A great massage will expunge your troubles and let your soul soar in delight and satisfaction, and that is a good thing indeed
Living off of Montana Avenue in Santa Monica has several advantages, including proximity to the beach, tempered weather and friendly folks. In addition and most importantly, great coffee is available on almost every block; favorites–being the coffee snob that I am–are Peet’s up the street, Luxxe Cafe around the corner and Groundworks coffee at the other end. We also have our fair share of markets (Less expensive Pavilion’s and the more expensive “Organic” Whole Foods), and numerous eateries with frequent choice for dinner being R&D Kitchen, and for weekend breakfast , Jack’s on Montana (great eggs Benedict with salmon, Hollandaise sauce on the side).
Living is easy here in breezy and cool Santa Monica, a few blocks from the ocean. Then, several years ago, it got even better when The Massage Place opened just around the corner (for full disclosure I am NOT a spokesman for The Massage Place, just a satisfied customer, and there are usually options in each community for massage). With a sixty-minute massage priced at $47, it’s really an unbeatable bargain (which makes the experience much more affordable and regular, gifting us with great physical and mental benefits). Obviously not all massages are created equal and although the experience varies by masseuse, I have yet to have a mediocre massage, and the joy to the aching body and satisfying nirvana for the soul, although temporary, is priceless.
Last two massages were especially noteworthy, since they perfectly illustrate the range of experiences available. First came Jazz. She is an inked and athletic gal, full of energy and completely lovely in that “don’t mess with me since I will ‘hurt’ you” sort of way.” I was in the mood for a relaxing Swedish and she gladly obliged. It was nourishing meditation and the out of body experience of being gently knit and relaxed into an oblivious mush. With very strong hands, she applied just the right pressure at all the right areas of distress (mainly back and neck). Stress flowed out and dissipated into the universe as if never existing in my body and all systems went back to perfect flow.
A few weeks later after a hard workout, a deeper, more invasive approached was required. Although Jazz was unavailable, fortunately Chris was, bringing more substantial male muscle and strength to play (To be fair, I have had great strong deep tissue massages from both women and men masseuses). My middle-aged body was in need of some deep tissue manipulation and Chris came through with flying colors. I have to admit there was some pain involved (always present when force is applied to tight-knotted muscles), but the resulting relief and sense of well-being was worth every minute of in-session discomfort, as well as the uninvited soreness the next day.
What makes massages even more amazing, are the included mental benefits (no extra charge), which greatly enhance and surpass the physical ones. It is that sense of (again and at the risk of repeating myself for effect) well-being, resulting from shedding your stress and leaving your troubles behind, that turn a great massage into that spiritual experience of rebirth and renewal I highly recommend.
And you can never be too young to start:
Having mastered the art of being a gracious and thankful massage recipient, as well as giver of same (only on a personal and intimate not-for-profit basis), I decided to jump into the deep end of the pool, take the bull by the horns, live dangerously and go get a facial next.
Photo: escarpment retreat /Flicker Photo2: Valentina Powers /Flicker
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I think it’s great to include a massage for a well balanced health regime. Glad you wrote about it and they also offer a half an hour massage for $37.
Can’t wait to hear about the facial… 🙂
That’s one of the reasons the massage place is awesome. It’s reasonably priced and great for a gift or special occasion if on a tight budget (I’m not a spokesman for them, just a satisfied customer). Massaging each other is free and great for fire in love life and marriage.
Sadly a professional massage is a luxury that most can’t afford, much less membership at a gym.
Which reminds me ….. they make great gifts.
that was a hint, I’ll let ya know where to send it 😉