Self-Made Sauna & Steam Bath Massage

Here are some popular massage techniques I found
for self-made sauna or steam bath massage (some tips from asked experts):

It is also OK to massage yourself with bunch of leafy Birch twigs or Oak twigs when you do not have or do not want someone else to massage you. In this case you better feel how long and intensive the massage techniques should be. Similarly, you can adjust best the tempreture of massaging twigs and coming air.

Lie down on your back and bend your legs to make sure you can reach your toes for massaging.

Do stroking or sliding with bunches of leafy twigs from toes to hips for 3-4 times.
Do 5 sliding moves from hips to shoulders.
Do 4-5 sliding moves across the upper body (belly and brest) in each direction (left and right). Do 5 sliding moves from each hand to shoulder.
Then sit down. You may use headrest / back rest for convenience.
Do 5 sliding moves along your back from hips to shoulders.
Do 4-5 sliding moves across the back.
Do 5 sliding moves across the neck.

Do Lashing -- light sliding hits with bunch of twigs (vihta or vasta) in similar mode. Gently and brisky lash the body with tips of bunch leaves (lash the feet, then lash from toes to hips, from hips to shoulders). Then lash with bunch twig leaves across the upper body (belly and brest) in each direction (left and right), then lash from each hand to shoulder. When sitting down, make lashing with bunch of twigs along your back, moving up from hips to shoulders. Then do lashing across the back in each direction (left and right), and across the neck.

Do lashing for a minute or two. When massaging with two bunches of twigs, make a lashing hit with one bunch, and then a lashing hit with another bunch of twigs. To gather warmth, sometimes raise bunch of leafy twigs up while lashing. More intense and vigorous lashing is sometimes called whipping. With whipping you raise the bunch of twigs up to warm up more often.

Timing for sauna or steam bath massage

For experienced sauna or steam bathers: overall sauna massage with vihta or bunch of leafy twigs should not exceed 6-8 minutes during first sauna steam session and 3-5 minutes range during second sauna steam session (for example, apply short lashing and rubbing).

For sauna or steam bath beginners it is recommended to take sauna massage after their 2 visits to sauna or sauna room. Experts say when you get used to sauna or steam bath and can stay in sauna or steam room for 8-10 minutes, you can take 1-2 minute short sauna massage (for example, waggling, stroking or short lashing and rubbing). Then gradually increase the sauna massage time with each sauna steam experience.

The sauna or steam bath massage increases the blood circulation, applies natural fragrant oils and vitamins from birch leaves to your skin while making it rejuvenated, smooth, resilient and brilliant. When you will apply birch twigs for massage you will breathe with ease after every session. Experts say the birch leafy twigs massage helps with deep cleansing of small bronchi. Especially recommended for smokers, asthma deseased or people that live in smogy areas.

More information on birch or oak twigs for massage at
http://www.ziger.ru/page.php?lng=en&page=attend

Some good useful tips for bathing, sauna & steam bath practices at
http://www.ziger.ru/page.php?lng=en&page=tips

What types of sauna massage techniques you prefer? What type of leafy twigs and why?
Thanks in advance for sharing great advices & experiences