Russ 'n Gaz's ideas

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Forward thinking ideas to usher in the age of innovation

If you want to use any of the ideas you see on this site then feel free. They are good and we think that society needs all the creativity it can get. Go ahead. We don't want the ownership or the hassle. Confusion and stress exists in those places. If you have success with them then you can donate to the forthcoming Gareth Horbury Foundation, which intends to promote and support mental health for all through creative thought. For more details contact me on 07821 742 023.

Massage clothing - adults

Since putting this up here I discovered that these t-shirts actually exist, sort of. Go to www.urbanapothecary.co.uk/products.

This one is for baby massage.

Anyway, add storytelling, guided meditation and stuff to the product and we're getting there.

the inspiration

The inspiration here is the same as for the child version, as these products were an extension of the same thought pattern.

The idea holds more potential for product development for adults.

There is so much written about the benefit of touch as a therapy, even when done casually and not as strict massage techniques, but just holding hands, hugging etc are great for emotional health. There is so much theory to draw on when creating the marketing materials for these products.

the idea

Instructional massage clothing that guides the user in giving a massage. This idea could take many forms.

Guided meditation massage

This is pretty much identical to the children's idea. A story / guided meditation script is used during massage. This is an innovation in itself as massage exists, as does guided meditation, but I'm not sure I have heard of the two being combined. Anyway, the t-shirt contains images that feature in the script. The images, symbols words etc on the t-shirt would guide the masseur/euse through the story and through the massage.

The script would contain elements of hypnoitherapy and NLP, which use positive language for healing. The combination of multiple healing methods could have massive benfit for the person being massaged and through the instrucitonal nature of the t-shirts, there is less room for error.

The user would follow lines and shapes or letters and there could be coloured areas, directional/motional symbols like little spirals for circular motions or dots for tapping. The user would learn to read the language of the t-shirts as there would be symbols that denote time, pressure etc.

There could be a whole range of t-shirts simple by creating a number of stories, which could be tailored to different audiences and interests.

With spiritual guided meditation scripts the massage element would provide a constant physical aspect to the process, which may have great benefit in anchoring the subconscious/psychological advances made during the meditation into the physical realm. There is probably a lot of resaerch that could be done here, perhaps around focusing on certain meridien energy lines and certain organs during certain parts of the meditation that are perhaps linked emotionally. Acupuncture theory contains lots of information about the emotional and energetic properties of different parts of the body.

T-shirts could also be centered around different forms of massage and their techniques, e.g. thai, swedish, sports, etc.

I am sure that there already exists reflexology gloves and socks. How about indian headmassage hats.

A drawback is that a massage may be less effective through clothing, and, of course, with people being different shapes and sizes and proportions, you would have to get to know your partner's body to give them an effective massage. So the t-shirts could not be exact in saying, for instance, where a particaular bone or muscle is. However, the clothing would still make great instrucitonal and learning aids and perhaps coupled with a good book or access to an e-course they could be very effective.

Another good idea, although flawed, would be to use the designs on the interior of normal clothing so that they can be turned inside out to be used for massage. Of course this would involve good product design.

Colour therapy / symbolism can be used in the product design. Use of materials, particularly for their sensual value is of high importance.

A great other idea would be to use simplified versions of the desings as fashion t-shirts, just containing one or two elements of the massage process.

Adult - sensual t-shirts

This intimate version of the same theme I have called UPABIT DOWNABIT T-SHIRTS. I thought that was a great name, as it conjures images of couples learning each other's preferences in how they are touched.

A good strap line might be something like, Now leaving your clothes on is as good as taking them off!

However, this does highlight the fact that being intimateand massaging your partner is something that people will want to do without clothes and with oils etc. But the t-shirts could be a good casual alternative that you can do sat on the couch or when relaxing rather than when, erm, being intimate.

Some good suggestions that I have read from a massage book that might be useful in the design are:

-Maintaining constant contact

-Wearing something comfortable, soft and easy to remove is beneficial to massage

-Do 30 minutes each then swap

-Notice what you prefer and communicate this (perhaps using the words Up a bit, down a bit)

-Communication not in speech but gestures or sounds

The t-shirts could come in a box set that includes mood-setting paraphernalia, such as candles, incense or oils, relaxation CD etc.

The t-shirt, which ultimately will come off in an intimnate scenario could be coupled with am instructional quilt cover / sheets for the bed that offer up suggestions etc. Perhaps this could even be woven into the erotic storyline, which continues from t-shirt to quilt.

The quilt, or the t-shirt for that matter, can contain word areas with words like, pinch, scratch, tickle, stroke, bite, kiss or squeeze in one area and body parts in another area. This gives the opportunity for actions to be inspired. A person's perception is a very complex thing and when coupled with intuition and intention can be a very powerful tool. It would be expected that the thing you spot at a particular time is the right time to do exactly that. This is what synchoricity and living a spiritual lifestyle are all about so why not bring this into the bedroom?

I thought of a good idea for a TV / internet advert:

The audio is someone reading out of a massage instruction book to a class how to do things properly, but the visuals are a normal couple doing all the wrong things. For example, the voice says, ‘start by holding your woman strongly’ as the guy reaches straight for the bra buckle or button on her jeans. Etc.