Spousal Massage

As part of a more holistic approach to health, Michael and I are looking into ways we can provide stress relief and a general sense of well-being to each other.  I suggested a Friday night massage session (after the girl goes to bed) wherein we each take turns massaging each other, working out the kinks and tension as we go--hopefully getting better at it with time.  I'm no massage expert.  I'm not even a novice, but I felt determined to do my best.  I think I did a pretty good job, all considered.  Michael is an amazingly thickly muscled man.  Almost impossible to work those muscles without wrenching my own back.  Luckily, when it was his turn to massage me, it became apparent that the man has skills (not to mention, big strong hands).  It came out during our session that he'd actually taken some classes at the Chautauqua Center in Columbia years and years ago.  Such a man of mystery!

I'm not sure what type of massage we were doing exactly.  I know there are many kinds.  I don't think it was Swedish or deep tissue or anything.  I've been looking through our massage deck and I see a lot of the methods we were using depicted on the cards, so I guess I'll call it "relaxation" massage.  Our main objective was relaxation and stress relief.  My resolution for this week is to study this deck and get some good ideas together before next Friday.  Michael is quite a challenge for me.  This is gonna take some work!

I spent a little time putting together a kind of "massage kit" which included homemade massage oil--a blend of grape seed oil, olive oil, ylang ylang, jasmine, and lavender essential oils.  Turned out to be a nice relaxing combination of scents with the olive oil providing a touch of earthiness.

The great thing about massage is that, for married poor folk like us, it's super cheap.  All we need is a quiet room, some oils, a couple old towels or sheets, and each other.  It was a terrific night.  We ate a light dinner, got the girl to bed, and then set up a little impromptu massage parlor with candles and soft music.  Naturally, it wasn't all innocent and professional there at the end, but we did manage to hold things together long enough for both of us to get a really good, really relaxing massage.  This could definitely become a Friday night tradition for us!  It's a healthy practice, taking our focus away from food, bringing it back to our bodies, our health, and each other.