Tantra massage Prague Ltd. - Magical massages III: Alternative massage types and movements
In the previous articles we described the most popular oriental massages and spa procedures from Asia and the best-known ones from Europe. In this part we learn about the types of massage we call alternative. The unifying element of these movements is the belief in the existence of the energetic body a seeing illness as a manifestation of an imbalance and disharmony in the flow of this energy.
Holistic massage stems from the holistic approach to a person where we try to see clients in the context of their everyday life, i.e. their relationships, life philosophy and orientation, profession, belief, background and hobbies. Holistic philosophy follows from the belief that our health is influenced by our way of thinking, by the way we consciously form our life. As part of the holistic approach we try to motivate the client to a healthy diet, regular physical activity, meditation, spending time in nature and taking care of oneself in the form of regular relaxation and massage. Holistic massage is one of the relaxing and energising massages and its aim is to harmonise energy in the body, release tension and stress and give the receiver enough time for mental and physical regeneration.
How it works:
Holistic massage is done on a comfortable futon with candlelight, the scent of aromatic oils or incense sticks and the sound of meditation music which work together to induce mental ease and relaxation. The massage includes the whole body of the recipient, including the head and foot soles (excluding intimate parts of the body) and it should be carried out by an experienced therapist who deals not only with the body, but with energy and feelings. The best results are achieved by therapists with the knowledge of bioenergetics and body therapy. Holistic massage does not have a specific form, so it stems from the knowledge and experience of the therapist. For this reason you should carefully study the biography and education of the person to whose care you entrust yourself. The ideal holistic massage opens with an interview about the feelings and needs of the client. Then follows a bioenergy massage and gentle stretching without the use of oil, which brings about the feeling of “grounding” and calmness. The breath deepens and the feeling of release of tension arrives. When the receiver’s body is sufficiently at ease and relaxed, the therapist can continue with a slow oil massage of the whole body using a mixture of aromatherapy essential oils tailored to the client’s needs. The oil massage is based on sensitive interaction between the giver and receiver, it follows from the therapist’s intuition and massage touches can resemble dance moves. The concord of movement and breathing and the therapist’s full presence are important. The aim of the oil massage is to release the remaining muscle tension, to harmonise energy centres in the body (chakras) and to produce the feeling of calmness and “grounding” to the receiver. The massage should be rounded off with relaxation with music followed by a talk about the client’s feelings.
Massage length: 2 – 3 hours
Massage effects:
Holistic massage brings a feeling of deep physical and mental restoration, releases tension and stress and induces the feeling of calmness and inner balance in stressful situations and life crises.
Contraindications:
Holistic massage is not suitable for patients with acute fever and inflammatory diseases, cancer patients, patients with infectious skin diseases or during diarrhoea or vomiting.
Curiosities:
Aromatherapy massage or tantra massage are also sometimes considered to be types of holistic massage.
Evaluation:
Holistic massage at the hands of an experience therapist who can consciously work with the physical and energetic body is a wonderful experience that I can heartily recommend. The knowledge of body therapy, bioenergetics, aromatherapy as well as extensive massage training and experience are important.
Craniosacral therapy is a non-invasive curative and harmonisation method consisting of gently massaging the skull and the sacrum, sensing the so-called craniosacral rhythm and providing loving support. It was created by an American osteopath at the start of the 20th century and its objective is primarily to support the body’s own curative powers. Its founder believed that with the help of loving support a person’s curative and harmonising powers, which can cure any illness, are released. This method thus focuses on health, not on illness. The curing is not provided by the therapist. They only provide loving care for the body to cure itself. It is not a medical method, so we place it among alternative, energy movements.
How it works:
Craniosacral therapy starts with an interview during which the therapist asks about the client’s general health and problems. It is followed by a massage applied in supine position on a comfortable table, the client is dressed in loose cotton clothing, or covered with a cotton scarf (sarong). The massage is very slow and calm, so it is especially important to keep the client’s body warm. Many therapists use warming massage mats that help to warm up the back as well as the sacrum with which the therapist works later on. During the treatment the therapist massages the skull, the sacrum and its surroundings, the feet and the chest. The massage is applied without the use of oil and it is a very gentle and non-invasive method. Its objective is to induce a natural balance between the mind and the body and to start a self-healing process in the client’s body. While the therapist gently moves individual bones in the skull, the client, having attained a relaxed state of mind, can have various experiences and visions. They appear spontaneously when the rational part of our mind is suspended and images from the subconscious start flowing in. It is a healing process whereby one comes to terms with stress and past experiences. During the massage, the therapist consciously affects the central nervous system, provides loving support and the feeling of safety that are essential for starting one’s own healing powers. To create these conditions, mutual trust is very important.
Massage length: 2 hours
Massage effects:
Craniosacral massage is a deeply relaxing, non-invasive, stress relieving technique which helps induce the feeling of wellbeing and happiness, it alleviates headaches, reduces nervous strain, removes negative effects of stress and restores the self-healing abilities of the body. The therapist has a positive impact on the central nervous system and thus induces a state of balance that supports the body’s ability to heal itself. Craniosacral therapy helps primarily with disorders of a psychosomatic origin such as headaches, asthma, allergies and pain of an unclear origin.
Contraindications:
Craniosacral therapy is not recommended in the case of acute diseases, after injuries or head or spine operations.
Curiosities:
Craniosacral therapy was developed at the start of the 20th century by Dr. William Sutherland, an American osteopath who found out that cranial bones are not fully fused, but move according to the respiratory system and body pulsation. The origin of the movement is bio-energy which moves all liquids, tissues as well as bones. Dr. Sutherland called the movement of this energy the breath of life and claimed it was responsible for the body’s self-healing powers.
Evaluation:
Craniosacral massage is a calm, meditative and non-invasive treatment I can recommend in the afternoon or evening, because you might easily fall asleep after the first 15 minutes. If you are dynamic and edgy, it might be difficult for you to stay calm during the treatment. In order for the therapist to sense your craniosacral rhythm, you shouldn’t speak during craniosacral massage.
In line with the principles of Taoism, tantric-Taoist massage tries to use conscious touch, breathing and meditation to harmonise the beneficiary’s body energies and help them relax into the present moment. Elements of tantra then allow the massage provider to work consciously with sexual energy and use its power to charge the body with dynamic and creative energy. The awakened sexual energy together with elements of bioenergetics and body therapy releases blocks in the body and brings revitalisation and deep relaxation. Tantric-Taoist massage is one of the energising and harmonising massage types.
How it works:
Tantric-Taoist massage is performed on a comfortable futon, in a calm and undisturbed environment with the sound of a bubbly stream or murmuring of a forest. It starts with an interview between the therapist and the client during which the therapist learns of the client’s problems and preliminarily diagnoses their problematic areas with which they will work during the massage. They also learn of the client’s attitude to accepting touches and of the level of their openness. Mutual borders are established and it is made clear what the client would like to achieve during the massage. If suitable, the therapist explains breathing techniques to the client. Then follows the actual massage, which is applied without the use of oil and is primarily based on bio-energetics and body therapy. The client is naked, covered with a cotton sarong. The massage is applied first through the sarong, later on the skin. Parts of the body that are not being massaged remain covered. The therapist may use aromatherapy essential oils on specific energy points on the body, if they feel the client needs it. At the end of the massage a gentle harmonising massage of intimate parts in the form of gentle touch or vibration is included. This part requires working with the breath. Intimate massage can be applied on the naked body or though the sarong, depending on the client’s feelings and openness. Due to this technique’s intimacy, trust in the therapist and the feeling of security are important. During tantric-Taoist massage, orgasm is not reached and the energy is retained in the client’s body. The massage ends with meditation and an interview about the client’s feelings, possible visions and the therapist’s feelings which could help broaden the client’s awareness.
Massage length: 120 – 150 minutes
Massage effects:
Tantric-Taoist massage teaches the beneficiary a new approach to sexuality, working with energy, consciousness and breathing. It deepens the understanding of the body, removes physical, energetic and mental blocks, removes tension and stress and brings about the feeling of relaxation and submission. More sensitive clients can experience visions and realisations of new aspects of their life and mission.
Contraindications:
The massage is not recommended for patients with an acute feverish or inflammatory illness. Because of conscious touch it is suitable even for shy persons or clients recovering from traumatic experience as a supplement to long-term psychotherapy.
Curiosities:
Taoism is an old Chinese philosophical movement dating back from the 6th to 8th century which tries to search for spontaneity and harmony through balancing the yin and yang elements. It is based on the idea that the world and everything in it is in constant movement, there is no permanence and the whole cannot be separated from the detail. Close connection to nature is typical of Taoism, we can find elements of shamanism, alchemy or natural magic. The word TAO literally means “way” and its important principle is non-interference. According to Taoist philosophy the goal we want to reach is not important, it is the journey we have to take to reach the goal that is important. In line with the principle of active non-action, a person in the Taoist tradition becomes a vessel through which TAO flows.
Evaluation:
Tantric-Taoist massage is a wonderful energising, physical and meditative experience full of trust, perception of the given moment and flowing of energy in one’s body. I like that it includes work with the physical body (so muscles are relaxed), as well as the energetic body. After the massage I felt relaxed and full of energy and vitality. I can heartily recommend it.
Reiki is a healing method originally from Japan that subscribes to the existence of vital life energy in everyone’s body. This energy is called Reiki and if a person is healthy this energy flows freely and without obstacles through the body. If the body is ill, the energy flows slower or its flow is completely blocked. Reiki flows through the body along energetic lines – meridians and accumulates in seven main energetic centres, the so-called chakras. According to the Reiki system, a person has a physical body, but also an energetic body which is visible as their aura. An experienced therapist can recognise an illness or the health of a client from their aura.
How it works:
Reiki, rather than being a massage, is an energy treatment carried out by laying on of hands and affecting the energetic system of the receiver. In Reiki the higher the therapist’s initiation, the higher their healing powers. The first level is used primarily for self-healing, therapists with second or third level don’t work with the energy only, but know the art of using symbols. The fourth level is the master-teacher. People with advanced knowledge of Reiki should be able to know from a person’s energy field what their problems are, and should be able to restore the energy flow in their body. Reiki is often used as a supplementary method for holistic massage.
Massage length:
When Reiki is applied separately, it usually doesn’t exceed 60minutes with therapists in training; with advanced therapists 15 minutes are enough. The length is individual and follows from the therapist’s intuition and abilities.
Massage effects:
Reiki restores the natural flow of energy in the body and thus aids healing.
Contraindications:
If you don’t believe in body energy flow this method is probably a waste of time for you. The actual treatment has no contraindications.
Curiosities:
Reiki was established by Japanese master Mikao Usui, to whom this healing method was revealed as the so-called key to healing after a few days of fasting. Reiki treatment can be supplied only by a person who has undergone the so-called initiation into Reiki which strengthens the flow of energy and increases its volume. This initiation is divided into four levels, where the last level is the level of master and teacher. The main objective of Reiki is to help the patient realise their responsibility for their health and understand the principles of the development of an illness.
Evaluation:
I personally prefer contact forms of treatment, which apart from working with energy also include massage and relaxation of the physical body. I have had classic or relaxation massage in combination with Reiki treatment, but I didn’t feel any increased effect. Maybe I was not fortunate with the practitioner, so I don’t reject this treatment completely.
