The Easy Massage Workbook: A Complete Massage Class in a Book »

Bring all the benefits of a massage class into your own home

Follow clear, step-by-step instructions on the basic massage strokes including thumb circling, kneading, and hacking

Practice quick-to-learn and easy-to-follow massages devised for modern lifestyles, tackling common problems such as backache, neck ache, and tension headaches

Put safety first, following clear information that reveals the benefits and contraindications of massage work

Author's introduction 8

How to use this book 9

Chapter 1 Easy Principles 10

What massage can do 12

The history of massage 14

When not to massage 15

Understanding the body 18

Practical preparation 22

Managing towels 2

Massage oils 28

Giving massage 30

Awareness of your recipient 32

Developing self-awareness 34

Chapter 2 Easy Techniques 36

Stroking 38

Kneading 40

Thumb circling 42

Knuckling 44

Pulling 46

Whole-hand frictions 48

Hacking 50

Stretching 52

Simple holding 54

Chapter 3 Easy Routines 56

The shoulders and neck 58

The back 60

The backs of the legs 66

The fronts of the legs 68

The feet 72

The abdomen 76

The aims and hands 78

The shoulders, face and head 82

Chapter 4 Easy Variations 88

Massaging pregnant women 90

Massaging babies 92

Massaging the elderly 94

Massage after exercise 96

Massage for convalescence 98

Massaging delicate skin 100

Chapter 5 Easy Self-massage 102

Headaches 104

Sinus problems 106

Eyestrain 108

Tense shoulders 110

Nervous stomach 112

Constipation 114

Period pains 116

Nervous exhaustion 118

Aching feet 120

Insomnia 122

Chapter 6 Easy Massage Oils 124

Using massage oils 126

Sweet almond oil 130

Jojoba oil 131

Calendula oil 132

Avocado oil 133

Evening primrose oil 134

Peach kernel oil 135

Rosehip oil 136

Wheatgerm oil 137

Oil blends 138

Bibliography 140

Index 141

Acknowledgments 144