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Sometimes
clients ask me if it is possible to get a
couples massage, i.e. two people receiving
massages at the same time. (Of course, for this
I have to get another massage therapist). For
example, let's say that a couple is celebrating
their anniversary, or it is family members
traveling together.
In
case of a romantic couple, often it is the
woman who contacts me, typically because she is
planning for an anniversary celebration. What I
usually say is: If
the massage is in your vacation place, it will
be a nice relaxing environment. You will be
around anyways before he goes in and when he
wakes up, and you can share those moments.
During massage, he will most likely zonk out
and won't be available anyways.
If
both of you get really good massage, both will
be much happier and more energetic. There is a
tremendous amount of energy locked up in the
tight muscles, and when that is gone, life is
wonderful.
(This
should also give them a hint that their
romantic fire will be kindled if both of them
feel rested, rejuvenated, and free of tension,
kinks, and aches and pains. Good romance is
totally dependent on good health first.)
What
I never say is this: imo, couples massage takes from
the good, personal massage. When there are two
people receiving massage, it is not possible to
talk much, one has to be quiet and not disturb
the other party. So, it is not possible to ask
the client how they are doing, or to get more
feedback, or to plain talk if necessary.
Therefore, the massage therapist is severely
limited in what they can do. Which translates
into a massage less than optimal. Bodywork is
mostly out of question. Relaxation massage is
probably the only option.
The
WORST thing that can happen is that one (or
both) recipients talk during couples massage
therapy. I cannot even tell you how bad that is
when one person is constantly waking up the
other one... Because, usually your loved one
wants to be "nice" and will answer
any questions and thus will be yanked out of
their relaxation zone, and thus will receive
little benefits from their massage.
Couples
massage has its place if the couple is pressed
for time, or somehow one needs moral support of
the other (e.g. it is a parent-kid duo and the
parent wants to be there for the kid and/or the
kid wants the parent around; one person is
experienced in getting massages and the other
one is a newbie, and so on). In such cases, it
is better than they receive massage at the same
time. For example, often women drag their
less-then-cooperative guys into the couples
massage. It can be a great thing for the man,
if he has some phobia of being less masculine
because he is allowing someone to touch his
body (gasp!). Touch has sex connotations for
the old-school maleness, so such man would
never even show up for any type of bodywork if
it weren't for his lady. The man typically
agrees to get the massage just to do his lady a
favor, and will typically endure the experience
even if it is a bad massage. He (correctly)
thinks: What is worse - enduring a bad massage or having her
complain that he doesn't care? If he gets
a good massage and is introduced to the
therapeutic benefits of massage, great.
In
short:
It
is ideal that both people receive equally good
massages. The energy of the therapist, the
experience and the work are important. It is
important that both receivers feel the same way
afterwards.
Just my 2 cents worth and a lot of experience
:)
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