We are featured in the Daily Express 23rd October 2009
Massage the Years away - By Rebecca Barnes

Massage the Years Away

Thursday October 22, 2009

We are fascinated by anti-ageing. Open up a magazine and you’re likely to find an article on looking younger, while chemists’ shelves groan under the weight of anti-wrinkle products.

However for every person willing to spend vast amounts of money and time on their looks there’s another looking for a cheaper, less extreme alternative.

As a beauty writer in my late 30s I have a professional as well as personal interest in holding back the years for as long as possible. When I came across a treatment that promised to lift and firm the skin using facial massage I was more than curious. I also discovered that someone like me, with no massage experience whatsoever, could learn this treatment on a one-day course.

The Natural Face Lift Massage course claims to be “facial rejuvenation without surgery” and “facial acupuncture without the needles” and is ideal for both beginners and experienced therapists. It merges complementary techniques from Indian and Japanese facial massage, along with facial acupressure, reflexology and lymphatic drainage.

The massage works by relieving tension in the muscles and giving them a lift. There is also a belief that when the muscles have space to relax potentially harmful toxins can be released. Added benefits include a toning and tightening of the connective tissues and facial muscles.

‘It merges Indian and Japanese techniques’

There were five other students in my group including a reflexologist, a beauty therapist and a corporate massage therapist . We were handed a pack containing useful information, including contra-indications, insurance and step-by-step instructions.

After introductions and a brief chat it was time to get to work. Already slightly intimidated by the calibre of my fellow students I was further brought down to earth when our tutor Cathy Alderson said my nails were too long for giving facial treatments. Oops.

The treatment was broken down into stages and we each had the chance to perform and receive each part of the massage before moving on to the next stage. With so much information to absorb it required concentration as well as co-ordination and was initially a little overwhelming. Thankfully we were encouraged to give feedback to ensure the correct pressure and technique was being applied. The course finished with a run-through of the whole massage . The person I massaged ended up snoring so I must have been doing something right.

We all left the class glowing and my face felt firmer and tighter. I was buzzing as I went home and couldn’t wait to give my unsuspecting husband the full treatment.

As most people learn this massage for professional reasons I asked Cathy to devise a quick and effective regime I could follow at home. This takes no more than 10 minutes and having performed it daily for two weeks I can report my skin looks brighter and firmer.

The Natural Face Lift Massage course costs £150 and is available across the UK and Ireland. Details: gatewayworkshops.com.

The 10 minute a day facial massage

1. Place both hands on to forehead so your fingers are almost touching. Massage forehead using small, circular movements. Continue from the centre of the face out over the cheeks, chin and jaw line. Repeat using firmer pressure.

2. Place hands in the same position and massage from the centre of the forehead out to the hairline along the side of the face. Do this three times.

3. Place hands along the top of the forehead, just on the hairline. Using your fingers, push upwards lifting the whole forehead. Do this three times.

4. Moving in a circular motion, use your middle fingers to apply pressure around the eyebrow area and under the eye socket. Repeat this three times.

5. Using your thumb and index finger, gently pinch and roll the skin on the following areas:
From the centre of eyebrows to the end of each eyebrow.
From either side of the nose, working under cheekbones out across cheeks to the edge of face.
From the middle of the upper lip to the edge of the lips.
From the chin along the jawline out towards each ear.

6. With palms facing down and alternating hand strokes, pat briskly under the chin for 30 seconds. Then briskly pat one cheek, followed by the other cheek, with firm upward movements. Pat the forehead area briskly.

7. Using the pads of your fingers, tap quickly and firmly all over the face from forehead to chin then back to the forehead again.

8. Finish by gently patting all over the face from the forehead to the chin.

To read this article in full on the Daily Express web site click here

We are all delighted with the news that we have been voted 'the best training school' for the Guild Awards of Excellence 5 years in a row!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for us, it is very much appreciated.

We pride ourselves in offering professional accredited courses with expert tutors in their fields and it is wonderful to know that all of the hard work has paid off. The tutors we have on the Gateway team are very passionate and they are all very happy to know their students have voted for Gateway.

We offer the personal touch and will continue to work hard for all our students and intend to introduce some new and exciting courses this year!"