1.    Massage very firmly on muscle—not so much on bone or organs
2.    Work large muscle groups the longest
3.    Use slow, firm, even pressure as opposed to fast, wimpy strokes
4.    Always warm your oil/cream in your hands BEFORE putting your hands on body

You want to be in a private, quiet place when you give a massage. Make sure that the phone is off the hook, and that you're not going to be bothered by the door, kids, animals, etc. Select some soothing music and turn off the lights except for lighting some candles.

You're also going to need a couple of sheets—one to cover your work area (you don't want massage oil staining your couch/bed), and another to cover your lucky recipient. If they feel "exposed" it will be impossible for them to relax. So, as you work, uncover only the area you want to massage. Then, cover it again to keep the area warm. As you massage the skin, blood flows into that area. This blood causes the area to redden and to warm. You don't want this to turn to chill, so be sure to cover your finished areas.

By concentrating on the large muscle groups, not only is your massage more efficient because you’re getting the largest source of body tension—you're also preventing damage.

On either side of the spine are large muscle groups called Latissimus Dorsi. These are the long, strong muscles that allow you to stand up— and they are great places to work. Again, you have to be careful there, because just underneath these muscles are the ribs, and you know how ticklish some people are in this area! Slow but FIRM strokes are best to avoid having recipient burst into a tickle rage.

Pressure that is too light or inconsistent (light, heavy and then light again, for instance) can be as uncomfortable as too much pressure. Be sure to use an even amount of pressure— not too hard, and not too light—when giving a massage. It’s best to start out somewhat lightly and ask if they want more. Gently increase your strength until recipient indicates that pressure is strong enough.

If you're going to give a whole body massage, always use a lubricant—it’s a critical step to prepare and protect the recipient’s skin. As for what kind of lubricant, I prefer something that’s easily absorbed into the skin—but hand lotions tend to be too quickly absorbed. A good DIY recipe: 70% unscented baby oil mixed with 30% unscented baby gel (or of you can find lavender-scented products, those are very relaxing). You can also use 70% grapeseed oil and 30% baby gel. Adding a few drops of essential oils to make your potion smell better is also a good idea. Lemon/citrus scents energize while lavender tend to bring on a feeling of relaxation.

A vigourous, deep tissue sports style massage is great in the mornings, as it gets your circulation going while making your muscles nice and limber. Evenings are best for a slow but firm massage with some lavender scented oils, to prepare you for a deep sleep.

If you get massaged at the start of your day, it is best to shower after but if you receive your treatment in the evening, forego the shower as it may stimulate you and wake you right up again, undoing the sleepy, relaxing mood. Stay warm and of course, get massaged at least once a month. (Once a week is better!)

Finally, you should also have some water available. Many people feel thirsty after a massage. This is because while massaging muscles, all sorts of toxins/chemicals that build up in our muscle tissue are released into the body. They need to “flush” these toxins out asap or they will feel super tired and sort of dizzy.