THE ART OF MASSAGE

Massage is more than a career, it truly is an art form. What's the difference? Well, think of a painter: art school will only hone and improve their natural talent. On the other hand, send someone with no talent to art school and they still won't be able to produce a masterpiece.

It is the same with massage: the touch on the body is a talent that can be perfected with massage school, but if you don't have that inherit skill, massage school will create only a mechanical touch that may know the muscles and how to manipulate them but just doesn't create an enjoyable experience.

For your interest I have listed here the major types of massage there are and common variations. This is just for your information--I don't practice all the types listed here!

Types of Massage There are five basic types of massage.
- Ayurvedic: Gentle surface massage aimed at calming the nerves and stimulating blood flow.
- Reflexology: Stimulation of points on the hands and feet that are thought to correspond to other areas of the body.
- Shiatsu: A pattern of finger-thumb-palm movements along acupressure points.
- Swedish: A system of long stokes, kneading and friction on the surface layer of muscles. Also involves movement on the joints. This is the most common form of massage and is sometimes referred to by the uninitiated as 'regular massage'.
- Thai: Assisted stretches combining acupressure and yoga positions to focus on specific points on the body.

Variations  Within the types of massage there are different methods of approach.
- Deep Tissue: Slow strokes and heavy finger pressure applied to areas of chronic tension.
- Effleurage: A two-handed Swedish-massage technique using a smooth, gliding stroke to relax soft tissue.
- Pétrissage: Squeezing, rolling and kneading. A Swedish method that usually follows effleurage.
- Reiki: A 'natural healing' technique in which practitioners simply place their hands on the body at various points to speed recovery from illness or injury.
- Rolfing: Focuses on realigning the body along its vertical plane with pressure varying from surface to deep.

Extra Add-Ons  For a bit more there are specialties that some masseurs offer to add to the massage experience.
- Four Handed: Two massage therapists working on one individual at the same time.
- Hydrotherapy: An intense massage performed while the body is suspended in water to lessen the pain and discomfort of deep pressure in releasing tight knots.
- Lymphatic Drainage: Gentle pumping and light raking to drain pockets of water retention and release toxins trapped in lymph nodes.
- Rosen Method: Tender touch coupled with verbal communication to help release suppressed emotions as well as muscle tension.
- Stone Therapy: The application of smooth, heated rocks. The heat has the effect of relaxing the muscles making it easier to remove knots.