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[1, 2, 3]
How To Give A Simple Loving Massage
Chapter 3
The Arms: come to the side of the recipient, facing them. Grasp
their hand, ask them to relax their arm if it feels stiff when you
lift it. Holding the wrist with one hand, stroke the other hand
up the arm towards the shoulder, and back down to the wrist. Switch
your hands over so you can stroke with the other hand. Find a rhythm
that is comfortable and easy. From this position, you can also knead
around the shoulder and pectoral muscle with reinforced fingertips
(hand over hand). Grasp the biceps, then forearm, using your thumb
to press into the muscles. Knead the palms of the hands, and each
individual finger, from pinky to thumb. Finish with the same type
of stroke you began with, pressing more as you move your hand towards
the heart.
The Legs: uncover one leg at a time so that your recipient stays
warm. Begin by touching the top of the foot, gliding your hand up
to the thigh and out towards the hip. Maintain the contact as you
glide your hand back down towards the foot. Use the first several
strokes to spread the oil
evenly over the skin, warming up the leg. Keep a slow paced rhythm
as you increase the pressure, pressing more through the fingers
as you continue with the same motion. Ease your pressure as you
pass the knee area. Using the deeper pressure, make soft fists with
your hands, pressing into the thigh muscle from the knee to the
hip. Repeat this stroke several times, beginning at different angles
above the knee. You can also use your thumbs to apply a moderate
or deep amount of pressure along the thigh muscles. Remember to
repeat lighter, full hand stroking after the deeper pressure. Below
the knee, there is muscle along the outside of the shin bone that
you can use thumb pressure points or slow, moderate pressured thumb
strokes along. Finish by returning to the lighter stroke from ankle
to hip.
The Foot: there is a chance your partner will not like to have
their foot touched at all. For many, the foot massage can be a gift
from the heavens. Put both hands on the top of the foot, with fingers
on the sole, thumbs on top. Spread and squeeze the foot as you gradually
press your thumbs into the sole. Squeeze your hands alternately
on each side of the foot, in a milking motion. Stroke your thumbs
up the soles of the feet, and find pressure points to knead in this
area. Finish with the milking motion and light stroking.
The Back: Positioned in a seated or prone position, begin lightly
with broad strokes that allow you to distribute the oil
evenly over the skin. Notice where the spine is, and keep one hand
on either side, increasing the pressure as your fingers run up the
muscles on either side of the spine. Use your thumbs to gradually
intensify this pressure. Knead the muscles at the top of the shoulder
and around the shoulder blade. Press firmly at the middle edge of
the shoulder blade. Stay in communication with your recipient about
what feels comfortable for them. Intersperse these deeper techniques
with the broad stroking type of movements that you began with. Standing
at the side, use your knuckles to gently press into the lower back
muscle, following one hand in front of the other. Make sure to address
both sides of the back evenly.
If you keep your communication - both verbal and non - open and
allow yourself to be guided by your recipient, you will find yourself
able to significantly improve your skills over a short period of
time. Remember, it's about providing your partner a welcome break
in their hectic day, and may or may not be a prelude to sex. It
is, however, certainly easier to get someone "in the mood"
when they are relaxed and feeling good about you and your attentions
to them.
Karina Ackert,
Registered Massage Therapist
Go to the next article in the massage series...
For more information, why not check out The Art of Sensual Massage for a romantic look at massage which includes an excellent book and companion DVD or Basic Clinical Massage Therapy for a exellent and extremely comprehensive look at the subject matter.
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