Master the massage

Become a massage maestro and have her quivering under your palms


Go slow
"The key is to work slowly," advises Susan Findlay, director of the North London School of Sports Massage. "Use the heel of your hand to make continuous fluid movements and work the whole length of the muscle."


Warm the oil
Ask your partner to lie face down on a towel on a carpeted floor. Make sure she is comfortable (ie. undressed) and squeeze a little oil into your palm, rubbing your hands to warm it up.


Knead, squeeze and pinch
Start at the shoulders, squeezing them and the back of the neck before working down each arm, all the way to the fingertips. Massage the skin and muscles by kneading, squeezing, and gently pinching between your thumb and fingers.


Down you go
After the arms, return to the neck and work your way down the lower back in horizontal blocks. Make smooth circular, clockwise motions, using the same massage techniques as on the arms but adding the heel of your hand for larger areas either side of the spine.


Save the whales
End by using the palm of your hand to work the entire buttock area. The whole process should ideally take about 45 minutes. Whale music and incense are optional.