ALOHA SCHOOL OF MASSAGE &#187; Massage Techniques

Balinese can be compared to Ayurveda

The Balinese massage therapy is far from being gentle or delicate and it is, therefore, time and time again compared to Ayurveda, an Indian holistic medicinal method which is considered by most as being extremely intense. It is due to the inherent intensity of this form of massage that this therapy is so successful in reaching deep into tense and strained muscles to sooth and calm their spasms.

As a matter of fact, the Balinese massage therapy is quite frequently prescribed for sports injuries as well as for stiff and achy joints due to various injuries or ailments, for easing migraines and lesser headaches, for relieving sleep deprivation and insomnia, for mitigating chronic and acute breathing maladies due to allergies and asthma, for boosting blood circulation and the lymphatic system, as well as for alleviating stress and easing anxiety and depression. In essence, the Balinese massage is a rigorous, yet lavish, therapeutic system that aims to bring the body and mind in full synchronization of optimal health, well being, tranquility and spiritual renewal.

Before you have your massage:
In preparation for a Balinese massage treatment, you should give yourself plenty of time to savor the entire experience and its afterglow.

As with all therapies your massage therapist may need to modify the treatment depending on your circumstances. For that reason, let him or her know if you:
* Know that you are pregnant or think you might be.
* Have any pains or stiffness in your joints or limbs.
* Have had a recent injury or underwent surgery.
* Are suffering from high or low blood pressure.
* Have any kind of heart problems or any other medical condition and are going through some form of treatment.
* Are on any prescription medication.

Variations on Balinese Massage Therapy
Bali is just one island out of the 17,508 islands which comprise the Republic of Indonesia, a nation located in Southeast Asia and the world’s largest archipelagic state. Many of the other Indonesian islands adopted their own massage techniques which are similar to the Balinese massage in their endeavor to heal the physical body and the spiritual mind, yet they are also distinct and bear their own unique characteristics.

Some of them are:
* Sasak massage.
* Lombok massage.
* Urat massage.
* Balinese Boreh. A paste of ground spices is used to relieve pain and this massage technique was conceived by local rice farmers.
* Javenese Lulur Ritual. This is customarily executed on brides in preparation of their wedding day.
Have you decided to give the Balinese massage a try? Good choice! Relax, enjoy the process and come out smelling heavenly.

What is Balinese Massage Therapy? Part 1

admin — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:34:52 +0000

Originating on the exotic island of Bali, the Balinese massage therapy is one of a number of ancient traditional massage techniques of Indonesia which had been carried down from one generation to another as a method of curing a wide variety of complaints.

The Balinese massage is unique in that it brings together several alternative medicine practices such as massage therapy, acupressure, reflexology and aromatherapy with the use of essential oils scented with striking aromas of jasmine, rose, sandalwood, coconut, cempaka, sandat or frangipani into a single massage session.

Ultimate Relaxation
As is true with most massage techniques, the Balinese massage strives to reach the ultimate state of relaxation of the body and the mind. What sets it apart is that the Balinese believe that, in order to attain that heightened state of relaxation, blood and oxygen must flow freely and only then will the gi or energy flow without restraints.

How it’s performed
The Balinese massage therapy is performed on a conventional massage table or on a soft mat on the floor and a great deal of attention is paid to the scented oils which are generally applied at room temperature. For restorative purposes of an ailing or painful body part warmed oil with an added mixture of lemon grass, cloves, or ginger is applied. Overall, the bouquet of fragrances used in the Balinese massage therapy is intended to induce relaxation, to promote indulgence of the body, and to drive away nervousness and unhealthy tension.

To reach the deeper tissues of the muscles, the Balinese massage therapist alternately applies vigorous kneading, cross fiber mobilization, and skin rolling with gentle motions to every muscle of the body. To enhance results with long lasting effects, robust acupressure movements such as hardy press point and strong palm pressure are generously applied in addition to the standard massage techniques such as sliding, long and short exploration, and manipulating.

Benefits Of Massage Part 2

admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:02:29 +0000

Precautions for massage

Ayurveda dictates that massage should not be performed inindividuals who are afflicted by fever, diarrhea, bowel disturbances or pregnancy.Most therapists do not advice massage in individuals with certain generalized skineruptions, tumors, certain allergies or sensitive veins. It is also essential toensure that the therapist performing the massage is qualified in providing massages.

Frequency of massage

The frequency with which one gets a massage can vary basedon several factors including time commitments and financial status. However, massageis one of those therapies that one can never have enough of. The benefits of thismethod of treatment far outweigh the potential hazards. The fact that it is a non-invasivehealing measure makes up for nearly all of its few drawbacks.

Benefits Of Massage Part 1

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 16:34:29 +0000

There have been manifold proven benefits of massage and these include:
* Increased blood circulation in the tissues, easing of muscle spasms and modulationof the immune and nervous systems.
* Reduction of the recovery period from illness and injury.
* Release of endorphins during massage also stimulates the Lymphatic System and boosts immunity.
* Increases flexibility at the treated joints.
* Reduces the incidence and severity of stress-related conditions, such as migraines,tension headaches, body pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue.
* Promotion of the feeling of well-being.
* Speeds up and assists weight loss.
* Improves drainage of body lymph.
* Nourishes and strengthens skin.
* Reduction of stress by improving blood circulation and oxygen supply to the tissues.
* Releases emotional and mental tensions.
* Improves the breathing pattern and calms an individual.
* Increases mental alertness and the capacity for clear thought processes.
* Aids in healing of scar tissue formed due to injury.
* Releases and reduces chronic muscle tension and strain and helps to correct defectivebody posture that may have been acquired through stress.
* Increases body awareness.
* Reduces eye strain.
* Increases energy flow at all levels and creates a sense of balance and harmony inthe body and the mind.
* Reduces post-surgery adhesions and Edema.
* Improves range of motion at the pathologically affected joint.
* Reduces muscle atrophy in individuals who are immobile or suffering from restrictedmobility due to physical causes.
* Reduces the duration of labor during parturition and also improves recovery time.

Skin Health – Body Massage Part 2

admin — Mon, 16 May 2011 10:53:48 +0000

Massaging can involve a combination of techniques including strokes and pressurepoints. Five strokes are used commonly and these are effluerage, petrissage, percussion,friction and vibration.
* Effluerage strokes are made with the palms and comprise of longsweeping strokes. These are designed to increase blood circulation and relaxation.
* Petrissage strokes are similar to kneading and the skin and musclesurface are rolled between the masseurs thumb and fingers. This technique is consideredideal for massaging children and old people.
* Percussioninvolves alternating chopping, slapping, tapping or pounding movements and are usedover areas with thicker skin.
* Friction is used to treat jointsand surrounding areas and is believed to be helpful in breaking adhesions and relievingcongestion.
* Vibration is used to stimulate the underlying nerves and this canbe combined with a mechanical instrument or by the rapid movements of hands or fingersover the massage area.
Varying amounts of force may be applied during massage based on the area that isbeing massaged and the age and gender of the recipient.
Some Indian massage techniques There are a few massage techniques that have beenstudied and applied for different conditions. Some of these include:
* Udvarthana or massaging the body in a direction that is opposite to the conventionalnorm.
1. The direction of these massages tends to be from palm to shoulder or feet to hips.
2. These massages involve the application of very little pressure and depend exceedinglyon the use of dry herbs.
3. The goals of this form of massage are to exfoliatethe skin, eliminate bad body odor and enhance a healthy glow.
* Mardana or massaging the body with excessive force is usually performed on individualswho indulge in highly exertive physical work.
* Paadaghata or massaging the bodyusing feet involves trampling of the body using the masseurs feet and proportionatebody weight, controlled by the use of ropes.

Skin Health – Body Massage Part 1

admin — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:21:52 +0000

Massage has been used as a therapeutic and relaxation method for several centuries.Certain cultures and peoples have developed their own unique methods of body massage.

Basically, massage involves manual kneading and manipulation of the soft tissuesin the body to enhance circulation and to modify certain physiological processeswith the intention of relieving pain, discomfort, stress and fatigue while alsopromoting health. It is the holistic application of physical touch and affects nearlyall the body systems.

Massage therapy in India has been known as Abhyanga and has beenrecommended by Ayurveda as recourse for treating several diseases. Ithas been purported to playa great role in the process of bodydetoxification. Ayurvedic massage also uses herbal and aromatic oils asadjuncts and the types of oils are mainly determinedbased on thecondition being treated.

Types of body massage

Body massage can be classified on the basis of the region massaged such as:
* Face and head massage.
* Arms and hand massage.
* Legs and feet massage.
* Chest massage.
* Neck and shoulder massage.
* Massage following delivery.
* Massage for babies and children.

Techniques of massage

The Benefits of a Sports Massage for Athletes Part 2

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 11:14:25 +0000

Sports massage can also help reduce swelling and inflammation, allowing you to recover from these conditions more quickly.
It can also break up scar tissue caused by injury that makes your muscles stiff.

Improves Supply of Oxygen and Nutrients

An increase in blood flow through a sports massage enables muscles to get the proper amount of oxygen and nutrients, which allows muscles the ability to build new tissue.

Helps Eliminate By-Products of Exercise

When muscles tighten up, it restricts the flow of blood and lymph, causing wastes like lactic acid and uric acid to build up in the muscles. By increasing blood and lymph flow with a sports massage, it helps the body reduce these wastes caused by exercise.

Psychological Benefits

Sports massages can be relaxing and help reduce anxiety, improving your mood. While taking care of the physical body is important, it is also important to take care of your mind. Having your mind in a good place can give you an edge over athletes who are stressed.
Improves Motor Control
Sports massage improves the link between the mind and body, helping to increase the precision of your motor control.

Reduces Pain

Because of the increased blood and lymph flow, a sports massage can help nerves damaged by injury to heal faster, lessening your pain. In addition, sports massage lessens the pain from spasms and cramps.
The benefits of a sports massage are numerous. It is for this reason that many professional athletes retain a masseuse on retainer.

Sports massage is a popular method of helping to reduce injury, as well as reduce the healing time for injuries. They can increase performance by reducing stiffness and soreness in muscles and allowing them increased range of motions and flexibility. If you think that sport massage may be right for you, speak with a trained practitioner to discuss the benefits a sports massage can provide to you.

The Benefits of a Sports Massage for Athletes Part 1

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:27:12 +0000

Sports massage is a special kind of Swedish massage used by many athletes to improve athletic performance, reduce the chance and recovery of injuries, and relax tense and stiff muscles. So what benefits can an athlete receive from a sports massage? Here are a few conditions that sports massage can ease.

Reduces the Chance of Injury

Tense muscles are more likely to be injured than relaxed muscles. Therefore, by receiving a sports massage to relax your muscles, it lessens your chance of injury. Sports massage can also reduce the frequency and severity of strains, pulls and aches in your muscles.

Improves Rage of Motion and Flexibility

Training too vigorously can cause muscles to become rigid. Sports massage can help muscles to become more relaxed, making them more flexible. A sport massage prior to a competition can reduce tension in the muscles, allowing muscles to be more relaxed and flexible, increasing your performance.

Shortens Recovery Time

Strenuous exercise can cause a great deal of strain or injury on the body. Sports massages can be therapeutic and help the body deal with this stress by helping the muscles relax. In addition, sports massage can help increase the flow of blood and lymph. This helps the body heal faster from injury, increase the removal of waste, and promotes general health, allowing the body the ability to recover more quickly.

Esalen Massage Defined

admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:38:13 +0000

The sound of the waves provides a soothing background for any massage session at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California. This sound, coupled with the cliffside natural hot springs and the educational community dedicated to exploring the “far reaches of human potentiality”, inspires a unique approach to bodywork known worldwide as Esalen® Massage.

The ocean provides a slow-moving rhythm very much akin to the internal rhythms of the body. The receiver rests on the massage table, draped, and the practitioner’s hands begin quietly, with presence, attending to breath, allowing the receiver to drop inward. The long, slow, t’ai chi-like strokes awaken awareness, and as the tissues open to the warm of touch, the contact deepens, nudging bound-up muscles, drawing forth expanded movement. A relaxing sigh resounds through the body, and the practitioner responds with integration strokes into related areas. The massage continues, seamlessly, wrapping the torso arms, legs, hands, feet, neck, and spirit into a united whole.

The practitioner brings a knowledge of strokes (many have roots in Swedish Massage), of muscles and bones, of movement, of listening to the body as well as the words. Prior to the session, he/she pays attention to his own physical comfort, and quiets down internal chatter to welcome inner guidance, or intuition. As he massages, the practitioner responds to the signs of relaxation: deepened breath, enhanced circulation, a sigh, perhaps flutters of the eyelids. Each session is unique, tailored by personal requests, comfort level, physical tension and release, the felt sense of intuition.

The effects of this intentional touch, loosely categorized as “wellness/stress management massage”, range widely. For some, it brings a renewed sense of health and vigor, others may regain a sense of safety with regard to touch. Often old tension patterns break free and old emotions are released. It signals a return to one’s nature, a switch from everyday consciousness into a calmer, more colorful space less inhabited by the constraints of time and place. An out-of-ordinary reality.

The sources of this rich work are endless: it was informed by sensory awareness, Swedish massage, oriental medicine, meditation, gestalt practice. The influence of, deeper work borrowed for Ida Rolf’s teachings, Moshe Feldenkrais’ sense of neural co-ordinates, Milton Trager’s passive movement to awaken the mind, yoga stretches, somatic mind-body psychology, and more energetically based polarity massage and cranial-sacral work continue to “grow” the work. Each practitioner translates this into his/her personal art form.

At the heart of the session is a sense of empowering each individual to regain a sense of harmony, reverence, and balance, and to awaken inner resources for healing. It is not unusual to hear, “That was the most amazing massage I’ve ever received.”

3 Deep Tissue Massage Techniques

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 16:14:19 +0000

Whether you are an athlete who is in training or have just been experiencing a high level of pain or stiffness, you will benefit from deep tissue massage techniques. A regular Swedish massage will assist your body in stress relief and relaxation, but a deep tissue massage will focus on a deeper level in your muscle, or connective tissues. This allows for a level of healing to occur deep within the body.

Technique 1: Deeper Pressure and Longer Strokes
The first technique used by massage therapists practicing deep tissue massage is using deeper pressure and longer strokes. Using deeper pressure allows the massage therapist to reach deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. It’s important that the therapist use a gradual process of pressure so healing can occur without excessive pain. The long, slow strokes are usually performed with the massage therapists thumbs, fingers or elbows. This helps loosen the tension and toxicity located beneath the surface.

Technique 2: Utilizing Massage Therapy Tools
There are various tools that can be utilized during a deep tissue massage to enhance the pressure and promote the release of chronic pain or tension. Deep tissue massage therapy tools are typically found in various types of materials such as wood, rubber or plastic. These tools are knob-like and are used for more intense pressure in focused areas.

For instance, if there has been an injury that resulted in severe lower back pain, a deep tissue massage therapy tool may be used to reach deeper layers. This action will allow the release of any scar tissue that has formed or chronic deep muscle tension.

Technique 3: Barefoot Deep Tissue Massage
Another deep tissue massage technique is the barefoot massage. The barefoot massage technique has been utilized and practiced for a long time in some cultures and is even a specialty in some places. Often a ceiling bar is used for the massage therapist to keep balance and to change pressure. Various parts of the foot are used depending on the health issues of the client and preference of the therapist. The barefoot deep tissue massage is often performed using large compression movements on the large muscles of the body, such as the thigh.

It is important to keep in mind that deep tissue massage techniques work best when they are performed consistently over time. Because deep tissue massage techniques utilize deeper pressure and reach deeper layers of muscle tissue, there is often a level of soreness that will occur. Any soreness that occurs will be noticed for a day or two after the deep tissue massage, but then a general sense of healing and well-being will be apparent.

Communication with the massage therapist is vital in order to avoid excessive pain during a deep tissue massage. A good massage therapist will adjust the level of pressure during a deep tissue massage to accommodate the healing of the client. Although various techniques may be used during a deep tissue massage, the result should be the healing of injury, the lessening of chronic pain and the maintenance of strong and vital muscles.