All ages can receive a healthy touch. Giving a healthy touch requires basic coordination. Beginners can start at around 2 years of age. The earlier one is inspired to touch in a healthy way, the sooner the benefits are realized. Cultivating early interest in massage can be very beneficial to elders/parents in need of massage therapy! Communication about touch is very important and can be a wonderful catalyst for educating children and teens about the importance of physical boundaries. Establishing open communication about physical contact and respecting healthy boundaries regarding touch and personal space, can empower individuals to discern a healthy touch from an unhealthy touch.
Here are a few guidelines and tools for integrating massage into the relationships you share with family and friends.
Flexible Atmosphere:
Comfort is key to establishing a good workspace for massage. Create a tantalizing environment to inspire skeptics and lure the more resistant participants! Massage can be given just about anywhere. Doing massage in the open helps to alleviate preconceived notions one may have about massage and visually stimulates interest in both giving and receiving a healthy touch.
Floor Work (laying down) - In general people will happily lie on the floor if it means they will receive a back rub! Use a sheet, blanket and a pad if you have one to cover the floor. A couple pillows will help support their neck and knees when they are face up and support their feet and chest if desired when they are face down.
Floor Work (sitting up) - Place a pillow on the ground in front of a chair or couch so the receiver has a cushion to sit on and a solid surface to lean back against.
Dining Table (leaning forward) - Turn the chair sideways in front of the table, so the recipients back can be easily accessed. Place a comfy pillow or two on the table in front of the chair. Have the person lean forward onto the pillows. It may be more comfortable if the recipient straddles a chair with a low back. Be creative.
Suggested Tools for the Trade:
Music - Background music is nice. If the massage space has lots of noise, headsets can be used. Small compact disk players or ipods/mp3's work very well!
Oil/Lotion - It is nice to add glide to the work. Feet, Hands and willing backs will appreciate the added dimension! (Apply the oil/lotion to your hands first, then apply it to your partners body.)
Massage Tools - Every household should have a good electric massager. Hands get tired after a while, but electric massager doesn't!
Eye Pillow/Washrag - Covering the eyes helps to relax and de-stress the mind. There are many eye pillows on the market that have herbs for aromatherapy.
Massage is known as the art of touch.
It is a form of expression. The tools for massage are usually the hands, forearms and elbows. Communication is very important when it comes to developing a massage relationship. One must feel comfortable giving and receiving constructive criticism. In fact it is a good idea to ask for feedback while doing massage so one knows if the correct pressure is being used; speed and motion feel good and location is beneficial. Don't be offended if your massage offer is turned down. Touch is not for everyone. Don't feel uncomfortable saying no thanks to an offer for massage. If you don't want to be touched by someone don't be.
Practice massage on yourself.
The upper part of the leg works well. Start by using your thumbs to alternately push into and knead the muscles. Use the palm of the hands to press alternately into the leg, like a cat kneading a pillow. Make the hands into fists and rhythmically begin tapping the leg with the pinkie edge of the hand making contact, add pressure and speed. Open the hand so it is a wedge. Do karate chops from the hip area to the knee. Lean forward and use the forearms to work and kneed the leg muscle. Notice, upper body weight adds force and helps apply more pressure with ease. Try using elbows. Applying light pressure to the leg, gradually apply more pressure. Now find someone willing to be practiced on! Grandparents and kids are usually will and eager to receive massage. Remember to establish fare trade! Massage will bring a new meaning to staying in touch with your family and friends!
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