Your Best Massage

[phoenix]

I thought it would be interesting to remember the best massage we've ever received and what made it such?

What was the setting/location?
Decor/atmosphere?
Attitude of the therapist?
Modality?
Extra special things that made it "the best" or the important elements?

If your still waiting to get your best massage maybe describe in detail you ideal session as a client and what the important elements would be.

 

[snwflkdue1209]

Your Best Massage

While I can't remember or decide which was the absolutely best massage I've ever had, I can tell you what was common about the ones that have been the best.

Decor/atmosphere?

Nope

Attitude of the therapist?
Modality?

These two probably combine into the reason.

Extra special things that made it "the best" or the important elements?

Not in the way we normally think of extra things........

To me the absolutely best massages have been the ones where I was in extreme pain going in to the massage and walked out in relative ease. Don't get me wrong....I love a good relaxation massage and I think hot stone when done right is absolutely exquisite!! But....to go to a therapist because my jaw is locked up or I've spent the last few days with ice on my shoulder, taking pain pills or I've had an unending headache for 3 days and can't see straight anymore from the pain and to leave there with the pain greatly diminished....well, there's just no better feeling than that.

Angie

 

[Lula Bell Bumpass]

I think the best massage I've received was while I was in school, from a fellow student. It was in the student clinic, so atmosphere was nil, modality was nothing fancy since we were only allowed to do Swedish. (Well, that's my favorite anyway.) It may have been because I was doing massages at home and at the internship clinic and working at a restaurant so I was physically in need, but I had gotten a massage from another student the evening before to fill the spot of a no-show and his style was more vigorous and wasn't what I needed at the time.
I should really go look her up!

 

[Sachin]

Hands down (pun intended,) my best massage was a Shiatsu given to me by a student who had just finished his training. He was centered, focused and practiced. He was attentive to pressure, and his transitions were perfect. Usually this isn't quite enough for me... I still pay attention to every move (especially because I was tutoring this particular student : ) But this time I could just tell that he had hit that perfect stride... he had "rhythm."

I actually fell asleep. Me. Asleep.

It was magnificent.

Ironically, this "student" now has even more formal Shiatsu training than I do. I am jealous.

 

[gina]

One that stands out for me, and there are a number of fantastic sessions I have had, was from another student while I was in school. It wasn't even a "real" massage. It was practicing techniques in a myofascial class.

She worked on my upper back and shoulder mostly, and it felt great and loose for weeks!

 

[Questions]

I've had a lot of great massages, but the one that stands out was a Watsu session.

The therapist was incredibly nurturing, the movement so rhythmic, even the transistion from prone to supine were so fluid and graceful, something you can't do on a table.

Just an amazing experinece!

 

[cinderella_948]

Best massage I have ever received --- the first one my husband ever gave me....

technique sucked, the atmosphere was chilly and dark, the pillows on the floor kept sliding around, he poured oil directly on my skin w/out warming it up.......................

BUT............ the love, tenderness, and true intent to make my aching back and sore feet feel better made all of that fade away into oblivion because he was pouring his heart and soul into "healing my wounds" as he was doing his best imitation of a massage routine...........

wouldn't have traded it for any of the many flawlessly wonderful massages I have received elsewhere.............

His techniques still suck, but, he still gives the best massages ever!!!!!!!

 

[lemon]

I would have to say that I have a toss up with two that I can truly remember as the "best" massages that I have ever received.

1st was one that I received while I was still in school from one of the male students. He and I just seemed to mesh well. His touch was very therapeutic and he seemed to know just which technique to apply where and when. It was a clinic type setting, well classroom I guess, other students talking but he was able to lead me throught the massage so that I could tune that all out. It was truly a great massage.

2nd was when I interviewed (auditioned) the massage therapist that I hired at the spa where I am currently the director. She came in asked what was going on stress level wise, you know the usual questions we ask about aches and pains, and then tailored the massage to meet my needs. She didn't really focus on the fact that it was an "interview". I couldn't believe how relaxed I felt afterwards. Usually when I interview therapist I am stuck on do they know their strokes, is draping correct, etc. But she was able to relax me past all of that, her confidence in her strokes was felt throughout the whole massage.

 

[?!-?SaRaH?-!?]

The best massage I've ever had would have to be a toss-up between 2, both from the same practitioner.

The first one... well... was my first massage. I was terrified going into it. My Kung Fu master had referred me a male massage therapist for some energy-flow problems. This MT was also one of my classmates who happens to outrank me by quite a bit. I never would have considered receiving a massage from a male, but because of the nature of problems and my doubt that anyone but a classmate would understand, I went. Kicking and screaming, I went. It was amazing. His gentle manner (very unlike his Kung Fu countenance), quiet spirit, and confident touch won me over. I remember that he started the massage by just holding my head in his hands. I'd never felt so completely secure in my life. I made my husband do the same thing for me before bed for days afterward to help me sleep. All I could think about for the next week was getting back on the massage table. I was obsessed. I'm still quite the massage junkie! .

The second one was almost a year later. Same MT, but this time I was a massage therapy student. Knowing exactly what I needed, I asked him specifically for a Reiki session with incorporated rocking. He sort of shrugged and said "OK, let's give it a try," and oh my goodness. I was feeling colors by the end of the session. It was pure bliss. Joy. Afterward he told me that it had been a joyful experience for him too.

I'm nearing the third trimester of massage school. I still tell folks that if I'm ever half as good as my MT, I'll be a happy woman.