Setting Up The Environment For Massage Therapy:

1. It is essential to create a warm, comfortable environment for your partner or client.
2. Use soft lighting for a more relaxing atmosphere.
3. Warm the room beforehand to ensure your partner or client doesn't get cold.
4. Select a time when you won't be interrupted.
5. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
6. Make sure you have clean hands and short nails.
7. Remove jewellery from your hands and wrists.
8. If you have long hair its is best to tie it or clip it up.
9. Should you wish to play music, choose something soothing.

Aim to complete a full-body massage in one to one-and-a-quarter hours.If you continue for much longer than this you risk tiring yourself, and your partner or client may start feeling chilly and uncomfortable.

Equipment Needed:
You will need a firm, padded surface on which to work.This can be a massage table, or a small cotton or foam mattress placed on the floor.Further you will require Massage oils, small cushions or pads to support the body when required, washable blankets or soft towels for warmth, large towel to cover the parts of the body that you are not working on, sheet or towel to cover the mattress or table, a clock(optional).

1. Mineral(including baby oil)
2. Soya
3. Peach And Apricot Kernel
4. Grapeseed
5. Sunflower
6. Almond(expensive)
7. Olive Oil(very sticky)
8. Peanut Oil.

Oiling Tips:

1. Be sparing with the amount of oil you use.Use only enough oil to cover the particular area you are working on with a thin film of oil.Using too much oil makes the body slippery and difficult to work on.
2. Place 1/2 tsp(5ml) of oil in the palms of your hand and rub hands gently together.
3. Using a gliding stroke , cover the part of the body you want to work on first with a thin film of oil.
4. If you wish, add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil(for example, lavender can be relaxing or invigorating, rosemary is stimulating, Roman Chamomile is soothing).
5. Keep the oil close to you in a small bottle or dish.
6. Do not pour the oil into your hand directly above your client, in case it drips accidentally.

Final Preparation:

Try these techniques to focus and prepare yourself:

• Close your eyes and sit quietly for a few minutes.
• Concentrate on your breathing.
• Let go of any thought that maybe worrying you or are cluttering your mind.
• Imagine all unnecessary tension flowing out of you each time you exhale.

Spend two minutes "warming up" your hands before you start:

• Shake hands loosely from the wrist to get rid of residual tension.
• Flex, stretch and curl fingers to loosen the muscles.
• Gently massage each hand(almost as if you were putting on some hand cream).