Saturday, September 22, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Foot Massage...Geisha Style
I've been exploring different types of massage over the last few years and the other night I serendipitously discovered a new skill that I have - Giving a back massage using my feet.
Although I enjoy using my hands to connect with skin and to manipulate muscles in the body, there's something wonderful about connecting with another person's body using my feet. And when it produces a healing effect - bonus!
I'm aware of a massage modality called Barefoot Shiatsu where the practitioner holds onto bars that are attached to the ceiling or to the upper frame of the massage table. Much like this form of massage, my feet and toes are in contact with the client's body and I am using my body weight for pressure.
In my version, instead of holding onto overhead bars, I am balancing my weight on my hands (picture a crab walk) and adjusting the foot pressure by shifting the position of my body.
Yes, this does require a considerable amount of strength and physical control on my part, but it's an exciting way to engage with another person's body. Massaging with my feet feels somewhat more intimate than using my hands because the client is not only sensing my feet and toes but also the presence of my body and weight hovering above them. We are both sharing the same surface (the floor) versus the standard client on table, practitioner on floor scenario. A foot-to-back massage also feels more like a dance because I'm on my feet and am constantly moving and shifting in response to the other person's body.
I would recommend this type of massage for a certain type of person who is able to receive a more intense massage with deeper pressure. I could modify this massage to be a more relaxing or sensual massage if necessary but I think the real magic will reveal itself in the more intense version.
I hope to post a little video clip of my Foot-to-Back Massage in the near future...
Kia
Although I enjoy using my hands to connect with skin and to manipulate muscles in the body, there's something wonderful about connecting with another person's body using my feet. And when it produces a healing effect - bonus!
I'm aware of a massage modality called Barefoot Shiatsu where the practitioner holds onto bars that are attached to the ceiling or to the upper frame of the massage table. Much like this form of massage, my feet and toes are in contact with the client's body and I am using my body weight for pressure.
In my version, instead of holding onto overhead bars, I am balancing my weight on my hands (picture a crab walk) and adjusting the foot pressure by shifting the position of my body.
Yes, this does require a considerable amount of strength and physical control on my part, but it's an exciting way to engage with another person's body. Massaging with my feet feels somewhat more intimate than using my hands because the client is not only sensing my feet and toes but also the presence of my body and weight hovering above them. We are both sharing the same surface (the floor) versus the standard client on table, practitioner on floor scenario. A foot-to-back massage also feels more like a dance because I'm on my feet and am constantly moving and shifting in response to the other person's body.
I would recommend this type of massage for a certain type of person who is able to receive a more intense massage with deeper pressure. I could modify this massage to be a more relaxing or sensual massage if necessary but I think the real magic will reveal itself in the more intense version.
I hope to post a little video clip of my Foot-to-Back Massage in the near future...
Kia
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