Relaxing massage

About the course

On the Swedish massage course you learned to work with the muscles and soft tissues. Relaxing massage adds a second vital tool to this foundation — conscious work with the nervous system through touch.

Relaxing massage is not classic massage with less pressure, nor simply a set of slow movements. The depth of relaxation depends on how the nervous system perceives the touch: on the rhythm and pace, the character and continuity of the movements, the pressure, the sensory load, the breathing and the transitions between zones of the body.

On the course you study the basics of how the central and autonomic nervous systems work, the role of the skin's sensory receptors and the mechanisms through which massage can influence a person's state.

The main aim is to learn not simply to repeat a relaxation protocol, but to understand why a particular touch produces a particular response and how to use this knowledge when working with the client.

You already know how to work with the body. Now you learn to work with a person's state.

Why is it important for a massage therapist to be able to work with the nervous system?

At MAWS the core training is built around four areas of work:

• Swedish / classic massage → TISSUESWork with the muscles and soft tissues.
• Relaxing massage → NERVOUS SYSTEMWorking with a person's state through touch.
• Lymphatic drainage massage → FLUIDSWork with the lymphatic system and the movement of fluid in the tissues.
• Stone therapy → TEMPERATUREWork with temperature: the contrast of hot and cold.

This knowledge is mutually complementary and allows a massage therapist not merely to follow a ready protocol, but to understand the task and consciously choose an approach for the specific client.

The modern client comes for a massage not only with tense muscles. Chronic stress, a high workload, a constant flow of information, a lack of rest and disrupted sleep often lead to a state in which a person says: "I just want to relax and switch off." And here it is not enough simply to reduce the pressure and perform the classic techniques more slowly — professional relaxing massage is built on understanding which sensory signals the nervous system receives and how the character of touch affects the client's state.

Relaxation is a massage therapist's skill. Two massage therapists can perform similar movements, but the client will have a completely different experience — because what matters is not only what you do, but how: the speed, rhythm, pressure, pauses, transitions between zones, continuity of touch, body position, the client's breathing and the overall sensory load. On the course you learn to notice these details and use them consciously.

Create a massage worth coming back to. Relaxing massage is well suited to regular visits: the client does not have to wait until something starts hurting. For many it is part of recovery and self-care — and it is precisely such experiences that build trust in a specialist, repeat visits and recommendations.

What you’ll learn

• Work with the nervous system through touchUnderstand how the character of sensory contact affects a person's state and why some kinds of touch promote relaxation while others have a more stimulating effect.
• Understand the physiology of relaxationThe basics of the central and autonomic nervous systems, the skin's sensory receptors, the role of the vagus nerve and the mechanisms of response to touch — through the practical question: "What am I doing with my hands and what response do I want to obtain?"
• Manage rhythm and paceHow speed, repetition and the character of movements change the perception of the massage and the overall state of the client.
• Create continuity of touchHow to move between techniques and zones of the body without abrupt sensory switches and preserve the sense of a whole procedure.
• Select pressureWhy relaxing massage does not necessarily mean only light touch and how to adapt the intensity to the client while preserving a relaxing character.
• Work with the breathHow to take the client's breathing into account and use it as an additional guide during the session.
• Deliver a full relaxing sessionThe sequence of work with the zones of the body, the logic of building the procedure: the beginning, development and finish of the session.
• Create the right sensory environmentHow the atmosphere, the temperature of the room, music, light, scent and the organisation of the space support the effect of the massage — or hinder it.
• Work safelyIndications, contraindications and situations when the procedure needs to be adapted or postponed.

What you’ll be able to do after the course

After the training you will be able to use relaxing massage as a standalone procedure or integrate its principles into other techniques you already command. You will be able to:

• Deliver a full relaxing massage session
• Consciously work with the nervous system through touch
• Manage the rhythm, pace, pressure and continuity of the movements
• Understand the client's response and adapt the massage to their state
• Create smooth transitions between zones and a sense of a whole session
• Use breathing and the sensory environment as part of the relaxing procedure
• Apply the principles of relaxing massage in other techniques
• Create procedures suited to regular recovery and self-care

This is not simply another sequence of massage movements. It is the ability to influence a person's state through touch and create an experience the client wants to return for.

Who this course is for

Requirements to join

• Age 18 and over
• Russian or English language
• No medical contraindications to practical sessions
• Swedish / classic massage skills