4 Practical Tips for the Perfect Partner’s Massage

When most people think couples massages, they imagine side by side massage tables in an expensive establishment or a five-minute shoulder rub in the shower. But a good couples massage can happen right at home and can be far more romantic than a simple shoulder rub. Here are some practical tips for perfecting the at-home couples massage.

1. Set Up the Space

The first step in preparing a romantic massage session is to prepare your space. First, decide where you’d like to host your session. The immediate choice might be the bedroom, but if your room is particularly crowded or cluttered, you might end up choosing a space that is more open. Clutter can sometimes cause anxiety, so choosing a place that isn’t cluttered or messy might make setting the mood easier. Once you’ve settled on a place, start cleaning it up. Make the bed or vacuum the floor, whatever you have to do to get the room prepared and free your mind.

After you’ve cleaned up the space to your satisfaction, start setting the romantic mood. Twinkle lights on the walls are a good option to brighten up the room but keep it soft and sweet. Another option would be to light candles and place them around the room. Preparing music that is sentimental to both of you, such as a song that might have been playing on your first date, is an excellent way to get both you and your partner into a romantic mood for your massage. You could also decorate the room to make it even more special. Framed pictures of you and your partner, some flowers, or decorative pillows are all small but meaningful ways to sweeten the space.

2. Prepare Yourself and Your Partner

Now that your room is ready to go, it’s time to prepare yourself and your partner for your evening. To do this, you should both take showers beforehand so your body is clean. This will also help prevent one of you from being self-conscious about body odor or unshaved body hair. You might even use this opportunity to set up the massage, sort of like a preview, by showering together as a couple. This will give you even more opportunity to touch each other leisurely. When you’re done with your joint shower, you’ll both be feeling tender towards each other and will be well prepared for the massage session.

3. Don’t Neglect The Details

One of the most important parts of the massage is the oil. You don’t want to use lotion during a massage, because your skin will absorb the lotion quickly. You’ll want to make sure you have the oil ready before you sit down to do your massage. If you’re preparing for this evening days in advance, you’ll have time to research which oil you’d like to use and make a store run to grab it. There are many options when it comes to massage oil, and some are even available at a drug store or supermarket. Some are standard oils, but others are designed to have certain effects, such as warming or tingling. Any of these are good options as long as you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients. Other options include high-quality grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. If you’ve decided to do a couples massage in the spur of the moment and don’t have time to run to the store for massage oil, you might already have a few types of oil in your kitchen. Olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil all make good substitutes for massage oil. Make sure you have the oil waiting in the massage area so you don’t have to run off to find it when it’s time to start the massage.

There are some other things you might want to take care of before you get started on your session. For example, you might want to consider turning off your phone as well as having your partner turn off theirs. That way you won’t be interrupted. You should also check your thermostat so you don’t have to adjust the temperature, and have a few towels ready as well.

4. Practice Your Technique

Since you’ve done so well preparing beforehand, you’re now ready to begin the actual massage. Many people get a bit too enthusiastic when they first start the massage. They start off too fast, or massage the muscles too deep, or squirt cold oil directly onto their partner’s skin. The first thing you should remember is to go slow. A romantic massage isn’t fast, it’s slow and steady. Start by squirting the oil into your hands and rubbing your palms together to warm it. Your partner will appreciate the extra effort. Next, begin to massage your partner with a light touch. Even if your partner enjoys deep tissue massages, you won’t want to start off that way. The body needs time to adjust. Contour your hands to fit the shape of your partner’s body, and never use your thumbs. Your thumbs apply too much pressure in too small of a space, which can cause pain. Instead, focus your pressure in the palms of your hands or spread it out smoothly throughout your entire hand with long, fluid strokes.

If you want to add the ultimate romantic touch to your massage, schedule a retreat with your significant other at Essence Suites. Call (708) 403-3300 to book your luxury suite, or visit http://www.essencesuites.com.