Body Freedom Exercises

Exercises To Do Together

Minute Massage

Massage makes your body happy. Its many benefits include stress reduction, lower blood pressure, enhancement of inner security, increased self-worth, relaxation, smooth energy flow within the body, and, of course, pleasure.

You can give a full-body massage in five to seven minutes, but sometimes you will want to linger for an hour or more. You can quickly learn the skills of massage with a little practice. If you feel shy about giving massage, consult the slew of good books and videos available at your local bookstore, library, or online. The best way to learn is to give a massage and ask your lover to provide you with lots of feedback so you can adjust motion, pressure, and speed for different parts of the body and for different moods. For example, erotic massage is quite different from relaxing massage, and relaxing massage is different from rejuvenating massage.

Giving a massage on a bed works well if the massage lasts only a few minutes. For longer massages, it is much more comfortable for the masseur to be standing up. Since massage tables are rather expensive, try a mat covered with a sheet on your kitchen or dining room table.

Time for Exercise: five minutes to two hours

Properties Required: massage oil, cover sheet or light blanket (optional)

Steps for a five-minute, full-body massage:

• Be sure the room is warm enough for complete nudity.

• Start by whispering a few words of endearment into your lover’s ear. For example, “This is for you because I love you and want you to know how special and beautiful you are. You are a wonderful man. I love to touch your body. I love to give you pleasure.”

• Begin at his feet and move toward his head with long, firm strokes using your full hand—palms and fingers. Upward strokes revitalize the body. Pace yourself so you can cover the entire body in the time you have allotted.

• End the massage by whispering a few words of endearment into your lover’s other ear. For example: “Thank you for allowing me to touch your beautiful body. Your skin is wonderful to touch. It brings me great pleasure touching you. I love you, my darling.”

Comments:

Since giving full-body massages need only take a few minutes, you can be generous in offering them to your lover. Give each other short, full-body massages once a week or more frequently.

You don’t have to buy expensive massage oils; make your own. You can use any light, fresh cooking oil for the base. Add a few drops of one or several essential oils that you both find pleasing. Don’t overdo the essential oils. Essential oils are very strongly concentrated and, at full strength, some of them can irritate or even burn sensitive skin, especially around the genitals and eyes. For proportions, we recommend four to eight drops of essential oil per four ounces (120 ml) of oil.

Here is a recipe for the massage oil supplied in the love kits at 4 Freedoms weekend retreats.

• 4 oz. (120 ml) canola oil

• 4 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil

• 1-2 drops Black Pepper essential oil

• 1-2 drops Clary Sage essential oil