IHM - Face Massage

[Down]

Hello,

How do you all do the face massage part of a IHM? I am half way through my course and have now covered the full routine. I practiced on my partner last night and afterwards he commented that although the whole thing was deeply relaxing he felt the face massage part was quite intimate.

We have been taught to do this by resting the clients head against the therapist. I, too, felt it was quite 'close' and now he has got me thinking. How would I feel doing this to another man - how might they feel about it? I can't remember the last time I touched another man, let alone stroked an unknown mans face! I'm sure I will feel different when I am qualified and treating clients professionally - but it has got me wondering...

I'd love to hear how others do this part of the routine and am I worrying over nothing? Has this ever been an issue for anyone else?

Raya

 

[Mae B Jolly]

I suggest that students use a small pillow or rolled towel between them and the clients head. This helps to reduce the feeling of closeness whilst still giving a supportive cushioning effect. It also increases your ability to alter the angle of the clients head but moving the support.
Hope that helps.

 

[Hercules Puri]

Hi Raya and Intuitivehands (great name BTW)!

I use a small round cushion around the client's neck but do agree that you are very close to client whilst doing the facial moves. You do need to ensure that you are supporting their neck though. I can understand Raya that you may feel apprehensive treating another male but you are not really that close to them, if you ensure that they are supported there is no need to feel you are on top of them so to speak. Of course touching a face is very personal but it is part of the treatment. At the end of the day it is a face. A few of my IHM clients don't want their faces touched but most of them are ladies who come for treatment with their makeup on and don't want it disturbed. I do treat men with IHM and have had no negative feedback or comments from them. Don't feel it's a problem for you.

I wish you the best for the remainder of your course. IHM is a lovely treatment both to give and receive. Hope you enjoy it!

Love & blessings,

Rachel.

 

[what123]

Thank you both for your replies. I will try what you suggest and speak to my tutor on Friday. I might try and rope in some male friends to practice on - it is a shame there are no men on the course really.

Thanks again,

Raya

 

[egrducod]

Hi all,
definitely use a soft medium-small cushion between client's head and your body - that's the way I was taught, and it makes sense! I would feel weird resting some one else's head against me during massage - afterall, we don't lean on client during body massage - same thing!
As for face touching thing - wouldn't people go for a back massage or something if that was the case!!!