This book is designed for couples who want to help their partner relax and relieve tension with a short massage. There are specific techniques you must follow to accomplish the best result with the least amount of effort. The book is simply written with photos containing arrows and/or circles depicting the direction of the massage. There are also pages for taking notes so the next time the massage is done they can be referred to. In most people the same muscles tend to be tense every time. I began doing massage therapy in 1978 and continued through May of 1985. During that time I had worked in many health spas in the Miami area such as the David William Hotel, Coral Gables; the Eden Roc Hotel, Miami Beach; and the Ocean Reef health Club, Key Largo. I also owned my own business, TNT THERAPEUTIC HEALTH SPA, which I used for my office just east of Brickell Avenue in downtown Miami and one in Homestead. What prompted the book writing was while making house calls I would always hear my customers say, "Why can't my wife or husband do this?" This resulted in the book, IT TAKES TWO: THE ART OF RELAXATION. PREFACE This book is designed for the benefit of the uptight, nervous individual who needs to relax. The art of massage is as old as man is. Ever since the first man became sore massage has been used to work out the "kinks." The Egyptians, Chinese, Europeans and Westerners have all used massage as a method of relaxation. As man progressed so has the quality of the massages. With the advent of new knowledge comes a new more precise type of massage. In the beginning massages were generally a soft movement over the skin to give a soothing affect which would relax, but now the massage technique is drastically different. Tight spots can be pin pointed and worked out with direct pressure to the area, and nervous tension can be quieted with a gentle stroking motion. Along with new education in massage also comes the other "forms" of relaxation, pills, hypnosis, and "getting away." Pills do not really relax anyone they mask the symptoms so you feel relaxed, hypnosis does work for a short period of time but has to be repeated often, "getting away" is great for a change of scenery but will do nothing to help you relax bodily tension. After all else fails, we come back to massage. The direct manipulation of the muscles and the soothing effect to the skin brings about the desired affect, RELAXATION. The massage however, should be customized to the individual client to obtain the best possible results. The following chapters will explain how to give a good therapeutic massage. Following these chapters will help in time of need until a licensed therapist can be seen. In doing the massage there are several things to keep in mind, use a firmly padded area to work on and follow the illustrations. Find a quiet room with the lights dimmed and a comfortable temperature for you and you partner. NOW, GO TO WORK!! Throughout the following chapters, there is a constant referral to tight spots. Muscle and nervous tension appear in the muscle as a tight spot or "knot." The moves suggested here are tools used in finding and breaking apart these "knots." The constant repetition of the terms and the number of times may seem to be boring but it is of necessity. Through the repetition, the muscle tension can be found and worked out. The more tension to be found and relieved the greater the result. Use this manual as a tool to help each other gain relaxation and an insight to each other's needs.