How to Massage the Foot

Stand at the bottom of the recipient’s right foot. Work through the entire sequence that follows and then switch to the left foot.

Place the fist of your right hand at the top of the sole and rest the palm of your left hand on the top of the foot, sandwiching the foot between your hands. Lean forward and glide your fist down toward the heel, maintaining the sandwich with the left hand. The foot should flex toward your partner’s head as you do this. After reaching the heel, lean back and drag the hands lightly back up to the starting position.

Place the left thumb at the base of the big toe, where the toe meets the sole. Creep laterally across the foot using small, circular movements until you reach the base of the little toe. Place the right thumb just below the line you made across the foot and repeat this motion, this time working from the outside of the foot to the inside. Continue, alternating hands and working slightly lower each time, until you reach the heel.

With your left hand, grab the foot at the heel with your palm resting on the sole. Keep contact between your palm and the sole as you lean back and pull on the foot, gliding up toward the toes. As your hand reaches the top of the foot, repeat this motion with your right hand. Develop a steady pace, alternating hands back and forth. Be careful not to crunch the foot into itself; instead, think of spreading the sole of the foot as you work.