Couples Massage Sign Language for Massage Therapists

(This post is in part of the 31 in 31 blog challenge.)

I love doing couples massage. I love when two people choose to share this serene environment we have created. I especially love it when a client mentions that their couples massage was selected as a preferred birthday/anniversary gift- what a honor!

In a solo massage room clients are free to talk, or sleep, or drool. Whatever floats their boat. They are the captain of the USS Serenity. If talking helps them to relax, then let's chit-chat!

But, in a couples massage a strange thing happens. To ensure a peaceful atmosphere for both of our clients our staff becomes extraordinarily quiet. Now, obviously, if both clients are the talkative type then we can easily accommodate that. But if one client needs the peace-and-quiet, well then it is our job to make sure you can hear a pin drop. And if we see a pin falling we will do our best to catch it in between our toes so that our clients are not distracted. I may be exaggerating.

In these silent type scenarios, our talented staff does an amazing job of combining their individual massages into a semi-synchronized spa service without words. We still manage to communicate. If a client were to peak under their eye pillow at an opportune time, well they may see one of these humorous scenes:

We have scheduled buffer breaks after every appointment. If we become delayed for any number of reasons we can still give our clients their full time. This means the start and stop time is not set in stone. Both therapists need to be able to end at the same time so this is an important conversation to have.

It goes like this: Therapist A waits for Therapist B to open their eyes and scan the room. It could take awhile. Therapist B may be really into what they are doing, really in tune with the music, unable to feel the eyes of the other therapist. Then, their eyes lock and Therapist A gives the signal. Maybe a simple raise of the eyebrow while pointing at their wrist. Maybe a head tilt with eyes darting back and forth to the clock. The response from Therapist B normally comes back with easy numeral hand gestures. "5 after" they may signal.

The massages continue. A little while later Therapist B's throat becomes inexplicably dry. She waits to recapture the attention of Therapist A to make the drinking mime dance to ask which of the two identical water cups on the shelf is theirs.

The massages continue. It's half way into the treatment and it is starting to get warm in the room with four bodies, two table warmers, and a steam towel cabinet. Therapist A gives the universal rapid hand flapping to signal Therapist B to turn on the table top fan and aim it her way.

Suddenly, a client snorts! The zen has been threatened! The client's partner lets out a little giggle at their loved one's ability to snore them self awake momentarily. As the therapists gently restore the atmosphere, one may give a quiet "Whew!" and wipe of the forehead.

Finally, at the end of the session. Therapists lock eyes and give the headnod to signal they are ready to walk out together. Share your massage-mime situations in the comment section!

This 31 in 31 is going to be fun!