Posted on December 3, 2007 in Massage Basics
Massage is basically a process that involves rubbing, pinching, kneading, tapping, etc of the body that can be helpful in producing relaxation. It is in fact a manipulation that completely distresses the body both mental and physical.
There are many simple massages you can do at home. in fact after a hard day of work you can go home and get benefits of massage all by yourself by immersing yourself in a Jacuzzi with the water doing the massaging. There are also many other types of easy massages that can be performed at home.
For example, to perform the exercises given below you don’t need anything other than a few tennis balls, a quiet corner and your own two hands.
Massage your entire face with the tip of your fingers of both hands. Do this in an anti clock wise direction with very little pressure on the face. Use a massage oil or aroma oil that suits you the most.This exercise if done twice a week can makes your face look young and glowing
Foot massage is very soothing and after a hard day it is your feet that need most attention. Given below is a very simple massage that will help you a lot.
- Sit on a chair and place one foot on the opposite thigh.
- Rub some massage oil or lotion onto your foot if you like.
- Apply pressure with your thumbs to the sole of your foot, working from the bottom of your arch to the top near your big toe.
- Repeat five times.
- Make a fist and press your knuckles into the bottom of your foot, moving from your heel to your toes.
- Repeat five times.
- Massage each toe by holding it firmly and moving it from side to side. Extend each toe gently out and away from the ball of your foot. Then apply pressure to the areas between your toes.
- Hold your toes in one hand and bend them backward holding them there for five to ten seconds. Then bend them in the opposite direction and hold for five to ten seconds.
- Repeat three times.
- Press and roll your thumbs between the bones of the ball of your foot.
Another important and very wellknown method of massage is the Ayurvadic massage therapy. Ayurveda is India’s traditional, natural system of medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, and is one of the most effective way of healing your body and mind.
How to do abhyanga (ayurvedic self-massage) at home
- Materials required: 2-3 oz massage oil that suits you, plastic squeeze bottle, pot of very warm water, old cotton towel or mat, paper towels.
- Step 1. Pour the oil into the squeeze bottle and shut bottle tightly.
- Step 2. Put the bottle in the warm water for 5 minutes until the oil gets heated up.
- Step 3. Stand on your towel or mat in a comfortably and warm room.
- Step 4. Take out the oil and rub it on the whole body gently.
- Step 5. Now, massage the oil into your skin, giving each part of your body adequate attention. Use up and down strokes over limbs and circular strokes over joints, chest and abdomen. Apply lighter pressure over chest and abdomen than over extremities. This process should take about 10-12 minutes.
- Step 6. While massaging your scalp, put the oil on the crown area then with gentle outward strokes spread the oil over the total head.
- Step 7. Sit quietly with eyes closed for 5 minutes, breathing deeply.
Step 8. Pat excess oil, if any, off with paper towels.
- Step 9. Take a warm bath or shower, being very careful not to slip. Wipe excess oil off your feet before stepping off the towel or mat. Use a very gentle, non-soap cleanser and a gentle shampoo.
- Step 10. Pat your skin with a towel and apply moisturizing lotion or a gentle natural dusting powder.
Note: The towels and mats you stand on for abhyanga will get stained and eventually oil-saturated, so use old ones and do not put them in washing machines or dryers. They should be periodically thrown away and replaced.
This is a very simple and effective massage which relaxes you totally and gives you a fresh feel, both physically and mentally.
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