Couple's Massage Massage is a great way to connect with your partner on a deeper level. It is a way to be extremely intimate with our partner in a non-sexual way. Massage also creates new forms of communication between us and our loved one. To ask for what we need: more pressure, less pressure, ooh, I really like the way that feels. This new communication often moves into other areas of our lives.
When you Should Massage:
• As often as you can!
• Schedule time for massage every week or at least every month.
• Instead of movie night, have a massage night
• If you and your partner are active, massage after an intense day of play!
• Birthdays, Anniversaries, and just because days!
• After a long, stressful day.
• As a “thank you”.
• When you just want to say “I love you”.
When you Should NOT Massage:
Massage, even with the best of intentions is not appropriate all of the time. Avoid massage when:
• You or your partner are ill. Massage can make the person receiving more sick and in the worst cases can be life threatening.
• Do not massage areas of skin that are broken out or have a rash.
• Do not massage broken bones or open wounds. Okay, you probably don’t want to touch these areas anyway, but just a reminder not to massage any injury sites until they have healed. Leave that one to the professionals!!
Where to Massage:
The floor, bed, or kitchen table (yes, I said kitchen table) are great places to share massage with your partner. The kitchen table (with lots of blankets and pillows to make it comfy) is a great height for the person giving the massage and may help if you have back, neck or shoulder pain while giving massages.
There are great massage tables all over: Craigslist, Earthlite, BestMassage.com. Having a massage table certainly isn’t necessary but can motivate you to share massages more frequently.
The most important thing is that both the giver and receiver are comfortable. Find a place that works for both of you.
Basic Strokes:
With these 5 basic strokes you can massage any part of the body with confidence that you are helping your partner to relax and improve their health!
