| Purpose |
|
|---|---|
| Pressure | 1–5 / 10 · pressure scale |
| Rhythm | Slow and continuous, about one stroke every 3–5 seconds; always keep one hand in contact. |
| Hands | Whole palmar surface of both hands, fingers relaxed and together |
| Cautions |
|
Step by step
- 01 / 05
Stance
Stand in a lunge (bow) stance facing the direction of the stroke, knees soft, back straight. The stroke comes from shifting your weight forward, not from pushing with your arms.
- 02 / 05
Contact
Place both palms flat on the lower back either side of the spine, fingers pointing towards the head. Mould your hands to the body's contours.
- 03 / 05
Glide up
Shift your weight forward and glide both hands up either side of the spine to the shoulders, with even pressure through the whole palm.
- 04 / 05
Fan out
At the shoulders, fan your hands out over the top of the upper trapezius and round the deltoids.
- 05 / 05
Return
Draw your hands lightly down the sides of the torso back to the start, without breaking contact. Repeat 5–8 times, building pressure gradually.
Common mistakes
- Pressing with the fingertips instead of the whole palm.
- Locking the elbows and pushing from the shoulders instead of shifting your weight.
- Breaking contact between strokes.
- Speeding up. The rhythm should stay slow and even.
How it should feel
- Giver: hands warm and relaxed, and they follow the body's contours.
- Receiver: one continuous, even wave with no poking or dragging.
Self-check
Drills
Effleurage opens and closes almost every region in a relaxation routine. It is also your first assessment tool: as you glide over the Trapezius you feel for tension before choosing deeper strokes.