Giving a Good Massage Part 1

Rotating the Shoulder
You will want to lift your partner's shoulder off the ground about an inch, with your other free hand start kneading the shoulder muscles. This is a very hard technique to get, but you will know if you have found the spot, your partner should let you know.

Kneading the back of the Neck
The muscles on the back of the neck sort of run in a diamond pattern, so using your thumbs will be ideal for this exercise. Just knead (with your thumbs) your partner's neck, around in circles, or up and down.

Curling and Kneading the Shoulders
This all depends on if your partner has thick or thin muscles in their shoulders. This will allow you to know how much pressure you need to put on your partner. Knead with both your hands and your thumbs. Do this for about five minutes. It will feel great. A lot of tension seems to build up into peoples shoulders so take your time on this area.

Massaging behind the Ear, Neck, and Shoulders
Just behind your partner's ears you will feel the lower end of the skull. Beneath that are a series of muscles, which have a tendency to cramp up. Rub these with your thumbs, and let your partner relax so their body weight kicks in with the massage.

Forehead Press
This stroke tends to relieve pressure from headaches, or use it just to relax your partner. Place your hands one on top of the other and apply a fair amount of pressure to your partner's forehead. Not too much though. You don't want to crush them. This will feel wonderful. You may also want to try putting your pointer finger and thumb of one hand on each of your partner's temple's (the two lumps on either side of the forehead). Now moving your two fingers in a circular motion and alternate the direction every two minutes or so.

Kneading
Kneading is one of the most popular types of rubs out there. It's almost like giving a neck massage. This involves gripping your partner's flesh. BUT, make sure not to pinch them. They will not enjoy that! Here are some tips:

The muscles around the shoulders and lower neck are particularly receptive to this treatment, but be cautious around the neck - don't apply pressure directly to the spine at any time.

Try to squeeze the flesh with your whole hand, being responsive to the muscles you're trying to reach and any feedback or body language from your partner.

Don't pinch the flesh.

Don't try to do much kneading where the skin is tight over the rib cage or on the sides.

The secret is to go slowly and to knead the muscles, not the skin.

Milking is a specialized type of kneading; it goes deeper into your partner's flesh and muscles. It is almost like milking a cow. You want to grab your partner's flesh with both of your hands and rub deeply into their flesh and muscles. BUT, once again, do not hurt them. If they complain that you are hurting them, then you are being too rough. Enjoy this one - it's fun.