Main description:

The easy way to soothe stress, banish pain, and share the language of touch

From Swedish and shiatsu techniques to aromatherapy and reflexology, this fun guide to the art of massage shows you how to knead your way to relaxation and wellness. With the help of numerous step–by–step, hands–on photos and illustrations, you′ll learn, move by move, how to master the basics and give and receive a therapeutic massage.

• Massage 101 understand the basics of massage, the origins of the many techniques and how they work, and the many ways it can improve your life




• Giving is better than receiving use the many photos and illustrations to guide you through learning the art of giving a therapeutic massage




• Don′t be a wet noodle find out how to properly receive a massage (yes, there′s an art to that, too!) and develop breathing methods, meditative awareness, and other techniques for blissing out




• Massage for the masses discover how people in every walk of life can enjoy and benefit from massage, from sports massage to sensual massage and everything in between

Open the book and find:

• The benefits of massage




• A roadmap to what′s beneath the skin




• Guidance on feeling for tissues, muscles, and more




• Luxurious spa treatments you can do at home




• Information on creating the ideal massage environment




• Which massage techniques to apply for different results




• Massage tips for baby, pregnancy, sensual massage, sports massage, and more

Learn to:

• Soothe away stress and banish pain




• Perform Swedish, sports, and self–massage techniques




• Improve circulation, raise immune efficiency, and promote the healing of tissues




• Enhance focus and emotional balance

Back cover:

The easy way to soothe stress, banish pain, and share the language of touch

From Swedish and shiatsu techniques to aromatherapy and reflexology, this fun guide to the art of massage shows you how to knead your way to relaxation and wellness. With the help of numerous step–by–step, hands–on photos and illustrations, you′ll learn, move by move, how to master the basics and give and receive a therapeutic massage.

• Massage 101 understand the basics of massage, the origins of the many techniques and how they work, and the many ways it can improve your life




• Giving is better than receiving use the many photos and illustrations to guide you through learning the art of giving a therapeutic massage




• Don′t be a wet noodle find out how to properly receive a massage (yes, there′s an art to that, too!) and develop breathing methods, meditative awareness, and other techniques for blissing out




• Massage for the masses discover how people in every walk of life can enjoy and benefit from massage, from sports massage to sensual massage and everything in between

Open the book and find:

• The benefits of massage




• A roadmap to what′s beneath the skin




• Guidance on feeling for tissues, muscles, and more




• Luxurious spa treatments you can do at home




• Information on creating the ideal massage environment




• Which massage techniques to apply for different results




• Massage tips for baby, pregnancy, sensual massage, sports massage, and more

Learn to:

• Soothe away stress and banish pain




• Perform Swedish, sports, and self–massage techniques




• Improve circulation, raise immune efficiency, and promote the healing of tissues




• Enhance focus and emotional balance

Contents:

Introduction.

Part I: Discovering Massage.

Chapter 1: Not Just a Rub: How Massage Can Improve Your Life.

Chapter 2: A Brief History of Touch.

Chapter 3: Your Skin and What s Beneath It: What You re Touching When You Massage Somebody.

Part II: The Art of Receiving Massage.

Chapter 4: Making Massage Part of Your Life: A Massage Road Map.

Chapter 5: Your First Massage Appointment, Step–by–Step.

Chapter 6: The Rules for Receiving Massage.

Chapter 7: Enjoying the Spa Experience (There and at Home).

Part III: The Art of Giving Massage.

Chapter 8: Setting the Stage for a Great Massage.

Chapter 9: Stocking Your Massage Tool Chest.

Chapter 10: All the Right Moves.

Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together: Massaging the Back of the Body.

Chapter 12: Putting the Moves Together: Massaging the Front of the Body.

Chapter 13: A Special Treat for the Feet: Refl exology.

Chapter 14: Have Hands, Will Travel: Doing Massage for a Living.

Part IV: Massage for Every Body.

Chapter 15: Higher, Faster, Stronger: Sports Massage.

Chapter 16: Sensual Massage.

Chapter 17: A Massage for Baby (and Mommy Too).

Chapter 18: Self–Massage Techniques to Use at Work.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 19: Ten (Plus a Few More) Top Places to Study Massage.

Chapter 20: Ten Outstanding Places to Receive a Top–Notch Massage.

Appendix: Massage Resources.

Index.