Complete Massage (DK Living) [Paperback]

After hours spent online and reading, my shoulders sure could use a good massage, so...do you think I can maybe leave this book about the house...like maybe right on the couch so my husband will get the hint. ;>

There is nothing like a good massage...absolutely nothing so relaxing I have ever experienced. It is like entering a magical place that helps you just drift away to soothing completeness. Like you have returned to the safety of the womb. When "aromatherapy" is introduced into the process...you relax even more.

In America, people seem so busy and only in the last few years did I find out about massage. After a car accident that left me in pain, I started a journey into recovery under the guidance of a great massage practitioner.

Massage is an ancient practice that is just re-entering our awareness. Modern research is now actually confirming the power of touch and massage.

In this book, Clare Maxwell-Hudson tries to integrate many of the techniques she has discovered over the years. She has researched massage through the ages in the library of the British Museum and then she was able to travel in America, Afghanistan, New Zealand,. Zanzibar, Turkey, Hungary and Thailand. There she learned everything she could. She explains the "mesmeric stokes" just above the body...that to me, make me feel as if I am floating off the massage table.

Areas covered include:

Preparing to Massage

Learning to Massage

Hand Exercises

Choosing & Blending Oils

A Gallery of Strokes: stroking, crossing, kneading, pressures, percussion, vibrations.

Self-Massage

Massage Master Classes: Swedish, On-site, manual Lymphatic Drainage, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Eastern Head Massage, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Sarawak, Turkish Baths Massage, Moroccan Massage

Massage to Beautify: Natural Face Lift, Anit-Cellulite, Hydrotherapy

Pregnancy, Babies & Children: Massage for Pregnancy, During Labor, After Childbirth, Baby Massage, Massage for Children

Massage for Health: Sports, Cramps, Aching Feet, Sprains, Strains, Stress, Insomnia, Headaches, Abdominal Complaints, Back Pain, Joint Conditions, Massage & the Elderly, Massage & Illness, Massage in a Hospital, The Anatomy.

An incredible amount of research is evidenced by the "Research & Bibliography." It is just amazing how much information is packed into one book! A handy Index also guides you to your main interests. There are full-color discreet pictures throughout to show you exactly how to give a massage. This is a really "personal" book as I am pretty sure Clare Maxwell-Hudson is pictured giving all the massages throughout the book.

I found this at her site: "Clare-Maxwell-Hudson is considered to be the most interesting and practical authority and writer on massage alive today and has achieved international recognition for her contribution to the health sciences."

You might also enjoy: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide to Massage, The Natural Beauty Book, The Aromatherapy Massage Book, Massage and the Original Swedish Movements.

If everyone gave and received a massage a day......the world "might" know peace!

Who knows. ;> I think we would all be at least healthier. There are treatments for over 30 ailments in this book. Now...who ever thought of a Turkish Massage with Soap Suds, that was sort of funny!

"Let me travel the world to its very end, to many lands, that I might find someone who can soothe and revive me with their hands." -Ibn Batuta, Arabian traveler in the 14th Century

You will also enjoy the quotes sprinkled here and there. All the massage steps are numbered and are adjacent to the pictures.

Massage is relaxing for the giver and the receiver. I highly recommend the Kama Sutra massage oils, found in drugstores these days. Also look for Sweet Almond oil and you can mix in essential oils. The Kama Sutra "pleasure garden" is so exotic! There is a gift set of about 5 oils that you just MUST find! You might find them by doing a search here at Amazon, because once I found them at a Z-shop.

Music Recommendations:

Steven Halpern CD's - as many as you can afford! ;>

Setting: Include candles and maybe a mini-desk fountain.

~The Rebecca Review

I thoroughly am enjoying this book. I bought my partner a massage table for her birthday and wanted to be able to give her a complete and relaxing massage and yet be a professional feeling massage at the same time. This book had many tips, strokes and herbal and essential suggestions. The pictures were well done also.

Massage Therapy student so i figured i would purchase this book. It briefly touched upon a good amount of massages. But as I said one page was how much info you got for each massage, enough to have a general idea for a friend not a practice.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews  4.0 out of 5 stars