Using your full hand is encouraged but experiment with what suits you best. Fingers, thumbs and palms can all be used to enhance the overall sensual experience. As an example, place your thumbs at the base of the receiver’s spine and slowly move up applying pressure that is both smooth but at the same time, firm. Then do the arms and legs the same way. Some sensual massage experts’ caution that direct pressure on the spine (and other bones) is not advisable but it is okay to do so with muscles and surrounding tissues.

Derriere

When it comes to your lover’s derriere, place one hand on each cheek and move your hands in opposite directions. Another idea is to massage the inner thighs and pull up and out on either cheek. Both can be pleasurable ways to go.

Time required

A sensual massage can be used as a foreplay or not. As far as time goes, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Generally novice masseuses take longer to get the desired results in their lovers than do more seasoned pros. But remember, no matter how long it takes, don’t be in a rush! You should both relax and enjoy the erotic experience to the fullest extent.

Ideally it is a good idea to keep the massage to around 30 minutes and then trade off. Both lovers need their turn to be massaged by the other.

One last point

One last, closing point to make about sensual massages. Pay close attention to the cues that your partner is giving off. You probably won’t have to ask if your lover is enjoying the massage or not, (although you can) as you will more than likely be able to tell by the person’s verbal sounds and body language (i.e. you will feel his/her body relaxing and giving themselves up to the experience).

The giver should try to put him/herself in the place of the receiver, figuratively speaking, in order to know what feels good to the senses and the skin. If you enjoy being touched in a certain way, your lover probably will too.

Now that you are equipped with some basics of sensual massage, what are you waiting for? Go indulge yourself and your special someone.

Note- Two of the best books written on the subject are “The Art of Sensual Massage” by Gordon Inkeles and Robert Foothorap (Simon & Schuster) and “The Art of Erotic Massage” by Andrew Yorke (Javelin Books).

by Anika Logan