Butterfly
Butterfly is a wonderful two-handed technique used to smooth out an area and to work a bit deeper. It is named the butterfly because the imaginary shape the thumbs make are like the wings of a butterfly. This technique is done with both hands holding on to the foot, with the palms resting on the top surface of the foot and the thumbs on the sole. The movement is with the thumbs; the rest of the hand comes along for the ride. Let the thumbs move in toward the center of the foot and back. Imagine your thumbs look like butterfly wings as you move in and out.
Learning the Technique
The thumbs move in a less exaggerated thumb walk toward the center, and then quickly slide back to the edge. Move your thumbs up each time you are along the edge, basically making a new line to walk. Your thumbs meet at the center of the sole, and then slide back to the edge. The butterfly may be done in a specific area or on the entire foot, depending on where you are in the sequence of the treatment. Remember, unless otherwise indicated, the fingers basically slide along with the hands as the thumbs perform.
Fact
As an effective transition tool, the butterfly technique allows for easy movement as you change from one place to another. At times you may move your fingers as well as your thumbs. In this case, all the fingers and the thumbs are moving in concert from the outside of the foot to the middle.
It's Time to Practice
Hold your hands in the air with your thumbs in finger-walking position.
The fingers are slightly bent, tips overlapping, as though resting on the top of a foot. Let the thumbs walk toward each other until they touch. Imagine they are sliding on the foot as you pull them back, move down slightly, and thumb walk in again. Your fingers may have to move away from each other a bit to get the full effect. The important thing is to practice, practice, and practice. Now try this on a foot.
You can butterfly an area or the entire surface of the foot. Start at the top of the foot or the bottom and move both thumbs into the center of the foot with a long thumb-walking stride. The fingers are slightly bent and gently gliding along the top surface. As the thumbs reach the center, gently glide them back to the outside edge of the foot and move up slightly. Continue until the hands reach either the top or bottom of the foot, and either repeat or move on to the next segment.
