Here are some illustrations of simple massage moves for the head. Together in a sequence they make for a lovely treat we like to call the Monkey Mind Massage, very helpful to calm a restless mind.

Applied in a moment of crisis and/or regularly, it can help slow down a hyper-active intellect, pause ruminations and worries, regain clear vision, find peace, and alleviate symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, irritability, headaches, and more.

Like in most massages, it is the affectionate and patient repetition of the moves that will make a difference, not just the technique. The moves on the forehead, for example, would ideally be repeated 30 times, without rushing.

Pressure and rhythm would ideally vary, according to your friend's tastes and your own instincts about them; From light to quite strong, super slow to moderately fast.

The Monkey Mind massage is best applied with your friend lying down on the their back and you sitting at their head.

For more information see the “Getting Ready” section. You can also practice as an auto-massage.

Enjoy!

Design and texts by Emily King. Graphic design by Not Wolf Photo of the monkey is a selfie and belongs to the public domain, read about the Monkey selfie copyright dispute

You are free to print, copy, circulate, and remix the HwC Monkey Mind Massage as you please - as long as you do not make any commercial use of this work in whole or part, and that you do mention its origin and authors, and keep the same standards for sharing

Before your start your massage please visit the General advice for massage page

This is the latest version of the Monkey Mind Massage manual designed as a postcard set

This is the first version of the Monkey Mind Massage manual, before it was made into a “proper” postcard set.