| To make massage therapy your career, attending | | | | deeper relaxation. |
| a massage school and receiving certification is | | | | Here are several tips on how to give a massage |
| necessary. On the other hand, if you just want to | | | | that is both therapeutic and deeply relaxing: |
| learn to practice on friends and family, there are | | | | Take time for yourself to become relaxed and |
| many massage training videos available online. | | | | quiet before you begin. Take a few deep breaths |
| These can also be excellent for helping you to | | | | and practice "grounding" or feeling you connection |
| decide if a career in massage therapy is for you. | | | | to the earth under you feet. |
| Explore the different styles and have fun | | | | Practice being fully present to what's feeling right, |
| discovering the ones that you most resonate | | | | both for your body as well as theirs. Use good |
| with. | | | | body mechanics, keeping your back straight, |
| There is an abundance of different styles of | | | | bending from the hips etc. (This is where a good |
| massage therapy to chose from these days. | | | | massage table helps!) |
| Sports massage, Swedish, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, | | | | Create a warm, quiet space, where your friend |
| Thai Massage are some of the more common | | | | on the table knows they won't be disturbed. Try |
| ones. The form that I personally find the most | | | | lighting a few candles, dim the lights and put on |
| relaxing is a combination referred to as Swedish | | | | some soothing soft music. |
| Esalen. Using this combination of forms has been | | | | Work slowly...and keep your transitions from one |
| the main focus of my 20 year career as a | | | | move to the next smooth. Keep this in mind as |
| massage therapist. This form of massage therapy | | | | you shift the draping and when you need them to |
| is a blend of the more specific kneading and | | | | turn over. |
| stroking of the muscles typical of Swedish | | | | When you find an area that needs deeper work, |
| Massage, and the more deeply relaxing long | | | | ask them (quietly) for feedback on the pressure. |
| strokes of Esalen Massage. By sensitively | | | | You want to go just deep enough to be |
| combining these two approaches, you can both | | | | effective, but not to the point of pain. |
| address specific needs, muscle tension and pain, | | | | Keep talking to a minimum. Encourage your friend |
| while at the same time, ease your friend on the | | | | to just let go into the relaxation. |
| table into a deep state of relaxation. Done well, a | | | | Remember to breath...periodically take some long |
| gentle unraveling will begin of tension and stress, | | | | deep breaths and let go of any tension your |
| muscles will relax even more, bringing on still | | | | holding, relax and enjoy! |