2 – A TOTAL BODY MASSAGE

 

 

THE TEN BASIC MASSAGE MOVEMENTS

 

This is the most important section. Here is where you will learn the essential movements for giving a soothing and relaxing massage.

Learn these ten basic movements well. They will be applied to different areas of the body.

 

Effleurage

(Pronounced Ef-luh-rahj)

Long light gliding strokes made with the entire inside surface of the hands.

Used on: arms, legs, back and chest.

 

Kneading

Firm grasping pressure used to move muscles and skin. It is like kneading flour dough to make bread.

Used on: abdominal region, buttocks, arms, legs, hands and feet.

 

Rolling

Used for moving large skin masses. It is like rolling clay between your hands.

Used on: thighs, calves of legs, upper arms and but-tacks.

 

Rotation

Gentle movements of the joints. The movements should be loose, not forced.

Used on: shoulder/arm, wrist, ankle, neck, elbow and knee joints.

 

Friction

Two types:

1. Long, slow and firm stroking movements. Used on: back, chest, arms and legs.

2. Small, circular movements using the tips of your fingers, balls of your thumbs, and heels of your hands. Used on: head, neck, elbow, knee and ankles.

 

Petrissage

(Pronounced Pet-rah-sahj)....

Picking up skin between the thumb and fingers, squeezing the skin gently and dropping it back into place. It is like gently pinching the skin of a furry cat.

Used on: back, underside of upper arms, and backs of the legs.

 

Pressure pull

Firm, constant pulling pressure.

Used on: Entire back, also top of the hand to tips of fingers and top of thigh to tips of the toes (one direction only).

 

Vibration

Very rapid back-and-forth shaking movements made with both hands. It is like shaking a bowl of Jell-O.

Used on: upper back, buttocks and thighs.

 

Percussion Movements

tapping

hacking

cupping

slapping

 

Tapping

Rapid alternate movements of fingertips striking the body.

Spread the fingertips of both hands into the shape of a garden rake. When you are doing this movement properly, you should feel and hear a kind of DULL thump-thump sound.

Used on: Entire back surface of the body.

Used to: Stimulate nerve endings.

 

Hacking

Rapid alternate karate-like chopping movements using both hands.

Make the hands into the shape of a knife. When you are doing this movement properly, you should feel and hear a kind of FLAT clump-clump sound.

Believe me, this feels a lot better than it sounds.

Used on: Entire back surface of the body.

Used to: increase circulation.

 

Cupping

Rapid alternate cupped-hand movements made with both hands.

Make your hands into the shape of a cup or seashell. Go clop-clopping all over the entire back surface of the body. When you are doing this movement properly, you should feel and hear a HOLLOW whop-whop sound.

Used on: Entire back surface of the body.

Used to: Relax muscles.

Rapid alternate slapping movements made with both slapping hands.

Make your hands flat like a pancake. When you are doing this movement properly, you should feel and hear a slightly SHARP smack-smack sound.

Used on: Entire back surface of the body.

Used to: Heighten skin sensations.

 

Feathering

Light dragging movements made with both hands or another object.

Made by dragging fingertips or large feather or silk scarf or piece of fur or anything that feels good over the body.

Used on: Entire back surface of the body.

Used to: Put icing on the cake.

 

 

THE TOTAL BODY MASSAGE

 

Now you are ready to dispense some pleasant relaxation.

Take plenty of time. Never rush through a massage. If time is a factor, do only two or three areas. Or, use light strokes over the entire body.

Do not attempt to give a Total Body Massage if you are overly tired. It is better to spend only a few minutes on one or two areas of the body and wait until you are rested and relaxed before attempting a full body massage.

In a Total Body Massage you are approaching the body as one balanced and complete system. Let your hands and partner be your guide.

Here area few things to remember the first few times you give a massage:

 

• it may take a little time for a person to get used tο the feel of YOUR hands on his or her body.

• as you get into the massage, your partner will loosen up and relax.

• body and mind will let go and unwind like a peaceful river wandering on its way to an ocean of pleasure.

• after a few times you will become surprisingly adept at giving a soothing massage.

• most people will be very responsive to a gentle, stimulating, caring massage since it is direct contact with the body, skin and nervous system.

 

When giving a massage, get into the FEEL and RHYTHM of your partner's body. Maintain a nice, even rhythm.

Ask the person to lie down on the back, close the eyes and do deep, natural breathing.

If a person has been particularly tense for a long period of time, then it may take a few massages to really loosen up those tight, held-in feelings.

When first learning, practice on one or two areas of the body at a time. After you feel confident about your ability to pleasure those areas, move on to a couple more areas of the body. Finally, put them all together and practice the entire body massage.

Never massage one arm or one leg and not the other. If you do, one part of the body will be unbalanced and the whole idea of a massage is to give tone, balance and relaxation to the skin, muscles and nerves.

Mold your hands to fit the area or contour of the body you are working on.

When receiving a massage, let your mind become a blank. Let your entire body shift into neutral gear.

Allow the person giving you the massage to move the various parts of your body. Do not try to help them as this will only cause you unnecessary muscle tension and defeat the purpose.

Be aware of your body as it begins to feel liquid and rubbery.

Let your body feel loose, like a soggy leaf on a wet log.

Feel the tension, anxiety and worry slip away, fade, and disappear.

If you feel like making sounds during the massage, do so.

Get in tune with the sensation of simply floating and relaxing.

Let's begin!

 

Warming Your Hands and Fingers Before a Massage

Never give a massage with cold or stiff hands. Warm them by palming, thumbing, and shaking, as described next.

 

Palming

Rub your palms together briskly until nice and warm. This is like rubbing your hands together on a cold day.

 

Thumbing

Use the pad of your thumb to iron out the wrinkles on the palm and fingers of one hand. Then do this to the other hand.

 

Shaking

Allow your arms to hang loosely at your sides.

Now vigorously shake both of your hands as if you are trying to shake sticky bubblegum or candy off the tips of your fingers.

 

To Begin

You can start anywhere. However, this is the order I use most of the time:

 

1.     Face

2.     Head

3.     Neck

4.     Shoulders

5.     Chest

6.     Hands

7.     Arms

8.     Stomach

9.     Legs

10. Feet

11. Back

12. Buttocks

13. Backs of Legs

14. Finishing Strokes

 

Use only a few drops of oil for beginning on each of these areas. For parts of the body with lots of hair, use a little more oil to prevent pulling the hairs.

 

Facial Massage

The face is a good place to start since massaging it helps to unwind our tired, stressed brains. One nice variation when you don't have enough time to give a total body massage is to give a facial massage.

First, soak one towel in hot water (not boiling). Wring it out and mold it onto the person's face leaving only the nose exposed. Leave the towel in place for 2-3 minutes holding your hands lightly on the sides of the head.

Next, wring out a towel that has been soaking in cold (not ice) water. Remove the hot towel and mold the cold towel onto the face as before. Let the cold towel remain in place for 1 minute.

Remove the cold towel and gently rub some oil, cream or lotion into the face.

Then proceed with the face, head and neck.

 

Laying on of the hands

This movement is important since it is the first hand-to-body contact.

Make sure your hands are nice and warm. Gently place your open hands on the person's cheeks, allowing your thumbs to rest on the forehead.

This movement provides a nice energy exchange between the giver and receiver.

(1 minute) °

The approximate time or number of strokes required for learning a particular movement is listed in parentheses. Once you have given several massages you may adjust the time or number of strokes to suit the needs of your partner. Never rush through a massage.

 

 

Forehead oval

Place the pads of the fingertips of both your hands on the person's forehead. Slowly make egg-shaped movements, starting from the middle of the forehead and progressing to the temples and sides of the head.

Pressure should be light to medium.

(3 times).

 

Rosy cheeks

Place your fingers on the person's cheeks and slowly make circular motions on and around the cheeks.

Feel the skin slide over the cheeks and jawbone.

(3 times).

 

cheek boning

Place your fingertips under the person's cheekbones and slowly but firmly pull the skin alongside both cheekbones toward the base of the ears.

(3 times).

 

chin and jawbone pull

Same as CHEEK BONING, except in this case place the ends of your fingers under the person's chin and jaw. Slowly pull the skin along the underside of the jawbone until you reach the ends of the jawbone near the ears.

(3 times).

Use the pads of your forefingers to ever-so-lightly eyelid brush the closed eyelids.

(3 times).

Caution: Do not use oil on the eyelids.

 

ear rings

Use the pads of your first two fingers to apply firm pressure while curving around the boney area behind the ear.

(6 times).

Go around the outside of the ear, using the same two fingers but applying lighter pressure.

(6 times).

 

lip stick

Use the pad of one forefinger to make three complete circles around the edge of the person's lips. Now, make three gentle circles on the top surface of the lips.

Pressure should be very light. Like a butterfly landing on a leaf.

Head

 

head scratch

Use the tips of your thumbs and your fingertips to massage all over the tops and sides of the person's head. This is like giving someone a shampoo.

(1 minute).

Caution: When performing movements in which the head, arms or legs are elevated off the table or floor, make certain that you have a secure grip on the part of the body you are working on. Unless the person is confident that you will keep head, arms and legs from falling, he or she won't be able to relax completely.

Important: Avoid ALL of the head and neck movements if there is a possibility that the person being massaged has any head, neck or upper back problems.

 

head rotation

Place one hand behind the head and the other hand under the chin. Elevate and support the head at a 45° angle to the person's body.

Very, very slowly turn the head to the left side until a slight resistance is felt. Then slowly turn the head back to the center position. Now very slowly turn the head to the right and back.

Α very unusual and sensational movement.

(3 complete rotations).

 

head sway

Slowly and gently move the head to one side until resistance is encountered or until the ear touches the top of the shoulder.

Move the head to the other side.

(2 complete sways).

 

pushing a head

Place your fingers back of the person's skull, with your thumbs alongside the head and slightly above the ears. Slowly and gently push the head forward until resistance is felt or until the chin touches the chest.

Keep the head propped up in this position for a few seconds. GENTLY lower the head to its resting position and slowly withdraw your hands.

(2 (times).

 

pulling a head

Hold the person's head as you did for HEAD ROTATION

Instead of rotating the head this time, GENTLY pull the head toward your body. Do not pull enough to move the whole body. Just pull until you feel some resistance. Then hold the head in this slightly stretched position for about 5 seconds.

(3 times).

 

combing hair

Spread your fingers into the shape of a comb. Beginning at the top of the forehead, run your fingers through the person's hair.

Even though this feels good to most people, some may be finicky about having their hair messed up. In that case, omit this movement.

(4 times).

 

Neck

 

neck spiral

Use the fingers of each hand to make small circular movements starting from the shoulders and spiraling up along the back and sides of the neck to the base of the head.

 

neck vibration

Place the first two fingers of each hand into the two

indentations at or just below the base of the skull (where the back of the neck joins the skull).

Make the ends of your fingers vibrate at a medium speed. Pressure should be firm but not painful.

This movement helps to relieve tension.

(30 seconds to 1 minute).

Here is what this movement looks like when viewed from the back of the head.

 

Shoulders

taking a load off the shoulders

Place your fingertips over the collar bones with the pads of your thumbs just above the shoulder blades.

Slowly work your fingertips and thumbs into the muscle tissue by making gentle rocking and vibrating movements.

(1-2 minutes).

 

piano roll blues

Place your fingertips on the underside of the person's shoulders. Lightly dig your fingertips into the shoulder muscles.

Tap into the muscles all over the shoulder area. It's like playing the scale on a piano keyboard.

(1-2 minutes).

 

shoulder squeeze

Place your hands over the tops of the shoulders and squeeze several times.

Use medium pressure. It's like squeezing a softball.

 

shoulder rotation

Lift up one shoulder and rotate clockwise (3 times) and counterclockwise (3 times).

Now do the other shoulder.

 

Chest

 

midline slippery slide

Stand or kneel, depending on whether you are using a table or the floor, behind the person's head and place the palms of both your hands on the midline of the chest. Your hands should be side by side.

Using medium pressure, slide down the chest and over the abdominal region to the pubic area.

Mold your hands to fit the body contour and return by climbing along the rib cage and over the shoulders to the starting point.

(3 times).

 

chest racetrack

Place both of your hands flat on the outer part of the person's rib cage.

Use light-medium friction to move in an oval racetrack pattern going around the outside of the breasts, over the top of the chest and around the bottom of the abdominal region.

(3 times).

 

breast cupping

Cup both of your hands over the breasts (male or female) and gently knead and squeeze several times.

 

Hands

 

holding hands

Sandwich the person's hand between the palms of your own hands.

(Hold still for 1 minute).

Do one hand and then the other.

 

palm springs twist

Everybody's winner!

With one hand cushion the person's hand from the back. With the heel of the other hand twist into and all around the palm of the person's hand.

(1 minute).

 

hand kneading

Place the pads of your thumbs on the back of the person's hand and place the pads of your fingers on his or her palm.

Work your thumbs and fingers between the bones of the hands using flexible but firm pressure.

(1-2 minutes).

 

ironing out hand

This movement was designed to "iron out" all those difficulties in the heel of the hand.

Place the pads of your thumbs on the heel area of the hand.

Use medium friction pressure to smooth out the wrinkles and difficulties in the heel of the hand.

(1 minute).

 

finger corkscrew

Use your thumb and forefinger to corkscrew up and down each finger and thumb.

Use firm pressure.

(3 times for each finger and thumb).

 

finger rotation

Grasp the top part of the person's four fingers between your thumb and fingers. Rotate clockwise and

counterclockwise.

(3 times each way).

 

wrist rotation

Same hold as in the FINGERS ROTATION, except make the whole hand rotate at the wrist instead of at the knuckles. Rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.

(3 times each way).

 

hand back thrust

Place your palm against the person's palm and slowly push back until resistance is felt.

Hold at this point and gently rock back and forth.

(10 seconds).

 

hand forward thrust

Place your palm on the back surface of the person's hand. Push forward until resistance is felt.

Hold at this point and rock back and forth.

(10 seconds).

 

hand toothpaste squeeze

Α different stroke folks will like.

Grasp the person's hand with your thumbs on the top of his or her hand, just below the wrist. Place your fingers against the palm of his or her hand.

Use a firm, squeezing pressure to slowly glide your hands all the way out to the ends of the fingertips. It is as if you are trying to squeeze toothpaste out of the hand.

(3 times).

Now, on the other hand . . .

 

Arms

 

Arm shake

Grasp the person's hand as you did when doing the HAND KNEADING movement. Place your thumbs on the top of the person's hand and your fingers on his or her palm.

Shake the arm up and down as if you are trying to create ripples in water or to rattle the links in a chain.

(15 seconds).

Do one arm entirely before working on the other.

 

lower arm kneading

With the person's elbow resting on the table or the floor, elevate the lower arm at about a 45° angle from the elbow.

Place both of your hands around the wrist area. Use medium pressure and knead up and back from the wrist to the elbow.

(3 times).

 

elbow grease

Place the center of your palm against the person's elbow. Make small circles while pushing and twisting

with your palm.

(15 seconds).

 

upper arm kneading

Place the person's hand between your rib cage and your upper arm and hold it in place. While holding the arm in place, knead the upper arm from elbow to shoulder. Use medium pressure.

(3 times).

 

arm toss

Grasp the person's arm and hold it straight up in a vertical position.

Now toss the arm from one of your hands to the other hand. Be sure to catch the arm each time—do not let it drop.

(12 times).

 

outside arm stroke

Hold the person's wrist between your thumb and fingers. Lift the arm to a 45° angle.

Mold your other hand to fit the arm and, using some friction, stroke from the wrist to the shoulder.

Use a little more oil if the person has a lot of hair on his or her arm.

(4 times).

 

 

inside arm stroke

Same hold as the OUTSIDE ARM STROKE. Stroke the inside of the arm.

(4 times).

 

elbow rotation

Hold the person's arm just above the elbow and rotate the lower arm in wide circles.

Rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.

(2 times each way).

 

arm stretching

Grasp both arms at the wrists. Stretch both arms above the head.

Pull on both arms until you can gently rock the person's entire body back and forth.

Stimulates muscles and skin on the back of the body.

(30 seconds).

 

Stomach

 

stomach kneading

Flex the person's legs by placing the soles of the feet flat on the table or floor. This position serves to relax the muscles of the abdominal region.

Gently dig your thumbs and fingers into the skin and muscle tissue. It's like kneading flour dough or pottery clay.

(1 minute only).

Caution: Too much time spent on the abdominal region may result in the need for bowel elimination. This could be embarrassing during the massage but it's great for constipation.

 

stomach rock

Place the heels of your hands on the person's abdominal region. Keep your hands side by side.

Alternately rock the heels of your hands gently back and forth all over the abdominal area. As you release the pressure with the heels of your hands, you can gently pull the skin toward you by using the pads of your fingers.

Use medium pressure.

(1 minute only).

 

colon chase

Place the pads of the fingers of both your hands close together at the lower right-hand side of the person's abdominal region.

Making little circles, follow the colon around the area below the rib cage and down to the pubic bone and back to the starting point.

Use medium pressure. Go only in a CLOCKWISE direction.

(3 times only).

 

Legs

 

calf kneading

Flex the person's legs by placing the soles of the feet on the table or floor.

Grasp one leg about 6 inches above the ankle, using both of your hands. Work back and forth between the knee and the ankle.

Use medium pressure.

(4 times).

Do one leg entirely before working on the other.

Caution: Do not knead directly under the knee.

 

knee kneading

Mold both of your hands around the outside of the person's kneecap. Stimulate the kneecap by causing your grip to pulsate once per second.

(15 seconds).

 

kneecap rub

Similar to the ELBOW GREASE.

Place the palm of your hand on the person's kneecap and make circular movements while pushing in on the kneecap.

Use medium pressure.

(30 seconds).

 

front thigh kneading

Mold your hands around the lower thigh and work up an inch at a time until you reach the hip. Then work back down the thigh.

Each time you return to the knee, move the position of your hands slightly and work up and back again.

Use medium-heavy pressure.

(4 times).

Variation: You can try rolling the skin of the thigh between your hands as you work your way up from the knee to the hip.

 

outside leg stroking

Hold the person's leg just above the ankle. Lift the leg to a 45° angle.

Mold your hand to fit the leg and, using some friction, stroke from the ankle to the hip.

Use a little more oil if the person has a lot of hair on his or her legs.

(4 times).

 

inside leg stroking

Same hold as used on the OUTSIDE LEG STROKING, except switch hands. This time you will be stroking the INSIDE of the leg.

(4 times).

 

leg flexion

Grasp the person's foot with one hand and place your other hand on the person's knee. Push the leg back toward the body until resistance is felt.

Hold the leg at this point and gently pump the leg toward the body for 15 seconds. Do not force the leg.

When finished with the flexion movement, return the leg to its normal resting position.

 

having a leg up

Grasp the person's leg with one hand at the ankle and the other at the thigh.

Extend the leg up and attempt to make a 90° angle to the body. Move the leg up toward the body until resistance is felt or until you notice that the knee of the other leg is rising off the table or floor. Do not force the leg.

Hold the leg in that position for a few seconds.

After you have finished, gently return the leg to its resting position, making certain not to drop it.

 

leg push-pull

Grasp both legs just above the ankles with your hands on the backs of the person's legs.

Alternately push and pull so that the entire body gently moves back and forth over the table or floor.

This movement was designed to stimulate nerve endings in the back and buttocks.

(15 seconds).

 

you're pulling

Same hold as used in the LEG PUSH-PULL movement. my leg q Do a low steady pull toward you and hold the person's legs at that point for 5 seconds.

(3 times).

 

windshield wiper

Grasp the person's legs as in the LEG PUSH-PULL movement. Turn the feet toward each other. (10 times). Turn the feet away from each other. (10 times).

Turn both feet toward the right. (10 times). Turn both feet toward the left. (10 times).

When finished with these movements, return the legs to their resting position.

 

Feet

 

getting a foot hold

Simply sandwich the person's foot between the palms of your hands and hold it there quietly for 30 seconds. q Do one foot and then the other.

 

foot kneading

Similar to the HAND KNEADING movement.

Work your thumbs and fingertips between the small bones of the person's foot.

(1 minute).

 

toe corkscrewing

Use your thumb and forefinger to corkscrew up and down each toe.

Use firm pressure.

(3 times on each toe).

 

toe rotation

Grasp the top part of the toes of one foot using your thumb and fingers. Rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.

(3 times each way).

 

ankle rotation

Grasp the toes with one hand and the ankle with your other. Make the whole foot rotate at the ankle. Rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.

(3 times each way).

 

foot back thrust

Place your hand flat over the sole of the person's foot. Slowly push back until some resistance is felt.

Hold the foot at this point and gently rock it back and forth several times.

 

foot forward thrust

Grasp around the top of the person's foot near the toes. Push forward until some resistance is felt.

Hold the foot at this point and gently rock it back and forth for a few seconds.

 

anklebone boogie

Place the pads of the fingers of both of your hands around the outside edge of the anklebone. Making small circles, just boogie all around the ankle.

(30 seconds).

 

foot sandwich

Place the person's foot between the palms of your hands. Using friction, rub the top part of the foot, then the bottom and then both sides at once.

A far-out movement!

Hint: As a finishing tribute to the feet, rub some natural lotion or cream into each foot.

 

Back

Ask the person to turn over onto the stomach. The arms can be bent beside the head or placed by the sides of the body, whichever is more comfortable.

Hint: Place a rolled-up towel or a small pillow under the upper chest. Do the same thing for under the shins. Do this ONLY if it makes the person more comfortable.

 

back pressure

Firmly grasp the top of the shoulders with both of your hands. Knead the entire upper back and shoulder areas.

Use medium pressure.

(2 minutes).

 

skin flint (petrissage)

Gently pick up the skin of the back between your thumbs and fingers. Squeeze or pinch it gently before letting it drop back into place.

(Do the entire back at least once).

 

shoulder blade rock

Destined to reach the top 20 on the Sensation Hit Parade.

Place the palm of one hand over each shoulder blade. Rapidly vibrate the skin back and forth.

Feel the skin slipping and sliding all over the shoulder blades.

(Up to 30 seconds).

 

Double-cross

This is like making an offer that can't be refused.

Place your hands side by side across the person's lower back. Use friction to pull one of your hands toward you while pushing away with your other hand.

(Go up and down the entire back 3 times).

 

back sliding

You won't lose faith by doing this one.

Place both of your hands flat on the person's shoulders. Use friction to push your hands away from you until they reach the person's waist. Ease up on the friction as you lightly return to the shoulders.

(Repeat this stroking movement 4 times).

You can also perform this movement with your hands going in the opposite direction.

 

 

back track

Keeping your hands flat, stroke the spinal column starting at the base of the neck and alternating your right and left hands.

Use light pressure and rapid, smooth strokes.

This movement relaxes the spinal nerve endings.

(10 strokes with each hand for a total of 20).

 

vertebra walk

Spread your first two fingers apart and place one finger on each side of the person's spinal column. Start at the point where the neck joins the shoulders.

Take a walk down to the tail end of the spine. Another variation is to use friction and pull your two fingers from the base of the neck to the tailbone. Use light to medium pressure.

Once you have reached the tailbone, walk back up to the neck.

(2 complete walks).

Hint: For a different sensation try massaging the person's entire back through a soft, thick Turkish towel.

 

Buttocks

 

a handful of dough

Dig in with both hands. Use heavy pressure and knead all over the buttocks.

Feels mighty good.

(1-2 minutes).

 

cheek to cheek

Place your palms flat on the top of the person's buttocks. Rapidly and vigorously shake and vibrate the daylights out of all of those tight-assed stored-up feelings.

Shake 'em good, they won't fall off.

(Up to 30 seconds).

 

Acupressure

A close cousin to acupuncture, except you use the pads of your thumbs instead of needles to stimulate the nerve centers.

Using your thumbs, push in and make deep indentations in the skin, and hold for a few seconds. Move all over the top and sides of the buttocks.

Works wonders.

 

Backs of Legs

 

back thigh kneading

Similar to the FRONT THIGH KNEADING movement. This time you are on the other side of the person's leg.

Mold your hands to fit around the lower thigh just above the knee. Work up an inch at a time to the buttocks.

Use medium-heavy pressure.

Each time you return to the knee, move the position of your hands slightly and work up and back again.

(4 times).

 

back calf kneading

Similar to the CALF KNEADING movement except the person is now lying on the stomach.

Raise the lower half of the leg off the table. Grasp the calf of the leg about 6 inches above the ankle using both your hands. Work back and forth between the knee and the ankle.

Use medium pressure.

(4 times).

Return the leg to the table or floor when finished with this movement.

Caution: Do not knead directly under the knee.

 

leg toothpaste squeeze

Similar to the HAND TOOTHPASTE SQUEEZE movement. This time you are doing the entire length of the person's leg and ending up at the tips of the toes.

Use medium pressure.

Use a few extra drops of oil if the person has a lot of hair on his or her legs.

(1-2 times, very slowly).

 

Finishing Touches

 

Hacking

Make both of your hands into the shape of a knife.

Keeping your fingers spread apart, with the edge of your hands go ratty-tat-tatty all over the entire back surface of the body. You should feel and hear a FLAT clump-clump sound.

(2 times over entire body).

 

Tapping

Make your hands into the shape of a garden rake.

Use your fingertips to go tippity-tappity all over the entire back part of the body. You should feel and hear a DULL thump-thump sound.

Don't forget the soles of the feet.

(2 times over entire body).

Caution: Do not strike or hit the kidney area (the soft area on the back just below the last rib) while performing the tapping, hacking, cupping or slapping movements.

 

Cupping

Make your hands into the shape of a seashell.

Go clop-clopping all over the entire back surface of the body. You should feel and hear a HOLLOW whop-whop sound.

(2 times over entire body).

 

slapping

Make your hands flat like a pancake.

Go on a gentle spanking tour all over the entire back surface of the body. You should feel and hear a slightly SHARP smack-smack sound.

(2 times over entire body).

 

The Icing on the Cake

These next movements are guaranteed to win friends and influence people.

 

Raking

You'll dig gardening after this one.

Make both of your hands into the shape of a garden rake. Ever so lightly drag the rakes all over the entire back surface of your friend's body.

Hint: You can use your palms if the person is ticklish.

(Continue for as long as you both wish).

 

feathering

This is like the touch of the gods. A large, billowy ostrich feather works best.

Go over the entire back surface of your friend's body.

(Again, time is not important).

 

silk king

Same game, except use a lightweight silk scarf this time.

fur out

Use a piece of fur this time.

hair raising

If you happen to have long hair, try dragging your hair all over your friend's body.

Absolutely DY-NO-MITE!

 

mind blowing

Another Oscar Award—winning finish.

Hold your mouth about 2 inches from your friend's body and gently blow all over the entire surface of the body.

 

The Final Touch

This is the very last movement and it is an energy exchanger.

Rub your hands together briskly until nice and warm. Then hold your hands with one hand BARELY touching the surface of the back of your friend's neck and the other hand BARELY touching the surface of the lower back.

Your hands should just barely touch the surface of the person's skin. It is like trying to feel the fuzz on a ripe peach.

Keep your hands motionless in this position for 1-2 minutes. While your hands are in this position, plant the following suggestion in the mind of your friend: You feel much more relaxed now.

You feel happier and more aware.

Next time you will relax more easily and enjoy the sensations from my touch even more.

Now gently remove both of your hands at once and remain silent for a few minutes.

Congratulations!

By now your friend should be quite relaxed or even asleep. If your friend is asleep, let him or her remain so for a while.

I've heard several people comment at the finish of a total body massage, "I haven't felt this relaxed in years."

It may have taken you an hour or more to reach this point if you practiced each one of the movements for the total body massage. The time, however, will decrease as you become more adept at giving a massage.

After several practice sessions it should take about 30-40 minutes to complete a total body massage. If you complete the massage in 15 minutes, you are going too fast. It is difficult to go too slowly.

Now you are anxiously awaiting your turn. Do not rush your friend to get started on you. Wait at least 15 minutes or until another time for your turn.

Hint: When you feel comfortable and proficient at giving a total body massage, try giving an entire massage with your eyes closed. A very touching experience.