As the name suggests, Californian massage became known in the early 1970s, in San Francisco, California, among a group of therapists who advocated freedom of expression of feelings, overall balance of the person and body relaxation.
Of these, Margaret Elke created a technique that she called Californian Massage. A massage derived from Swedish massage classic.
Over time, after the 1980s, the techniques of Californian massage diversified and became more professional, which led to its popularization worldwide.

Nowadays, this massage is also known as Esalen Therapy

... experienced, developed and promoted by the Esalen Institute, California, emphasizes the discovery of the body and emotions, through a very gentle approach, based on listening and presence. Followed by relaxation and total release of emotions, aiming to establish harmony between body and mind. It is a very relaxing technique that reduces the effects of stress (back pain, fatigue, insomnia).
In a listening context, it allows certain traumatic states to be addressed in order to overcome them. It has also been adopted in palliative (pain-relieving) care. This type of massage, more than any other, emphasizes the notion of contact. A considerable amount of massage oil is needed for this technique to work optimally. The patient, lying on the massage table, is invited to become aware of the tensions and emotions stored in the body's memory. And then to surrender to this experience culminating in the release of tensions and negative feelings.

It is a massage of the whole body using long, slow and fluid movements in order to achieve a special physical and mental relaxation.

It combines a relaxing and therapeutic effect, helping to relieve acute or chronic pain.
Massage is an excellent remedy against stress, but has a stimulating effect on the circulatory and lymphatic system. At the same time, it is recommended for regularizing respiratory rhythm. It favors digestive processes and helps eliminate toxins accumulated in the body. 

It is an excellent therapy for insomnia and stress, acute fatigue and nervous tension.

The Californian massage, is first of all a relaxing massage that favors slow and comprehensive movements practiced on the whole body. Being very sensual, it is practiced without clothes. Combining elements of aromatherapy and massage techniques, the therapist uses a special oil. In general, essential oil, which allows a smooth gliding but at the same time relaxes with pleasant aromas.

The basic technique consists in "sculpting" the entire body with effleurage, petrissage and vibration maneuvers, most of which are performed only on the skin surface. It is a soft, gentle and ample massage, with the hands performing a kind of harmonious choreography on the surface of the whole body.

It is a slow and harmonious full-body oil massage, in which the effleurage maneuvers are progressive, executed with pressure along the body. The therapist invites the person being massaged to feel the tensions and emotions so that, during the therapeutic session, the patient can release any form of stress. This massage technique is quite widespread in rehabilitation centers, becoming in recent years, one of the signature spa therapies, thanks to the aromatherapy elements, but also for the very special vision of the relaxation massage.

Benefits of Californian massage - Esalen

The Californian massage is addressed to all people who are looking for a real moment of relaxation.
It is especially recommended for people under stress.
Gently stimulating numerous nerve endings, it allows you to regain your well-being in a very pleasant and short time. The positive effects are found both at the physical level, because it acts to tone muscles and moisturize the skin, but also at the psychological level, having a relaxing, relaxing effect.

Andrei Claudiu Simion
Specialist massage techniques, Spa consultant
Mobile: 0736.339.830