ADVANCED POSTERIOR TECHNIQUE, Standing Floor to Table:
Back, Side-Body & Leg (Right Side Only)

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1.  Standing Trapezius & Paraspinals:

• Practitioner Position: 

Stand at S6 on the yoga mat facing the foot of the table at a 45-degree angle towards the left between the face cradle and the right corner of the massage table. Standing foot right, working foot left.

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

Double or single Shoulder Wrap.

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics: 

Begin with your toes/ball of your foot at the recipient’s upper trapezius, superior to the superior angle of the scapula (depending on your ankle flexibility) and “scoop” as much of the upper trapezius tissue, taking it inferiorly. Move through the rhomboids with the medial edge of your foot parallel to the spine.  At the lower angle of the scapula, turn your foot perpendicular to the recipient’s spine with their spine at the apex of your arch. Keep the full plantar surface of your foot in contact with the recipient’s tissue as you continue down the paraspinals. Continue all the way down the back, lightening pressure over the lumbar spine, finally creating gentle traction on the sacrum by leaning into the Sarga Strap and extending through your working leg.

• Target Tissue:

Trapezius, rhomboids, levator scapula, erector group, thoracolumbar fascia.

• Considerations & Contraindications: 

Do not apply direct pressure on the curvature of the lumbar spine.

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2.  Standing Deltoid:

• Practitioner Position:

Stand at S6 on the yoga mat between the face cradle and the right corner of the massage table facing the foot of the table. Standing foot right, working foot left.

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

Double or Single Shoulder Wrap.

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

Begin with your toes/pad of the foot at recipient’s superior deltoid and gently roll the deltoid tissue up and over the head of the humerus, focusing contact on the lateral border of the scapula (not over the infraspinous fossa). When the arch of your foot comes in contact with the tissue, continue the stroke with the full plantar surface of your foot caudally and towards midline. This is a short stroke; end before your heel dips down into the nerve plexuses of the medial upper arm.

• Target Tissue:

Posterior deltoid, teres major, teres minor, long head of the triceps.

• Considerations & Contraindications:

Watch the spine of the recipient’s scapula to make sure that you are not taking tissue laterally. Work gently in this sensitive area. Do not drop down to the nerve plexus of the medial upper arm. ​

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3.  Standing Side Body - 2 Variations:

• Practitioner Position:

Stand at S1 on the yoga mat facing the foot of the table at a 45-degree angle towards the right. 

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

Begin by picking up the recipient’s right arm and gently bring it up and over to rest on the face cradle framing the recipient’s head (if the recipient has long hair, move it out of the way before placing the arm). Take the Sarga Strap from the left side and place it underneath the face cradle and around the recipient’s arm to cradle/support the arm at the elbow. Keep the arm in this supported position by holding the Sarga Strap with your right hand while your left hand pulls on the other end of the strap for leverage and support

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

Variation 1 (PSIS): Begin with the toes/pad of the foot at infraspinatus and take tissue caudally/medially, using your medial arch as the contact surface. This is a broad oblique stroke that aims to end at the PSIS. Variation 2 (ASIS): Begin with the toes/pad of the foot at infraspinatus, keeping your heel down and allowing it to brush the surface of the massage table. Follow the “seam” of the recipient’s body, using your medial arch as the contact surface. When you reach the floating ribs, keep your contact as oblique as possible, creating a broad fascial stretch, ending with your medial arch at ASIS.

• Target Tissue:

Variation 1: Infraspinatus, latissimus dorsi, Erector group, quadratus lumborum, thoracolumbar fascia. Variation 2: serratus anterior, obliques.​

• Considerations & Contraindications:

Be mindful of shoulder injuries and restrictions in the joint mobility. Omit this stroke if necessary especially in cases of acute shoulder injury. If the recipient has large breasts, ask them to take their breast tissue towards their midline and out of the way.

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4.  Standing Targeted QL:

• Practitioner Position:

Stand at S2 on the yoga mat facing the foot of the table at a 45-degree angle towards the right. Standing foot right, working foot left.

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

Open the Sarga Strap to its full width and bring it over the recipient’s hips and hold either edge of the strap in each hand. Use the Sarga Strap for leverage but also to support the recipient’s hips while applying the stroke. 

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

Use the leading edge of your heel to trace the posterior iliac crest. When your heel comes into contact with the lateral border of the recipient’s QL, wait for the recipient to take one full breath before continuing to the midline. This is a very oblique and gentle contact.

• Target Tissue:

Thoracolumbar fascia, quadratus lumborum.

• Considerations & Contraindications:

Do not apply direct pressure on the curvature of the lumbar spine, apply pressure only at an oblique angle.​

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5.  Standing Lateral Leg, Distally:

• Practitioner Position:

Stand at S2 on the yoga mat facing the foot of the table at a 45-degree angle towards the left. Standing foot right, working foot left.

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

Double or single arm twine.

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

Begin with your big toe/pad of the foot above the greater trochanter and your heel contacting the anterior border of the TI band. Continue down the leg, contacting the IT band with your medial arch. Stop before the knee.

• Target Tissue:

Glutes, IT band, vastus lateralis

• Considerations & Contraindications:

​Be sensitive at the knee joint!

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