swedish

Swedish-Esalen Massage

The term Swedish Massage refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. This form of massage involves the application of oil and the use of kneading, stroking, friction, tapping, and vibration. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. Swedish massage strokes generally include effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, percussion, and passive and active bending and stretching.Esalen massage is a form of relaxation massage that is described as a slower, gentler form of Swedish massage, but a true definition requires more than just a description of the types of strokes, since many believe that the philosophy is just as important. Esalen massage requires that the practitioner develop an intuition about what the client needs, based on monitoring breathing rhythms and other subtle physical cues. Both the client and practitioner often report a heightened sense of awareness due to this connection.

I include Swedish/Esalen techniques in every massage.