Esalen Massage: How to Find Perfect Relaxation
February 14, 2006 by
Some people think of massage as being the brutal beating that is so often portrayed on television. But, in reality, it doesn’t have to be. In fact there is a type of massage that involves a gentle touching, rubbing and caressing and leaves the receiver feeling relaxed and
comfortable. This is called Esalen Massage, and the technique was developed to improve circulation and body tone, to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Esalen Massage was popularized in the early 1960’s and 1970’s at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. The slow, flowing strokes produce a pleasurable, weightless feeling. A session usually lasts an hour and the masseuse will ask you to imagine the tension releasing from your shoulders. They may also encourage you to breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth in rhythm with their motions. They may play soothing background music or a recording of waves gently washing against the beach. All of this increases the feeling of well being and relaxation.
One of the major principles of Esalen Massage is the energy that is generated within your body and that of the masseuse. When these two energies are combined in harmony with each other the muscles have no choice but to relax. For instance, a great way to get rid of a head ache is to have one person rub their hands together creating a positive friction, then place one on your forehead, and one at the base of your skull. Have them hold their hands in that position while both of you breathe slowly in through the nose and out through the mouth. Both of you need to focus on only your breathing. Soon the headache will subside.
So, how can Esalen Massage help me in my relationships? Knowing some basic massage techniques can help you to feel closer to your partner. Being able to help them to relax in a very personal way will strengthen the bond between you. It will let your partner know that you feel their pain and want to help relieve it.
The Back Rub
The back is the area of most tension for a lot of people. My favorite massage is the back rub.
Esalen Massage was popularized in the early 1960’s and 1970’s at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. The slow, flowing strokes produce a pleasurable, weightless feeling. A session usually lasts an hour and the masseuse will ask you to imagine the tension releasing from your shoulders. They may also encourage you to breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth in rhythm with their motions. They may play soothing background music or a recording of waves gently washing against the beach. All of this increases the feeling of well being and relaxation.
One of the major principles of Esalen Massage is the energy that is generated within your body and that of the masseuse. When these two energies are combined in harmony with each other the muscles have no choice but to relax. For instance, a great way to get rid of a head ache is to have one person rub their hands together creating a positive friction, then place one on your forehead, and one at the base of your skull. Have them hold their hands in that position while both of you breathe slowly in through the nose and out through the mouth. Both of you need to focus on only your breathing. Soon the headache will subside.
So, how can Esalen Massage help me in my relationships? Knowing some basic massage techniques can help you to feel closer to your partner. Being able to help them to relax in a very personal way will strengthen the bond between you. It will let your partner know that you feel their pain and want to help relieve it.
The Back Rub
The back is the area of most tension for a lot of people. My favorite massage is the back rub.
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- Massage is best as a shared experience.
- Gently rub and caress every part of the body, keeping your hands in contact at all times.
- When getting a massage, empty your mind, think only about the massage.
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