Honor and Cherish through Couples Massage

by Christa Ojeda

Take a class

MassageThere are classes ranging from sensual to therapeutic massage or a combination of both offered in your area. Try a Google search or check out local yoga studios. If it’s not obvious, ask what kind of massage is being taught and if experience is necessary. Find one that you like and enroll the two of you.

Here’s a simple routine I teach in my therapeutic couples massage class that you can do in just a few minutes. I call it “Hand and Shoulder Squeeze”.

  • Sit facing your partner or in any position that is comfortable that allows you access to your partner’s hand and arm
  • Take your partner’s right hand and gently wrap your fingers around your partner’s little finger and squeeze, holding it for about 2-5 counts
  • Go through each finger, working your way towards the thumb hold each squeeze for a count of 2-5
  • Using your thumb and index finger, press the web of your partner’s hand (the skin between their thumb and index finger) about an inch below the last knuckle of the thumb just to the inside of the bone ֖ the area should feel a little tender to the touch hold for a count of 2-5
  • Now continue by grasping the flesh of your partner’s hand and arm, starting at the outside of the thumb, and squeezing rhythmically for a count of 1-2 up the inside of the arm, around the shoulder and back down the other side
  • Finish by pinching the tips of each finger starting with the little finger and ending with the thumb
  • Repeat on other hand/arm

This routine is not only simple and feels good but it incorporates ancient reflexology/acupressure techniques that hit various pressure points that are said to stimulate other parts of the body. And all you need to do is squeeze!

Understand what matters most of all is your intent. When you’re massaging each other use this time to really focus on what your partner needs. Don’t think about the caterers or the seating chart or anything else on your “to do” list, because after the wedding is over and the guests are gone and the thank you cards are written there’s just the two of you ֖ loving, honoring, cherishing and hopefully, massaging your way through life together.

© 2005 by Christa Ojeda. This article was reprinted with permission. The original article can be found here.‘

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Christa Ojeda is a certified Massage Therapist and Hypnotherapist as well as Life Coach. Her couples massage class “How to Help your Partner Feel Better in 10 Minutes or Less” focuses on teaching partners basic massage techniques that can help alleviate neck and shoulder tension, back and hip strain, headaches, and hand and foot discomfort through easy to follow routines that can be done everyday.
Christa feels a strong connection to helping people “get what they need”. Her company, CMo Solutions, specializes in finding solutions to problems and creating environments that support and value the people in them.

For more information go to www.cmo-solutions.com.

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