The Twister - The Need to Knead

The twisterthough they are stuck together, for example the tops
Wringing is a deeper movement and is great forof the shoulders and either side of the spine. This
loosening and stimulating tense muscles. The action ismovement differs from basic kneading in that instead
basic kneading with a twist - sort of like wringing out aof lifting the muscle, you lift the skin away from the
towel. Pull up the flesh with one hand, then twist it intounderlying muscle. It has a warming and softening
your other hand, pressing deeply into it with youreffect.
thumbs. Imagine you have a wet towel between yourSimple rolling massage
fingers as you twist the flesh from one hand to theFollow steps 1 and 2 below for effective relief of
other.tightness. Remember rhythm, rhythm, rhythm. It's this
Doing it one handedundulating rhythm that makes the strokes so relaxing.
One-handed kneading is a useful stroke for areas ofPlace your hands on your partner's skin in such a way
the body where there is not enough room for twothat you create a triangle between your fingers and
hands to work effectively, such as the tops of thethumbs. Then, without sliding your fingers on the skin,
shoulders, the arms, and the calves. Support the areapull the flesh towards your thumbs.
you are working on with one hand and squeeze andPush your thumbs firmly toward your fingers, rolling the
release the flesh with the other hand. If you areflesh as you go, and take care not to pinch the skin as
working on an arm or calf, you can use alternateyour thumbs meet your fingers. Then, reach forward
hands on either side to squeeze and release.with your fingers again and repeat the movement as
Fingers onlyrhythmically as possible.
Fingertip kneading is a very small and preciseKneading can be ticklish on some people, particularly if
movement that is ideal for areas without much flesh,you are using only your fingers. Try using your palms,
such as the neck and face. Lift and squeeze the fleshwhich makes the movement flatter and, therefore, less
with the thumb and fingers of one hand, then glide itirritating.
toward the other hand. Repeat the movement withAlternative skin rolling
the thumb and fingers of the other hand.In another form of skin rolling, you slide your thumbs
When fingertip kneading' beware of pinching yourtoward your forefingers so that they squeeze the
partner's skin. You can prevent this by keeping yourflesh, and then walk your fingers forward as your
elbows sticking out and using as much of your hand asthumbs push the flesh behind. I call this movement
possible."inchworming."
Wring that bodyLike all other types of kneading, you can practice skin
Skin in rolling is used on areas that feel tight and asrolling on a cushion.