The work starts before the first hand touches the body. A slipping towel, a pillow that’s too tall, and massage oil that’s impossible to reach make for awkward, uncomfortable massages. Towels and position don’t just make everything easier; they help the massage receiver, and the practice partner, feel at ease long before the first long-stroke.
Think of the towel work as creating order. Choose clean, dry towels that feel sturdy and can be readjusted with minimal fuss. One towel should go on your practice area to protect it, another should help keep receiver areas not in use warm and covered, and a third, smaller towel can be on the side to remove oil or lotion from your hands. Smooth out towel bunches that show up under any arms or shoulders, because small discomforts can easily become big distraction points once the massage is underway.
Position yourself and your receiver together for maximum comfort. If you’re working the receiver’s upper back, upper arm, or hand, position yourself and your receiver in a way that allows your wrists to be neutral and your shoulders to be low. You can use a cushion or pillow to help the receiver feel more comfortable, but make sure the height doesn’t make you position your body in any uncomfortable position. Before you start pressing on your hands or wrists, try them in place and see if you feel comfortable moving them at all angles.
Take a moment to make sure your towel work and position feels comfortable and secure before each round of work. Is the receiver feeling warm enough and not cold? Is everything in place smooth enough and easy to move? Are both you and the receiver in an easy-to-maintain position for several minutes? What about your posture? Are you bent from your back? Do your elbows feel stiff or locked? Are you reaching across your body rather than straight ahead? Many perceived mistakes or bad massage technique result from simple position or towel problems.
Oil and lotion deserve the same calm attention as the towels and position work. Put the massage oil within an easy reach, and then put the oil away from the hands until the towel, position, and work spot are in place. Too much product makes every stroke slippery and difficult to follow, while too little creates drag and friction. Add a measured amount to the hands only after everything else is in position and the receiver and you are ready to go. If the receiver or you need an adjustment or break, take it, and then continue once everything is in position and ready again.
A good position and towels also make pressure control much easier. If the receiver is uncomfortable from something like a twisted arm or a lack of neck support, even a light hand can be an unpleasant experience, and if your wrists or shoulders are uncomfortable you may not even realize that you’re pushing with your thumbs or fingerpads harder than you should. A solid work spot, a flat, even towel, and a comfortable angle help you keep your hand and palm pressure even.
The last thing to think about when you finish your massage is ending with care. If you can have a towel nearby or at hand for the receiver, take a short moment to finish with the massage, and don’t make the receiver move around straight away. A good end is just as professional as a good beginning. If a good towel position makes your stroke easier, the receiver more comfortable, and you less cramped, your towel work has done its job.