Couple's Massage Handbook · Deepen Your Relationship With the Healing Power of Touch by Hodgson, Helen -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Advance Praise Copyright Dedication Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Back Over Time

Ooga Booga! One Touch Is Worth a Thousand Words Curses, Bones, and Trinkets: Ancient Cultures of Massage Don’t Asp Me! Egypt and Cleopatra Those Decadent Romans! Ah So! Ancient Cultures of the Far East Going Swedish: The Story of Peter Ling Mainstreaming Touch: From Europe to the United States More Than Skin Deep: The Touch Healing Movement You’re Putty in My Hands: Spa Time Massage Is Best When East Meets West

Chapter 2: Stroking Your Way to Health

A Touch a Day Keeps the Doctor Away Getting Under Your Partner’s Skin Fatigue Fighter Stress Buster The River of Life: Circulation Power Boost: Improving the Immune Response Fill ’Er Up: Oxygenation Shaping Up Real Skinny on Skin It’s All in Your Head: Mental Health

Chapter 3: Tools of the Trade

Lubing Up Carrier Oils More Cushion for the Pushin’ Going Pro Short on Time

Chapter 4: The ABCs of Massage

“A” Is for Approach Take It All Off? “B” Is for Body Etiquette “C” Is for Commitment Couple’s Massage Dos and Don’ts Slow Down, You Move Too Fast!

Chapter 5: Different Strokes for Different Folks

Need a Hand? Don’t Forget About Your Feet and Elbows Less Strain, More Gain All the Right Angles Stroke It Roll It Knead It Tap It Brush It Play Around Your Personal Pleasure and Pressure Points Show and Tell Handle with Care Find Your Flair

Chapter 6: Facedown, Back Up: Massage Round #1

Your Pre-Massage Checklist The Five Zones Zone One: Legs and Calves

Calves Upper Leg/Back of Thigh

Zone Two: Buttocks Zone Three: Back Zone Four: Neck Zone Five: Head

Chapter 7: Back Down, Faceup: Massage Round #2

The Five Zones, Backside Down Zone Six: Feet and Legs

Feet Legs

Zone Seven: Stomach Zone Eight: Chest Zone Nine: Arms and Hands

Arms Hands

Zone Ten: Neck, Face, and Head Mix It Up Wrap It Up

Chapter 8: Special Situations

Having Our Baby Postpartum Massage Don’t Forget the Baby! When Chicken Soup Is Not Enough Honey, I Can’t Sleep The Change or the Curse? Up Against the Clock The Art of Do-It-Yourself

Chapter 9: Location, Location, Location

Pick a Place Inside the Home Outside the Home Put Your House in Order Chinese Checklist of Massage Options

Menu Option One: First Class Menu Option Two: Standard Menu Option Three: Economy

Hang Up Your “Let Me Chill” Sign Seven Steps to Privacy Privacy Checklist

Chapter 10: Listen to This!

The Simple Art of Listening Tuning In: Music for Mood Making Make a Music List Massage Tunes

Chapter 11: Mmmm … Smells Good, Tastes Great

Makes Scents to Me Synergy What’s Your Favorite? Aromatherapy Tips A Rose by Any Other Name

Chapter 12: Communication Is Key

Who’s on First? When, Where, and How Many? What’s in It for Me? Rules of the Road: Body Talk Principles No More Monkey-See, Monkey-Do! Let Your Fingers Do the Talking The Feedback Loop of Likes and Dislikes

Chapter 13: Catch the Spirit and Be Mindful

Honoring Ritual Let This Space You Created Be Sacred Being Mindful Get Started on Your Own Practice Acceptance Cultivate Mindfulness Informally Exercises to Try on Your Own

Practicing Mindfulness Meditation Learning to Stay in the Present

What if your partner isn’t being mindful during your couple’s massage? Celebrate the Language of Touch

Appendix A: Resources and References Appendix B: Give the Gift of Massage About the Author