A hard day’s work calls for some TLC. And what better way to show you care than with a massage? Get those moves right and loosen up a lot more than those tense muscles...

It goes without saying that giving your partner a massage is as intimate as it gets. In fact, as Bhavna Vohra, CEO, My Foot Reflexology, explains, her Mumbaibased relaxation lounge sees a lot of couples coming in together to get massages at the same time. It’s all about connecting in a cosy, intimate environment.

Start slow and steady
You don’t want to start straight off by pounding those muscles.And no, we don’t mean to be kinky. Start easy. Allow your partner to get familiar with the hand movements. “The process of the massage is meant to invoke the right energy flow,” says Bhavna. So ensure that your partner’s back is straight. Dr Bhagyashree Ingale, of Taj Spa, cautions against applying pressure directly on the spine. Her advice is to work along it. Then slowly work your way towards the outer end, ie towards the waist.

Your strokes need to be firm, deep and continuous.Avoid quick, sudden movements. Keep a steady continuous flow and let one stroke lead to another. Massage his muscles, not his skin.

The right strokes
After the warm up, you can gradually increase the pressure of your hand movements.Work on large muscle groups using firm, even pressure. Concentrate on the neck, back, shoulders and legs. Apply even pressure along the neck and entire spine, working outwards and from up to down.The arch of the back — where it curves towards the buttocks — is a good aaah spot. Make him siiigh when you touch the back of his thighs, calves and shoulder blades. If he works on the computer all day long, pay extra attention to his upper arms, forearm and fingers.

Dr. Ingale stresses on the importance of being careful while massaging sensitive areas like the neck. .“Since it’s a delicate area, we gently use fingertips for simple strokes. Concentrate more on the shoulder joints as it is very relaxing.” Bhavna elaborates,“There are pressure points all over the body which are connected to the different organs,” elaborates Bhavna. “For example, the foot has specific pressure points for the temple, digestive organs and eyes. Sometimes when you apply pressure at the right point there could be pain, which could be a good thing as you are releasing the pressure and sending
positive energy. However, stop if it’s a sharp pain. The mark of a good massage is consistency in the moves.”

Cooling down
Towards the end of the massage, you will need to slow down again. Gradually decrease the pressure on the strokes. Then wipe his entire body down with a soft towel to
remove traces of oil. And don’t blame him if he’s half unconscious and isn’t in the
mood to grab you with both arms... Those are the signs of a job well done!

Mood for thought
Getting the ambience right is half the battle won. Here’s how you can get set.

Lighting
Ah! Lighting is key. No one wants to wear their birthday suit under the scanner. So fluorescent tubelights are out. The dimmer the lights, the better the ambience. Place candles strategically in the room or decorate with flowers.

Fragrance
Take your pick of perfumed oils, scented candles and incense sticks. Certain oils such as rose and jasmine are known to have aphrodisiacal qualities. Do not use petroleum jelly or other lubricants that are not easily absorbed by the skin. But don't use hand lotions either — they get absorbed almost immediately.

Music
What’s a romantic scene without a background score? Some soft music should do the trick. Burn a CD of his favourite ballads and put it on repeat.

Exercise caution
● Make sure your partner has the correct posture. The back should be straight.
● Don’t massage directly on the spine. Always work along the spine.
● Never end a massage abruptly. End gradually, just like you started.
● Don’t try experimenting with a massage if your partner has back or neck
problems. You risk aggravating them.