Wednesday, December 17, 2008

How to Give a Relieving Foot Massage – Step by Step


By Nick Mutt

This article will help you to learn how to give a relieving foot massage. Before you begin massage check that your hands are clean and your nails fairly short with no jagged edged. Take off any rings if you wear them.

Foot massage step by step

Your feet are probably the most neglected part of your bodies. They definitely deserve a loving massage from time to time. Make sure your partner is warm and comfortable. Uncover one foot by folding back the towel or blanket. Now pour a little of your chosen oil into the palm of one hand. Rub your hands together to evenly distribute the oil. Now you are ready to begin.

1. Enclose the foot between hands (one on top, one underneath), then gently slide your hands off the foot coming forward to the toes. This movement should be slow and soothing. Repeat four or five times.

2. Gently circle around the ankle using your thumbs. This area can be tender, so go easy.

3. Rub over the top of the foot with your thumbs in little circles, coming down from the ankle area to the toes. Repeat three or four times.

4. Now rub each toe the same little circular movements.

5. Rotate each toe twice in each direction.

6. Gently pull each toe between finger and thumbs.

7. Zigzag down the sole of the foot from toes to heel with your thumbs overlapped.

8. Enclose the foot in your hands then rub them in opposite directions, to create frictions. This is very warming.

9. Hold the foot firmly and slowly rotate the ankle clockwise then anti-clockwise. Repeat a couple of times.

10. Repeat step 1.

Once completed, wrap the foot up again for warmth and repeat the movements on the other foot. By now your massage partner will be feeling more relaxed and at ease with your touch.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

About the author:

Know natural Home remedies for common diseases. Also read the benefits of Triphala and know how it can cure constipation. Know recipes for making Homemade cosmetics - all natural and preservative free.


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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

How to Give a Neck and Shoulder Massage


By Nick Mutt

A neck and shoulder massage helps you relax, particularly if you've been working at a desk all day. It relieves you from pain and stress and charges you with energy you were looking for after a heavy work schedule or an outdoor journey. In this article you will learn how to give a neck and shoulder massage to get relief from stress and tension.

Steps for neck and shoulder massage -

For massaging neck and shoulder your partner should be lying on his or her back. Uncover the chest by folding down the towel or blanket.


  1. Apply oil to your partner’s chest, shoulders and neck.

  2. Begin effleuraging by placing both hands on the upper chest, fingers facing towards each other. Now slowly pull your hands round the shoulders and under them, then bring your hands in to meet at the back of the skull. Repeat four or five times.

  3. Gently knuckle the chest and shoulders in the sequence shown in the diagram on the left. To knuckle make your hands into relaxed fists, and move the knuckles make your hands into relaxed fist, and move the knuckles in circular movements. This sounds more difficult than it is.

  4. Gently turn your partner’s head to one side. Stroke along the top of the shoulder and the side of the neck with your first three fingers. Repeat three times.

  5. Repeat the above sequence, but circle your fingers this time. Do this three times.

  6. Turn your partner’s head to the other side and repeat movements 4 and 5. Return the head to the centre.

  7. Slide your hands down your partner’s back as far as you can comfortably reach. Find the groove each side of the spine with your fingers. Pull your hands up the spine with a little pressure on the groove each side. Repeat three times.

  8. Now you are going to stretch the neck – these movements stretch out the muscles of the shoulders and neck and ease tension. If your partner is relaxed you will take all the weight of the head. If he or she is tense, go easy and make the movements slow and gentle. You don’t want any pulled muscles.

  9. Cup both hands under your partner’s head, your fingers resting in the base of the skull. Lift the head slightly gently pull towards you. Lower the head slowly repeat.

  10. Hold the back of the head in one hand and move it slowly towards the left shoulder while gently pressing down on the right shoulder with your other hand. Bring the head back to the centre and then repeat on the other side.

Finish with some effleurage movements as you began.

Note: This massage shouldn't be done on anyone with injuries to their shoulder or neck.

Hope you have now learned how to get relief from stress and tension with this natural method of pain relief.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

About the author:
Looking for some Home Remedies for Stress? Check out the biggest Home remedies website and find some effective natural Home Remedies for Backache - natural pain relief methods to use at home.


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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Sauna Step by Step

By Megan Holbrook
  1. Take a hot shower before every sauna. Wrap your body in a towel and do not wear a swimming costume while having a sauna as it prevents you from sweating properly; sweat gathers in nylon or synthetic fabrics and can cause unpleasant eczema
  2. Make sure you are dry before entering the sauna as if you are still wet the body is prevented from sweating properly. Dry brush the skin to encourage sweating always brushing towards the heart
  3. Take your ‘first round’(eight to twelve minutes) in the sauna. If your skin is sensitive, put a wet cloth over your face. Do not stay in too long!

  4. Don’t lie on the bench top initially (it is too hot). Sit or lie relaxed with your feet up. After a few minutes, it is time for a ‘loyly’ as the Finns call it. A loyly simply involves putting some water containing peppermint or eucalyptus oil over the sauna heater, providing an aromatic steam that is very healing for the respiratory system.
  5. Sit up before leaving the sauna, to allow your blood circulation to adjust to the upright position again.
  6. The lungs are significantly heated after a sauna and you need to go outside or stand in front of a window and breathe deeply. Enjoy some fresh air, move around and continue with the other cooling-down procedures
  7. Have a cold shower exposing legs first, then arms, chest, back, and neck and head last.
  8. Enter a cold water pool, immersing your head as well. Note : People with high blood pressure or heart problems should not undertake this step.
  9. Take a warm footbath after the cold water treatment, to prevent headaches and normalize blood circulation.
  10. During the cooling-down phase, be sure to rest and not to swim or do exercise of any kind, for this would put too much strain on the heart. Cool down and relax for 10 to 15 minutes.
  11. Now repeat steps 3 to 9 for a second and third round. After your sauna is an ideal time to receive a massage, because the muscles are relaxed and the skin is soft and clean. Fruit and vegetable juice are ideal after the sauna, as your body needs water, minerals and vitamins, which are lost in the sauna.
  12. Do not have alcohol!
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Mud Mask : The Benefit


The benefit of mud has been known for hundreds of years ago. Mud contains minerals (iron and zinc)work like a magnet, which can attract dirt, sewage and poisons in the body. Therefore, the best mud comes from the dead sea because it contains high salinity.

Various spa from around the world and offer mud therapy for the beauty of the skin. Mud can used by smearing it all over the body or face as mud mask. Sometimes some people love to soak in a warm mud filled bath tub.

How to use a mud mask:
  1. Before using the mud mask, usually massage the face or body first in order to release muscle tension and stimulates blood circulation.

  2. Sometimes mud mask comes in powder form. Dilute it in warm water. Then, quickly stirred up to form a mud. Immediately smear it over the face or body. Leave a few minutes until the mud dry up or harden. Rinse with warm water.

  3. If the mud mask is in liquid form, first put in a pot and warm in. Then, smear it over the body or face. Leave a few minutes to dry out. Then, rinse it with warm water.

  4. Mud can be used for all skin types, including sensitive skin, because it does not contain chemical materials.

  5. After the body is clean, moisturizer should be applied to give more moisture to the skin.

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How to Give A Relaxing Massage

By George Key

Few people will turn down a massage, especially if you know how to properly give one. A good massage isn’t necessarily all about great technique, although that is important. You also need the right tools, be able to set the mood conducive to a relaxing massage.

It’s fairly easy to set the right mood. Ask the recipient of the massage if they have any musical requests. If they do not, find music that is soft and relaxing. Purchase some candles. Again, ask the person who is receiving the massage if they have a personal favorite. If they do not, pick something that you like which is soothing, smells nice and promotes relaxation. If you have no idea, try a lavender candle.

After you have chosen the music and the candles, it’s time to purchase massage oil. Using massage oil allows you to give a massage that feels good. You won’t be roughly rubbing on the skin, but gliding over it. It will also prevent your hands from getting tired quickly. Jojobo and almond oils are good picks. You will also find great options at local, specialty shops or online.

Once you have all of your supplies, grab two of your biggest, fluffiest towels and place them in the dryer for a few minutes. This will get them nice and warm. Place one of the towels underneath the person that is getting the massage and the other one on top of them so that they are not overly exposed.

Now if you are unsure about massage techniques, you may want to invest a little money and purchas a good book or video on the subject. However, if you avoid massaging too hard or too soft, you should be fine. Make sure that you get feedback and ask your partner to tell you when it feels good. Focus on the arms, back, legs and buttocks (if appropriate). Use your fingers, thumbs and fists to lightly knead and place pressure on the various muscle groups.

Giving a relaxing massage to someone can be a great gift. With the day-to-day pressures that most people live with, being pampered and tended to with a massage can be extremely enjoyable. When giving a massage, be sure to set the mood with soft, soothing music, burn some candles and make sure the temperature is right. Turn down the lights and focus on gently and firmly massaging the major muscle groups with your hands, fists and thumbs.


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