The massage bible _ the definitive guide to massage therapy

How, when and why 50 Techniques are som ething we all w ant to learn straight away ! However, :2 a:::> massage simply stimu lates the bo dy to selF- healing , and an under standing o f z (and interest in) the body a nd o f your partner sho u ld co me first. Techniques I U \"-J a re essentia l, though: they prov ide structure and sequen ce t o th e massage, f- Gettin g the basic techniques right fro m something to practise, Yo u need to t he star t helps to build confidence in balance your techniqu es and st ro kes yo ur massage ability and gives you wit h o ther factors - a massage based TECHNIQUE CHECKLIST ~ Apply techn iques appropriate to the area you are working on and the ~ Massage should flow, Make sure condition you are trying to relieve. that you are in the correct position (see pages 34-35) and physica lly ~ Use techn iques appropriate to the balanced, so that you can apply the muscle groups you are massaging. techn iques stead ily and evenly, ~ Do not massage over the spine or ~ Use relaxing strokes before and bony areas of the body. after a particular technique to keep the rhythm going. ~ Do not try to cure any condition with massage techniques. ~ Start gently, then apply greater pressure as you see how your ~ Use techniques appropriate to your partner responds. Ease the pressure partner's age (less pressure for afterwards so that you do not stop someone older and less vigorous abruptly. stretches than for, say, a young person in their twenties ). ~ Apply the pressure evenly over pressure points, so t hat you release it just as gradually as you apply it.

51 Io .~ ~ I m Z »z- o ~ I -< on techniques alo ne would be a rather Techniques give structure to your massage empty. clinica l affair. So as you practise sequence. Familiarity comes with practice, the techniques, you also need to giving you a repertoire at your fing ertips. develo p a sense o f knowing why you are doing what yo u are do ing. w ill gradually learn which techniques Techniques are part o f your toolkit. At are successful in which situatio ns. the o utset you will probably fo llow th e Developing thi s ability comes down to routin e you have been taught ver y practi ce and experience. The way in closely. However. as yo ur knowledge w hich you apply a technique w ill have and experience grow, you can be mo re an influence o n its effect. so bear in selective. Yo u do n't have to practise mind the balance t hat you need to ever y technique ever y time. and you achieve ever y time you massage.

Pressure 52 Different massage strokes require different pressures. There are light. flowing , Vl w => introductor y movements over the surfuce of the skin: medium - pressure. CI Z more stimulating movements that may stretch. kn ead or roll th e ti ssues: and J: U w movements that require deep, very precise pressure over a small surfuce area. r- Gauging pressure is something that you Examples of different learn by practice and experience and . pressure types impo rtantly. through partner feedback. People have ver y different levels of LI GHT PRESSURE : sensitivity and tolerance to pressure. EFFLEURAGE (SEE PAGE 54) Some good advice is always to start off Lo ng. flowing strokes w ith soft li ghtl y and increase t he pressure as pressure, using the flat of the hands. necessary: va r ying the pressure gives rhy thm and interest to your massage. There needs to be a balance: too li ght ca n feel ineffectual and even irri tating: too heavy ca n be painful and make the body tense. With different techniques and pressures come different contact poi nts of your hands. Some strokes require full - hand contact: oth ers Angers o r th umbs: and others just the heels of t he hands. These are all part of your massage vocabu lary and the fascinating language to be learned.

53 ''''c\"\"\"\"\"\" ''\"\" MEDIUM PRESSURE: DEEP PRESSURE : KNEADI NG (SEE PAGE 62) FRI CTION (SEE PAGE 82) More robust strokes. applying Precise pressure into a cer ta in pOint. stimulating pressure to the using the Angers or thumb. muscles. using principally t he Angers and thumbs. PRESSURE CHECKLIST ~ Use your body weight, to avoid strain on your shoulders ~ Always ask for constructive feedback from your partner ~ Only use as much pressure as you are comfortable w ith. ~ Increase the pressure by leaning into your hands

LIGHT PRESSURE 54 Light-pressure techniques shou ld be a soft, comforting introduction to a particular sequence or muscle group. They can be used at any time for reassurance or familiarity during the massage and are f- I important at its close. You can repeat the strokes as often as you like. (J -' :::] a::l Effleurage z I ~ f- PRESSURE light CONTACT whole hand Effleurage is a soft, gliding stroke How to do it that is often used to spread oil at the beginning of a massage. It is an Rub a li ttle o il over your hands. Then, introduction to your partner's body. placing your hands flat on your The flowing rhythm relaxes the partner's body at the point nearest to receiver's body and provides an you, and with your hands together, opportunity for the giver to pick up Follow the contours of the muscles. information through their hands. Glide as Far as you can. then separate Pressure shou ld be greater when your hands and sweep them back lightly you stroke towards the heart. and towards you. Keep your movements lighter on the return. smooth . reassuring and relaxing.

55 m .\" ..-\" m C \"»\" Cl m Effleurage on the back Effleurage on the legs Position yourse lFat your partner's head. Position yourselF at your partner's Feet. Spread some oil over your hands and Spread some oil over your hands and place them at t he upper back, just place them above the ankle. Keep your above the level of the shoulder blades. hands moulded to the shape of the leg Glide towards the lower back as Far as as you glide up the back of the ca lf. you can reach. Keep Full contact over the knee and back of the thigh, as between your hands and your partner's far as you can comfortably reach. body. Separate your hands, reduce the Separate your hands and sweep lightly pressure and sweep back up the ribs as down the outside of the leg to your you return to your starting position. starting position. The pressure should be reduced over the knee. Avoid any pressure over varicose veins. Effleurage on the abdomen Place yourself at your partner's side. Spread some oil over your hands and place both hands flat over t he abdomen. Then lightly circle them clockwise around the navel. one hand after the other. Keep the pressure fairly light.

Feathering 56 PRESSURE light CONTACf Angertips Fea t hering is a closing stroke to a massage sequence. It stim ulates t he surface f- I of t he skin and feels reassuring , relax ing and good. It can draw attention \\J ...i I from o ne area of t he body to ano th er, and is a signa l that a particular ~ :::> sequence has come to an end. It is most ly used o n the back and li mbs. (J z I ~ How to do it f- Place your Angertips o n your partner's bo dy. Now draw yo ur Angers ligh t ly down t he bo dy, a litt le like stro king a cat. Use your hands in an alternating rhythm so t hat the movements feel pleasant and smooth. On ly o ne hand is in contact with t he bo dy at a t ime. Graduall y lighten and slow your movements down as yo u nea r the end of th e sequence. Feathering the arms Place your Angertips at the top of your partn er 's arm. Then soft ly stroke the lengt h o f t he arm down to the hand. Use a gentle flowin g rh ythm , o ne hand after t he o ther. Yo u ca n repeat t he st rokes a num ber o f t imes and end by li ghtly st roking over the An gertips.

Feathering t he toes 57 Cup o ne hand under yo ur pa rtner's heel for support , and place t he o ther hand ..,., at the an kle. Lightly st ro ke w it h your Angertips from t he ankle to the toes. m Repeat several t imes. Use Armer pressure to avoid t he possibility o f tic klin g. ~ Feathering t he back I Standing at yo ur partner's side, place m bo th hands at the to p o f t he spin e (thi s is one t ime when yo u ca n work over \"Z\" the spine beca use t he pressure is so ligh t). W ith gent le, alternating () movements, li ghtl y brush and stroke down the spin e, working yo ur way down to t he lower bac k.

Rocking 58 PRESSURE light '\"w CONTACT whole hand :J Vl Vl W 'c\".. Rocking is a good re leasing stroke, helping th e body to let go of tension. It is helpfu l as a Ana l Vl w :J release at the end of a sequence. (j IZ o r to relax your partner before the ~ sequence begins. It is a prompt to f- let go. Rock the limbs or torso w ith your partner on their back. How to do it Rocki ng t he leg Place your hands, with the wrists Place your hands on either side of you r relaxed and the hands flat . on either partner's thigh , Facing up t he leg. side of your partner's body. Push gently Gently rock the length of the leg, right in towards the body with o ne hand. down to the ankle. using alternate then repeat wit h your other hand o n movements with your hands. Repeat t he opposite side, so that you generate back up to the th igh . and end once a soft , rocking movement. Change the again at t he ankle. making sure that al l position of your hands as you rock, so the joints relax under you r hands. that you move as much of th e body as possible. The movements should be gentle and not too Fast.

Rocki ng the arm 59 If your partner's arm is supported. you 'o\" can perform rocking movements with the arm lying flat. Otherwise, lift and n place bo th hands around t he upper '::' arm. Without letting go. rock down to z the elbow. Bend your partner's arm at the elbow. lowering it to the surface fo r () support. and then continue the movements to the wrist. Rocking t he front of t he body Place one hand at your partner's chest and the other at the hips. Begin the rocking movement with your upper hand and follow with the lower. Without disturbing your rhythm. gradual ly change the positio n of your hands so that your top hand moves to the hip and your botto m hand moves to the chest.

Plucking 60 PRESSURE li ght CO TACT Angertips and thumbs Plucking is a light, pleasant , stimu lating stroke. Movements I altern ate between the hands. with ~ a=> the actio n being staccato and th e z touch kept light. It is ver y good for I :;:: working over th e head. o r ca n be f- substi t uted fo r feathering at th e end o f a body sequence. How to do it Plucking the scalp Pl ace t he Angertips o f both hands o n Stand behind your part ner. Place your your partner's body. Pull o ne hand Angertips o n the scalp. t hen lightly away. lightly plucking the surface of draw one hand away from the head, the skin as you do so. Repea t the lightly plucking at the hair as yo u do movement wit h t he ot her hand . so. Repeat the movement with your alternating yo ur movements to cover o ther hand. altern atin g with a quick t he whole area. Keep the movements rhythm until you have covered the quick and light. entire scalp.

61 'C\" n 'z\" () Pluckin g the legs Plucking t he back Position yourself at your partner's knee. At yo ur part ner's side. place your hands Place bo th hands over the thigh and at the top of the spin e. Lightl y pluck begin the plucking movements away with your An gertips and t humbs all t he from th e body. Wo rk up and down the way down to the lower back. o ne hand leg. alternating yo ur hands as you do after t he other. Thi s stimu lates the so. End t he sequence at the ankle. surface o f the skin and draws the attentio n down the spin e.

M EDI U M PRESSU RE 62 Medium - pressure techniques help to release tensio n From the muscles. and are used aFter o il has been applied with effl eurage. Begin the techniques gently; aFter Feedbac k . you can then increase t he pressure until you Feel the muscles relax. Appl y these to muscular. fl eshy areas. Vl \"-' ::::> Kneading(j z I U \"-' PRESSURE medium f- CONTACT fin gers and t humbs. whole hand Kneading is one of the more How to do it stimulating techniques. PerFormed aFter effl eurage with oil to prepare Pl ace your th umbs and Anger tips in the muscles. kn eading (as its name position. Press with th e thumb . pushi ng suggests) works repetitively over away from yo u over the muscles; then. them to relax. release tension and wit ho ut lOSing contact. grasp t he reduce muscle tone. It is used over muscles w ith your Angers and roll back larger. fl eshy areas. such as the towards you r thum b. As you end t he thighs. bu ttocks and the muscles movement. begin kn eading again in a on either side of the spine. bu t is slight ly di ffe rent positio n w ith your unsuitable For delicate areas or For other hand . so th at you work in a working over bone. continuo us alternating rh ythm. Once yo u have got used to th e kneading movements. bring yo ur palm s into contact too. fo r greater effective ness.

63 'z\" 'o»\" z () Kneading the thighs Kneading the buttocks Positio n yourself at your pa rt ner's side. Positio n you rself at you r partner's lower Press in to the mu scles with your back. Leaning over your partner. begin thumb . rolling back again over t he kn eading the opposite buttoc k, Arst muscles w it h yo ur Angers. Begin a w ith o ne hand and t hen the other. un til similar movement wit h your other hand . you have established a rhythm. Massage altern atin g the strokes up and down over t he fl eshy areas to release any the thigh. Keep to t he fleshy mu scles. tension. Yo u can use reasonable avoiding pressure over the back of t he pressure, but remember t hat these kn ee and inner t high. muscles ca n often be quite tender. Kneading th e back Positio n yourself at your partner's back, Lean over and begin kneading t he large muscle bands o n t he o pposite side of t he spine, Wor king at least 2.5 cm (I in ) o ut from t he spine. push yo ur thum bs away from you , t hen roll yo ur Angers back towards your t humbs. You ca n work up and down t he spin e from the lower back to t he shou lders, as long as yo u do no t knead over the spine itself

Squeezing 64 PRESSURE medium CONTACT whole hand Squeezing is used upwards over the limbs, appl y ing pressure towards the heart. Used after effleurage, it helps I (/) to release tension from th e muscles w :a:> as well as stimu late th e circulatio n. z I The thumbs and forefingers circle U w f- the limb w hile pressure is applied w it h th e w ho le hand. Squeezing is also good for feeling o ut 'knots'. How to do it Squeezing the forearm Place your thumb and foreAnger over Supportin g your partn er's arm at t he your partner's limb just above t he jOint. wrist. place your thumb and foreAnger forming a V shape with your hand. just above t he wrist and squeeze up Slowly squeeze up t he limb, applying over the muscles towards the elbow. pressure with whole- hand contact. As Contact should now be made with the you move further along the limb. whole hand. Apply fa irly Arm pressure, pressure may be applied separately with releasing it just below th e elbow. t he hands. spreading them wide to accommodate t he body area . wi thout reducing th e pressure.

65 V1 /cJ ''N\"\" Z () Squeezing the th igh Squeezing t he calf Place both hands flat aga inst you r Positioning you rself at your partner's partner's thigh , starting just above feet. place both hands just above the the knee. W ith one hand following t he ankle, in a V shape cupping around other, apply pressure up over the the leg. Squeeze up towards the knee, muscles towards the hip. Pressure needs applying greatest pressure over the ca lf to be fa irly Arm and the stroke ca n be muscles. Avoid working over va ricose repeated severa l times. Avoid t he inner veins, and release the pressure just th igh, instead fan ning out over the hips. below the knee.

Thumb - rolling 66 PRESSURE medium CONTACT t humbs Use t humb- ro ll ing to relax muscles, feel out 'kn ots' and connect strokes from one area to another. Use alongside t he spine, or over smaller areas li ke t he hands, using t he Angers for support. Movements alternate between the ~ t humbs so that you get a continuo us ro lli ng effect. ::::> (j z I U cu How to do it \"\"\" Place o ne thumb o n your part ner's body and slowly slide it away From you over the muscles. using medium pressure. As you reach the end of your st roke, lightly liFt your t humb o ff t he body to reach your next positio n. As you do so, begin rolling with the other thumb, so t hat th e strokes alternate and t heir posi tio ns overlap. Thumb-rolling the spine Positio n yourselFat your partner's head. Leaning Fo r ward , begin ro lling wit h o ne thumb over th e muscles to o ne side of the spine. Altern ate wit h your other t humb, lifting your hands between strokes, right down to the lower back. Repea t several tim es.

Thum b - roll ing the hand 67 Suppo rting you r partner's hand with your Angers, use you r thumbs to roll -::-ci over th e palm for a good tensio n c release. Ro ll away fro m you Arst wit h >: one thumb and then the other, so t hat you cover as much o f t he palm as '\", possible. Firm pressure can be effective, 'o\" but always check the comfo rt level wit h your part ner. r r Z Cl Thumb-roll in g t h e n ose This is a softer versio n fo r working over delicate areas. W hile working o n your partner's face, you can use very gentle thumb - rolling to stro ke t he length of th e nose from the bridge to t he tip. Use tiny ro lling movements, which Feel really comfo rting , to cover the area.

Wringing 68 PRESSURE medium CONTACT whole hand Wringing is an end - stroke, after working muscles, and may complete a sequence. A good muscle release, it is best used for the limbs or back. It involves a squeezing movement between the hands, but care is needed to oil the muscles adequately so that your hands slide over the skin. How to do it constant contact with them. At the Place one hand o n the side of your same time slide the other hand in the partner's body nearest to you, and the opposite direction back towards you - other on the opposite side. Your hands your hands should meet mid - stroke. should be flat against the body and Continue until your hands have relaxed. Now glide one hand away From changed position, then repeat you over the muscles, keeping it in continuously to cover the whole area. Wringing the upper arm Cup both hands around your partner's upper arm. Then slowly wring over the arm towards the wrist, alternating the position of your hands. Keep Full contact with your partner's muscles to ach ieve the wringing effect. Your pressure on the arm should be slightly lighter than elsewhere.

69 :f. 'z\" C'l z C'l Wringing the calf Wringing the back AFter working over the leg, cup your Position yourselF square on to your hands on either side of your partner's partner's ribs. Mould your nearest hand ca lF, starting just below the knee. Pull to your partner's ribcage just below the one hand towards you over the armpit and, stretching over, place the muscles , while sliding the other hand other hand on the opposite side. Now away. Wring down the calF to the ankle. slide your hands towards each other Where the ca lF muscles are well toned right over the back, so that they end you can use greater pressure, but up on opposite sides. Repeat the remember to use plenty of o il. movement Fairly Armly down to the lower back.

Circling 70 PRESSURE medium CONTACT whole hand or thumbs Circling is for delicate or vulnerabl e areas and joints. It is a good way to help your partner to relax. Done Vl slowly and rhyth mica lly, with just w a:::> the right pressure, circling comforts z I and soothes. Perform whole- hand ~ I- circles in an anticlockwise directio n over the back of t he body, and clockwise o n the front. How to do it Circling the abdomen Place both hands flat on you r partner's Position you rself at your partner's side. body. Keeping fu ll hand contact, circle Place o ne hand over t he abdomen and over the muscles, with o ne hand begin circling clockwise around the fo llowing the o ther. As you complete navel. Place your o ther hand on the the circle wit h o ne hand, lift it off abdomen to continue the circl ing gently, making sure the o ther hand movements, lifting one hand lightly stays in contact with the body. This when they cross. Use pressure sho uld be done slowly several times. sensitively, and always ensure one When using t he thumbs on ly. the hand rema ins in body contact. principle remains the same, making sure t hat o ne thumb always remain s in contact wit h the body.

71 Q n'\" r Z C) Circling the lower back Circling the knee Positio n yourself at your partner's lower Place one thumb just above your back. Place one hand over the sacrum, partner's kneecap. and begi n circl ing the bony area at t he base of the spine. clockwise arou nd the jOint. Joi n in with With medium pressure. slowly circle your other th umb, circling from the your hand anticlockwise, so that it opposite direction. Circle around t he glides over the skin. Use your other jo int several times. li fting your t humbs hand for suppo rt. The more even your as necessary. This stroke helps t he knee pressure, the better it will feel. Repeat jo int to relax. several times to ease the lower back.

Palm pressure 72 PRESSURE medium CONTACf whole hand Pa lm pressure is ver y effective when used correctly, with your body weight coming t hrough your hands, I ~ Pressure is applied over the back a::::> and limbs, w ith or without oil. but z I U is unsuitable for delicate areas. It ~ stimulates energy circu lation as well as stretching t he tissues. How to do it Palm pressure on the thigh Make sure your posture is ba lanced , Positio n yourself square on to your then place yo ur hands o n your partn er and place both palms over the partner's body. Keepi ng your hands flat thigh. Use your upper hand as a and relaxed, lea n in towards your support. Lean forward with your weight, partner, using your own weight to and apply pressure to the muscles with provide the pressure. Apply even your lower hand. Continue until you pressure as you perform t he movement. feel resistance, then release your and again as yo u release. Let the body pressure slowly and evenly. Pause respond before changing the positio n before repeating furt her up t he thigh. of your hands.

Palm pressure on the ca lf 73 Place a su pport underneath the ankles. \"\"m\" Positio n yourself square o n to your partner and place both your hands over Vl the ca lf muscles. Lean into the ca lf with Vl your lower hand, release t he pressure, t hen lean in with your other hand. C Move both hands further towa rds the knee and repeat, but do not press over \"m\" t he jOint. Palm pressure on the back Once your partner's back has been massaged, place both hands over the lower back muscles on the opposite side of t he spine. Lean into your hands and slide forward , using your body weight. Follow the shape of t he body until your hands are curved round the hips. This helps to relax the lower back muscles.

Rotating 74 PRESSURE medium CONTACT thumb and fingertips Rotating stimu lates the circulation by applying pressure on the spot over the skin. It is a good releasing and relaxing stroke. working into th e muscles as the Angers press. It is not invasive - pressure is distributed evenly by Vl spreading the Angers w ide. It is mostly used over the sca lp. CU ::J (j Z How to do it I: U f:: Place your fingertips on your partner's body. wh ile raising your wrist and hand. Begin rotating the thumb and fingertips on the spot. applying downward pressure. Keep your fingers in the same position without sliding them over th e skin . The movement comes from applying friction to the muscles. After several rotations change position. to cover t he whole area. Rotating over t he head Standing beh ind your partn er and. suppo rting th e head with one hand. place the fingertips of your other hand o n the sca lp. Spreading your fingers wide. rotate on the spot and apply pressure towards the scalp. Repeat several times to cover the who le head.

75 go'\" z () Rotati ng over the palm Rotating over the forearm Support your partner's hand from Su pporting you r partner's arm. place underneath and place the fingertips of your fingertips on the forea rm. Rotate your other hand over the palm. Keeping o n the spot over the muscles in several your wrist and palm raised, rotate in positions. The skin should move while tiny circles over the palm , using th e your finger contact and pressure fingertips only. Work over the whole remain constant. area. applying downward pressure over the muscles.

Percussion 76 PRESSURE medium CONTACT various Percussion strokes stimulate the circulati on through a succession of staccato movements. They should be done quickly over areas of muscl e. ~ keeping the Angers and wrists relaxed. They keep body and mind alert and I :;] sho uld be used towards th e end of a massage sequence. => Cf ~ How to do it u ~ Keeping the hands. Angers and w ri sts relaxed. place both your hands on your partner's body. Apply the percussion movements quickly and lightl y over the muscles. alternating the st rokes between your hands. Cover each area several times. applying pressure more intensely over any tight muscles. Cupping Stand square o n to your partner's side. Place both of your hands over th e back muscles. wit h the heels and fingers touching. bu t leaving space under your pa lms. Now rai se and lower your hands alternately in quick successio n . which sho uld produce a ho llow 'cupping' sound. Work up and down the back. then lean over and repeat o n the o pposite side of the spine.

77 -0 m n\"c' l/l ol/l Z Hacking Pummelling IF applied more light ly. percussio n ca n Stand behind your partner. and close be done o n t he scalp. Stand behind your fi ngers to Fo rm loose fists. Place your partner. Place both hands faci ng both hands over o ne sho ulder. making each other o n the sca lp - contact is contact with t he fleshy o uter side of made wit h t he little fingers. Now cho p the hands. Lightly pummel over the your hands alternately up and down. sho ulder. moving From the neck o ut covering the scalp with quick. light towa rds the arm . Repea t o n t he movements. The secret is to keep t he o pposite sho ulder. t hen continue up fingers and wri sts loose and relaxed. and down o n either side of t he spine. The mo re relaxed your wri sts. t he easier it is to achieve a rhythm .

Rubbing 78 PRESSURE medium CONTACT whole hand Rubbing was the name originally given to massage. This is not a precise stroke, but is used to relax I Vl the muscles by vigorous pressure. u.J a~ Rubbing is performed briskly, Z I U typically over the scalp or back. u.J f- Pressure can be applied with the Angers , heel and palm. It is best applied when the skin is not too oily. How to do it Rubbing the back Place one hand over your partner's muscles and begin to rub quite Stand behind your partner. With your vigorously over a smal l area. Increase hand flat, rub vigorously over the back, the stroke to cover the whole muscle avoiding the spine and applying more group, applying greater pressure where intense pressure where you Feel any the muscles Feel tight. Keep your hand tension. The movements should be flat, your wrist loose and perForm the quick, and both your partner's body movements From side to side. and your hands should tingle with the increase in circulation.

79 c'\" ''z\"\" [) Rubbing the scalp Rubbing the thigh Stand behind your partner and begin Place your hand over your partner's rubbing lightly over the scalp with one thigh muscles and rub vigorously where hand, flicking the hair as you do so. they Feel tight. Thi s may help at the Cover the whole scalp with quick, light beginning of a sequence. Rub with side- movements, keeping your wrist and to-side movements until you can Feel Angers relaxed. some tingling in your palm, helping to prepare t he muscles For deeper strokes.

Stretching with the forearms 80 PRESSURE medium CONTACT forearms Forearm stretches are a great way to relieve tension, providing pressure with a won derFul sweep. Vl Applied over muscu lar areas with o il , \"-' a:::> they give a great slide without any z I discomFort. Use them as a finishing U \"-' i- stroke, or apply on the spot to Further relax any muscles that remain tight. How to do it Stretching over the back Making sure you r posture is balanced Lean over your partner. with your and that you are positioned square on, forearms facing each other. on the lean over your partner and place your muscles on the opposite side of the forearms together over the body. Your spine. Apply pressure over the muscles hands shou ld be in loose fists and you r and, as you do so, slowly rotate your wrists relaxed. Now slowly slide your forearms so that they lie flat against the forearms apart, applying pressure down body. This is a contained movement and towards the body as you do so. Use should be done without too much sliding. your body weigh t to relax the muscles Repeat wherever the muscles are tense. and repeat several times, making sure that no pressure is app lied directly over the bones.

Diagonal stretch ing over 81 the back Lean over your partner and place your f./1 forearms diagonally facing each other on opposite sides of the spine. Slowly --i draw your arms apart , applying downward pressure and sliding over m'\" the muscles, until one arm reaches t he shoulder and the other the opposite n--i hip. At the same time, rotate your arms so that the fists and forearms lie flat. I Stretching over the thigh z Position yourself square on to your () partner's thigh. Place your forearms facing each other over the muscles. :f. Slowly draw your arms apart, rotating them as you perform the stroke , until --i your arms lie flat. Repeat over the thigh I muscles , making sure that you complete --i the movement before reaching the knee I or hip. Apply plenty of oil and avoid the inner thigh. o..\" 'm»\" '3\": f./1

DEEP PRESSURE 82 Deep- pressure techniques are more focused and release tension from specific areas. They need to be applied carefu lly to prevent any discomfort. They are intended to be used once or twice, with feedback , and the surrounding area soothed afterwards. ~ a::::> z Thumb pressure I U w f- PRESSURE deep CONTACT ball of thumb This is a friction technique whereby How to do it pressure is applied precisely over a specific location, typica lly over a Locate the point where you are going pressure point. This stimulates to apply pressure. Place the ball of your muscular release, as well as thumb on the surface of your partn er's balancing the energy in a particu lar skin. then apply pressure slowly and meridian. Pressure or trigger points evenly in towards the body. Focus yo ur are located throug hout the body. attention on the point of contact. Hold The movement must be performed for a few moments and then release. with even pressure as well as even Where you feel resistance. relax your release, and must be held for a few pressu re. then try again. moments. The technique is applied . after the body has been relaxed.

Th umb pressure on the sole 83 support your partner's foot in one -i hand. Locate the point in the cent re of I the foot and hold yo ur thumb over it. Press inwards towards the sole. hold for ;C:: a few mo ments, then release slowly. Rub very gen tly over the spot to relax the ;'v;\":: area and complete the technique. V> Th umb pressure on the ankle V> Supporting your partner's foot, press C right around the joint with your thumb. Press slowly and even ly in towards the m'\" jOint. and release the pressure equally slowly. This helps to stimulate the circulation and increase mobi lity. These movements can be followed by passive exercise of the joint. Th umb pressure on the face Place both thumbs over your partner's lower eye sockets. the bony ridge just below the eyes. Starting by the bridge of the nose. press in lightly with the thumbs. then rel ease. Continue pressing and releasing at regular interva ls, using both hands Simul taneously. working along the ridge to the outer corn er of the eyes. This helps to refresh the eyes.

Finger pressure 84 PRESSURE deep u.; '\"=> CONTACT balls of the fingers Vl Vl u.; '\"\"- Finger pressure is another Friction \"- u.; u.; technique. usually perFormed with o two Fingers together. It provides less Vl u.; a=> precise pressure over a larger area. i which may sometimes be more u ::: appropriate. Pressure is applied with the ba lls of the Angers. How to do it Finger pressure on the head Place your fingertips over the point you Cup your partner's head in one hand . are going to stimulate, then press turning it sl igh tly so that you can reach even ly in towards your partner's body under the skull. Press in w ith the middle with both fingers. Release the pressure and fourth fingers just beneath the slowly. As pressure is distributed base of the sku ll , making sure you do between the two digits, the trick is to not dig in. The muscles there can be make sure that you apply the technique quite tight, so this makes a good evenly between both. release. Repeat in several positions.

Finger pressure on the hip 85 After working over the thigh muscles, -n locate your partner's hip joint with Z your fingertips. Then press into the (') muscles around the joint with the balls m of your fingers. Start gently and release if you feel any resistance, then try '\" again, making sure that your pressure is m\"'\" comfortable and even. but effective. V> V> C 'm\" Finger pressure on the nose Locate the soft depressions to the side of your partner's nostrils. With steady hands place the middle fingers of both hands over these points. then press gently w ith your fingertips to stimulate them. The direction is at a sl ight diagonal in towards the nose. The pressure should be steady. but not too firm.

Vibration 86 PRESSURE deep CONTACf balls of the fingers or thumb Vibration is an extension of thumb and Anger pressure. It is used to stimulate speciAc points with penetration, so shou ld be used w ith care. Avoid the chest or abdomen when working on the front of the body, the heart area on the back or any painful areas. How to do it Place your Angers or thumb over the point you are going to stimulate. Press in towards your partner's body, but as you slowly begin to press. vibrate your thumb or Angers at the same time. This intensiAes the stimulation and you wil l And that you can use less pressure. After a few moments, stop the vibration and release the pressure as normal. Vibration on the back Locate the relevant point over the muscles next to your partner's spine. Place your thumb on the body and begin pressing into the point , vibrating your thumb quickly as you do so. The vibration should be on the spot, without moving the skin . Release the pressure slowly w ithout any vibration.

87 Vibration on the forearm Vibration on the face Place your middle and fourth Angers Place your middle Angers in the bony over the muscles of your partner's hollows by your partner's eyebrows. forearm. making sure that you are Very, very gently vibrate your Angers pressing muscle rather than bone. on the spot, using hardly any pressure. As you press. begin the vibrating This technique really helps to energize movement with both Angers to increase the eyes and face. the penetration. Pause, then release the pressure slowly and even ly.

Heel pressure 88 PRESSURE deep CONTACf heel of hand App ly ing pressu re with t he heel of your han d allows you to give I greater depth and pressure to a V> ~ :o::> stroke. Use it over muscu lar areas, i putting your body weight behind u ~ the stroke to make it more effective. Th is is a robust movement and is not for delicate or painful areas. How to do it Heel pressure o n t h e t hig h Place your hand on your partner's body Standing at your partner's side, place after you have relaxed all t he muscles in t he heels of both hands over the thig h that area. Supporting t he body against muscles. Press in towards the body and your pressure with one hand. raise the t hen stroke upwa rds to the hip. with palms and Angers of the other hand so one hand following the other. You ca n that the only massage contact is with use reasonable pressure as long as it is the heel of your hand. Press downward comfortable. Repeat in several positions, and work over the muscles. repeating but avoid the inner th igh. the movements several times.

H eel press ure o n t h e hi p 89 After massaging the lower back and buttocks. press into the muscles around I your partner's hip with the heel of your m hand and massage around the jOint. m Support t he body with your other r hand. Apply pressure Arm ly into the muscles. circl ing on t he spot for greater \"'m\" re lease o f tension. Vl Vl C m'\" H eel pressu re on the h ead Use lighter pressure on the head. Stand behind your partner. Supporting the head with one hand, place the heel of your other hand at the base of the skull. Press in towards t he muscles, circling and vibrating slightly to increase t he stimu lation and release. Massage over as much of the area as possible. then complete the treatment by changing hands.

Knuckle pressure 90 PRESSURE deep CONTACT knuckles Using t he knuc kles is another way o f va r y ing th e pressure o f yo ur strokes. It sho uld o nl y be done w here th e muscles provide some c ushio ning. It V) inc reases pressure w hile reduc ing t he stress o n yo ur An gers and t humbs. U-' :a:> i How to do it :=u Placing o ne hand o n yo ur partner's body for support , make a Ast with your other hand and place it over t he muscles. Gradually increase t he pressure, using yo ur knuckles as th e contact poin t. Work over t he muscles in several positio ns, circl ing over any tense areas to release t hem. Varying the pressure increases your partn er's to lerance to th e stroke. Knuckl e pressure o n t he hips After massaging the buttocks, pl ace your Ast over your partner's muscles and gradually increase t he pressure in towards t he body. Circle o n t he spot as you press, to increase t he stimulatio n and encourage the muscles to relax. Work in several positions, and mo re gently around th e hip joint, but avoid any direct pressure o n the bones.

91 'z\" c n .'m\"- ;.:\":: V> V> C 70 m Knuckl e pressure on the palm Knuckl e pressure on t he sale Suppo rting your part ner's hand, gently Suppo rting your par tner's foot, pl ace knuckle over the palm , circli ng in yo ur kn uckles over t he ball of the foot vario us positions to relax the mu scles. and massage over t he soft padding, and Wo rk all around the base of t he Angers t hen around the base of t he toes. and t hum b, witho ut pressing in to t he Cupping your hand underneath actual jo ints. Pressure in thi s way ca n provides resistance against your be surprisingly precise and an effective pressure. Work in small circles o n t he way of relaXing t he hand. spot and continue up the o uter side of the foot to the heel. Make sure t hat you avoid putting any pressure over t he instep.

Elbow pressure 92 PRESSURE deep CONTACT elbow Using th e elbow gives you precise control over your movements, so that you can apply pressure Vl w ::J effectively over a muscle o r po in t. (j Z Using your body weight , pressure I U w f-- is achieved witho ut strain or compromising your posture. Use your oth er hand to steady the application. Perfo rm carefu lly, avoiding delicate areas and bone. How to do it Elbow pressure on the hip Make sure that yo ur positio n is Positio n yourself at your partner's hip. balanced and steady. Positio n your W ith your feet planted Arm ly o n the elbow to uching the part of the body floor to steady you. locate t he relevant t hat you are going to stimula te. Slowly point in the buttock and place your press in to the po int with your elbow. elbow o n the surface o f th e skin. Slowly bein g very sensitive to any resistance. lean into the po int w ith your elbow. If your partner resists, ease your bending your knees to provide balance pressure and begin again. Apply the and an even pressure. Reinforce the tec hnique evenly and slowly to help movement with your other hand. the body relax. leaning in slowly and evenly. Release with equal care.

Elbow pressure on th e 93 shoulder blade Stand behind your partner. Locate t he rn o utline of the sho ulder blade w ith o ne r- hand , then press aro und t he sho ulder blade with your elbow. Guide t he 'o\" movement w ith your Angers to give precisio n, and ensure t hat you do n't :€. press directly onto the ribs. Your movements sho uld be small and even. \"'r\"n w ith pressure at a slight diagonal in towards the body. V> V> C 'r\"n Elbow pressure on the upper back After massaging t he back. place o ne Anger as a guide over t he muscles to t he side o f your par t ner's spine. Press gently into t he muscles w ith your elbow, at in terva ls corresponding to the depressions between t he ver te brae. Press o nce on ly each time. to t he bottom o f th e ribcage. The pressure sho uld be fairl y light and. as always, kept away from the spin e.

Sawing 94 PRESSURE deep CONTACT fin gers and thumb Sawing achieves depth o f movement and penetratio n o f th e muscl es. Due Vl to its effectiveness, it needs ca reful CU :::;) applicatio n and sho uld o nl y be do ne CI Z over sma ll areas th at are a source I U ~ o f tensio n , but no t pain . Sawing is par t of yo ur reperto ire to appl y after t he muscl es have relaxed. Use it selectively. How t o d o it Sawing the thigh Place your first two fi ngers or thum b Place your fingers leng thways over yo ur on your partner's body. Press down into partner's thigh muscles. Press down the muscle and , as you do so, saw into th em, sawing backwards and backwards and forwa rds with the forwards with your fi ngers to increase fingers or t humb to intensify t he the penetration. Repeat several times pressure of you r technique. Yo ur fingers and th en release. Ensure the muscles should no t slide. You ca n saw along the are well oiled to prevent uncomfortable length of t he muscle or alternatively friction with t he skin . across t he muscle belly.

95 V> ~ Z [) Sawing the shoulder blade Sawing t he spine After massaging around t he shoulder Stand square on to yo ur partner. If you blade. begin gently sawing wit h two have already massaged the back, you fingers wherever yo ur part ner's muscles ca n focus more attention on particular still feel tight. Do thi s two or three muscles by appl ying the sawing tim es onl y, over each spot , before technique. Use both hands to saw on moving on to t he nex t. Continue t he t he spot over t he muscles to the side of movements right around the shou lder t he spi ne. Repeat in several positions blade, but check t he comfort levels with over t he muscles . but avoid using the your pa rtner. tec hnique over t he ribs or spine.

TECHNIQUES FOR THE JOINTS 96 Techniques for the joints increase the range of movement and V> f- flexibi lity and are used once muscles have relaxed. Work with in your Z (5 \":r-::' partner's range of movement, then extend this slightly by repeating f- each technique. Feedback from your partner is essential. oe< U- V> cu ::> CI z Pulling :r:: u cu f- I How to do it ~ Pulling is another name For ::> CI stretching, and it is great to do aFter Place both hands around your partner's z massaging the muscles. It helps to limb or neck. cupping your hands so that the hold feels comfortable. Slowly :r:: ~ f- relax the joints. increases mobil ity pull the body part towards you. so that and completes the body sequence. you feel a slight stretch. then slowly Pulling is a technique For the limbs, release it again. As you pull, li ft the but can include the Angers. toes body only as much as is necessary to and neck. Your own position is perform the movement. When you feel vital. as is your sensitivity to any resistance yo u have reached the limit. and you should never try and continue resista nce. The movements should beyond that point. Feel liberating , but shou ld never ca use discomFort or pain.

Pu ll ing the leg 97 POSition yoursel f at your partner's ankle. Cup one hand over the top of -0 the foot. and the other under the heel. Once your hold is secure. lift the leg C..-- slightly and slowly pull the limb towards z you. Pu ll sensitively to the point of resistance, t hen lower t he leg and () remove your hands. pulling the neck Stand at you r partner's head. Cup your hands under the base of the skull and li ft the head very slightly. Then pull your hands back gently towards yo u and release. You should notice movement in t he upper back. This stretch is very gentle and shou ld last only a few moments, but is very good for helping to relax the neck. Pullin g t he Angers Support your partner's hand and grasp the tip of one Anger between your thu mb on the one side and your index and middle Anger on the other. Pull towards you to give a good stretch. Repeat with each Anger in turn.

Passive rotation 98 Rotating is another way of increasing the flexibility of the joints. A body Vl oI-- massage without work on th e joints feels incomplete! Encourage and extend Z the range of movement by applying a little pressure and stretch ing at the w I I-- same time. Th is provides a circulation boost. e:;<: Vl How to do it w Grip with one hand, using the other to :a:> z I U steady your partner's body. Now slowly w I-- rotate in as big a circle as the jo in t will ~ permit, applying pressure so that the :a:> range of movement increases. Take care z that the technique does not ca use any I ~ pain. Reverse the direction and repeat I-- severa l times until movement becomes much easier. Passive rotation of the wrist Supporting your partner's arm at the elbow, grip their hand securely in you r own. Keeping the arm steady, begin making a clockwise circle, Make the movement as large as you ca n, as well as slow and steady. When you have completed the circle, repeat in the opposite direction.

99 .>\"- Vl Vl < m o'\" ~ oz Passive rotatio n of the ankle Passive rotation of t he fi ngers Support yo ur partner's leg at the ankle, Supporting your partner's hand , grasp Place one hand flat over the sole of the one finger between your own fingers, foot, gripping the ball with your fingers. pull slightly and gradually rotate it in a Slowly rotate the ankle, pressing the big circle. Keep your hands relaxed, and foot to extend the movement. Then circle each finger in turn , not forgetting reverse the direction. The slower you the thumb. This small seq uence rea lly go, t he more your partn er can simply helps to release tension from the joints relax without any resistance. by stimulating the circulation.