Massage Tips for Valentines

Massage could just very well be the ultimate gift to give to your loved one this Valentines. The benefits seem endless... relaxing, sensual, allows you to connect with your mate at a much deeper level, paves way for more pleasurable experiences, and more.

But in my opinion, as a therapist and massage instructor, there's a big difference between a good massage and a GREAT massage.

And anyone can learn how to give a great massage this Valentines and it doesn't have to be a huge effort. In fact, we created some online massage video lessons which helps to make it easy & fun to learn.

Starting today, anyone can learn how to give a great massage. To help get you started, here are 5 tips to giving a great massage.

1) Speed - For a valentines massage, the speed of your massage should be slow and lingering. Try paying attention to your partners breathing rate and massage at the same rhythm.

2) Pressure - Pressure is a biggie. Start off light and gradually increase the pressure. Unless you're really into S&M, pain is NOT the goal. Some of the most powerful touch therapies in the world only use the weight of a nickel. Keeping your touch light will help pave the way to trust and deeper intimacy.

3) Consistency - Being consistent with your strokes and your pressure will help to create a sense of trust. Trust is the ultimate with massage. They want to know they can trust you with their bodies. Consistency helps give them an idea of what to expect and allows them to relax their guard and really begin to relax. Think of massage as coaxing the body into relaxing rather than forcing it to relax.

4) Focus - Pay attention to what you're doing. Be FULLY PRESENT is crucial to give a great massage. People can tell when you're not focused an paying attention to their bodies. And it's easy to stay focused, just really get into the lay of the land of their bodies. Allow your hands to simply blend and meld with the skin and person you're massaging. If your using oil, try to see how much of your hand you can make contact with their skin.

5) Some Key Massage Techniques - Massage is an innate thing. It's something we all know how to do. And learning a few key massage techniques can greatly enhance your skill level. As with everything in else in life, there is always more we can learn about massage and touch.

Besides chocolate and flowers, ultimately it's YOU they want for Valentine's. The real beauty of learning the gift of touch is it will only get better in the years to come.

Happy Massaging and Happy Valentines
Robert Sigler
www.learn-massage-online.com

Touching Massage : Human or Machine?

Which would you rather be touched by? A human being or a machine?

Recently I ran across this article...

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/living/style/13667868.htm?source=rss&channel=charlotte_style

It was suggesting that robots are beginning to replace human beings at certain spas. And that a new invention could be paving the way. Makes for a nice story and PR release, but give me a break.

As a professional massage therapist, I have tried and used many machines for 'relaxation' and NONE of them come even remotely close to the value of two warm hands and the rest of the human being attached to those hands. The electromagnetic distortion alone created by those machines is enough to cause me more stress, not less.

I have sat in those massage chairs that are designed to heat, vibrate and shake and cajole you, and they can begin to allow for the physiological relaxation response, but that's about it. I certainly don't feel like I do after a REAL live massage.

It's quite ironic, one of the reasons we carry so much stress is that the majority of us sit behind machines all day. Now we're going to go to a machine and have that machine work our muscles and relax us? Not me. Give me a real live person any day. You can feel the energy or resonance of compassion and caring and universal love from another human being. A machine doesn't care.

When two people touch each other, there is an exchange of energy. Literally. In one of my classes I show people the energy ball. It's a little plastic ball with two metal strips on it. I stand in a circle of about a dozen people all holding hands. Except I have one finger on one strip of this little energy ball and instead of holding hands with the person next me, they are also touching a strip on the energy ball. Guess what?? It lights up and makes a noise. In fact, one person anywhere in that circle can stop holding hands with the person next to them and the energy ball light goes out. It's a great metaphor to show that we're all connected. And that we transfer energy to and from each other.

And in complex ways that we certainly don't understand and shouldn't have the arrogance to think we do. Considering all the different possible frequencies and harmonics involved in that energy exchange, that we don't even think about or for the most part aren't even aware of, it's truly a mind boggling experience. Just simple human touch. And actually we transfer energy just being close to one another, but that's a different topic.

If you've ever had a massage and paid attention to the exchange of energy flow between you and your therapist, then you have an idea of what I am referring to. You can tell, even with your eyes closed, what your therapist is sensing, whether or not they are paying attention to you, whether or not they are focused, whether or not it's going to be a great massage or they're still working on the basics. You can feel how well the energy is flowing through them and where the restrictions are in them. Try it and see for yourself, next time.

Massage is so much more than a mechanical response. It's one of the oldest healing art forms. It truly does involve body, mind and soul. And the information and energy you can perceive through your hands is and always will be more than a machine could even begin to offer.

So my vote might be a little biased, but for my money, give me a real live person any day of the week.