Learning Massage
 

I would like to learn how to do massage properly. I don't need a professional certification or to be qualified, but I'd like to be able to give friends rubs and for them to come out of it feeling better, less tension, remove knots from their muscles etc.

Can anyone recommend any good books, philosophies etc? Is attending a course a good idea, and if so what type of massage is suitable for study?


Thanks!

The sports section on my Uni offers an "amateur massage" class for those who just want to learn to give great backrubs and such, and I think I've seen similar classes offered at local gyms and health clubs. If there's a massage school or physiotherapy institute in your town they might have short classes for the general public.

*insert required joke for "happy ending" here*

I'm self taught, and Have these books in my collection:

Reflexology: A Basic Guide - Crane

The Massage Book - Downing

Massage Basics - Sechi

Whole Body Massage - Lacroix, et al

I started with muscle massage in high school as a sports trainer - got my practice there, and now just do it for friends.

My #1 tip would be :Be Into the Massage. When I'm giving one ... I'm devoting all my attention to that person, and you learn to read body signals as you're working with the muscles. Find a willing participant (like THAT's hard! ;) ) and then just start soft ... go from there. I know tecoyah doesn't mind my massages.

I have seen that some video stores rent tapes on how to learn massaging. You may be able to pickup something from amazon on this as well.

Thanks for the advice - I have bought a book on massage which will definitely get me started. When I've gotten what I can out of it, I will look into massage classes again.

Something else I've also done is gone in for a massage myself - and paid attention to what the other person is doing. Granted .. it means I may not be as relaxed during the massage because my mind is still working, but it has given me ideas in the past.