As we’ll all be spending our Valentine’s date night at home this year, we asked K Spa Manager Lyudmyla to share her favourite techniques to recreate a romantic back massage at home, because let’s face it, being able to ace a massage is one hell of a sexy skill!
What are the main benefits of massage?
- Deep relaxation
- Stress relief
- Energy balance and harmony
- Improved blood circulation
- Reduced muscle soreness and fatigue
- Boosting “happy” hormones
Our favourite massage oils, which can be used alone or together, include:
- Lavender oil for the ultimate relaxation
- Grapeseed oil for a luxe, silky feel
- Ylang ylang and rose oil to heighten sensuality
- Cocoa Butter. Combine with an oil for a rich, nourishing experience
Top Tips
- Set the mood! Leave your phone in the other room, dim the lights, light your favourite candles/incense and put on your favourite playlist.
- Repeat each of the below moves 3 to 4 times.
- Communicate with your partner to ensure the pressure is correct.
- Be creative and come up with your own moves. There are no strict rules, as long as it’s comfortable for both of you.
- Most of all – enjoy the quality time together!
Back massage step-by-step guide
- Oval effleurage - Glide hands up, one hand either side of spine and across shoulders, then draw hands lightly down.
- Circling effleurage - Starting on the lower back, gradually circle your way back up to the shoulders before drawing a heart shape on the back.
- Shoulder effleurage - Glide two hands over the shoulder blade towards the corner of the opposite shoulder, then separate hands and draw them back, lifting the shoulder blade gently. Move to the other side and repeat.
- Reverse effleurage - Glide hands down the back, across the lower back and around the hips. Pulling up the sides of torso, bring your hands back in towards the spine before separating them by gliding outwards towards the arms. Finally, pivot around the shoulders and finish by stroking up the neck.
Finally, we advise not to have a massage if:
- You have an abnormally high temperature or infectious disease
- You have a serious medical condition such as cancer or heart disorder
- You have had major surgery in the last 12 months or minor surgery in the last 6 months
- You have skin with bruising or any tender/inflamed areas. Take care with varicose veins.
