Customer Reviews

SUPER MASSAGE Simple Techniques for Instant Relaxation

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was surprised at how much practical information I got from Super Massage- and how much relief and pleasure I have been able to give the members of my family as a result. Inkeles has a clear philosophy. He believes in the power of massage to relieve stress, eliminate pain and induce pleasure. The techniques he presents provide a welcome alternative to pain killers, drugs and alcohol. The reader is taught the four basic strokes in massage: friction, kneading, percussion and stroking, and is the shown how they can be used provide relief from headaches, neck, shoulder and lower back pain, nervous tension, insomnia and more. Inkeles is also firm in his belief that massage should never be manipulative or cause pain and the techniques he presents should never be rushed. Still, as he explains, much can be done in a short time. Three or four unhurried minutes can remove a day's lingering stress and change a mood from weary frustration to pleasant anticipation. Throughout Super Massage, the writing is clear and concise. All the techniques are beautifully illustrated-Inkeles is as accomplished a photographer as he is a writer. This is not a book for professionals but for the average person who wants to bring comfort to the people he or she cares about. I strongly recommend it.

This lovely book did what marriage therapy failed to do: it reinvigorated our sex life. I know that may not be the purpose the author intended, but the techniques he describes are so powerful when you actually use them that things just happen. Great stuff!

We who teach and practice massage daily are indebted to Gordon Inkeles for popularizing this gentle art. His books are in a class by themselves and have helped so many people discover massage. That said, I must ask the question that keeps popping up in professional massage circles: why so much emphasis on sex? The blonde on the cover, for example, appears repeatedly inside the book in a short skirt. What does that have to do with massage?

I'm torn saying this because his books are truly beautiful once you get past the sexy stuff. In book form you can't find a better massage teacher. Just be aware that there is a less erotic alternative.

Anyway,

I first read one of Gordon Inkeles' books in 1993, when my interest in massage for relaxation and pain relief was just emerging. Super Massage represents many decades of thoughful practice and instruction combined into one essential guide. I like the practical nature of this book. The emphasis is to help you provide targeted stress and pain relief for specific areas, in only 3 to 5 minutes of work. Even if you've never massaged before, this book makes it simple to learn. Gordon's instructional text is made better by an excellent layout. Large tasteful pictures make it simple to see where and how you should apply pressure, and major information is summarized in clear tables. The number and type of strokes to perform, do's and don'ts, and health benefits and cautions are all simple to review if you need to refresh your knowledge. That in of itself would have been a comprehensive book, but this one also includes a review of other massage applications. Post-exercise massage, workplace massage, and a delightful erotic massage cap this thoroughly informative and enjoyable contribution from one of massage's most innovative and influential practitioners.

This is a remarkable book. The techniques show you exactly what to do to bring relaxation to virtually every part of the body. The explanatory material and the wonderful art/photos make the body come alive on the page. You can really feel the love Inkeles has for massage and more importantly your partner will benefit from everything you learn here. Not one wasted page in the book. Head and shoulders above other massage books. Recommended without hesitation.

Kudos for Gordon Inkeles' latest Super Massage Book. Unlike other similar efforts that I've seen in the bookstores, Mr. Inkeles' books are always much more than reference works or how-to books. They are well-written, engaging, humorous and informative.

The latest (Super Massage) is also expansive. It concerns overall health and our external environment. It teaches yogic stretching, better sleep, and better sex. It also provides anti-aging techniques such as smoothing wrinkles and preventing stress. It could well be Inkeles' best book yet.

Goes beyond the other fine Inkeles books to focus on specific tecnhiques for a host of common situations. Very sexy in the right company but don't push it with strangers.

Unlike the other so-called "sexy" massage books, this one really does what it promises to do. The Erotic chapter is just icing on the cake. Very exciting book, especially if you share it with your siginficant other. Also, you will learn something useful.

While I can't dispute that this book contains a good deal of useful information you can can put to good use, there are certain flaws that make it harder to get through.

Each chapter focuses on a different technique, and step-by-stpe instructions are provided. However, these instructions are always preceded and are often interrupted by the author telling you exactly how good his techniques are. Typically, these comments tend to show how massage will fix every major ill that has ever affected the human race. For example, he casually states that the use of computers will inevitably lead to "major personality changes" and implies that only these massage techniques can save you from such a fate (page 53). There are no sources cited anywhere in the book, so you never know if you're on solid ground or if he's just making up his evidence as he goes along.

This book does cover a wide variety of techniques, including things like eye massage if that interests you. I am glad that I was able to get some new ideas for massage out of this book, but can't say I would ever buy another book by the author because of all the self-promoting distractions that prevent "Super Massage" from being something I could consider to be a valuable resource.