I thoroughly enjoyed The Back Rub Book; its friendly, themed lessons are a fun way to learn the art of massage. And this is the first massage book I've read which gives advice on ways to *receive* a massage and improve the experience!

The themed chapters progressively introduce you to new techniques and combinations of strokes in a friendly, unintimidating way. I heartily recommend this book for those looking for a intro to massage.

This is a great book for people who'd love to give a back massage. As a person who's taken three massage courses at university, I find this book helpful in refining my previously-learned techniques. Also, The Back Rub Book has helped me learn some new ways of providing back massages.

This book covers all sorts of massage: athletic, sensual, and general. It also gives tips and alerts you to any gotchas you may come across while giving massage.

All in all, I highly recommend this book to both novice and advanced massagers.

The Back Rub Book is a great resource for anyone who wants to make other people feel good. Anne Rush explains a multitude of techniques in easy-to-understand language and provides "recipes" for massage sessions. These sessions have themes (i.e., a wake-up massage, massage for lovers, etc.) as well as specific techniques not found in other massage books. (My favorite is the Rocking Horse, which is performed on the back.) I've read quite a few massage books, but this is my favorite by far.



The Listening Hand touched me in more ways then one. Ilana Rubenfeld, the creator and "mother-master" of the Rubenfeld Synergy Method, is a clear stand that traditional talk therapies, while effective, are incomplete without the power of touch. Not just any touch, but the Rubenfeld Synergy Method, which she developed over many years, working with an impressive list of mainstream therapists. The book uses many illustrations from her professional practice, but is not so filled with second hand accounts that they become tedious. It is written in such a manner that it is easily understood by lay persons and those not in the field, yet in no way does it feel condescending in tone nor over simplified in its explanation of the nature of the method nor its efficacy. Rubenfeld's writing tone, her clearly constructed sentences, even her picture on the jacket cover, all led me to a space where I could identify with her unique combination of touch and talk. I could imagine her touch, and realize her personal warmth in this book. This was particularly helpful, as you are transported to a safe space while you are reading. Many of the examples from her patients are followed by exercises which can be done either solo or with a partner. Not normally an interactive reader, I found that I was "feeling" through the exercises as I read them.. Even if you are not plagued by physical ailments, nor emotional upsets, there appears to be extreme value in reading The Listening Hand, solo or with a partner with whom you would like to reach a new and highly sensitized level of communication.

If you are interested in the Moon, in studying some of the past practices of moon worshipping and knowledge along with more current information, this book is a must read. It's not a book to pick up and read cover to cover as much as it is a book to browse at your leisure. It has a 70's flavor to it, which makes it all the more interesting now.

i chanced upon this book and i'm so glad i bought it because i've seen only one other copy. at the time i bought this book i had just been newly practising the art of massage (on my very grateful boyfriend), and i found this a very useful step-by-step guide. the only reason i rated this four stars is because i haven't read enough massage books to make a definitive comparison. for beginners, i'd definitely recommend it.

The two reasons I bought this book were the striking photography and the ease of use. I was not disappointed. The routines are simple and can be done anywhere, which is great. I highly recommend it.

Bodywork Basics is an easy to read reference for a variety of kinds of bodywork. It includes sections on western, eastern, and combination styles. Each section gives a brief description, history, and ways to try it at home if possible. I found it to be a nice introduction to things I had heard of but didn't know much about, and some things that were completely new to me. I also liked the other resources section at the end of the chapters which list a way to get in touch with practioners and further reading for things I want to learn more about. Overall, a fun, simple introduction, written so anyone can understand it.

My spouse's fibromyalgia is relieved by massage. I wanted to get a little comfortable with some of the theory behind the moves and this book helped me. I will keep it as a reference as I learn to improve my massage skills.

This is a gorgeous book visually and a beautiful book in it's welcoming attitude and clear approach. Anne Kent Rush is a classic authority in both massage and yoga. Her long experience and creativity allow her to bring the two disciplines together in Massage for Total Well-Being. The book shows, chapter by chapter, how to combing massage with yoga's seven centers of health. It's a book you can read in it's entirety or pick up at any place and learn new ways to enhance your well-being. I found comfort in simply reading it. This would be a great gift for those too-busy people on your list.

There's nothing special about this book, and the spiritual stuff just really makes no sense. Of course, some people really like that kind of wackiness.

I came upon this priceless little volume during one of my many forays in the local bookstore. In my ongoing quest to build a total exercise regime, I have found this book to be invaluable. The crisp, clear writing combined with sharp black and white pictures of average yet attractive individuals make this book very accessible to all readers. One is not inundated with bronzed, oiled hardbodies beaming at the reader while performing canned exercises which ultimately leads to feelings of inferiority and self-loathing for we the muscularly challenged as is the case with other texts on fitness and health.

This book gives the reader more than just pictures of people stretching. It also gives ample servings of insight and philosophy into health and fitness. This book goes beyond the simple how-to of stretching and shows the reader why stretching is important. Each portion of the book builds on those that precede it, giving the reader warm-up exercises, tips on developing individualized breathing patterns, back building exercises, and energy building exercises.

Using this book has allowed me to get past the grogginess and fog that accompanies waking up in the morning. After spending twenty minutes performing the exercises outlined in the book and focusing on my breathing, I can now go into the day fully energized. Before reading this book and applying its valuable lessons, I often went through the day feeling drained of energy and 'waking up' was literally a four hour process, as opposed to the twenty minutes it now takes with stretching and breathing. After spending close to four months applying the lessons in this book, I tackle almost every day with energy and renewed vigor and sense of purpose. Perhaps the best endorsement I can give to this book is that unlike most working people, after reading this book, I no longer dread waking up in the morning- getting up is no longer the psychological burden and physical chore that it once was.

This book helps and succeeds on many levels. I now incorporate its lessons into my total workout regime comprising of diet, exercise, reflection, and stretching. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to lose weight, truly wake up in the morning, and feel good about themselves.

This book was given to me because I wanted to learn more about yoga and it has really helped me. It's not the most comprehensive book on the subject, but it's good for those of us that have not joined an actual class.

This book has stunning black and white photos that will inspire any couch potato to begin a yoga practice. However, that is where the praise ends. The book lacked a thorough explanation of the poses and yoga philosophy. Also, the poses are given new names. This is clever, but why not stick with the names that have been around for 5,000 years? This book was a little too hip for an interested yoga student.

this book helped me and my boyfriend relax together and enjoy ourselves, it really did work.