Yobler-Your Learning Tube

Massage is an art when you express yourself with sensitivity with awareness Let your touch discover without demands without expectations At first the techniques will be techniques, like learning to ride a bicycle After a while the awkward will become familiar Your touch will come to nourish the body the mind and the spirit You will also find your beloved's body — in stillness — pleasuring your hands Let your fingertips taste the curve the rough, the smooth the firm the soft Let yourself feel

WHAT YOU NEED

 A willing recipient A quiet place A warm place or if it is tropical, gentle breezes Oil, perhaps a lotion — on membranous tissue, a water-based lubricant may be healthier A towel A padded table a bed or padded floor or a large towel on the beach Gentle music, if you wish Perhaps feathers a silk scarf  

Three basic ones: First and foremost be present Letting go of expectations of the future and comparisons with the past, Be Here Be Now Secondly maintain full-hand contact whenever possible Allow your palms fingers and thumbs to outline the contours Thirdly maintain a continuous flow Movements blend together, each one enhancing the preceding one and preparing the next 14 More important than the techniques is your own personal expression More important than your own personal expression is the recipient's wishes More important than the recipient's wishes is your never forcing yourself Yet be open to discovering new horizons It's a delicate dance

REMINDERS

 If the sensation feels good to the recipient, you are doing it correctly, regardless of theory or written instructions Vary the pressure the tempo the rhythm Repeating a stroke in the exact same way each time becomes boring very quickly to both the recipient and the giver If there are two of them, massage both Glide on and off To begin a touch, rather than plopping on glide on with a slow descent in the direction that your hands will be moving In coming off continue the movement in a gradual ascent Generally, minimize landings and takeoffs When in doubt lighter pressure might be better The recipient's preference, however, is the best guide Ask occasionally, if you are uncertain 16 Minimize the talking An important exception: when the recipient needs to communicate deep feelings Become centered Tuning into and slowing your breath you can quieten yourself Being centered you will experience more deeply your own pleasure The following strokes assume the massage is on a table Except for some of the long strokes most of the instructions can be adapted to floor or bed massages Follow the presented sequence or create a sequence more suitable for your situation Massage the whole body or only one section

HEALTH

 Discussing health concerns is essential in establishing trust in a relationship, whether it be for an evening or a lifetime If a partner has a cold or flu, the other partner can choose to be close or not If there is an infectious condition on the skin, forgo contact with that area Perhaps keep it clothed If there is a concern about viral conditions communicable through bodily fluids, share your feelings with your partner.Ask if there are any tender places Be especially gentle there or exclude If an injury is severe or if there are circulation problems, first consult a health professional 18 The debates continue regarding the relative healthiness of vegetable oil mineral oil and water-based lubricants for massage on or in the body Many commercial preparations contain preservatives, artificial colors and other chemical additives Some people are allergic to added fragrances You may have to experiment first Regarding conception please make parenthood planned Now you are ready to make the final preparations for your special gift 

Where?

 Anywhere as long as distractions and interruptions are minimized Inside or outside is fine When outside, take precautions for insects and excessive sun When inside, unplug the phone Arrange for everyone else including children not to interrupt It is very important to maintain a warm temperature If necessary, use a portable heater or cover the areas of the body you are not massaging at the moment

When? Explore the energies of a full moon, a new moon an equinox, a solstice Celebrate a birthday an anniversary Give a holiday-season present handmade 20 After intense work during a stressful period Sometimes you can be spontaneous but setting aside a specific day or evening is more likely to ensure it happening To give massage to a pregnant partner, is a gift not forgotten In the later stages she may be unable to lie on her front or back Perhaps forego some strokes or positions but not the touch

PREPARATIONS

With What? Basically all you need is oil fragranced ones entice the mind but may sting the skin especially membranous tissue Some prefer vegetable oils (unfragranced coconut oil is a good choice) others prefer mineral oils Visit your local lotions-and-potions store, try a health food store On membranous tissues, such as the female genitals, some consider water-based lubricants to be healthier Purchase them at a pharmacy perhaps at a sensuous boutique You can apply the oil or lubricant to your hands either from a plastic squeeze bottle a bottle with a push pump or a bowl Massage tables are great for your back and sturdy tabletops padded with foam or blankets are fine Otherwise, a padded floor a bed or the ground covered with cloth is quite suitable If you select a large bed have the recipient's head at a corner of the foot of the bed while his/her feet are pointing toward the opposite corner at the head of the bed This will give you better access to both the right and left sides For the covering cloth select a sheet or material that is OK to be oiled Some fabrics are difficult to clean and the oily smell may not wash out 22 Gather a large towel or two When lying on the front side the recipient may need a covered foam pad or a couple of rolled towels placed under the front of the ankles When lying on the back if there is strain in the lower back place the same pad underneath the knees If you anticipate using feathers or other tactile stimulators have them close at hand Perhaps select some music without dominating rhythms without words — usually Use candlelight or colored lights incense flowers interior design of the room or whatever creates a special ambience However you do not have to create a temple every time Sometimes all that is necessary is to close the door

Everything ready? Oil phone unplugged temperature warm enough watches, jewelry, clothing removed recipient's contact lenses taken out (if necessary) your fingernails smoothed your hands cleaned and warmed? Ask if any strokes on any particular places would be particularly pleasing Ask for other possible relevancies such as preferences for no oil in the hair or time limitations Once your beloved is ready to begin give the invitation to take a few fuller breaths and to close his/her eyes Allowing your hands to move intuitively you can open doors to inner peace to pleasure to joy both your beloved's and yours