Benefits of sensual massage

This week's article on sensual massage will be one of a series which will describe techniques to rejuvenate your relationship.

Sexual boredom sets in quite early after many couples get involved in a committed and stable relationship and questions are often raised about the depth of commitment they brought to the relationship.

As human beings, we need to recognise that a relationship has to be nurtured and maintained.

A tried and proven technique to break the ice and reconnect with your partner is through the medium of massage, specifically sensual massage.

Massage has been shown to be helpful in reducing pain caused by joint disease, cancer, lumbar-disc disease and headache. It also increases pulmonary function in asthmatics, decreases glucose levels in diabetics, boosts the immune system in HIV and cancer patients and reduces blood pressure and stress. Other beneficial effects are reduction of fatigue and nausea, increased flexibility and decreased muscular tension.

Set the mood

To benefit optimally from sensual massage, you must create the right mood. Retire to a room that is warm, quiet, comfortable, private and devoid of distractions such as telephones.

Gently remove your partner's clothing, jewellery, watches, contact lenses and any tight accessories and let him/her lie on a firm pallet or mattress covered with a blanket or towel.

Only expose those parts which you are going to massage and place a warm towel over your partner's eyes to create a sense of sensory deprivation so that he or she can focus intently on the sensations to be experienced.

Romanticise the setting by dimming the lights, burn some incense and place candles at strategic locations to create a mystical air.

Turn on your favourite mood music.

Accessories

The paraphernalia for an effective massage session includes oils, such as fractionated coconut oil, grape seed oil, macadamia oil, sesame oil, pecan oil and mustard oil . You can also use aromatherapy oils diluted with carrier oils. To enhance the sensuality of the moment, add feathers, massage balls or anything else that tickles your fancy.

Positions

Make yourself comfortable. Avoid standing or kneeling for too long.

Ensure that your hands are clean and warm. Your nails should be well trimmed. Put on latex gloves to enhance the quality of the sensations. Rub your hands vigorously together to warm the oil.

You should emerge from this experience invigorated, relaxed, with a sense of deep connectedness with your lover and be prepared to launch forth on the pathway of passionate love.

Dr Alverston Bailey is a medical doctor and immediate past president of the Medical Association of Jamaica. Send comments and questions to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com or fax 922-6223.

Source: The Sex Book - Suzi Godson

Add spice to your love life

Massage yourself first: Wrap yourself in a towel. Warm up some oil in your hands and massage the tendons at the back of your neck with your fingertips. Gently rub your arms and shoulders. Rub your temples slowly in circular motions and massage your jaw area for a while to release any tension you may be experiencing.

The introductory rub: Straddle him or her or kneel at the side. Gently press down on your partner's shoulders, and on either side of the spine. Do not press directly on the spine at any time during the massage. This rub enables your partner to adapt to the feel of your hands on the skin.

Scratching: Using props such as a paintbrush, feathers, satin, fur, a hairbrush or long nails, begin by scratching your partner's back and other sensitive areas such as under the arms and upper thighs and the head. Then spread your fingers and, keeping them stiff, rake them down the back from the shoulder blades to the lower back to relax tense muscles.

Circling: Place both palms down on the shoulder and move them firmly in opposing circles, working outward.

Gliding: Place your hands on the lower back of your partner and with your hands on either side of their spine, start applying pressure and rub your hand up the person's back to the shoulders. From there, rub your hands over the shoulders and then down the back. Repeat a few times.

Stroking: Place your hands on your partner's hands and travel lightly up the arm, around the shoulders and straight down the body to the feet, ending at the toes. Without removing your hands, follow the same path in the opposite direction and repeat several times, gradually increasing the pressure.

Kneading: Use your thumbs, fingers, knuckles and soft areas of your palms to gently knead the muscles and fleshy areas of the back, shoulders, upper arms, inner and outer thighs and calves but avoid the ribs, shoulder blades and sides. Squeeze rhythmically first with one hand and then the other.