assisting the venous and lymphatic flow. if your partner is long-legged you may have to work from the side.

The Hip Joint and Down the Leg

Linking the top of the leg to the pelvis, the hip joint is a large ball and socket joint with a wide range of movement. It is packed in firmly by the surrounding muscles, and may he hard to find at first. Press in under the rim of the pelvis to locate the bony protuberance at the top of the thigh bone. If you go deeper round this hone, you will be working on the connections of the hip joint. Having pressed around the joint thoroughly, you now work down the leg, using broad strokes on the thigh, more precise finger strokes around the knee-cap, and then finish by squeezing down the shin muscles to the ankle. As you work down the leg, you will need to move. When working on a massage table it is easy to move smoothly; but if working on the floor you will probably have to break contact gently, change position, then continue.

The Front of the Foot

You round off a massage session with some final attention to the feet, moving down to sit or stand

facing the foot you are working on. These strokes are intended to ground your partner. After opening and starching the foot you enclosed it in both hands and pull them soothingly off the toes. Do this for each foot in turn

Connecting

Having worked on each part of the body in turn, you now need to "connect" the various parts and give your partner a sense of their own wholeness. There are two ways of connecting the body- by long strokes which flow over the entire body, from one end to the other; or by simply resting your two hands on different parts of the body for a few moments. You may also use these connecting strokes as a bridge between working on one part of the body and the next. The "held" stroke can connect an y parts of the body you choose - for example, the forehead and belly, as shown opposite, or the belly or base of the spine and the feet. At the end of a session, leave your partner to rest for a while and cover them with a sheet or warmed towel.