maozada
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revisionNext revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
maozada [2015/07/30 19:40] – [Part 2, with oils] emily | maozada [2020/05/06 19:00] – [Before your massage] hwc | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
- | ====== | + | ====== |
+ | |||
+ | We are happy to share a manual we have created for everyone to enjoy simple yet powerful hands massage. Scroll down for all our detailed suggestions and/or get the manual in pdf, ready for printing ! | ||
+ | |||
+ | You are free to print, copy, circulate, and remix as you please. Do not, however, make any commercial use of this work in whole or part. It was conceived as a gift; please use it as such. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Love to our friends and to all those yet-strangers who will become friends after a good handshake! | ||
+ | |||
+ | <3 !! | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
- | //Massage: Emily | ||
- | Graphism: Dayana Lucas [[http:// | ||
{{: | {{: | ||
- | Our hands are our tools, they transform | + | ===== Before your massage ===== |
+ | |||
+ | Before your start your massage please visit the [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Care brings people closer and that is part of how/why it is so good, but it is also why it should not be considered trivial. Hence, offering care to someone implies being mindful of their current psychological and physical health, and discussing together how the care session can affect them positively or negatively, as well as the community. When vulnerabilities or threats to well-being have been identified or are suspected, partners-in-care will ponder what the benefits and risks could be for each other for their well-being should they choose to proceed with their care session anyway, and for the community around them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **NOTICE (IN PROGRESS) - COVID19** : | ||
+ | |||
+ | * In the context of the Covid19 pandemic, health risks are identified //and// there also remain many uncertainties, | ||
+ | * FYI, during these times of Covid-19 pandemic and according to sanitary measures and lockdown in many regions of the world, professional massage practitioners have suspended their activities. | ||
+ | * In terms of best practices in the privacy of interpersonal relationships, | ||
+ | * There is a consensus in the field that massages (especially in the region of the head and face) should be totally avoided if either partner is identified as more at risk of developing a serious illness in the event of catching the coronavirus (elderly, for example) / is feeling poorly at the time of massage / is sneezing or coughing - whether or not they have a fever. Another recommendation, | ||
+ | * Examining contra-indications and health precautions prior to massage is of course still valid, as usual. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Our Hands ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Our hands are tools; they transform | ||
+ | |||
+ | An extension of our hearts, they can bring the ones we love closer, and keep at a distance those we distrust. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Their sophisticated anatomy enables both the use of brute force and the most delicate of gestures.They feed us, defend us, but also hold onto a lot of stress. | ||
+ | |||
+ | As the bark of the tree, the skin of our hands holds the traces of the many stories that make up our lives. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Since all body parts tend to reflect a greater whole, a hand massage will have positive effects on the general state of being. | ||
- | Here are some suggestions and tips to give basic nice hands massage | + | Here are some suggestions and tips on how to provide |
===== Getting ready for massage ===== | ===== Getting ready for massage ===== | ||
- | ==== Set and Setting ==== | ||
- | Create a nice space and time for your massage, where you won't risk being interrupted so much. Make sure neither of you will have to rush anywhere after. Switch off your whatever. Take off your jewelry. | + | ==== Setting ==== |
- | Both should wash/ | + | Find the appropriate space and time for your massage. Ask not to be disturbed. Make sure neither of you will have to rush anywhere afterwards. |
- | It's better to have short clean nails ! | + | Switch off your mobile phones and laptops; take off your jewelry. |
+ | Both of you should then wash your hands; ideally you should | ||
+ | |||
+ | You can quickly warm up your hands before you start! | ||
+ | |||
+ | Your emotional state is just as important as your physical surroundings. | ||
+ | Receiver and Giver, please take a moment to notice how you are feeling before starting. Are you having a good day? Are you nervous? Tired? Upset about something, and pretending not to be? Acknowledging your own emotions before receiving or giving a massage will help you find the right, comfortable place to be with yourself and the other. You will be aware of your limits and, most importantly, | ||
==== Good posture ==== | ==== Good posture ==== | ||
- | Find a comfortable | + | Find a comfortable |
- | There are different | + | There are different |
- | * __Beauty salon set-up__: Sitting in front of each other across a table. This one offers less interpersonal intimacy (hence, more timid persons can feel safer) and is perfect for casual chit-chat. | + | === The " |
- | * __Tea House set-up__: Sitting (on chairs or cushions on the floor) face to face, slightly budged to the side so your opposed shoulders are aligned and your knee fit between your friends leg (you want to avoid twisting your back while you give the massage) | + | |
- | * __“Flying carpet”__: | + | |
- | {{: | + | Sit in front of each other across a table. This option requires the least intimate contact giver and receiver (hence more timid persons can feel more comfortable), |
+ | For more comfort, you can use a rolled towel as a wrist rest for the receiver. | ||
- | Tips: | + | === The "Tea House" === |
+ | |||
+ | Sit on floor cushions, facing each other without being perfectly level, so that your opposed shoulders, rather than your faces, are aligned; this way, you won't have to twist your back during the massage. | ||
+ | Your opposed knees fall between each others' | ||
+ | For the receiver' | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The receiver is lying down. The giver sits by their side, facing the opposite direction (that is, facing the hand they will be working on). This position is very relaxing for the receiver, since their muscles can rest; however, you may have to help them keep their arm and hands relaxed throughout the massage. This can be achieved with the appropriate use of props (cushions, rolled towels) and by using your − firm yet delicate − grip to support their articulation whenever you wish to move them. Indeed, movement is initiated at the joints (shoulders, elbows, wrists). If you keep your friend' | ||
+ | When lying down on their back, some people immediately feel pain in their lumbar region, and eventually everyone will feel some discomfort after a while. To prevent or alleviate the pain, place big enough cushions or rolled towels under both the receiver' | ||
+ | |||
+ | === A Snake-like Spine === | ||
+ | |||
+ | You want to find and keep a good sitting posture. The most important thing to take care of is your spine. Look at the natural curves of the spine in an anatomy book; this “S” is what we want to protect. Often, due to a lack of flexibility and poor habits, we slouch and slump, hence we lose our vitality and tire more quickly. | ||
+ | |||
+ | To restore the S shape of your spine, respect the following: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Whether on a chair or on the floor, sit on you sitting bones (called the Ischium, the lower back part of your big hip bone). Make sure you knees are at a lower level than that of your hips; this will slightly tilt your pelvis and impart the right curve to your lumbar region. The curve should be subtle, so don't exaggerate! | ||
+ | |||
+ | If while sitting on the floor, for example in a lotus position, you have difficulty keeping your knees lower than your hips, place a cushion under your bottom, and only just sit at its edge. This will help you keep a comfortable curvature in the lower spine. This way of sitting is also know as “zafu sitting”. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
- | * Use **props** (folded towels, cushions...) to rest the receiver' | + | Once you've got the basics right, the rest of your spine will follow. |
- | * Lying down on their back, some people immediately feel **pain in their lumbar**, and everyone will after a while. To alleviate or prevent this is easy: Place cushions or rolled towels under their both knees. The idea is to minimize the lumbar curve of the spine. | + | Ultimately, you should always think of your posture |
- | * Most important is indeed | + | Remember |
- | | + | |
{{: | {{: | ||
- | ==== Precautions and Contra-indications | + | ==== Precautions and Contraindications |
- | Before | + | Before |
- | contra-indications. | + | |
- | Ask your friend a few very basic questions, starting | + | Ask your friend a few very basic questions, starting |
- | Also, use your senses and common sense: What do you see before you ? Are there bruises, cuts, signs of rash on their hands and arms ? Does the skin look fragile ? Do they look like they are with a fever ? | + | Also, use your common sense: What do you see? Are there any bruises, cuts, signs of a rash on their hands and arms? Does the skin look fragile? |
+ | You might have to avoid a particular spot on your friend' | ||
- | Observe | + | In any case, do not improvise yourself a therapist, and always make sure the dialogue is open between you two, so that your friend will feel comfortable providing your with feedback as you proceed. |
+ | Always keep feeling, | ||
- | Later as you start touching, keep feeling and adjust in real time to the “information” | + | * [[Massage precautions & contra indications sign]] |
- | you pick up, so the massage | + | * [[Detailed |
+ | See also: | ||
- | //Special precautions and contra-indications | + | * [[A few words on ethical conduct |
- | {{: | + | === Special precautions for a hand massage === |
- | * If the woman is **pregnant**, | + | {{:hegu.png?200|}} |
- | * Acute **carpal tunnel syndrome** | + | |
- | * Contagious parasitic **skin infections** (such as scabies, in which case you could maybe notice signs of rash between the fingers) | + | |
- | * Open **wounds, sores** .. | + | |
- | ==== Define intention | + | * P**regnancy**. Keep a light touch (nothing that would startle the person), do not increase pressure, and especially avoid Chinese acupressure point HEGU (LI 4, located between the thumb and index) which is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to induce labor. |
+ | * Acute **carpal tunnel syndrome**. If untrained, you can massage very gently if and when the pain is not severe. In case of acute pain, you'd better refer your friend to someone qualified. | ||
+ | * Contagious parasitic **skin infections** (such as scabies, in which case you could maybe notice signs of rash between the fingers). This is an absolute no-go. If your friend has a dermatological condition which is not contagious (many aren' | ||
+ | * Open **wounds,** sores. | ||
+ | * Fractures, **recent surgery or injuries** to the hand or arm. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Intentions: What do you wish to get out of this massage ? ==== | ||
{{: | {{: | ||
- | |||
Once you are both ready, start by holding hands. Connect, acknowledge and enjoy | Once you are both ready, start by holding hands. Connect, acknowledge and enjoy | ||
Line 74: | Line 137: | ||
//" | //" | ||
- | Ask your friend what they wish for with this massage. Invite them to make a wish. It could be to ease pain, relax, stop worrying, feel loved... | + | Ask your friend what they wish to get out of this massage. Invite them to express their wish (it could be to ease pain, relax, stop worrying, feel loved, etc). |
+ | Defining an intention together, even a simple one (actually, the simpler the better), sets the massage on a good path, and helps you bond and build trust. It can also be an opportunity for your friend to express something important, an emotion, a state of mind, in the comfort of your presence. Whatever comes, welcome it. You don't need to have an opinion, nor do you have to have something reassuring to say. Having a nice moment together, welcoming your friends words and feelings is all that matters. | ||
- | Defining an intention together, even a very simple one (the simpler | + | And you, do you know what you want to achieve with this massage? |
- | better), sets the massage on a good path, and helps bond you together in trust. It can also be an opportunity | + | Again, the simpler |
- | What if they say something that seems completely out of reach ? Like, I want peace in this world ? | + | What if your friend wishes for something that seems completely out of reach, |
- | Well, aren't you about to experience | + | Trust your hearts, and share the experience. |
- | Trust your hearts, give. | ||
===== MAOZADA : A suggested sequence for hand massage ===== | ===== MAOZADA : A suggested sequence for hand massage ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The sequence presented here is a simple suggestion. There is no need to be orthodox about it. As a general tip, remember it is nicer, and it makes more sense, to start a massage with soft, superficial, | ||
+ | |||
+ | It can be nice to have an opening part without oils, because the sensations and pace are quite different. It is a good way to get to know your grounds, and good preparation for further work. Later, when essential oils are added, you can repeat all that you did in the opening part, this time appreciating the difference in feelings, and playing with the new velocity and rhythm imparted by the oils. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Looking up a bit of anatomy of the hand before you start can help a great deal, but it could also confuse you and make you feel more stressed; so just do as you feel like. You can always come back to the books later, and find it is actually easier for you to learn after practice. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the meantime, your friend' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ENJOY! | ||
==== Part 1, without oils ==== | ==== Part 1, without oils ==== | ||
- | | + | As preparatory work for part 2 with oils, or as a stand-alone massage. |
- | - OPEN DORSUM OF HAND & WRIST {{: | + | |
- | - OPEN PALM & WRIST {{: | + | === Hold Hands (THE HANDSHAKE)=== |
- | | + | |
- | - PULL & ROTATE FINGER | + | (See Intentions) |
- | - STRETCH FINGER | + | |
- | - ROTATE WRIST {{: | + | {{: |
+ | |||
+ | === Open the back of the hand and wrist === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | With your thumbs (with the tips as well as with the group of muscles at their base, called the thenar eminences), apply pressure sliding sideways from the center of the back of the hand. Don't be afraid to squeeze a bit and apply stronger pressure, so that the back of the hand and wrist will “open” and get a good stretch. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Open the palm and wrist === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Turn you friend' | ||
+ | |||
+ | === "COUNT MONEY" ON THE PHALANGES | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The phalanges are the little bones that make up your fingers. | ||
+ | The movement here is similar to that of “counting money”, that is, of rubbing coins between the pulp of your fingers. | ||
+ | In this technique, we seek contact with the bones themselves, so alternatively, | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Pull and rotate the fingers === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Gently pull each finger toward you one after the other, and as you pull, slowly rotate them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Stretch the fingers === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Gently stretch each finger. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Rotate the wrist === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Secure your friend' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Start with slow, small-range rotations. | ||
+ | Always respect your friend' | ||
+ | |||
+ | You can stop the massage here, or continue to part 2, with oils. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you stop here, go back to step 1, holding hands. | ||
+ | Go to section 3.2.10 for indications on how to end the sessions. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Does your friend want you to continue the massage with oils now? | ||
+ | If yes, make sure that they are not allergic to any of the oils' components. | ||
+ | If you haven' | ||
==== Part 2, with oils ==== | ==== Part 2, with oils ==== | ||
- | | + | Pure, cold-pressed, organic vegetable oils are preferable to mineral ones. They will nourish the skin. Oils commonly used in massage therapy are almond, sesame, jojoba, apricot, and sunflower. They can be mixed with aromatic essential oils, which provide |
- | - CIRCLE WRIST JOINT {{: | + | |
- | - THUMB SLIDE (into muscle bellies | + | Alternatively, |
- | - THE "BOA CONSTRICTOR" {{: | + | |
- | - THUMB SLIDE (between metacarpal bones and across | + | If you have a bottle of essential oils, such as lavender oil, you can add a few drops of that to the vegetable oil of your choice (essential oils are always diluted in vegetable oils for massage). Before you do, remember to ask your friend if they actually enjoy the scent (have them smell it beforehand). |
- | - DRAIN " | + | |
- | - SWING ARM {{: | + | As a precaution, you will not use essential oils if your friend is pregnant or lactating. |
- | | + | |
+ | |||
+ | === Light massage of hand and forearm === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Apply oils uniformly to the whole region of the hand and forearm. One of your hands secures your friend' | ||
+ | Tip: Use different paths for the way up and the way down! | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Circles around the wrist joint === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | With the pad of your thumbs, draw circles around the heads of the Ulna and Radius, | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Thumb Slide (up into the forearm' | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Secure your friend' | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The "Boa Constrictor" | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Slowly but surely squeeze your friend' | ||
+ | |||
+ | === "Thumb Skate" | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | With both thumbs working alternatively (a bit like skating), slide rapidly up and down between the bones on the back of your friend' | ||
+ | |||
+ | === "Thumb saw" === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Both your thumbs criss-cross rapidly across the back of your friend' | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Palm Massage === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Turn your friend' | ||
+ | With the pad of your thumbs, press and slide down the palm, drawing lines that follow the direction of fingers. | ||
+ | You can also “walk” the palm with the tip of your thumbs, pressing, like a cat, or stop and draw circles in the center of the palm. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Drain the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Between the index and the thumb lies a bunch of strong muscles; indeed there are 8 muscles that are responsible for the thumb' | ||
+ | This region is often tense and sore. In classical Chinese medicine, this is where the acupuncture point HEGU is located (“Joining valley” is point 4 on the Large Intestine meridian). It is advised that you avoid working on this area if your friend is pregnant. | ||
+ | You can proceed in different ways, which might come to you intuitively. | ||
+ | One such way is to pinch these tough and tired muscles between your thumb and folded index, and to “drain the strains”, away from the hand. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Swing arm === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Get hold of your friend' | ||
+ | If you feel them “resisting”, | ||
+ | Tip: Sometimes, when someone is “resisting” relaxation, not letting go of their vigilance and tension (make sure this is not due to pain you're accidentally causing), the answer does not necessarily lie in using a gentler touch; | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | === Closing the session | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The massage is nearing its end. Hold hands again. | ||
+ | You are now back to where your session started. Only things aren't quite the same, are they? Don't rush out of the massage. Feel the difference between now and the start. | ||
+ | When you feel ready, tell your friend the massage is over. Gently check on them, ask how they feel. But careful: now is not a time for extensive feedback. Give your friend time, leave them alone to rest while you go wash your hands and prepare tea − and actually tell them this is what you'll be doing, so that they won't feel “abandoned”. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Then as the two of you share a cup of tea, exchange a few words about the massage if you want to. Never, however, insist that your friend give you feedback on how the session was for them. They will, if they want to. | ||
+ | Thank each other for the gift of this moment. | ||
+ | One last thing: maybe you had agreed, prior to the session, that your friend would provide a massage in return. Maybe they still feel like it, maybe they don't. If they don't, you will have to accept this :) | ||
+ | Now that this manual has been circulated, you are bound to meet someone who will give you a hand massage really soon in any case, right? | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Credits and Terms of use ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Mãozada − The Handshake was redacted in Portugal, in 2015. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Design and texts are by Emily King. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Drawings are by Dayana Lucas. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Special thanks to La Quadrature du Net, Sarah Hiltner, and everyone who helped in the making of this manual <3 ! | ||
+ | |||
+ | You are free (and invited) to print, copy, circulate, and remix as you please - as long as : | ||
+ | * You do not make any commercial use of this work in whole or part. | ||
+ | * You mention its origin/ | ||
+ | * You keep the same standards for sharing as we | ||
+ | |||
+ | | ||
+ | |||
+ | Love to our friends and to all those yet-strangers who will become friends after a good handshake! | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== More Resources ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Videos ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | Basic oriental techniques (as found in thai or japanese massage) for opening of palms and wrists. | ||
+ | Key moves ! The person receiving massage is lying dow on a futon on the floor. No oils needed. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | Nice tutorial for basic hand and forearm massage with oils or cream, sitting face to face at a table (beauty salon set up). Easy, lovely moves, smoothly executed and described. Good standards for care (clear instructions for set up, remarks on hygiene and health precautions). Observe how she warmly secures the person' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Anatomy ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
maozada.txt · Last modified: 2020/05/06 19:45 by hwc