* Upper Body Massage

* Tips on Massaging

Stroking movements are among the easiest and most calming to give and receive in massage, and you will probably return to them often to calm your friend and relax yourself. Use fan stroking to apply oil and to link different areas of the body, and when your hands are tired or you are deciding which movement to use next. Work smoothly and rhythmically. You can vary the length of the stroke, but keep the rhythm fluid.

Place your hands side by side on the body, palms down, and then smoothly and gently slide upward, leading with your fingers. Keeping a straight back, lean forward on your hands, using the weight of your body to apply a steady, even pressure through the palms and heels of the hands.

Fan your hands out to both sides of the body, reducing the pressure, and slide them down the sides, molding them to the contours of the body. Pull your hands up toward each other, and swivel them around to begin the upward movement again. Repeat several times, covering the whole area.

Circular stroking. In this variation of fan stroking, both hands work on the same side, one hand completing a full circle while the other makes a half circle, building up a smooth and steady rhythm. Circular stroking is particularly effective on large areas, such as the back, shoulders, and abdomen. Like fan stroking, it is good for linking different areas in a full body massage. It produces a continuous flowing effect.

* Body Massage Benefits

Therapeutic massage is currently one of the fastest growing approaches to healthcare. One of the reasons for this gain in popularity is that not only does it relieve stress and promote relaxation, but research is documenting a vast number of physiological benefits as well. More and more people are looking to prevention and alternative solutions in healthcare instead of invasive procedures or medications.
Mental Benefits

Massage helps to create a calm state of alertness while reducing mental stress. It can create a calmer mind, and increases the capacity for clear thinking. It is relaxing and allows the body to release stored stress.
Physical Benefits

Massage improves circulation, improves joint flexibility, aids in healing scar tissue due to injury. It also releases chronic muscle tension and pain, reduces physical fatigue, releases muscle spasms and cramps, aids in the release and elimination of toxins, promotes deeper and easier breathing, reduces blood pressure, relieves tension related to headache and eye strain. Massage nourishes your skin, improves posture and body awareness. It has been proven to aid in fibromyalga.
Emotional Benefits

Massage creates a feeling of well being while reducing anxiety. It creates awareness of body-mind connection, enhances a sense of harmony, and increases energy flow at all levels.

* Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is a variation on classic massage therapy. Heated smooth, flat stones are placed on key points on the body. The massage therapist may also hold the stones and use them to massage certain areas of the body.

The use of hot stones for healing dates back to ancient times, but it wasn't until Arizona massage therapist Mary Nelson introduced her hot stone massage technique, called LaStone Therapy, that the use of hot stones for massage caught on.

How Does Hot Stone Massage Work?

The hot stones are usually made of basalt, a type of rock that is rich in iron, so they retain heat. River rocks are normally used because they are so smooth - they have been smoothed over time by the river's current.

The stones are immersed in water and heated in an electric heating device until they are within a certain temperature range. The stones may be placed at specific points on the back, in the palms of the hand, or between the toes.

The heat warms and relaxes the muscles, which allows the therapist to apply deeper pressure, if desired.

The warmth of the hot stones improves circulation and calms the nervous system.

Some massage therapists place stones on points that are thought to be energy centers of the body to rebalance the body and mind.

* Massage with the Legs

This method of massage comes from Kerala in South India. This is the home of the ancient art of Kalaripayattu, a martial art, and Kathakali, a classical style of dance. Both these traditional arts use the Chavutti treatment on a continuous basis to promote strength and suppleness to aid the practitioners in preventing injury during their training sessions. There is a myth that Chavutti comes from a very old heritage and that it is based on the dance of the Hindu god Shiva, the lord of destruction and creation.

* A Back Massage

Although a single massage will be enjoyable, the effects of massage are cumulative and a course of massage treatments will bring the most benefits.Regular massage can have the effect of strengthening and toning the entire body mechanism, and so help to prevent unnecessary strains and injuries that might otherwise occur due to excess tension and any resulting structural weaknesses.Massage can stimulate or calm the nervous system-depending upon what is required by the individual-and thus help reduce fatigue, leaving the reciever with a feeling of replenished energy.At its best, massage has the potential to restore the individual physically, mentally and spiritually.

* Front Body Massage Techniques

Benefits of Full Body Massage

Full body massage can produce multiple benefits for your health. These benefits go far beyond an hour spent in relaxing quietly, escaping the day. An increasing amount of evidence indicates that stress and tension form the root causes of many diseases and illnesses. Hence, if you able to find ways to alleviate or relieve your stress, you are preventing health problems from emerging or becoming worse.

Going for a full body massage on a regular basis is one excellent way to help you fight off tensions. Full body massage stimulates the production of endorphins that promotes relaxation and drowsiness.

When you go for full body massage, your head to your toes and feet are massaged both front and back. A variety of strokes that includes kneading, pulling, wringing, hacking and gliding are used on various parts of the body.

If you are already ill or suffering from constant fatigue or pain, then full body massage can play a big part in your treatment. A full body massage helps to improve blood circulation and blood becomes more easily transportable to the vital organs in your body. This is vital for smooth functioning of your internal body parts. In addition, when blood is supplied to areas that have been injured before, repair and renewal of cells and tissues take place more easily. Combined with conventional medicine and other therapies, repeat sessions of full body massage can do much to accelerate your recovery.

Here are a few disorders that benefit from regular full body massage:

* Depression
* Infertility
* Eating disorders
* Post-operative recovery
* Autism
* Immune-suppressed systems
* Diabetes
* High blood pressure
* Sleep disorders
* Cancer related fatigue
* Low back pain
* Spinal cord injuries

When you choose full body massage, you choose a non-invasive procedure. In addition, full massage therapy, which is relatively safe, can be a complementary treatment to other medical treatments.

Other than improved blood circulation, here are other benefits that you can expect to experience from a full body massage.

* Stimulated lymph system
* Stimulated immune system
* Relaxed muscles
* Reduced cramps
* Increased flexibility
* Reduced recovery time
* Released endorphins
* Reduced post-operative scar tissue and edema
* Reduced migraine pain
* Improved range of motion
* Reduced depression
* Shortened labor and delivery in expectant mothers

As helpful as full body massage can be, those with certain illnesses should avoid the treatment. These include phlebitis, certain cancers, certain heart conditions, certain skin problems, and contagious diseases.

To be absolutely sure, check with your doctor first if you are chronically ill. Otherwise, enjoy on a regular basis!