Please be welcome to my Mains de Fées... website!

Let me briefly introduce myself. 

As I have been going and coming to Asia for the past 20 years, I have been lucky to enjoy their many traditional massages. A few years ago, I decided to start learning  different technics : I insist on the word "started" because I do believe that  apprenticeship never ends...

Therefore I took Reflexology (foot massage) training courses in France, as well as in Bangkok, Thailand. I also asked professional masseurs in Beijing and Shanghai, China, to patiently explain their work to me. Then I went on taking traditional Thai body massage courses in Bangkok, followed by courses of Indian relaxation massages, Californian body massage and swedish body massage in France. Well, the way I see it is that all these technics have very different interesting manners of taking care of our bodies and souls and the more you learn and the better it gets!  

Here are some details concerning my massage and relaxation sessions :  

• Reflexology / Foot massage :  Reflexology is a healing art of ancient origin. The precise date of origination is unknown, but there is evidence that it was a common healing treatment practiced 5,000 years ago in ancient Asian and Middle Eastern cultures.
  It is a system of massaging specific areas of the foot in order to promote healing, to relieve stress, back pains, sleep disorders, etc... Reflexologists work from maps of predefined pressure points, located on the feet, and can target not only the main body systems that massage affects but also specific organs, like the liver, bladder and kidneys.
  Reflexology has a number of benefits. At its most basic level, it is a soothing experience that is helpful for stress-relief. If the specific reflex points are targeted correctly, the benefits can be remarkable, including relief from migraines, circulatory and digestive issues, sinus problems and more. In general, any organ of the body with a correlating reflex point can be improved through regular reflexology treatments.
  Fundamentally, it is a form of preventive therapy but Reflexology does not constitute medical treatment, nor is it given as a substitute for medical advice or treatment.  

• Traditional Thai Massage : Thai massage has its roots in a spiritual tradition,  and its purpose is to heal a person physically, emotionally and spiritually. It should not be confused with a sensual massage. Fully clothed and without the use of oil, the recipient receives rythmic and deep pressured touch from the practitioner who uses his whole body, including his feet. Thai massage uses passive stretching and pressure along the body's energy lines to increase flexibility, relieve muscle and joint tension and balance the body's energy systems. Though certain pressure points might feel somehow painful at the time, it is nevertheless both deeply relaxing and energizing. It combines both physical and energetic aspects. It is a deep, full-body massage progressing from the feet up, and focusing on sen or energy lines throughout the body, with tha aim of clearing blockages in these lines, and thus stimulating the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body. It draws on yoga, reflexology and acupressure. Thai massage also places emphasis on the energetic meridians of the body, but with a more vigorous approach.

• Californian massage : The recipient will lie face down and the therapist will begin with light strokes applied with both hands. As the recipient's breathing slows, the practitioner applies oil to the back of the recipient's body, from neck to lower legs and  feet. Full body strokes are applied, with the practitioner paying special attention to any tightness or knots. This lasts for about 1 hour then the recipient turns over and the practitioner uses the same methods on the front of the body as well as on the face.

         Because of the full-body, fluid motions used, Californian massage is very relaxing . 

  When finished, the recipient will feel extremely mellow and his stress level  will  be  greatly  reduced.