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The Book of Massage: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Eastern and Western Technique
 
 
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The Book of Massage: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Eastern and Western Technique [Paperback]

Lucinda Lidell (Author), Carola Beresford Cooke (Author), Anthony Porter (Author), Sara Thomas (Contributor)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews) |
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Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2001
Experience the Healing Power of Massage

With more than 650,000 copies sold, The Book of Massage is the classic guide to the relaxing and healing skills of the hands. Featuring both Eastern and Western methods, it presents step-by-step, beautifully illustrated instructions on everything from traditional massage to shiatsu and reflexology. The Book of Massage offers easy-to-follow techniques for giving the perfect massage, including advice on creating the right setting and suggestions for using aromatic oils and lotions. In the comfort of your own home, you can

  • Soothe away stress and tension

  • Develop your body's unique healing powers

  • Banish headaches and back pain

  • Share the language of touch

  • Experience optimum health and vitality

Now revised and updated with fresh color photos and drawings throughout, The Book of Massage is a simple and comprehensive handbook that reveals how you can experience the myriad benefits of giving and receiving a soothing massage.

Frequently Bought Together

The Book of Massage: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Eastern and Western Technique + The Art of Sensual Massage: 40th Anniversary Edition + Plantlife Aromatherapy Massage Oil- 3 Pack
Price For All Three: $46.63

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  • In Stock.
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  • The Art of Sensual Massage: 40th Anniversary Edition by Gordon Inkeles Paperback $13.57

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  • Plantlife Aromatherapy Massage Oil- 3 Pack by Plantlife $21.50

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With more than 650,000 copies sold, massage therapist Lucinda Lidell's Book of Massage has been updated with new photos and instructional drawings. Not for the prudish, as the subjects in most of the photos are completely in the buff, the book presents an intense, information-packed, step-by-step guide to traditional massage, shiatsu, and reflexology.

No matter which method you choose to focus on (you're advised to choose one at a time), Lidell is thorough in her explanations of the strokes and techniques necessary to give relaxing, therapeutic massage in the privacy of your own home. Detailed drawings, diagrams, and photographs help to further demonstrate how to address each individual body part.

Divided into distinct chapters for each of the three methods, The Book of Massage also includes several sections that Lidell stresses are fundamental to all types of massage. The first is "Beginning," with information such as creating the right atmosphere (a warm room and soft lighting), applying oil, and finding a comfortable position. Additionally, Lidell suggests that everyone should review sections on the human touch and anatomy, both of which oddly come at the end of the book.

As thorough as The Book of Massage may be, do not expect to walk away from it an expert. As with any skill worth learning, giving good massage takes time, study, and practice, practice, practice. --Bree Altman

About the Author

Lucinda Lidell is a well-known healer and professional masseuse. She has contributed to many books on massage and natural healing, as well as the original Sivananda Companion to Yoga and The Sensual Body. She lives in London.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Touchstone; 2nd edition (January 2, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0743203909
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743203906
  • Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Lucy Lidell Page
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
96 of 108 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As someone who is about to graduate to be a Massage Therapist, I find the techniques in this book to be good, and the massage sequences outlined in the Sweedish Massage quite similar to the sequences I learned in school. The pictures and diagrams are thorough, and the instruction on Shiatsu is good as well.

From a professional perspective, I had some problems with this book though. One big probelm is the book discounts knowledge of anatomy as unnessicary for massage, and I strongly disagree with that. Massage is applied anatomy, and the study of anatomy is essential for anyone who wishes to be a massage therapist, or even a good ameture. Without understanding what it is you are pressing, kneading, rubbing, and tapping you're not going to be able to be very theraputic.

I was dissapointed that the book hardly touched on contraindications(cautions, conditions in which massage can be harmfull) such as cancer, diabeties, AIDS, alcohol consumption and others. Where it does mention contraindications, it's more of a short sidenote than anything.

The book has full nudity in most of the books pictures. While this isn't a bad thing nessicarily, I didn't see any information about draping procedures and protecting client modesty. Also, most of the massage is done on the floor, rather than a massage table and there was little discussion of body mechanics of the therapist. I get the feeling the book was actually meant for 'sensual' couples massage, rather than a guide for someone who is out to become a good massage therapist. In that light, it is a decent book for couples sensual massage.

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38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm not interested in massage professionaly, just for my boyfriend and I to have a way to treat each other. And this was the perfect book for us to learn. It goes over the three main types of massage in a clear precise manner, describes each kind of stroke, the positions the massuesse should be in for each stage of massage, everything! This is a great book for trying at home. It would be a cool if they did it with a spiral bound though so that you could leave it open to a certain page....
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I wanted a basic book of massage techniques, this is it. I also bought another book with photos that I don't find nearly as good. This one has drawings with helpful diagrams as to direction etc. This book also covers the basics of shiatsu and reflexology but by far the most extensive section is on massage. I learned a lot just from scanning the text and studying the diagrams/drawings. This is a great book and worth the money.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Perfect!
I have always been naturally gifted when it comes to massage, but now that I'm interested in doing it for a living I figured I should learn it the right way. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Caelis
Excellent Christmas gift.
Bought this book for the girlfriend for Christmas, it was a hit. Pictures are little racy so make sure that you know that before purchase. Excellent used book.
Published 4 months ago by TreJean
massage world
I have been a massage therapist for seven years and ay piece of added infrormation helps. I love to read and learn.
Published 4 months ago by ashley miles
Best step by step guide I have seen.
This book is extremely well written plus it has working diagrams for every step of the massage process. This is a must have for any dedicated practitioner of massage. Read more
Published 7 months ago by modakay
lost of great massage techniques and pictures
this book had very great pictures techniques tips lost of great info on were massage started and its great for your whole mind body and soul . Read more
Published 9 months ago by mtzlady86
Highly recommended
Highly recommended

Tried it and I liked it. It's a pretty good value for what you're getting
Published 9 months ago by Member of the Dead Poet's Society
an introductory book for home use
I own the 1984 printing. For those who say this book is dated, it has been around for quite some time. The target audience is the casual home practitioner. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. Cox
Very good book
My husband and I bought this book to learn to do massage for each other. It is very helpful and clear. Read more
Published 14 months ago by ksj
massage
This was a text book for me, but it's easy to understand, with good grafics for anyone to learn massage.
Published 15 months ago by diboop
Fantastic resource, albeit risque...
As a fibromyalgia patient, I've found massage to be a great help in managing my disease. When my husband indicated he'd like to learn how to help me through painful moments, I... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Tamara Sack
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Care and sensitivity, a little time and energy, and a good pair of hands-this all that's needed to begin practising massage. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
palm pressure, waist line, heart protector, triple heater, liver meridian, basic massage sequence, heel line, diaphragm line, basic thumb technique, lower hara, upper towel, reflexes chart, holistic massage, connecting strokes, reflex area, referral areas
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Bladder Meridian, Spinal Reflexes, Great Eliminator, Governing Vessel, Long Stroke, Large Intestine, Stretching the Neck, Small Intestine, Thumb Pressure, Conception Vessel, Diaphragm Reflex, Half Locust, Lung Reflex
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