There is not much that is more soothing than a belly rub, especially if you are suffering from anxiety, digestive or elimination problems, or stress. Our abdomen is a storehouse of emotions, tensions, and stress; so massaging the belly is a great way to soothe the emotional body, release held tension, and help improve digestion and elimination. Please note that because the belly is such an emotional place, we can feel vulnerable in this area – when massaging others, move slowly and treat this area with extra care and loving-kindness. This is a great massage to share with your partner, kids, or give to yourself.
Start with your friend lying on their back, cover their lower body with a blanket, and if they have lower back issues place a pillow or rolled blanket under their knees. Sit at their left side facing them, with your hip against their hip. Place your right hand on their belly button and take some time to ‘synchronise’ your breath to their breath. Spend some time listening to their breath, and then match your breath to theirs. Once you are breathing together, on the exhale lean a little to let your palm sink into their belly softly. As you inhale, release the pressure 2/3 of the way. On the next exhale sink your palm in again. This is a soft and soothing technique so take care not to use strength or force.
After a minute of sinking the hand into the belly button, we’ll go ‘around the clock’ to palm 5 points.
1) The first point is just below the belly button (maybe an inch) on the exhale sink your palm in, on the inhale release – do this 2 times and then move to the second point.
2) The second point is the soft area just inside the hip bone closest to you – don’t palm on the bone itself, just use that as a guide to find the soft area in the lower right hand side of the belly. Palm twice on the exhales.
3) The third point is the soft area just under the ribcage closest to you – tuck your hand softly in and under the rib. Palm twice on the exhales.
4) The fourth point is the soft area just under the ribcage furthest from you – tuck your hand softly in and under the rib. Palm twice on the exhales.
5) The fifth point is the soft area just inside the hip furthest from you – tuck your hand softly in to the lowest left side of the belly. Palm twice on the exhales.
Once you have finished going ‘around the clock’ use your palm to softly sweep the belly a few times – always travelling clockwise. Now your friend will be very relaxed, and you might even hear a few happy gurgles from their belly.
Note: If you are doing self-massage, lie down and use whatever props you need to make your body as relaxed as possible so that your belly is soft while you massage.
