Effleuer

Effleuer means to touch lightly or stroke. This is the most useful massage stroke. You can massage the whole body using simple stroking techniques; just vary the pressure and the speed, Effleurage uses the following strokes:

• Fan Stroking: Start with your hands side by side flat on the base of your partner's back, Slide them upward leading with your fingers. Lean into the palms and heels of your hands to add pressure. At the shoulders, fan your hands out to each side, reducing pressure as you do so and stroke smoothly over the area. Stroke lightly down the sides of the body, following the contours. Squeeze in slightly at the waist and pull your hands back up to the back. Repeat, varying the stroke length, but apply the pressure in the upward movement.
• Circle Stroking: Use this when you want a continuous flowing movement. Place both hands on your partner about 15 cm apart and stroke in a wide circular motion. Put the pressure into the upward stroke' and then glide your hands back down again. As your arms will cross, simply lift one hand over the other and continue.
  This stroke can be used to spread the oil more thoroughly on the body. The circles should flow into each other in gentle, spiralling movements.
• Cat Stroking: This soothing, sleep inducing movement requires hardly any pressure. Stroke down the body with the flat of one hand, and follow with the other. Return the first hand to the top once you reach the bottom of the back and then repeat.
• Thumb Stroking: On small areas, such as the arms and bottom of the legs, stroke with your thumbs. Stroke firmly upward and outward with one thumb pushing higher than the other with every stroke.

Benefits of Using Effleurage

The firm brisk massage strokes improve circulation and gentle rhythmic strokes stimulate the lymph glands and help eliminate body wastes. Slower strokes can ease tense muscles, reduce stress, lower blood pressure and generally relax the person.

Where and Where not to Use Effleurage

Almost any part of the body can be massaged using this technique. But it is especially useful for massaging the back and the chest areas. Care should be taken, while using this technique so as to keep off the areas with varicose veins. Very hairy areas should also not be massaged using this technique since it can cause a rash.