Carte de masaj (cap, piept, brate)

1. HEAD
The head is the main control centre of the body, and in the
protective cave of the skull lies the amazing brain - a vastly
complex and mysterious organ. The head is also the seat of two of
the chakras, or energy centres (see p.12), found along the centre
line of the body. The Crown chakra, at the tap of the head, is
related to aur essence and spirituality, and the Pineal or Brow
chakra, at the centre of the forehead, is related to clear seeing,
intuition and intellect. In a head-oriented cuIture, we sometimes
tind aur fiind racing and overloaded. Instead of clarity of thought
we experience confusion and weariness. The result of this is often a
headache. There are a variety of other causes for headaches - one
of the commonest is stress, which can creare tension in the muscles
of the neck, shoulders and scalp. Other types of headache include
those resulting from sinus congestion, colds or fiu; menstrual-
related headaches; headaches following whiplash or neck injury;
and migraines - recurring, throbbing headaches, which may be
accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Both massage and Shiatsu
have effective treatments for headaches and head congestion, so in
the following pages we have included helpful sequences from both.
44

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I Working forehead in strips
Kneel at your partner's headand rest
your thumbs in the centre of her
forehead just above her eyebrows,
with your fingers around the sides of
her headoSlowly and firmly draw
your thumbs away from the centre,
out toward the temples, the hairline
and off. Work like this in strips right
up the forehead until you cover the
whole area.
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HEAD
~eadaches:rnassage
Since It is hard to dlstingUlsh
between the different types of
headaches, several massage
sequences are glVen In the
following pages and it Isa good
idea to try aii the different strokes,
focusing on those that seem to give
taur partner most comfort. On
this rage the receiver is Iying down.
and on pages 46 and 47 sittlng
up. The series of strokes on rage
47 ISa soothing and relaxing
sequence taken from an ancient
Indian healing massage. Camomile
and lavender essences are both
helpful for headaches (see p.21).
Melissa is good for migraines and
Continued overleaf
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2 Pressing and circling temples
Begin by pressing on your partner's
temples, for ten seconds or 50, with
the flats of your fingers. Then slowly
release the pressure and make slow
circles over both the temples. Check
with your partner whether she'd like
a deeper or lighter touch.
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3 Base of skull pressure
Turn your partner's head to rest
comfortably on one hand, with her
cheek facing upwardo Using the
fingertips of faur free hand, push up
and under the bone of the skull base.
Hold. letting the pressure build up,
then slowly releaseoWork right
along the fim, searching out tense
spots, then turn the head to the
other side and repeat.
45

3. COMMON AILMENTS
Continued from p.45
the stroke inStep 2 which circles
the temples, mar be particularly
beneficiat.It isalso helpful to fie ina
darkened room and apply a cald
compress (see p. 91) to the
forehead. Many headaches willalso
respond well to the sequence
given in Shoulders, Neck and
Upper back (see pp.54-9). Ifyou
have had a whlplash inJuryand
keep getting headaches, or ifyou
have pain intaur arm, it would be
wise to see an osteopath or doctor
to check forjoint damage.
Caution.. Ifa headache comes on
suddenly, ISsevere, and is
accompanied by a very stiff neck or
back, a fever, weakness ina limb,
drowsiness or confusion, 1055of
visionand/or epileptic fits,seek
medical help and advice at once.
---
6 Fingertip healing
Ask faur partner ta facus an her
breath and let faur fingertips come
ta rest veri lightlyintwa vertical
lines an either side af her farehead,
abave the middle af her eyebraws.
Keep faur shaulders relaxed, facus
an faur hara and maintain a light
steady contact far a few minutes.
46
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4 Massaging scalp along hairline
Stand behind faur partner, allawing
her head ta rest against faur bady.
With faur hands in a "spider" shape,
use the tips af faur fingers ta
massage the scalp right alang the
hairline, from the tap afthe
farehead araund ta the base of the
skull. Travel slawly, using as much
pressure as faur partner needs.
5 Pressing and circling jaw muscles
Rest the pads of faur fingers an the
jaw muscles. Ifyau have difficulty
finding them, rest faur fingers an the
cheeks and ask faur partner ta
clench and unclench her teeth, which
causes these muscles ta rise and falI.
Naw beginta press and circle faur
fingers aver the whale area of the
jaw muscles. Wark slawly and
tharaughly ta release tensian.
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4. HEAD
7 Stroking over tap of head
Rest the middle and ring fîngers of
one hand on the middle of the
forehead and those of the other in
the hollow at the centre base of the
skull. Now lightlystroke faur fîngers
from the forehead up and across the
centre fine of the skulland down to
meet the fîngers at the base. Then
puii both hands out and away from
the body as ifdralning tension away
from the back of the head. Repeat.
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9 Strokingaround hairline
Beginas before, faur fîngers
touchlngat the centre of faur
partner's forehead. Then stroke
gentlystraight up to her hairline.
Oivldefaur hands and draw faur
flngersright along the hairllne, curve
above the ears and around the nm
ofthe skullto the centre base. When
faur flngers meet at the centre, puII
them back away from the head as
before. Repeat several times.
10 Face massage sequence
Starting at the centre of the
forehead, and using the same fîngers
of each hand, stroke down and then
out and right around each eye, down
alongside the nose, then around the
mouth, letting faur fîngers meet
under the lower lip.Continue down
to the chin tip then along the Jaw
bone, up and over the ears, along
the rim of the skullto the centre
base and off. Repeat a few times.
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8 Strokingheadto shoulders
Stand behind faur partner and
gently rest the same fîngers of each
hand on the centre of her forehead.
Draw faur fîngers lightlyup to the
tor of the head then dlvide faur
hands, coming down the sides of the
head behind the ears, down the
sldes of the neck, along the tors of
the shoulders, and off. Repeat the
movement several times.
47

5. COMMON AILMENTS
Headaches: Shiatsu
Headaches are frequently caused
by poor digestion and inadequate
elimination of toxins. Most of the
mendians concerned with these
functions run through the neck,
shoulders, and upper back and any
imbalances can affect different
parts of the head. Working around
the upper back, shoulders and
neck, as shown here, will release
stagnant energy in the appropriate
meridians and help relieve
headaches. Pressingtsubos an the
meridian lines in other parts of the
body, such as feet. legs, hands,
arms and shoulders, can also help
ta relieve pain in the head. as in
Step 6. If the tsubos are painful,
hold them with light pressure, and
agitate the point slightly in a
comfortable way.
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I Shiatsuscalpmassage
Bring faur partner's head forward
and support her forehead infaur
cupped palm. With faur free hand
begin to massage the whole of the
scalp, using faur thumbs and fingers
in a slow shampooing motion that
travels over the whole area. Focus
faur attention on the parts of the
scalp that feel most tender to her.
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2 Shiatsu neck stretch
Support faur partner from behind,
wlth faur elbows resting on the
front of her shoulders, ease them
slightly back. Place faur hands on the
back of her head while her head
sinks forward to the point of
resistance. Hold for up to 30
seconds, while she breathes deeply.
Do net apply strong pressure.
3 Shiatsuneck side roll
With faur partner's head stil!
forward, cup her forehead with one
hand and let the other support the
back of the neck between stretched
thumb and forefinger. Now slowly
tilt the head back to rest on the hand
supporting the neck and begin ta raII
it gently ina semi-circle from sideta
side. Finallyreturn the head to an
upright position.

6. HEAD
4 Shiatsuheel-of-hand massage
Stand beside faur partner and place
one of faur hands on her upper
chest. With the heel of faur other
hand, make firm circlingand
vibrating movements aIIover the
area between the spine and the
shoulder blade and up on to the
muscles at the tor of the shoulder.
Reverse faur position and repeat on
the other side.
5 Shiatsu pressing tap of shoulders
Stand behind faur partner and place
the balls of faur thumbs on tor of
her shoulders, near to the neck, as
shown below right. Use faur body
weight to apply pressure gradually,
hold for a few seconds, then release
slowly. Repeat the technique,
moving outward along the shoulder,
working the soft tissue between the
bones.
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6 Shiatsuconnecting points
Kneel, with one knee up, beslde faur
partner. With one hand on her
shoulder, use faur other thumb and
forefinger to squeeze gently Into the
fleshy part between the bones of
her thumb and her forefinger.
Meanwhile, press into the small
indentation on the outside of the
shoulder bone with faur thumb.
Hold for up to 30 seconds.
Continue, using faur thumbs, with
light pressure, to connect up ani
polnts that are tender, as indicated in
the illustration left.
49

7. COMMON AILMENTS
Sinus congestion
The sinuses are air spaces in the
skullthat connect with the cavity
inside the nase, and when the
mucous membranes af the nase
are inflamed ar congested, the tiny
passageways inta the sinuses
become blacked. Thlscan lead ta
d/scomfart and inflammatian in the
sinuses, and mar cause aching in
the face ar a headache. The
fal/awingsequence warks around
and across the banes where the
sinuses are lacated and shauld be
dane slawly and sensitively, with
faur partner Iyingdawn. Check
that the amaunt af pressure yau
are usingfeels right. Use either
marjaram ar lavender essence
here (see p.21).
I Pressing around ere socket
With faur partner Iyingdawn,r
the tips of faur foreflngers unde
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the rims af her upper eye saeke
by her nose. Now push up and
under the bones, build up pressur~
hold and release. Move a step
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outward and repeat. Cirele bathe
sockets, using faur thumbs ta pres:
the lower sockets.
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2 Clearing cheek bones
Begin with faur thumbs an the
cheek bones, just below the eyes
and next to the nose. Slowly and
flrmly sweep out in a curving line
that travels out ta the hairline and
away. Move down a little way and
repeat the stroke. Work inthis way
in strips down the cheek bones from
side of nose to hairline, until yau
reach the base of the cheek bones.
3 Pressing under cheek bones
Using the tips of the flrst two flngers
of each hand, start clase to the sides
of the nose, and press up under the
rim of each cheek bone. Gradually
build pressure, hold, then release.
Move a step outward on each side
and repeat the pressure. Continue
alongthe edge of the bone until you
get to the ears.
50

8. Colds
The cammon cald is a virus
infectlon, and the probability of
catching colds rises when faur
natural resistance is lowered. AII
you can really do is let a cald run /ts
caurse. A face and head massage
can help to clear congestion; any of
the sequences in this sectlon on the
head mar be useful. The two
Shlatsu techniques shown work on
the tsubas, which help to clear
cangestion and aid elimination of
mucus, and the In-Do point on the
forehead, which relieves heaviness
in the head caused both by calds
and sinus problems. Rosemaryor
eucalyptus essences mar be helpful
(see p.21 ).
2 Shiatsulung tsubos
Stand behind faur partner, and let
her lean agalnst Iau. Curve bath
faur hands aver her shaulder jaints
sa that faur flngertips rest inthe
valleys between her shaulders and
chest. Naw mave faur flngers
sllghtlyfarward an ta the muscles
and massage in small circles, applying
pressure with faur flngertips.
HEAD
I Self-helpoii rub
Use eucalyptus ar rasemary essence
(see p.ll). Gently massage the aii
inta the whale area araund faur
nase and sinuses. Ifyau have a chesty
cald, apply itta faur upper chest as
well. Use smalt, deep circling
mavements ta rub the aii quite
tharaughly inta the skin.
3 ShiatsuIn-Do point
Kneeland ask faur partner ta lie
dawn, supparting her head an faur
knees. Place faur middle flngertips,
ane restlng an the ather, between
and veri slightly higher than the
eyebraws. With light pressure, mave
the skin sensitively intlny circles aver
thls tsubo. Use faur lawer flngertip
ta "sense" while the upper ane
subtil creates the mavement.
51

9. NECK, SHOULDERS AND UPPERBACK
Bridging the head and the shoulders, the neck is a busy junction
where a huge amount of activity takes place. Major blood vessels in
the neck link the body to the head. The spinal nerves travel
through the vertebrae of the neck and on down the spine, carrying
messages between the brain and all other parts of the body. And
the throat houses the voice-box, as well as the passages for food
and air. The shoulder joints have the widest range of movement in
the body, and the whole shoulder and neck area can be easily
strained by overuse, unwise lifting or sudden,iarring movements.
When we are under stress, it is the shoulder and neck muscles that
tend to hold tension the most. This area also links with the Throat
chakra (see p.12), which relates ta the expression of feelings via
arm or body movements, or through the voice. "Heart" feelings
(see Heart chakra p.12) are also expressed through the arms. When
we boule up aur feelings we actually tighten muscles in the throat,
shoulder and chest area to hold them in. Tense raised shoulders
can reflect fear, being the posture of the "startle reflex" when we
galvanize ourselves to meet game real or imagined threat. For all
these reasons this area often causes us discomfort.
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52

10. Neck stiffness, arthritis
andstrain
Stiffnessin the neck may be caused
by sleeping in an awkward posltion,
ar from getting very cald from
strainingmusc/es or Ilgaments, by
sudden jarring movements, or
simplI from being anXlOUS.When
applylngthe following massage
strokes, keep your touch gentle
but firm, always remain wlthin the
threshold of pain, and go slowly. If
faur partner has arthritis of the
neck(see p.92) omit Sters 4 and 8,
p.S4-5. Try rosemary essence (see
p.21).Compresses (see p. 91) can
alsobe helpful for neckache.
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NECK, SHOULDERS AND UPPER BACK
I Stroking and stretching back of neck
With faur partner Iyingan her back
use bath hands alternately ta strake
up the back afthe neck fram base ta
skull. Then cur faur hands under the
back afthe head and puii taward
Iau, stretching the neck. Make sure
faur thumbs dan't drag an the ears.
Naw glide faur hands alang the back
af the head and slide aff at the tap.
2 Turninghead and circling
backof neck
First cur bath faur hands araund
and under faur partner's skull, with
faur thumbs resting in front af the
ears. Then slightly liftand gently turn
the head ta rest an ane af faur
cupped hands. Check that the
pasltian feels camfartable. Naw use
faur free hand ta massage the back
af the neck in slaw flrm cireles,
maving right up ta the skull base.
3 Kneadingmuscleat baseof neck
Slidefaur hand dawn ane side af
the neck and grasp the musele at the
tap af the shaulder between faur
flngers and thumb. Slawly squeeze
and knead the musele, pushing faur
flngers underneath it wlth cireling
mavements ta reach different parts.
Ask faur partner ta saI what feels
particulariI gaad. Repeat from Step
2 an the ather side.
53
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11. COMMON AILMENTS
4 Stretching side of neck
Cup ane af faur hands under faur
partner's skull and draw her head
sideways taward her shaulder, Naw
use faur free hand, fingers painting
taward the flaar, ta glide dawn the
side af the neck and alang the
shaulder ta the tap af the shaulder
jaint, as shawn. Press firmly dawn
taward her hand, stretching the side
af the neck between faur twa
hands, Then glide back up the
shaulder and neck and repeat the
stretch twice mare, Naw reverse
faur hands and stretch the ather
side af the neck.
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5 Stretching neck forward and
backward
Cup bath faur hands under faur
partner's skull and slawly lifther
head farward, chin taward chest, ta
the paint af resistance, as shawn left.
Bring her head dawn again and
repeat. Naw cup ane hand under
the skull,the ather an tap af her
head, fingers painting taward the
flaar, as shawn belaw, Tilt the head
right back sa the chin comes up as
high as passible. Release and stretch
again. Then bring her head gently
back ta rest.
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7 Neck massage with partner sittinK
Let your partner sit at a table,
supporting her head with her hands,
Gently squeeze and stroke the back
and sides of her neck with rhythmical
movements. Move slowly, letting
your partner be your guide for the
amount of pressure needed. T ry also
massaging the upper shoulders and
base of the neck with slow, firm
kneading strokes, asthis is a
continuation of the neck muscle.
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NECK, SHOULDERS AND UPPER BACK
6 Self-help for arthritis and aching
neck
Put two tennis balls into a sock and
knot the end, Lie down with the balls
at the tap of your neck, just below
the rim of your skull, one on each
side. Do this for about five minutes a
Gaj. It can be very soothing for
aching necks ar osteoarthritis,
Caution: If you feel dizzy or
experience pain, stop at once.
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8 Rotating the neck
Stand behind your seated partner
and put your wrist under her chin,
your hand cradling her cheek. Cup
the opposite side of her head with
your other hand, Now slowly turn
the head by simultaneously pulling
the cheek and pushing against the
slde ofthe head until you reach the
point of resistance. Release the head
a little, and then take it back to the
resistance point two mare times.
Then reverse the positions of your
two hands and repeat the stroke an
the other side.
55

13. COMMON AILMENTS
I Circlingshoulderblade
Kneel at your partner's side,facing
her head. Lifther hand on to her
lower back and cup your outermost
hand under her shoulder. Now cup
your free hand over the tap of the
shoulder, clase to the neck, and
firmly liftthe muscle.Then continue
down along the edge of the shoulder
blade, pushing in under the rim.
Circlearound the blade and back to
the tap of the shoulder. Repeat
several times.
.
Upperbackandshou0er
seiffness or pain
Stlffness in the upper back can be
caused by muscle strain or arthritlS.
Emotional stress can also cause
tlghtness in the muscles, as can
spending long hours sitting at a
desk or maktng repetitive arm
movements. In Shiatsu, the upper
back relates to the lungs and heart,
50 by worklng here you can
Influence these organs and help
treat such ailments as asthma or
bronchial complaints. Try
bergamot or rosemary essence
here (see p.2l). Muscular pain in
thls area can also be eased using
compresses (see p. 91).
Caution.. Before treatlng arthritic
or injured joints see pp. 90- 3.
2 Pressing flat of blade and
squeezing along ridge
With the heel of your free hand,
push slowly and firmly up the flat of
the blade from base to tap until your
hand meets the ridge of bone
running along the tap of the blade.
Clasp your fingers around the tap of
the ridge and squeeze your hand out
toward the shoulder joint. Repeat
the whole movement several times.
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3 Rotating shoulder joint
Cup your outermost hand under
your partner's shoulder joint, while
your other hand holds her upper
arm just above the elbow. Now start
to lift and rotate the shoulder joint in
a large slow circle, going to the point
of resistance aIIthe way around.
After several circulations change
direction and rotate the shoulder the
other way. Repeat on the other side
from Step 1.
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5 Kneadingtap of shoulderandjoint
Beginto do some broad strokes
from the neck along the tor of the
shoulder toward the joint. Use both
handsalternately to squeeze and
stroke along the muscle, and then
spend some time working slowly
around the joint, pressing into the
safttissue between the bones with
faur thumbs and fingers.
6Stretching shoulder joint
Kneelby faur partner's side, facing
taward her head, Take hold of her
wrist and hand between both of
yaurs, with faur thumbs in her palm,
Now lifther arm and stretch it away
from you up and out above her
head, Release the pressure and then
stretch againtwo or three times, Let
the arm down to rest by the side and
then repeat the stroke on the other
sidefrom Step 4,
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NECK, SHOULDERS AND UPPER BACK
4 "Sandwiching" out to shoulder
joint
With faur partnerIyingon her back,
sit at her side facing toward her
shoulders, Place one hand under her
upper back at the base of the neck
and the ather hand an the centre of
her chest, just belaw the collar bane,
Slowly and firmly draw faur hands
taward Iau, squeezing aut taward
the shaulder joint. Repeat the strake
several times.
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57

15. COMMON AILMENTS
7 Pullingupalongspinalmuscles
Sit at faur partner's head and push
both hands about a hand's length
under the back on either side of the
spine. Press up with the pads of faur
fingers into the muscles clase to each
side of the spine, then slowly draw
faur hands up along these muscles
to the base of the neck, ironing out
knots of tension. (See vertical arrows
below.) Repeat several times.
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8 Pressing near spine and shaking .:;~
shoulder
Sit facing faur partner's side, at
shoulder level. Push both hands
under the shoulder blade until faur
fingertips reach the spine, as shown
below left. With the pads of faur
fingers slowly press up into the
muscles clase to the spine. Press
different areas alongside the upper
spine. Now puii faur hands toward
you, to the rim of the shoulder blade
(see horizontal arrows left) and lift
and shake the whole shoulder quite
vigorously, as shown below right.
Repeat on the other side.
II

16. I Shiatsu thumb pressure down
bladder meridian
With faur partner Iyingon her front,
sit at her head and place the pads of
faur thumbs on either side of her
spine, at the tap of her upper back.
Gradually apply pressure by moving
faur weight on to faur thumbs.
Hold for a moment or two, then
release slowly and move in this way
down her upper back. Repeat this
technique three times.
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NECK, SHOULDERS AND UPPERBACK
Upper back stiffness and pain:
Shiatsu
Deep pressure down the bladder
meridians in the upper back will
relax thls whole area and willaffect
the functioning of the lungsand
heart. Weakness in the front of the
shoulders often causes tightness in
the upper back meridians and
muscJes. These stretching
techniques willopen the upper
chest and help relieve thisstiffness.
The back needs to be seen as a
whole, however, since pain in the
upper back canalso be caused by
lumbar problems. Whenever
possible treat the mid and lower
back areas too.
2 Shiatsu upper back stretch
Ask faur partner to sit back on her
heels and stretch her arms over faur
thighs. Encourage her to relax her
neck and back and place the sides of
faur hands either side of her spine at
the base of her neck. Move from
faur hara to increase the pressure
through faur hands and work slowly
and carefully down the muscles of
her upper back.
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3 Shiatsu elbow stretch
With faur partner sitting cross-
legged or on her heels, ask her to
put her hands behind her head, with
fingers interlaced. Standing behind
her, place the side of ane of faur
legs against her back and cup her
elbaws in faur hands. Ask her to
breathe aut and gently stretch her
elbaws back as you brace her back
with faur leg. Hald, then release.
Repeat twa or three times.
59

17. r
CHEST
The chest is the emotional centre of the body, housing aur Heart
chakra (see p.12), which relates to compassion, love and self-
development. It is also the centre of breathing and if aur chest is
not constricted by tension, the ribcage expands and contracts
freely as we inhale and exhale. Any tension in the chest area will
restrict the breath and hence limit the amount of oxygen that we
take in and use. Chest problems are often due to bottling up
feelings - hence the expression "get it off your chest". Asthma
attacks, though often an allergic reaction, may also be triggered by
anxiety and upset. Those who suffer from chest problems can try
cutting down dairy produce (thought to create mucus) and those
who smoke should give it tip. The following pages contain strokes
that will help loosen mucus from the chest, and others that will aid
and deepen the breathing. When massaging this area, bear in fiind
that the front of the body is mare vulnerable and "open" than the
back. Before beginning, rest both hands gently on your partner's
chest and tune in to the breathing rhythm. Ii your partner is
undressed, oiI and soothe the chest first, using the strokes from the
whole body massage (see p. 41).
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60

18. Chestcongestion
Thesestrokeswillhelpto relieve
anItensioninthe chest causedby
bronchialinfectionsand asthma.
Easlngthemusc/esalongsidethe
spmewillaffectthe nerves leading
toaIItheorgansof the chest. Try
bergamatar eucalyptusessences
here(seep.21).Thepercussion
strokescreate vibration in the
chestcavityandlungsand can help
toloosenmucusandphlegm from
thebronchialtubes.For these
(Steps2and3)your partner needs
acushionunderhisbelly 50 that his
upperbadyislower than his hips.
2Cuppingonribs
Putfaur handsinta acupped
position(seep.26).Then, with joase
wnsts,beginarapidalternating
clappingstrokeaver the whale far
sideoffaur partner'sribcage,from
bottomta tap andbackagain.Avaid
workingdirectii anthespine itself.
Cuppingonthe upper backarea
affectstheupper labesof the lungs.
Changesidesandrepeat an the
othersideof the chest.
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I Pushingmusclesat sideof spine
Kneelup, facingfaur partner's side.
Leaningfram faur hips,placethe
heelsof faur handsjust beyand the
I far edge of the spine at the tap. Let
. / faur weight pressdawn asyau slide
- r., I faur hands autward acrass the ridge
,fi of muscle. Repeat this stroke, maving
; slawly dawn ta the baseof the ribs.
~/ Repeatan the ather side.
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3Thumpingaiongsidespine
Placethe flatsoffaur flngersan the
ridge of musclenearest ta Iau, at the
side of the spine.Startingat the mid
back,thump the back of faur flngers
quite rapidly,withfaur ather hand
ina joase flst,whileslidingfaur
flngersup alangsidethe spine(nat
directii an it),untilyau reach the
base ofthe neck.Then thump dawn
ta the start again.Adapt faur
pressure ta faur partner's wishes.
Repeat an the ather side.
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61

19. COMMON AILMENT5
Breathing exercise for chest
problems
Thisisa breathing exerose that
derives from bioenergetics, and
although it isaccompanied here by
a partner, it can be equally effective
done by yourself Rocking the
pelvis as you breathe helps to
exaggerate healthy respiratory
movements. The movement also
helps you to fiiiand empty the
lungsfully.Here we give
instructions separately for giver
and recelVer, but it 15up to the
giver to keep rime with the
receiver, and nor the other
wayaround.
-
I Breathing exercise with pelvic
movements (for receiver alone)
Lie on faur back, with faur knees up
and feet shoulder-width apart.
Inhale, rocking faur pelvis back so
that faur sacrum presses into the
floor and faur lower back hollows
(see recelver in i!lustration above).
Then exhale fully, letting faur pelvis
swing forward in the opposite direction,
so that faur tai! bone liftsa little
way off the floor (see receiver below).
Repeat several times, then rest.
2 Co-ordinating stroke (for giver)
Sit at faur partner's hips and watch
his breathing pattern. Place faur
hands on his belly. As he inhales,
glide up the centre of his body to the
tap of the chest and over the
shoulders (see above), and as he
exhales slide faur hands down the
sides of his chest applying some
pressure as air isexpelled {see
below). Repeat several tlmes.
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62

20. CHEST
2 Shiatsuchest release
Kneelat faur partner's head and
placethe heels of both hands
beneath his collar bone. As he takes
a deep breath In,apply pressure
agalnstthe rlse of his chest. Then
suddenly release faur pressure
before he reaches full inhalation.
To encourage full exhalation,
gentlylean faur body welght
through faur hands on to hls chest.
Repeat the sequence twice.
I Shiatsu pressing down on
shoulders
Kneeling at faur partner's head, rup
the tops of hls shoulder joints and
rest the heels of faur hands inthe
valleys between shoulders and chest.
With stra
,
ight arms bring faur body
(over faur hands and lean some of
faur welght down on to his
shoulders. Hold for nveseconds and
release. Repeat twice mare.
Coughs,bronchitis and
asthma:Shiatsu
Circulatoryand respiratory
functionstake place Inthe chest
andShlatsuwillincrease the energy
tathesetwo vital systems,
encouraglngthe eliminatlonof
tOXInSand mucus. Rounded
5houldersand a hunched bac/<are
Indlcatlonsthat the person is
protectlnga weak chest. Work. ,
wlthcareand respect as thlS area
15thecentre of emotions and ca
bevulnerablein many people.
Thetechnique shown in Step
2shouldnor be used on asthma
5ufferers.
3 Shiatsu centring technique
Support faur partner's head on faur
knees and stroke through hls hair,
resting faur flngers on tap of hls
head. Place the flngers of faur other
hand softly on the base of his breast
bone and pause. Now move faur
flngers slowly up the bone, pauslng
as he exhales and moving anii with
his inhalation.
63

21. ARMSAND HANDS
aur arms are crucial for aur survival and how we relate to the
world. Ever since we stood upright during the process of evolution
we have been able to use aur arms for a whole variety of activities,
aided especially by aur "opposable" thumbs. These thumbs
probably make aur hands the most skilful biological organs to have
evolved. aur arms and hands are also vehicles of self-expression.
They relate to the Throat and Heart chakras (see p.12) and with
them we are able to express a huge range of feelings - from
reaching out tenderly in love and affection, to expressing hatred
and rage by beating or hitting, to warding off danger. As the arms,
wrists and hands are so mobile and are used constantly in everyday
activities, the joints and muscles can be subiect to sprains or strains
if they are stressed or overstretched (see p.90). These injuries can
respond well ta massage in their recuperative stages. Tennis elbow
is a common strain of the arID for which we have given a massage
sequence bere. Hands and arms can also sometimes suffer from
cramps, and the joints from rheumatic complaints such as arthritis
(see p.92). Careful working with massage aratind the joints of the
hand can bring relief and comfort.
64
.

22. Tennis elbow, cramp, strains
Tennis elbow is a strain caused by
overstretching the musc/es and
tendons of the forearm at the
outer side of the elbow, and pain is
felt when the person grips or
bends the arm when lifting heavy
things. This strain can also happen
after overuse in such activities as
sawing. This sequence can be
particularii helpful after an initial
rest penod and ice treatment (see
p. 91). Wait for one to two days
before massaging. The sequence
can also be helpful for cramp (see
also p.85) or aching arms. Use
rosemary essence here (see p.21).
Caution.. Before treating arthritic
or inJuredJoints see pp. 90- 3.
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2Massagearound elbow joint
Supportyourpartner's arm on your
knee,sothat hiselbow isslightly
ralsed.Now beginto work slowly
withyourthumbs and tlngers around
thewholejoint. payingspecial
attentionto the outer (Iateral) part
oftheelbow,Stayfocusedon the
underlyingstructures,but if there is
soreness,work with sensitivity,
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3 Thumbing across fibres of forearm
Slightly raise your partner's lower
arm and work tlrst up the back, and
then the front, of his forearm from
the wrist with slow. tlrm thumb
movements that push alternately
upward and autward, crassingthe
tlbres of the musclesthat run dawn
the arm. Give extra attentian ta the
area just belaw the elbaw.
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ARMS AND HANDS
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I Kneadingarms
With yaurpartnerIyingdawn, face
hissideand beginta knead hisupper
arm with tlrm.rhythmical squeezing
strakes.Travelrightdawn ta his
wrist. givingspecialattentian ta the
musclesof the farearm, just below
the elbaw. Kneadtharaughly up and
dawn the arm twa ar three times.
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65

23. COMMON AILMENTS
Hand and wrist pro~s
Arthnk hands can benefit from
gentle and sensitive massage
around the joints. The sequence on
these two pages mar be useful and
your partner can either fie or sit.
Writer'scrampismusc/efatigue "
arislngfrom any sustained,
repetitive movement of the hand.
Try out the strokes shown here,
along with the hand massages from
Whole Body (see p.40), to see
which feel best. Fingersand thumbs
cansuffer from sprains or stralns
(see p. 90)and massage can help
healingand mobi/ity in the
recovery period.
Caution: Before treating arthritic
or injuredjoints see pp. 90-3.
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2 Flexing wrist
With hisarm still upright, next
stretch the back of the wrist.
Support his hand by holding hiswrist.
With faur free hand pressdown
with faur palm on the back of his
hand. Do this slowly and carefully as
you canreachthe point of resistance
quite quickly.
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3 Extending wrist
With hisarm inthe sameposition,
now stretchthe front of hiswrist by
pushingdown on hispalmwith faur
own palm.Pressslowly to the point
of resistance,then release.While
you are doingthis support hislower
arm with faur other hand.
66
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I Wrist rolling
Support faur partner's forearm inar
upright position, with faur palmsor
the backandfront of hiswrist. Now
move faur handsrapidly backand
forth, rolling his wrist between them
asyou go. His handshouldflap
loaselyasyau da this stroke.
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4 Opening the palm
Let faur partner's palmfacethe
floor and placethe heelsaf faur
handson the backof hishandand
faur fingers in hispalm. Naw press
down with the heelsaf faur hands
and firmly lift with faur fingerssa
that yau apen and spreadthe bones
of hispalm.
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7 Circling knuckle joint
Haldingfaur partner's hand with
anehand,clasp and isolate one of
faur partner's ftngers by wrapping
aiithe flngers of faur other hand
flrmly around 11,as shown above.
Usefaur thumb to slowly circle
aroundthe knuckle joint, pushing
intathe softer tlssue. Work each
knucklein this way, including the
thumb.
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5 Squeezing along channels
Holding faur partner's hand in one
hand, use the thumb and flrst ftnger
of faur other hand to squeeze along
the channels between the bones.
Press in ftrmly from both sides and
work slowly along the groove from
wrist to web of ftnger. It is easier to
work two channels with one hand
and two with the other.
"
6 Extendingfingers
Stretch the inslde of his knuckle
joints by pressing faur thumb on the
back of his knuckle, with faur other
hand pushing the ftngertip slowly
backward tiI! you reach the point of
resistance. Ask faur partner to sai
"when". Extend each ftnger in turn.
8 Stretching fingers
Begin, as before, by clasping the
whole of faur partner's ftnger, but
this time begin to squeeze, wring,
and stretch down the whole length
of the ftnger to the tip and off, as
shown below. Give ftrmest pressure
on the root and espeCially along the
ligaments at the sides of the ftnger.
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67