1. Massage in Schools

2. Rules of Massage
It is important to remind the pupils about the rules of MISP before starting.
Person at the back always has to ask the person at the front for permission.
If the partner at the front says ‘yes’ to having a massage then the person at the back should place both hands on their partners shoulders ready to begin.
If the person at the front says ‘no’ then the person at the back should keep their hands to themselves.
Person giving the massage needs to take care of the person receiving and listen to what they say e.g.
if the person at the front says ‘please stop’ then the person giving the massage should stop doing that stroke and return their hands to the shoulders of their partner and wait for the next picture card.
Person giving the massage should always maintain contact with their partner during the routine.
This is to make sure that the person in front knows that their partner is there at all times. We don’t want anyone to feel as though they don’t know what is going on behind them.
Easiest way to do this is for the person delivering the massage to always return their hands to the shoulders between each stroke.
Everyone should attempt to be as quiet as possible during the massage to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere.
No one is allowed to discuss anything other than the massage. Sometimes communication is required when checking for pressure etc during the routine.
Children are encouraged to whisper to each other. Appropriate music could be played during MISP.
5. Everyone is encouraged to have fun and enjoy the massage experience whether they take an active part or not. Some pupils may opt to work with a cuddly toy or do some of the strokes to themselves.

3. ASK FOR PERMISSION
Person delivering the massage should ask their partner if they would like a massage.

4. Eyeglasses (Drawing circles on the back)
Hands together in the middle of the back.
Stroke down the centre then out to the sides, up to shoulder blades and back to the start.
Draw 3 circles on the back. After the third circle stroke up to the shoulders and give a
Gentle hug (hold).
Back to the starting position and do 3 sets.

5. 2. Cat grip (working on the neck)
Stand to the side of your partner. One hand gently on the forehead to keep it steady.
Other hand on the back of the neck – feel for the skin.
Take a cat grip around the neck and make gentle movements with your fingers on one
Side and your thumb on the other side, using the whole surface of your hand.
Repeat several times. Check for pressure.

6. 3. Baker (working on the shoulders)
Place your hands on your partner’s shoulders.
Make gentle movements with your palm and fingers (like kneading dough).
Repeat several times.
Remember to check for pressure.
Ask your partner – does this feel ok?

7. 4. Ice Cream Scoop (working on the shoulders)
Stand behind left side of partner’s back. Place left hand on upper left arm for support.
Place your lower right arm on the left shoulder and make one long swooping stroke from
The neck down and across the shoulder muscle, using the fleshy part of your arm.
Toward the end of the swooping , gently rotate the arm upward like scooping of ice cream
out of a tub.
3 scoops then change sides. Try to maintain contact with your partner as you cross over.
Change arms positions (reverse of first side) and repeat.
3 scoops then move back in behind your partner with hands on shoulders.

8. 5. Forehead Stroke (working on the front and side of the head)
Stand behind partner. Place fingers of your hands on your partner’s forehead one hand at a
time.
Stroke/run your hands back to the sides of the head (just above the ears) and hold at the
temples for a couple of seconds.
One hand at a time back to the front of the forehead.
Repeat 3 times.

9. 6. Hairdresser (working on top of the head)
Place your 10 finger tips on your partner’s scalp.
Make small circles over the entire head.

10. 7. Slide (working on the head and shoulders)
Place your hands flat on top of your partner’s head.
Stroke from the top of the head, down the sides of the head and neck and out across the
shoulders. Finish on the shoulders with a gentle hug (hold).
Both hand back to the top of the head – one at a time.
Repeat 3 times.

11. 8. Climbing down a rope (working on the arms)
Kneel down beside you partner. Place one hand around the arm below the armpit.
Making a C-shape using your palm and fingers and press gently.
Place your other hand below your first hand and ‘climb down’, hand over hand until you
reach the wrist.
Climb back up the arm the same way. After climbing down the arm for the third time,
Move on to the bunny hops before climbing back up the arm and changing sides.
Repeat on other arm.

12. 9. Bunny Hops (working on the palm of the hand)
After climbing down the rope (last move) for the third time, stop at the wrist, open your
partner’s hand and press your thumbs gently into the palm.
Ask your partner if they like fast or slow bunny hops.
Spend around 5-10 seconds before climbing back up the rope.

13. 10. Hearts (working on the back)
Begin almost at the lower back, moving up with the hands placed on each side
of the spine.
Draw heart shapes out to the sides and back to the starting position.
Draw 3 hearts – small, middle (half way up the back) and a large heart (draw up to the
shoulders)
3 sets of 3 hearts.

14. 11. Butterfly (working on the back)
Place hands on the middle of the back.
With the right hand cross over the back diagonally to touch the left shoulder.
Hug the shoulder gently and bring the hand back to the starting position.
Repeat the stroke using the left hand.
3 sets of 3.

15. 12. Bear-walk (working on the back)
Place hands on either side of the spine, almost at the bottom of the spine.
Press one hand after another ‘walking’ up the back.
When you reach the top of the back, start walking back down.
3 sets up and down.

16. 13. Ice-skating (working on the back)
Place the sides of the hands on each side of the spine.
Use the hands to do short, sharp slides all the way up the back.
When you reach the top of the back, slide both hands down either side of the spine
to the starting position. 3 sets up and back down.

17. 14. Brushing the horse
Stroke with one hand at a time all the way down the back from top to bottom.
Always stay in contact.
Covering the back with long brush strokes.
Continue for 5 – 10 seconds.

18. 15. Brushing off the snow
Similar to the slide... Stroke quickly from the head down to and across the shoulders.
Imagine snow is lying on the shoulders and brush quickly off – breaking contact.
Then do the same all the way down the back – breaking contact as you reach the bottom
of the back.
3 times off the shoulders and 3 times down the back.

19. Say Thank you
Person delivering the massage to thank the person receiving as they allowed
the massage to take place.