Effleuraging the Buttocks

The beauty of massage is that it is a natural treatment, it feels good and can have a pro¬found effect on us. Massaging the muscles frees up any congestion. Loosening contracted muscle fibers, it aids the elimination of waste products via the blood and lymph. Massage stimulates the circulation, can lower blood pressure, and has a tonic effect on the nerves. The nerves relate directly to our organs, so it is often the case that massage can regulate the body, helping it function more efficiently- The energy that was diverted to maintaining a state of tension is now released, and the feeling is more vibrant. Through the effect on the ner¬vous system, the mind can gradually quieten, producing an all-over feeling of well-being

After massaging the upper back, move down your partner's body to effleurage the buttocks. Put a little oil on your hands, then place them on the top to begin the stroke. With a gliding movement, hands molded to the body, sweep out and round, following the con¬tour of the hips. Keep the movement generous, and following the swell of flesh, come round to the crease and sweep upwards to start again. This movement focuses sensation on the buttocks, in preparation for the deeper strokes to follow. At the same time as being extremely pleasurable to massage, the buttocks can cany a lot of tension, which is not actually felt. So use your hands to sense out your partner's muscles, and. if tense, they should begin to release under your hands. The buttocks contain the strong gluteal muscles, so the pressure you use in this area can be reasonably fun. Remember to start with your hands in a sort of diving position, then spread the fingers to include as much flesh as you can. As many people spend much of their lives sitting down, this particular movement can give enormous satisfaction.

circling the sacrum

Placing one band on top of the other far a steady pressure, position your bands over your partner's sacrum. This is the central, bony triangle that ends fust below where the buttock crease begins. With the movement going anti-clockwise, circle your hands broadly around the sacrum V shape. Keep your fingers flat over the bone, applying a steady, medium-light pressure. This stroke dispels a lot of tension. In the sacral area lies an important nerve center, mainly connecting to the legs. By easing in this way the nerves are soothed, and your partner will feel the effect in the, hips and lower back. Check to make sure the pressure feels right and that you are not applying fingertip pressure as you move. The circling should be slow, generous, and feet extremely satisfying, both to the one receiving and the one who gives. After completing the circles several times, you wilt feel loosening in the area as a whole. This signals it is now time to turn your attention back to the buttocks

Some more good postures to follow

particular attention between the shoulder blades, and from there, hop down the rest of the spine, still with the thumbs. Ibis should be quite light and bouncy, pressing briefly, at larger intervals, down to the lower back (below). From here.

kneading the back


Leaning across to your partner's opposite buttock, begin to knead, rolling and squeezing the flesh (above). Firm, lively pressure feels good here the movement should be deep and liberating. The kneading movement continues naturally up the back (above right), following the spine, an inch away, right up to the neck. Although the movement here will be narrower and more shallow, the effect is wonderfully far-reaching. Switch sides, and repeat these two movements, then come down the back, using your thumbs (above). Press with the pads, at even intervals, into the muscle bands either side of the spine. Pay nail your fingers down the lower spine, then place your hands to rest across the back (main picture). Spend some moments here, just both of you resting. It is a soft and gentle way to complete the back