Effleurage
Long, gliding massage strokes that warm tissue and promote relaxation.
Effleurage is a fundamental massage technique consisting of long, smooth, gliding strokes performed with flat hands. It's typically used at the beginning and end of sessions to warm tissues, promote circulation, and ease the client into and out of deeper work. In nuru massage, the entire body-to-body glide can be considered an amplified form of effleurage.
How it is used in practice
During a professional bodywork session, this technique often initiates contact, setting a welcoming and reassuring tone. A client planning their session might anticipate these initial, broad strokes as a gentle introduction to therapeutic touch, allowing them to acclimate to the environment and the practitioner's presence. As the session progresses, these movements may return periodically, serving as transitions between more focused work or to reassess tissue response. In the context of a full-body glide, the continuous, expansive contact across a large surface area creates a unique sensation of comprehensive connection. It's a foundational element that helps establish a rhythm, encouraging a sense of ease and receptivity throughout the experience. Clients often report a feeling of integration and mental calmness resulting from this fluid application.