How to Give Yourself a Massage

How to Give Yourself a Massage



A massage is a treat that can completely relax and invigorate you. It also happens to be one of the most expensive personal treats that you can imagine. Don't worry, though. You can get a massage even if you cannot afford to eat much more than noodles. The perfect solution is to give yourself a massage.You can get one any time you need, and you spend only your own energy. Read on to learn how to give yourself a massage.









1


Start by breathing deeply. Relax yourself with breathing, and tune in to your body. Take mental notes on where you feel yourself holding tension.





2


Sit on the floor. You should sit on a carpet, rug or mat. Get in a position that is comfortable for you. You'll want easy access to most of your body, so sit with your legs crossed. You want to be able to touch your feet.





3


Take it one muscle group at a time. Start with your feet. Each foot has more than 7000 nerve endings. Your feet carry you around everywhere all day long. Take extra time to pamper them. Vibration, tension and motion are the three tools to use constantly in your self-massage.





4


Start with pressure, then rub your feet strongly with the base of your palm. Massage until your feet are relaxed and in release.





5


Move on to the next muscle group in your body. Focus especially on the places you identified in Step 1 as holding tension.





6


Create tension in the areas of your body that are tight, then relieve those areas through kneading. Use friction to get muscle groups relaxed. Focus on how your very own body feels, and you can massage appropriately.








Tips & Warnings










Take your time to discover your muscles, and work on them until they are truly relaxed.








Don't do this when you are expecting others to come home. They could get the wrong idea if walking in on you.



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How to Give Yourself a Leg Massage

How to Give Yourself a Leg Massage



Wearing the wrong shoes, running too much or just standing in place can really take a toll on your legs. With just a few minutes and the right technique, your legs can feel as good as new after a soothing massage. Here are a couple of tips on how to relax your gams.









1


Rub your whole leg smoothly from thigh to ankle. Put each hand on opposite sides of your leg. Do this several times for the muscles to begin relaxing.





2


Spend time on the thigh, recognizing the muscles in the front and on the outside of the leg. Squeeze the tense muscles and release. Knead as you would a loaf of dough. Then smooth the thigh by stroking the muscles with one hand trailing the other.





3


Massage all around your knee, applying circular patterns around the kneecap with your fingertips. Then stroke the back of the knee with your full hand.





4


Knead your calf muscles away from the bone & then release, using both hands. Soothe the area by gently stroking, one hand following the other up the back of the leg.





5


Finish and repeat on the other leg.








Tips & Warnings










Using lotion or oil will cut down on the friction between your hand and leg, making for smoother actions.



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How to Give Yourself a Face Massage

How to Give Yourself a Face Massage



There are 19 muscles in your face that control facial expression. So every day you’re getting a facial workout, whether that means smiling, frowning, laughing or crying. Give those hardworking facial muscles a break and give yourself a face massage–one of the most surprisingly effective ways of restoring a sense of well-being to your entire body.









1


Lie down in a comfortable position, your head propped on a pillow, when you want to give yourself a face massage.





2


Pour some massage oil into your hands and rub the oil between them to warm it.





3


Apply the oil all over your face in soft, sweeping motions.





4


Place the fingertips of both hands on your forehead. Gently but firmly move your right-hand fingers in a counterclockwise circular motion, then move your left-hand fingers in a clockwise circular motion. Repeat the alternating of these circular motions all over your forehead area for several moments.





5


Turn your palms up toward the ceiling and place each thumb on the inside end of your eyebrow, just underneath the brow bone on either side of your nose. Firmly but gently slide your thumbs across each brow, out toward your ears. Lighten the pressure when you reach your temples. Repeat several times.





6


Find the top of each cheekbone. Place the fingertips of both hands just underneath the bone. Gently but firmly make circular motions as you move your way down across your face, in toward your mouth and nose. Keep your fingers focused on the fleshy area just underneath each cheekbone. Repeat several times.





7


Put each thumb on the fleshy part of your jaw. If you have trouble finding it, lightly clench your teeth. Wherever you feel the muscle tighten is where you want your thumbs to be. Jaw relaxed, gently press down into the muscle then make small circular motions for a few moments.





8


Knead your chin. Place both index fingers on the top of your chin and your thumbs underneath, as though you are holding your chin between each finger and thumb. Knead for several moments.





9


Flatten each hand and place them on either side of your face. The bottom of your hands (where your hands meets your wrists) should be on your chin, your palms on your cheeks and your fingertips on your temples. In a gentle sweeping motion, slide your hands up toward the crown of your head. Repeat several times.





10


Place your fingertips at the top of your forehead. Light as a feather, move them down the length of your face. Repeat several times to finish your face massage.








Tips & Warnings










You can make your own relaxing oil to massage your face by combining a carrier oil–such as grape-seed, sunflower or safflower–with a few drops of
lavender
essential oil.



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How to Give Yourself a Back Massage

How to Give Yourself a Back Massage



Hard day at work? Treat yourself to a massage. Stress, sore muscles and even headaches can be alleviated by a back massage. You don’t have to wait for your significant other or an appointment at a fancy salon to get one, either. You can give yourself a back massage that is relaxing and effective.







Things You'll Need:





Strong, firm hands




Back









1


Start near your neck. Firmly grasp the muscles on either side of your neck, with your thumbs outside by your shoulders and your fingers facing on your back. Slowly knead the muscles with the insides of your hands, making small, circular motions. Do a count of eight circles moving towards your neck followed by eight moving away from your neck.





2


Get to the middle of your back. Place your hands as if you were going to put your hands on your hips, but flip your fingers to your back and place them as high underneath your armpits as you can reach. Keeping your thumbs wrapped around your ribs towards the front of your body, rotate your fingertips in small circles. Do a count of eight circles moving towards your spine followed by eight moving away from your spine.





3


Move your hands down a few inches, still with your fingers on your back and your thumbs wrapped forward, and repeat the set of circles a little lower.





4


Keep moving your hands down your back repeating the set of circles until you've hit every area. The final move in this series should have your thumbs sitting at the top of your hip bones..





5


Make two fists. Take the flat part of each fist below the first knuckes and work them up your back in small, circular motions. Start at the base of your spine for two sets of eight, move slightly up to the mid back and repeat then take your fists as high as you can on your back and repeat once more.





6


Finish off your self-massage by giving yourself a hug. Wrap your arms firmly around yourself, with each palm grasping the opposite shoulder and squeeze as hard as you can for a count of eight. Exhale and release.








Tips & Warnings










You can also give yourself a back massage using a tennis ball. Lean against a wall with a tennis ball between your back and the wall. Lower and raise your back while you also move side to side so the ball can roll all over your back.








Another technique to try is lying on your back with your knees bent and your calves firmly grasped in self hug. Roll back and forth, up and down, to get complete massage from the floor.








Don't forget the self hug to remind yourself how special you are.



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How to Give To A Beggar

How to Give To A Beggar



We all come across beggars, in the street, in the subways, or even at a red light while they try to clean your vehicle windshield. Beggars, some of us are dismayed, overwhelmed, angered, or even confused about what to do. Some of us just do not know how to handle the situation. Some of us look away and ignore them. Let's look at what God says we should do, you may surprised.









1


1. Keep small change in your pocket, or even a few dollars, whatever amount you feel comfortable giving. Even if you leave your home thinking that you are not giving, you may want to think of giving something no matter how small it is. It is not the amount that matters, it is the gesture, the kindness you are demonstrating to a fellow human being, no matter who they are. Giving is helping God do his work.





2


When a beggar approaches you, you do not have to fumble going through your pocket or purse, because you are already prepared to give to them. Look them straight in the eye, as you give and then let them walk away from you. These people are not out to hurt and will protect your life if they had to over a few cents that you provide to them. God says in the Bible Ecclesiasticus,35, verse 1-13 [The Jerusalem Bible/TJB]: "by showing gratitude he makes an offering of fine flour, by giving alms he offers a sacrifice of praise." Our Lord, God who has given us everything we have [bread from fine flour] wants praise from us for all he has given and provided to us. If you cannot praise him with your mouth, another way is by giving alms, you offer a sacrifice of praise to him. Giving is short-timed, a small sacrifice, and in doing so, you bless others as well as yourself. I cannot think of anyone who would not accept a blessing on a daily basis.





3


In Ecclesiasticus 29:9,[TJB]states under Generosity, "for the commandment's sake go to the poor man's help, do not turn him away empty-handed in his need." Thus, it does not matter the amount, how large or how small, give. In continuing this study that the Lord presented to me one day, in the book of Ecclesiasticus, I also found that "almsgiving atones for sins". Here is the golden nugget in giving to others, especially beggars. All of us have sin in our lives. None of us are perfect. However, God teaches, that in giving alms, we make amends for our sins. How great is our God, that in giving a small token to someone in need, would forgive us of our sins!








Tips & Warnings










Lastly, The Lord is a miracle worker. Do not think that because you see someone on drugs or drinking, that you should not give. We do not know how that person came to that life. That includes, homeless parents with young
children
. As a steward of what God has given us, we do not know the blessing we will receive and how he may use us to be part of a unpublished miracle to save that person; to make their life better. However, we must be ready, willing and trust in God that his will be done. When you give alms, fear not, God is with you and will not let you be harmed. Have faith in him. Amen.








Of course, don't go into situations, where you may feel that you may be in danger. Most beggars, choose public places, so that when you give, you do not feel threatened. If you're broke, this is the best time to give. God says when you give, he will multiply it back to you. So so get your blessing, and be part of God's miracles.



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How to Give the Perfect Massage

How to Give the Perfect Massage



If you aren't a licensed massage therapist but want to learn the techniques of the pros in order to give the perfect massage, here are some tips to help you get started and impress everyone with your techniques.







Things You'll Need:





Oil or lotion




massage bed* (optional)




relaxing music* (optional)







How to Give the Perfect Massage




1


Get started. The perfect massage will relax muscles, relieve tension, increase flexibility, provide harmony, reduce stress and discomfort and even increase body circulation. So how to accomplish this feat? Through massage. There are many types of massage therapy such as acupressure, Swedish, reflexology, thai massage and even hot stone therapy. Because it takes special certification to learn techniques for many speciality massages we will stick with the tips on how to give just a basic massage.





2


Use the right tools. While not required, the perfect massage will most likely include the use of massage oil or lotions to decrease the friction created by kneading your skin. The use of oil or lotion also increased the amount of pressure you are able to provide. You can find massage oil almost anywhere and it doesn't have to be expensive to get the job done. Even a simple lotion you have at home can work. Be sure to warm the oil or lotion in your hands before applying.





3


Positioning. While not necessary to remove all clothing for a massage it does make it easier to give the perfect massage. Have the person receiving the massage lie on their stomach and remove their shirt so you can access their back easily. Again, there are many types of massage and specialty massage. Most people think of their back when it comes to massage so a nice back massage can be the "perfect massage" without getting too fancy.





4


Stand (or kneel if you have to, depending on location) next to the person you are massageing. Soft strokes, often called effleurage are the most common technique used to move from one area to another. As you are working in long strokes on the back and come across an area such as a knot (which is just a pocket of localized deep tissue) work in a circular motion and lightly increase pressure.





5


To make a transition to another stroke after gently massaging in long strokes down the back you can glide your hands up to the area around the neck and base of the head. Use slow movements for a soothing or calming response and fast movements for a stimulating effect.





6


Now expand your efforts to the neck, head, mid-back, shoulders, arms and buttocks. Work on one area of the body at a time, remembering long strokes as you transition from one area to the next. The circular kneading motion is great for really fleshy areas such as the shoulders and buttocks as you release pressure from the tight muscles.





7


Remember to use your fingers and thumbs to apply pressure as needed to sensitive "knot" areas. These areas will often feel hard or tight to the touch. Don't forget to massage the arms and feet of the person as well at the end of the massage. Paying extra attention to the extremities will increase blood flow and relaxation.





8


FInish off the massage with long strokes (effleurage) to again gently relax the person you are massaging and bring the massage to a close. Congratulations--you have given a perfect massage.








Tips & Warnings










Take a class at a local community college or YMCA without having to spend the money required for a license in massage therapy








Practice makes perfect.








Always use a clockwise motion of strokes to increase blood flow.








Never put any direct pressure on someone's spine.








Always use their body cues and signals or vocal cues to find out if you are too intense or too light in your massage technique.








Keep the skin and your hands lubricated for better pressure and deeper relaxation and control of your strokes.



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How to Give Thai Massage

How to Give Thai Massage



Massage can be therapeutic for the soul and body. Effective massage literally melts the tension in the body and helps you to become fully relaxed. Thai massage leans more toward balancing the body, than toward the Indian style of stretching movements and administering massage at the same time.







Thai Massage the Hand




1


Start with massaging our hand. Grab your thumb by the base near the palm with your opposite hand.





2


Rotate your thumb 5 times one way, and then 5 times the other way. You can even pull on the thumb. Don't worry if the joints crack. That's normal.





3


Rotate your index finger 5 times one way and 5 times the other way.





4


Continue with each finger starting at the base. Pull the extremity, rotate 5 times one way, then 5 times the other.



Thai Massage the Shoulder and Neck




1


Have your patient comfortably sit on the floor. Lean the patient's head to the left. Roll the meat of your forearm up the side of his head, and then down his neck to the shoulder. Make sure you use the meat part of your forearm, not the part that is all bone. The meat part is softer and easier on the neck.





2


Roll the arm up and down, up and down.





3


Add your second arm with the second arm going up the head side past the ear and the first arm going down. Make the movements nice and smooth, rotating each arm back and forth.





4


Repeat the same actions on the other side of the neck.



Side Stretching Thai Massage




1


Sit the patient comfortably on a mat or floor. Grab the patient's arm and place his palm against his ear with the elbow sticking out the side, like a triangle.





2


Tell the patient to grab your forearm with his opposite hand.





3


Push the body at the elbow holding on to the patient's opposite forearm. Keep pushing until the patient has a complete stretch.





4


Have the patient grab your elbow to get even more of a stretch. Bring the patient back to the original position.





5


Repeat the same stretch massage on the other side of the patient's body.








Tips & Warnings










This is a great technique for those who spend a lot of time typing at their computer.



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