There is nothing more relaxing then getting a rejuvenating massage. If you can afford a couples massage, than I would defiantly recommend that you and your spouse get one together for a fun date idea. If you can't, then I will give you some ideas and techniques that you can do for each other at home that are just as relaxing, romantic and therapeutic.
Preparing For Your SPA Night-
Choose Your Massage:
Decide what kind of massage you want to give your spouse. You could give them a full body massage with loations and essential oils, a hot rock massage, where you can heat up your massage rocks in a pot of water to be placed on the body (purchase these smooth flat rocks at nature stores, or any place that sells rocks for decorating or you may even have some medium flat smooth rocks in your garden you could clean and heat too.), then there are the reflexology foot and hand massages you could choose to do. I will go over the steps of a reflexology massage for you. There are some great books on body massage and hot rock massage you can get from your library or information online. Here is a link on how to give a hot rock massage- http://www.ehow.com/how_2065972_give-hot-rock-massage.html Here are some links to Reflexology charts for your foot and hand massages-http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/cs/uk/11/features/reflexology/extract.html They also put these charts on the bottom of socks and gloves that your spouse can ware, giving you an easy guide while you massage them. You can find these on Amazon.com
Music and Mood Preparations:
If you have some beautiful soothing instrumental music, then start with that. You can find some great massage music DVD's with piano and nature sounds found at: Target, Bed Bath and Beyond or Book Stores etc. Turn off all other distractions (phones) and prepare your home before your spouse gets home from a stressful day. Play the music, light your candles, sprinkle rose/flower petals, light a fire in your fireplace and dim the lights. If you are going to give your spouse a whole massage, then fill the bath with warm water and flower petals. If you are just doing hand or foot massage then prepare a large bowl of water with a flowers or petals to soak their feet in with a towel under the bowl and two other towels to dry feet after foot or hand bath as well as after massage to wipe down feet or hands of excess lotion/oils. Prepare a small bowl with water and petals for hand massage. Find some beautiful smelling soaps to cleans the parts of the body during the water baths and some beautiful smelling massage lotion or essential oils to apply during the massage.
Food For After Your Relaxing Massages:
Cut up and arrange some finger food on a nice plate: tropical fruit, melons, grapes, tangerine slices, and avocado, veggies; cubes or slices of cheese and your favourite chocolate treats. Prepare the beverages with glasses: Martinellies Cider or water with lemon slices. You will need some hydrating liquid for your spouse to replenish their body after the massage.
Massage Steps For Foot Reflexology:
Foot Bath: Begin the ritual by washing your partner’s feet, letting them soak for five minutes in the prepared water bowl with petals. Allow him or her to verbally unload the stresses of the day. Was with soap and dry the feet thoroughly. Have your partner recline on a bed, couch, or comfortable rug, supported by pillows. Prop up his or her feet on a cushion covered with a towel. Make sure you have adequate back support. To warm the feet, bend and flex them in all directions, rotating them at the ankles and squeezing them. Be sensitive to maintaining a comfortable amount of pressure, as gentle work is also effective.
Treatment: Warm the oil or lotion in your hands and apply it evenly, working the whole surface area. When you find tenderness, encourage your partner to breathe deeply. Press into these points with fingers and thumbs. Rotate on them gently and consistently until the tenderness has subsided. “Crunchy” sensations in the foot are associated with accumulated toxins needing to be eliminated. Work for as long or short a time as is comfortable; I recommend thirty minutes.
Focusing on the Reflex Points: Tension is one of the most powerful elements in a massage treatment. Begin with the tips of the toes, which are reflex points of the brain. The toes also house the eyes, ears, teeth, and sinuses, so these touches will wake up the senses. Massage the tops and sides of the feet, then around the ankles in slow circles and work up and down the inside edge of the feet to relax back pain. Stress and anxiety accumulate in the digestive tract. Focus on tenderness in the stomach, intestine and kidney/adrenal areas. The heel represents the pelvic and reproductive organs; stimulate gently. To finish, press the solar plexus points with your thumbs to relax breathing. Push in upon inhalation, release upon exhalation, and repeat three times, synchronizing your breath. End with slow strokes, and again dry your partner’s feet with a towel to wipe of any slippery excess. Let them relax a few minutes and give them water to drink before they get up.
Message Steps For Hand Reflexology:
Hand Bath: Sit your spouse on a comfy chair, in front of a small table with your prepared water bath. Soak hands in prepared water bath (on table) with petals for five minutes, sit on a chair facing your spouse and let your spouse relax and talk with you. Then wash hands with soap and pat dry with towel.
Treatment: Warm the oil or lotion in your hands and apply it evenly from palm to the fingertips and other side of hand. Press into points with thumbs and fingers working all reflexology points in center and sides of hand up to knuckle, joints and fingertips (Small circular motions). Interlock your fingers on one hand with your partners fingers and support both hands with your other hand at your partner's arm slightly above their wrist. Again be aware of tenderness and do just as you would for the foot massage tenderness points. Rotate wrist and hand back and forth towards you in a circular motion 3 times to relax wrist. Gently press their palm to yours and push their fingers and palm back (gently) away from you to stretch all joints, muscles and wrist parts. Release stretch and circle wrist and hand again. Gently squeeze and run your interlocked fingers up to the top of their fingertips. Unlock fingers and still supporting their wrist with one hand, take sides of tip of one of their fingers at top joint of their finger with your thumb and index finger to support finger. Gently move their finger in a figure 8 motion side to side. Repeat with other fingers. Massage top of hand from finger tips to top of hand and then back down and around the edges of their nails gently in small circular motions. End with slow strokes and then dry your spouses hands with a towel. Repeat on other hand and they give your partner time to sit quietly and relax again. Give them a glass of water to drink after the massage.
Enjoy a relaxing massage date night!
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