Principles of the Art of Hands

Basic and Essential Principles

1. CONTINUOUS CONTACT WITH THE RECEIVER. I do not leave them even for a moment.
2. I TAKE CARE OF MY CLEANLINESS. The space is not only clean but appears clean. The receiver senses my overall cleanliness too. Always wash hands before and after each treatment. I make sure I am washed and lightly scented.
3. CORRECT BODY POSTURE. Pressure is applied to the client’s body using my whole body weight, not only my hands. This means I move my whole body. My movement should come from the “hara” (abdomen, shiatsu term), not only from the arms.
4. SENSE OF DANCE DURING THE SESSION. The whole body moves through the various strokes as needed. I can coordinate with music and introduce a rhythm into my treatment. A good treatment carries the flow of my body.
5. PREPARATION OF THE HANDS. I ensure my hands are warm before touching the client. I also prepare their suppleness with stretches to protect myself from tendonitis and to ready them before the treatment.
   
   IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES FOR AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
   
   
6. A good INTENTION toward the receiver. I intend to help them find relief.
7. CONCENTRATION IN THE MOMENT. Being focused allows me to give my best to the receiver. During the day I naturally have many thoughts… To live the moment, I return to observing my body and the receiver; sometimes I silently say a prayer to calm myself during the treatment.
8. INTUITION AND CREATIVITY. There is no fixed, predetermined program; the approach adapts to the client’s needs. Even the same person may need a different care each time. Each session can be entirely different because both I and the receiver change with the moment.
9. THE RECEIVER RECOGNIZES AND PERCEIVES MY STATE. What mood I am in matters. If I do not feel well-disposed toward a particular client, I focus on the moment: feeling my body, my heart, and simultaneously the client’s body, noting areas that are tense or rigid. This means practicing objective, nonjudgmental observation about whether someone suits me or not.
10. GIVING AND RECEIVING. I offer touch and simultaneously receive touch. I apply pressure and at the same time accept the corresponding pressure on my own body. There is action and reaction. I respect the client’s limits, applying pressure and tolerable discomfort only up to the point the body begins to react.
11. COMMUNICATION WITH THE RECEIVER. I allow the receiver to speak or express themselves when they need to. As an alternative therapist I don’t need to talk much, but I can participate minimally so the client can open up and release what they need to. This will relax them and assist self-healing. Massage is an adjunct (like exercise and nutrition) that leads to well-being, pain relief, and psychological relaxation. True healing comes from the client’s own awareness and willingness to change. Therefore I don’t chat during the session but I listen attentively and gently invite expression if it helps.
12. VOICE. Calm and gentle, friendly tone. Speak slowly.
13. PERSONAL BOUNDARIES. If I feel a behavior is unacceptable to the point I need to stop, I must interrupt the session.
14. TECHNIQUE ADVICE
    BREATHS. Coordinate my breathing with the rhythm, pressure, and strokes I apply. My breath gives life to each moment. I exhale with the pressure and strokes, guiding the treatment with respect and proper rhythm.
15. SENSE OF SELF. Observe my own body: my breathing, heartbeat, blood flow, and any changes during the session (e.g., hand pain, tendon tightness, spinal tension). I also monitor my posture. It must protect me and ensure my strength comes from my center, the “hara.”
16. SENSE OF THE RECEIVER. Observe the client’s body using a) touch to detect texture, folds, and differences in tissue; temperature differences area to area; b) sight for marks or color changes; c) hearing and d) smell, which can also help. All senses guide me to recognize the client’s needs at that moment.
17. RESPECT FOR THE RECEIVER. Cover the client with towels and blankets, ensure warmth and comfort with pillows, and expose only the area being treated, re-covering it as soon as that area is finished.
18. OVERALL SENSE OF CALM: Do not rush movements. Fewer relaxed maneuvers are better than many hasty ones. Avoid having both hands in the air at the same time, even for a second.
19. PAIN/RELIEF. Monitor all signs so the client does not feel excessive pain during the session. Pain should be enough to be felt but be a “sweet” pain that gives a sense of relief, not so strong that the client clenches. When muscles contract against the pressure, treatment becomes less effective. I press until I sense the body’s reaction, focusing both locally and on global indicators.
20. ABDOMEN. Touch with special respect. Avoid abdominal care except in particular cases. I place the client’s right hand over their navel and touch above it, sensing from there.
21. STRETCHES. I apply some basic stretches in nearly every Swedish technique: cervical lengthening, plantar flexion in supine, shoulder downward pressure, etc. Stretches are a core tool used together or simultaneously with other hand techniques. They lengthen muscles and enhance the intended outcome.
22. ARM PENDULUM. In prone position, let the arms hang first; gently pendulum them to relax, allowing the client to release their weight into my hands; then I lift the arm onto the table, supporting the client’s forearm with mine.
23. SURFACES AND TYPE OF MASSAGE. Large contact surfaces aid relaxation; small contact points (fingers, elbow) produce deeper and more intense work.
24. ANGLE. The more perpendicular the angle, the deeper and more intense the massage; the more horizontal, the more superficial and relaxing.
25. AMOUNT OF OIL. The less oil, the more friction/tissue grip and the more intense, less gliding strokes become. With more oil, the hands glide and friction decreases, producing a more relaxing effect. Use the correct amount of oil—not too little (hands won’t glide) and not too much (loss of control and unpleasant slickness for the client).
26. INITIAL SLIPS. The initial application of oil to the massage area is done at a deliberate, ritual pace; the spreading gives the receiver the first impression and should not be rushed.
27. FLOW AROUND THE SPINE. Do not cross the spinal column; move circularly around the head or the end of the spine. I may pass over it only for specific maneuvers, without applying pressure.
28. BASIC TOUCH POINTS: Hands (paws), head, neck. I touch these points in every massage to give a holistic feeling, even when working only on the back. When massaging the hand/foot (reflexology), I use reflexology references to locate pressure points.
29. OPENING AND CLOSING THE PROGRAM: I begin and end the session with pressures over the towel or clothes.
30. SUMMARY
    
    If I summarize my principles in a few words they are:
    BREATH – TOUCH – SENSE – PERSONAL CREATIVITY – IN THE MOMENT

Filio Moutafi