Tips on Giving Romantic Massage

So your partner had a rough day and you want to help him relax and release some of his/her tension. What he/she needs is a good massage. By you giving one does not only suits his/her needs, but also allow you to be more intimate as a couple. Massage has been said to be a dance of love with your fingertips. Given correctly it can be one of the most intensly sensual moments you can share with your partner. And not surprisely, the skin is the largest sensory organ in the body! Here are some tips:

First, have your partner lie down on their stomach. You want to start by give them a simple back rub or a head massage. This will get you and your partner into communication with each other as well as let your partner get used to your touch. When your partner is used to your touch, stradle your partner’s body (a leg on each side) and begin to let your fingers stroke lightly, starting from the neck down. Each stroke should begin from the spine and roll off the sides of your partner’s body. Remember that continous movement is the key. Always try to keep even pressure between each hand.

When you place or remove your hands, use a glide on, glide off style of touching. Glide on in the direction your hands will be moving on or off the body. Maintain a continuous flow while massaging. Make your movements blend together, each one enhancing the preceding one and preparing for the next. Your strokes should be fluid, never jerky. Always take your hands around or out of the body rather then stopping in mid-flow.

If you wish, you may also use lotion, or essence oil to help with the massage. Having soothing music is always a great idea.

Below is a video clip on how to give a Swedish Massage (Level 1 for beginners!) by North Carolina School of Natural Healing:

Enjoy Your Home Spa

We all love to pamper ourselves once in a while don’t we? It helps us relax and leaves our skin healthy and smooth, but not all of us have spa appointments all planned out in our schedules and sometimes the cost can be a bitch. Besides, what’s better to do at home than having a nice up of tea, a book you enjoy and a DIY home spa when it’s raining outside?

For your body:

Milk Bath
You’ll need:

* 8 cups powdered milk
* 1 cup oatmeal
* 1 cup ground almonds
* 1 cup cornmeal

Mix the ingredients together and store in a sealed container. When you’re ready to use it, scoop the desired amount onto a cheesecloth (or something like a J-Cloth) and tie it securely. Drop it into the bathtub before filling it with water. Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil for added relaxation. A milk bath keeps your body moisturized and soft.

Papaya Body Polish
The papaya contains enzymes that soften and revitalize the skin when absorbed and help remove dead, flaking skin.

All you need to do is puree a ripe papaya (including the skin) and spread it over your body without rubbing. Wrap yourself in a plastic sheet for 20 minutes and allow your body to sweat. Wash it off and enjoy your soft skin!

For your Face:

Avocado Mask

Mash the creamy insides of one avocado into a soft paste and apply to your face using the avocado pit to massage the paste into your skin using small, upward, circular motions. Leave on for a few minutes then wash off with warm water. Avocados are naturally rich in vitamin E and leave your skin feeling soft.

Fascinating Concept Design Study from BMW

OK I don’t usually go into cars but GINA is adorable isn’t she?

“GINA, an acronym for “Geometry and Functions in N Adaptations,” obviously. When motorized metal framing moves, changing the car’s shape and function, its flexible fabric skin moves with it. (Quick: Someone tell Michael Bay.) And though it’s fully functional, at the moment there are no plans for a production run-GINA’s only on view at BMW’s Munich museum.”

Read the full article here

Bullfrogs can help with anti-aging

Wait, did I just use bullfrogs and anti-aging in the same sentence? That’s right, according to this article, the researchers in South Korea have discovered bullfrogs’ skin contain a certain substance that removes free-radicals (which is the molecules that speeds the aging process).

So that’s right ladies and gentlemen, we can turn to bullfrogs next time instead of fighting for that body shop vitamin E lotion. Who knows? You might even find a prince in the process.