Diversions Message

Diversions: The Art of Sensual Massage
Nothing feels as ab fab as an hour or so of your honey's undivided atten\
tion. And
nothing will set you on the yellow brick road to relaxation faster than \
massage.
Combine both and you've got an unbeatable combination: Let's just say if\
you
follow our guidelines for a sensual massage, you won't be doing dishes f\
or weeks.
SET THE MOOD
The first step to a truly relaxing and sensual massage is
setting the mood. Unplug the phone, get naked (keep your
underpants on if it makes you feel more comfortable), and
light some beeswax candles (avoid harsh overhead lighting).
Make sure the room is warm: You want your lover to chill
out, not freeze.
ACCESSORIES
Massage oil is the only required accessory. You can use
scented or unscented, or even baby oil in a pinch. If you plan to get bu\
sy with a
condom later, buy a water-based massage liquid at your friendly neighbor\
hood sex
shop (or online if you're a little bit bashful) -- oil can destroy lat\
ex. Rub your hands
together to warm them and the oil up before touching your partner's bare\
skin.
Set up a massage workspace by covering your floor or futon mattress with\
towels --
if you work on the bed, the massage oil will probably ruin your sheets. \
THE BASICS
Take turns -- one partner can give a massage one day, and the other can \
reciprocate
a few days later. It works against relaxation if both partners are think\
ing about their
next role. Let the massage recipient revel in sensual delight -- it will\
be the
masseur's turn soon enough.
According to Anne Hooper, author of Great Sex Guide (Dorling Kindersley\
), the
most sensitive body parts are: head and neck, ears, sides of the body fr\
om armpits
to hips, inner thighs, fingers and toes, and genitals. Keep this handy l\
ist in mind as
you provide some sensual R&R.
HERE'S THE RUB
You can work on several basic massage strokes -- we're sure your partner\
won't
mind. After all, practice makes perfect.

l Slide: Lightly slide your hands up and down your partner's body using yo\
ur
entire hand surface. This stroke is great for the arms, legs, back, and \
chest.
l Palm circling: Move your hands in circles on your partner's fleshy parts\
. Be
careful not to massage bones directly -- it doesn’t feel very good.
l Knead: Grasp your honey's flesh as if you were kneading bread dough. Use\
on
the stomach, legs, booty, arms, hands, and feet.
l Roll: Roll the flesh of your sweetie's arms and legs between your hands \
as if you
were rolling clay.
l Tapping or hacking: Use your fingertips or the sides of your hands. Alte\
rnate
hands while making tapping or hacking motions. This is great for the bac\
k.
l Thumb strokes: Using your thumbs, massage in a circular motion. Work upw\
ard
and away from the spine when focusing on the back and shoulders.
l Fingertip and fingernail circling: Use your fingertips or nails to draw \
circular
shapes all over your partner's skin.
l Hair sweep: If you have long hair, sweep it across your partner's body.
THE MASSAGE (IN 10 EASY STEPS)
1. Laying on of hands. The recipient should be lying on their stomach, b\
uck-naked.
Warm your hands by rubbing them together and place them on your partner \
-- one
hand on the upper back, one hand on the lower. Leave your hands there fo\
r a long
moment; this lets your sweetie start on the path to relaxation.
2. Spread the oil. Make sure you've warmed it in your hands first, and u\
se a very
small amount.
3. Start rubbing. Rub your hands up and down your sweetie's whole backsi\
de. Use
the strokes described above until you feel relaxation set in.
4. Legs. Continue onto the legs. Be sure to cover both front and back si\
des with
sensual strokes.

5. Arms and hands. Pay special attention to the hands. Use your thumbs t\
o massage
the heels of your honey's hands. Lock fingers and rotate her wrists.
6. Feet. There's a whole school of massage -- reflexology -- devoted sol\
ely to these
puppies. Spend time really digging into your sweetheart's footsies.
7. Front torso. Take care massaging the abdomen. Press deeply, but not s\
o much
that it hurts. Ask if what you're doing feels good (and if you're the m\
assage
recipient, be honest!).
8. Breasts. Don't ignore your sweetie's breasts: Knead the fleshy parts,\
and (for
both her and him) use your fingertips to massage the nipples. Imagine t\
hat your
fingers are following the spokes on a bicycle wheel, and let them radiat\
e from the
center of the nipple to its edge. Remember to use a light touch!
9. Neck and head.