“There is no such fat that you cannot massage away”

By Saori Motojima

Translator’s Note:

Please note that this is not an official translation for the book. To make Saori Motojima’s work available to readers outside of Japan and Korea, we have decided to create a provisional translation that focuses only on translating crucial parts of the text. We have decided to omit translating chapters listing specific products, generic advice, etc. The translation was prepared with help from a native Korean speaker.

Important content notes:

• Despite the title, the book does not provide methods for actual fat-loss, only methods of reducing swelling of the fat tissue and improving circulation.

• There are no fixed recommendations for the number of repetitions of each move, nor recommendations for the duration or intensity of the massage programs. The author suggests to perform them as often as possible or at least for 1 minute a day for each body part.

• Each massage has a special QR code that will link you to a video showing how to perform the massage.

It is not often talked about, but the lymph system has a speciall connection with the fat tissue. The fat cells within the fat tissue are held by a scaffolding of collagen fibers – when the fat cells need more space to expand, they will allow free fatty acids to secrete into the inter-cellural space and communicate to the fibroblasts (cells responsibile for collagen production) to slow down the buiding of new collagen fibers. The existence of free fatty acids in the inter-cellural space can also trigger the process of creating new fat cells. This process can get out of control if the lymph vessels are leaking and allowing free fatty acids to flow out in an uncontrolled manner. Coupled with poor circulation of lymph leads to build up of fat and loose skin. In her book Saori Motojima often reffers to this process.

Prologue (pages 4-7)

“Hello! I am Motojima Saori the author of this book. I used to work at the aesthetics centre that specialises in creating beautiful figures through massages. I grew from the aesthetics therapist to the manager, rubbing and massaging the bodies of clients for their diet programmes and health, but my own body was going through the repeated process of gaining and losing weight. I was feeling unhappy about my body and relied on dietary meal replacement products or aesthetics, but failed at regularly maintaining my figure and health. Especially for my lower body which had been a problem for me since my teenage years, I was not able to lose the excessive fat on my hips and thighs even with diet programmes.

 

After my marriage, I got pregnant and gained weight dramatically afterwards. I realized it’s not healthy to constantly yo-yo and started to look for alternative ways to take care of myself. While breastfeeding, I could not limit my diet, I could not exercise strenuously, and I could not skip my meals. I searched for things I could to do at home without spending money. Since then, I started improving my nutritional habits and started doing self-massage and exercised regularly.

 

As a result, 15 months after giving birth, I lost 20 kg and I gained a beautiful figure for the first time in my life. I wished to share my self-care routines with more people and this was the reason why I started to post my massage routines on Instagram. When I post massage videos on Instagram, I receive positive feedbacks from viewers saying that their 'faces got smaller', and 'waistline appeared', and 'legs got smoother in shape'.

 

It is very important to eat right and exercise regularly. But there are areas on the body that cannot be influenced by diet and exercise alone, but those areas might react very well to massaging. When I started massaging my legs, they felt swollen, the tissue was hard and painful. But slowly my body got used to being massaged and my legs became slender.”

 

BASIC – fundamentals of massaging

The 6 Points (pages 12-13)

Point 1 - Eight methods to reduce fatigue and de-swelling the fat tissue

There is no single massage method. Different methods are to be used for different areas and stages of the massage. Rhythmically rubbing down, pinching, pinching and pressing, twisting, tapping, pressing with fists, pushing with palms; these are the eight methods that can be used to soften the fat tissue and reduce swelling.

 

Point 2 - The more painful the more unreleased swelling and fatigue

Areas that are painful upon massaging are most likely affected with early stages of lipodemia. When you gently massage the hardened and more fatigue areas, your body will eventually feel more refreshed and relaxed. As you massage your body, you will gain more understanding of it’s condition and needs.

 

Point 3 - Between being painful and refreshing

We should not rub too hard no matter how urgently we wish to lose the swelling. People with less muscle mass or with bodies affected by poor circulation may bruise easily. For such people, instead of massaging with full force, slowly build up a tolerance for the massage.

 

Point 4 - It can be anywhere, so just massage everyday

The best way is to massage even just for one minute a day at least one area. When you massage your body every day you can discover the changes in the skin and the characteristics of your own fats. When it becomes habitual, you can see differences in your bodyline and notice your size getting smaller.

 

Point 5 - Frictions triggers our skin

Before performing a massage, please apply body oil or a thick moisturiser onto your skin.

 

Point 6 - Keep yourself hydrated

A side effect of doing the body massage may be increased thirst – always drink enough water. A good time to perform some of the massages might be while taking a shower or a bath.

 

Things to note:

1. Listen to your body and respect the signals it is sending you.

2. This book was written for aesthetic purposes. When you experience extreme pain and fatigue upon massaging, stop doing it immediately.

3. Massaging the body is not recommended if you have consumed alcohol, are having cold/flue or other serious illnesses.

4. If you are pregnant or bruising easily, please consult a doctor first before starting any massage program.

5. Be mindful of your skin reactions to the body oils and creams, and never use products that cause irritation, redness or other skin conditions.

How to rub? (pages 14-15)

Choose the most suitable method depending on the area!

 

1. Massaging (rhythmically pressing down) – press with the whole surface of your palm and rub back and forward.

2. Pinching - grab a chunk of your tissues between your thumb and index finger.

3. Pinching and Pulling – grab the tissues and pull them away from your body.

4. Twisting – press your palms into your body and twist the tissue.

5. Pressure point – press with your thumb and hold for 3 seconds.

6. Tapping (with fist) - make soft fists and tap your skin.

7. Kneading - press in with your knuckles.

8. Pushing with palms - use all areas of your palms, genteelly rub against your skin, pushing and sliding towards your lymph node areas. Recommended as last step.

 

Part 1 - Face and upper body program

1. Face Lifting Starts from the Skull (pages 18-19)

2. Less Swelling Makes Face Look Younger:

• Youthful face massage (pages 20-22) - 'shaded areas' (bottom right of page 20) are areas that get affected with excess lymph fluid. Lypmh fluid carries free fatty acids, that lead to loosening of skin and fat accumulation.

• Make-Up cleansing massage (page 23) - Gently rub your skin when removing your make up with cleanser to allow better lymphatic circulations - do not be forceful, use your ring fingers for thinner areas such as around the eyes.

• Smaller and less square jaw (page 24) - This massage has fast effect of face size reduction; you can also expect some face lifting.

• Reduce double chin (page 25) – the red point marked in the lower right corner is a pressure point. Press it with your thumb for 3 seconds.

• Massaging around the eyes (pages 26-27) – it’s important to not pull or stretch the skin when massaging the face. Always apply a slippery oil or moisturiser and press your fingers in firmly. The sensation should be that of massaging the muscles under the skin.

3. Rubbing along the Neckline and shoulder line :

• Collarbone massage to reduce fatigue and shoulder tension (pages 28-29)

• Less shoulder swelling massage (pages 30-31)

• Neck wrinkle care massage (pages 32-33)

4. Rubbing to make your arms thinner

• Hand massaging for more beautiful hands (pages 34-35)

• Thinner arms massage (pages 36-37)

• Thinner upper arms (pages 38-39)

5. Making Firmer and Beautiful Breasts

• Make your breasts fuller (page 40-41)

 

Part 2 - Beautiful body lines

Translators note: We decided to omit translating the pressure point listing, as it’s rather vague. For best results, perform all massages from this section.

1. Improve your circulation – start from the feet!

• Sole massage to improve circulation ( pages 50-52)

• Thinner ankles massage (page 53)

2. Slender legs

• Beautiful calfs massage (54-55)

• Focus on thighs massage (56-58)

• Massage to reduce sides of the thighs (59 upper section)

• Massage to help lymphatic circulation behind the calves (59 lower section)

• Ways to spend extra time for beautiful legs (pages 60-61) – general recommendations on proper posture and ideas on simple movements that can be performed when watching TV or spending time on the phone.

3. Shaping beautiful curves

• Massage for beautiful hips (62)

• Movements for hips (63)

4. Giving your body the S-line shape

• Massage for a narrower waist (64-65)

• Massage for a flatter tummy (66-67) – don’t press to hard, the stomach is a delicate area

Part 3 – Maintenance and advice (pages 76-91)

The 7 Day Program

Translators note: We decided to omit translating this section, as it contains generic and vague recommendations. Each day contains suggestions of doing certain massages (the page numbers are listed) and some form of stretching and light exercise.
Situational massage

Translators note: This section offers generic advice and additional stretches and simple exercise ideas.

1. Additional exercise to do on days when you are feeling motivated (92-96). The massages are paired with excercises: page 92 refers back to page 66, page 93 refers to page 64, page 94 shows excercise to be paired with massage from page 38 and page 95 reffers to massage from page 54.

    

2. On a tiring day with swelling body take a bath (96-97) – the author recomends including epsom salts in your bath, as well as excercising your feet by using your toes to gather a towel.

3. Advice on bloating after overeating (98) – the author recomends performing the massage listed on page 66, as well as drinking herbal teas.

4. Stretches to relieve a painful menses (99)

5. Stiff shoulder advice (100-101) – advice on posture and a hot compress

6. Advice on getting ready for a big day (102) – generic advice on drinking water and doing a mud mask

7. Hot compress to relieve eys after crying (103)

Translators note: The rest of the book lists specific products and we have decided not to translate it, as it may not be relevant for readers outside of Japan and Korea.