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Educational film, 1985
The Ultimate Guide to Loving Your Body & Spirit
In 1985, Patty Mooney made the world’s first instructional massage video. As “Cleo,” she walks you step by step through soothing techniques for yourself and for someone you love, in a calm, tasteful 45 minutes.
About the film
- Starring
- Cleo (Patty Mooney), with Maya Campos
- Producer
- Patty Mooney
- Directors
- Patty Mooney & Mark Schulze
- Technical director
- Susana Fernandez
- Released
- 1985 on VHS, expanded edition 1987
- Running time
- 45 minutes (the 1985 original ran 30)
- Award
- ITVA San Diego Video Medallion, 1985
- ISBN
- 0-944060-01-3
The world’s first instructional massage video
Massage for Relaxation brought the art of therapeutic touch into homes, spas and massage schools. Here is how Patty Mooney made it, and how it found its audience.
Writing about massage first
Before there was a video, Patty was writing about massage. Bestways ran her article “The Unique Art of Massage” in November 1983, and Beauty Digest published her guide to self-massage in May 1984.
A three-camera studio shoot
In 1985, Patty produced Massage for Relaxation in a television studio, shooting with three cameras. As Cleo, she massaged Maya Campos on camera, and Susana Fernandez served as Technical Director. The first edition ran 30 minutes, and it won the ITVA San Diego Video Medallion Award that same year.
Adding self-massage
In 1987, Patty added a section on self-massage. Mark Schulze shot it as director of photography, in an empty bedroom of their San Diego home. That year Patty also shot the marketing photos with Juliet. The expanded edition ran 45 minutes.
On the road to distributors
Mark and Patty took the film to video trade shows in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, including VSDA and Health World Video. There they signed distribution deals with Ladyslipper, Publishers Clearing House and others.
What Cleo teaches
Timeless techniques for self-massage and for massaging others, in a sensuous and tasteful presentation.
“Knead the flesh as if it were bread or clay, and never force, but improvise and be gentle!”Cleo, in the film
- Neck, shoulders and backUse your own healing touch to ease everyday tension.
- Arms, legs, hands and feetSelf-care for the places that carry you through the day.
- Trigger pointsFind them, and work them for a deeper massage.
- Headache reliefGentle pressure techniques to help a headache let go.
- Facial massageFor yourself, and for someone else.
- CelluliteTechniques to help address cellulite.
The Glowing Salt Rub
Cleo also shares the secret of the Glowing Salt Rub, which rejuvenates and softens the skin. It helps reduce stress and relax body, mind and spirit, and unlocks the healing potential of touch.
Made to be shared
Couples
Learn together and trade relaxing massages at home.
Self-care
Soothe your own neck, hands, feet and face, any time.
Therapists
A structured guide for professionals and students.
Spas and schools
A classic teaching tool used in both since the VHS days.
What the reviewers said
Billboard, September 17, 1988
“Briskly paced and modestly priced.”
The review singled out the extended self-massage section, and predicted the tape could make a dent in the sell-through market.
Video Rating Guide for Libraries, Winter 1990 ★★★★
“A highly professional, nonpornographic treatment of whole body massage.”
Mike Gabriel of Northern Illinois University praised the close camera work on the hands and recommended the film for public, college and special libraries.
An award-winning original, and one of New & Unique Videos’ earliest and most influential productions.
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