Here's how to give the perfect massage...

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  • 1/8
    <b> 1. Tell the person you are about to begin: </b> Ease into the massage slowly, it’s all about comfort and relaxation. Tell them to let you know if anything you are doing is painful or uncomfortable. Part of them being comfortable and chilled out is having a feeling of trust in you.
    1/8 1. Tell the person you are about to begin: Ease into the massage slowly, it’s all about comfort and relaxation. Tell them to let you know if anything you are doing is painful or uncomfortable. Part of them being comfortable and chilled out is having a feeling of trust in you.
  • 2/8
    <b> 2. Pour massage oil in the palm of your hand: </b> There needs to be oil. Start with about one teaspoon, which is roughly the size of a coin. Warm it by rubbing it between your hands before applying it to the person. Don’t go too heavy because your hands will be slipping all over the place and you’ll struggle for purchase. Good oils to use include organic coconut oil, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil.
    2/8 2. Pour massage oil in the palm of your hand: There needs to be oil. Start with about one teaspoon, which is roughly the size of a coin. Warm it by rubbing it between your hands before applying it to the person. Don’t go too heavy because your hands will be slipping all over the place and you’ll struggle for purchase. Good oils to use include organic coconut oil, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil.
  • 3/8
    <b> 3. Spread the oil around: </b> The best and most effective technique for spreading the warmed oil across the person’s back is called effleurage, which means “light friction.” Use gliding movements in long, even strokes. You want to make sure their back is evenly covered before you really get started.
    3/8 3. Spread the oil around: The best and most effective technique for spreading the warmed oil across the person’s back is called effleurage, which means “light friction.” Use gliding movements in long, even strokes. You want to make sure their back is evenly covered before you really get started.
  • 4/8
    <b> 4. Use petrissage techniques: </b> It might sound fancy, but it’s really straightforward. Petrissage uses shorter, circular strokes with more pressure than the effleurage you used for spreading the oil. You should think of this as a kneading technique that uses rolling and pressing to enhance deeper circulation. Also remember to use light pressure, you don’t want to be too heavy-handed.
    4/8 4. Use petrissage techniques: It might sound fancy, but it’s really straightforward. Petrissage uses shorter, circular strokes with more pressure than the effleurage you used for spreading the oil. You should think of this as a kneading technique that uses rolling and pressing to enhance deeper circulation. Also remember to use light pressure, you don’t want to be too heavy-handed.
  • 5/8
    <b> 5. Apply percussive strokes: </b> Percussive strokes are collections of brief, repetitive contacts with parts of the hand. You can use your cupped hands, your fingertips all gathered to an even point, or even the flat of your fingers on the knuckle side of your hands to make the contacts. These movements are designed to have a stimulating, compression effect on the tissue. Again, it’s important not to go overboard and apply too much pressure.
    5/8 5. Apply percussive strokes: Percussive strokes are collections of brief, repetitive contacts with parts of the hand. You can use your cupped hands, your fingertips all gathered to an even point, or even the flat of your fingers on the knuckle side of your hands to make the contacts. These movements are designed to have a stimulating, compression effect on the tissue. Again, it’s important not to go overboard and apply too much pressure.
  • 6/8
    <b> 6. Use muscle-lifting techniques: </b> Now this one takes a little practise to get right. Close your fingers and hold out your thumb (in a “lobster claw” shape). Apply pressure in a twisting, lifting motion. Keep alternating hands in a “windshield wiper” movement. Do this 2 or 3 times in sequence to get the desired effect.
    6/8 6. Use muscle-lifting techniques: Now this one takes a little practise to get right. Close your fingers and hold out your thumb (in a “lobster claw” shape). Apply pressure in a twisting, lifting motion. Keep alternating hands in a “windshield wiper” movement. Do this 2 or 3 times in sequence to get the desired effect.
  • 7/8
    <b> 7. Use a fanning technique: </b> Position your thumbs at the top of the back, just below the neck and on either side of the spine. Using a “fanning” motion with your thumbs extended, push gently down toward the lower back with your pressure angled at the person’s feet, not down towards the ground. Alternate your pressure on either thumb, moving from the top of the back all the way down to the person’s hips. From personal experience this one is a winner.
    7/8 7. Use a fanning technique: Position your thumbs at the top of the back, just below the neck and on either side of the spine. Using a “fanning” motion with your thumbs extended, push gently down toward the lower back with your pressure angled at the person’s feet, not down towards the ground. Alternate your pressure on either thumb, moving from the top of the back all the way down to the person’s hips. From personal experience this one is a winner.
  • 8/8
    <b> 8. Apply twists: </b> Reach around the far hip with one hand, while the other hand rests on the near hip. With a fluid motion, pull one hand towards you as the other one pushes away; in the middle, they should slide against each other, in opposite directions. Repeat this stroke up the back until you reach the shoulder area, then come back down.
    8/8 8. Apply twists: Reach around the far hip with one hand, while the other hand rests on the near hip. With a fluid motion, pull one hand towards you as the other one pushes away; in the middle, they should slide against each other, in opposite directions. Repeat this stroke up the back until you reach the shoulder area, then come back down.

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