Melt Massage Blog

Learn How to Give a Great Massage!

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Jul 04, 2025
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The Power to Heal is not just in my hands,

it’s in Your hands, too.

Discover your inner Massage Therapist

Whether you have some or no training in massage at all, this workshop is for you if you love to give, and receive, a great massage. Feel better right away and take home the tools to continue getting better and better at giving a professional-style massage that works for you and makes them Melt, every time.

No need to register for a whole course or massage training program.

In-person professional massage workshops provide the personalized coaching you can’t get from a recorded video. Translate words and images into touch with a professional who can help you feel what you’re looking for and help you know when you’ve got it.

Small group workshop:

Book early. Space is limited.

-> Pre-Registration Required. No Walk-ins <-

Saturday, September 13th, 2025, 10am – 12noon*

Secrets of Massage Magic Class

You are amazing! Your body is full of magic and mystery. In over 30 years of doing bodywork I’ve discovered some of this vast mystery and magic, some of which I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to share with you in the course of your massages, like in feeling unexpected connections in the body and surprising relief from simple techniques. But there’s more! And it’s too good not to share!

I’ve discovered

  • where there are potent points in the body that lead to quick relief,
  • what simple techniques there are to reduce tension where we carry it the most,
  • how to massage oneself or others in ways that leave us feeling better, too,
  • and more.

And I’m ready to share with you what I’ve learned!

Space is limited. So act now.

Sign up for this Class with a friend so you can practice on each other.

* Registration open through Wednesday, September 10, 2025 only. *

Additional dates to be posted. If interested, inquire by email.

 

Rate: $150 per student

Private “couples” classes (for partners or friends) starting at $222 / 1 hour: available during Melt’s regular business hours weekdays. Schedule here.

 

Leverage my learning from multiple certifications and over

30 years of experience.

  • Learn the 3 P’s that lead to a perfect massage.
  • Learn the 2 Q’s that set you up for success.
  • Learn the 1 request that is the source of my magic, and will be for you, too.
  • *Plus learn the key 3 steps that will keep you improving every time you practice.*

 

Logistics: Wear comfortable clothing. All massages done fully clothed for group workshops. All equipment and materials provided. Covid and general health protocols followed. If you’ve been sick or getting over being sick the week before workshop but well enough to be around babies/the elderly the day of workshop, you may be asked to wear a mask. Otherwise, please note my current Masking Policy. 

Let’s get Melting!

 

*If this date/time does not work for you, but you’re interested to learn more please email.

(Registration for March 15 Class closed March 12, 2025.)

 

 

 

Couples Massage Class!

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Jan 29, 2023
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You love your friend/partner.

You notice when they’re in pain or have tension.

You want to help them feel more relaxed.

You’d like to give them a massage, but you have questions…

 

How do I find the knots?

How much pressure should I use?

How can my massage be more relaxing for them?

  • Given their particular body’s history, aches, pains and injuries?
  • Given the format we’re working with – on the bed, the couch or the floor

How do I maintain my stamina without working so hard I need to get a massage after giving one?

Leverage my learning from multiple certifications and over

30 years of experience.

  • Learn the 3 P’s that lead to a perfect massage.
  • Learn the 2 Q’s that set you up for success.
  • Learn the 1 request that is the source of my magic, and will be for you, too.
  • *Plus learn the key 3 steps that will keep you improving every time you practice.*

Private Couples Massage Classes offered

In-person or Live online for

1 or 1 1/2 hours.

 

How it works – easily

  • We start with a Discovery Dialogue fleshing out the top nagging physical complaints for each of you; what they are, their history, contributing and relieving factors.
  • We Set Goals and Establish Expectations for our time together.
  • We assess your baseline Knowledge and I add to it

What to expect ~ Relief!

  • Fully clothed
  • We will
    • establish a baseline for skills
      • What self/other care do you already do?
      • What works/doesn’t?
      • What do you want to work better?
    • demonstrate techniques
      • you show me – what you do, so I can determine what to add to it
      • I show you / guide you – what else I would do
        • leveraging what you already do
          • + ergonomic tips
          • + how to get more out of what you already do
        • adding easy-to-use secrets I’ve learned over 30 years
          • customized for what works for (both of) you
    • practice, review & refine techniques for
      • safety,
      • effectiveness &
      • stamina.

What to take away – New Skills!

  • By the time we’re done you should have new and proven, easy and effective ways to help yourself and the loved ones feel lasting relief from stress and tension leveraging your learning from one massage to the next.

(Makes a great gift!)

Book Now!

1 hour: $220

1 1/2 hours $250

 

In person – all Covid protocols followed. Also offered Live online, or “Virtually,” from the comfort of your own home!

Increase the learning with: Group classes!

 

 

Virtual Massage? Yes! (it works!)

Featured

Nov 18, 2020
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Revised June 16, 2023

Although there were many trials and tragedies from the pandemic, one thing I’m grateful for is that it gave birth to Melt’s Virtual Massage services!

It is different. But, it works!

Now offering real live online Private Couples Massage Class!

 

Clients of Private Online massage classes say,

“Feeling good. Slept better last night.” Rebecca D.

“…really appreciate getting to learn some new techniques and ways to make massages easier and more effective.” – Carla H.

“My pain seems to me to be markedly diminished….You are a good and patient teacher.” – Glenn H.

 

How it works – like the in-person Couples Class, but by video call instead:

  • We start with a Discovery Dialogue fleshing out the top nagging physical complaints for each of you; what they are, their history, contributing and relieving factors.
  • We Set Goals and Establish Expectations for our time together.
  • We assess your baseline Knowledge and I add to it

What to expect ~ Relief!

  • In the comfort of your own home
  • Fully clothed
  • We will
    • establish a baseline for skills
      • What self/other care do you already do?
      • What works/doesn’t?
      • What do you want to work better?
    • demonstrate techniques
      • you show me – what you do, so I can determine what to add to it
      • I show you / guide you – what else I would do
        • leveraging what you already do
          • + ergonomic tips
          • + how to get more out of what you already do
        • adding easy-to-use secrets I’ve learned over 20 years
          • customized for what works for (both of) you
    • practice, review & refine techniques for
      • safety,
      • effectiveness &
      • stamina.

What to take away – New Skills!

  • By the time we’re done you should have new and proven, easy and effective ways to help yourself and the loved ones feel lasting relief from stress and tension leveraging your learning from one massage to the next.

Book Live Online Private Classes

listed under Services for 1 or 1 1/2 hours of personalized, customized training and discover the healing that lives within Your hands!

 

 

 

“What type of oil or lotion do you use?”

Jul 07, 2025
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Sometimes clients ask, “What type of oil or lotion do you use?” The answer? It depends.

It depends on what the client wants and what massage technique would meet that need. Some techniques work better on dry skin, some on skin with gentle glide from lotion, others on skin with more glide, from oil.

The lotion I use normally is an unscented Hypo-allergenic lotion. I’ve tried many over the years and have found NL-1 from Natural Formulations the best for most of my needs. It moisturizes and conditions with sesame and grapeseed oils, white willow bark extract, and Vit. E to work on free radicals.

The oil I use is 100% pure Jojoba Oil for it’s similarity to our own skin’s natural oils and many healing properties.

If you are allergic to any products in oils or lotions, please let me know in advance so we can make a plan to find what’s best for us to use for you.

 

Freedom is Choice

Jul 04, 2025
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A quick story. Jane* walked in. An active 67 year old with lingering stiffness in her right shoulder. She was concerned because she still wanted to play Pickle Ball, but the pain was cramping her style. She wanted to know, “Is this just how it’s going to be from now on?” Was she going to lose her freedom to play?

Before starting the massage we talked, as I do with every first session. We talk about her body’s history, its present and, most importantly, its future. I asked her, “What do you want to feel?” That’s what brought her in. Behind the worry was the wish to feel better.

I told her I was committed to her feeling, moving, being as free as possible. I don’t know if this is ‘just how it’s going to be from now on.’ But I do know that if we believe that, then there’s no choice in it being any different. If we believe that, we won’t look for options. If we believe that, we won’t see them. 

There are many things that contribute to aches and pains in the body.  So my job, as a therapeutic massage therapist is to decipher as many of the influences as I can, tease out the effect of each of those influences, and find those leverage points where I can make a positive difference.

If we haven’t explored all the options of all the potential reasons for a pain, we don’t yet know what’s possible in relieving it. Once we’ve determined we’ve explored all options available up to that moment, what’s left is how we choose to adapt. Adapt down to limitations, or adapt up to possibility.

The best outcome starts with focusing on what we want, not what we don’t want, not what we’re afraid of. What we want. 

The moment we believe we have no choices is the moment we lose our freedom. No one can take our beliefs from us. So we are always free to choose.

May you remember you have choices.

May you remember choice is freedom.

May all beings be free.

 

*(not her actual name, to protect privacy)

* Remembering Joanna *

Jan 17, 2025
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Joanna Nelson worked for Melt from July 2016 to March 2020. She brought a shining smile to work every day. She provided amazingly relaxing massages for our clients.

What clients don’t know is that sometimes, between clients she would play some old school disco or funk music. One day I walked in on this and could not help but join her in a spontaneous dance break. Before the next client arrived we switched back to calming massage music, each of us with a big grin on our face.

When we closed “temporarily” for the Shelter in Place, she suggested we start a GoFund Me page to help support us during the transition as well as raise funds for those who would be hurt worse during the closures. We raised nearly $2,000 for marginalized undocumented workers in Alameda County who were ineligible for government aid.

In May 2023 she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic bone cancer. Doctors gave her 6 months to live. Her reply? “Well, I better do all the things I love to do then!” And she did. She travelled, spent time with friends, went out to eat, and just loved the people who meant the most to her as much as she possibly could. She kept fighting the cancer, looking for new and better ways to improve her quality of life. With this remedy she got more than an extra year out of her life, and made it quality time.

This morning she made the transition to what lies beyond life. If she has anything to say about it, she’s relaxing on a beach somewhere, listening to the waves washing over the shore, feeling the sun on her skin and the sand between her toes.

Rest in joy, Joanna. Thank you for the peace and relaxation you brought to so many of our clients during your time at Melt Massage. Thank you for the gift of you being you and in my life.

* I’ll be with you with every spontaneous dance I do.  *

 

Peri- or Post-menopause? It does Not mean you have to suffer

Jan 16, 2025
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Learn more! My colleague Vika Teicher, your “Peri-Godmother” is hosting a 6 week workshop where you can get the “latest insights and guidance from Western medicine, Herbalism, Nutrition, and Health Coaching.”

To learn more go to Thriving through Peri/Menopause and Beyond.

If you can’t make the soonest workshop, inquire about future dates.

What is a Melt Massage?

Dec 19, 2024
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I often get asked, “What is a ‘Melt’ massage?” Melt is the feeling I want my clients to have by the end of their massage with me. And toward that goal I’m grateful I have received comments like these:

  • “I’ve melted into and become one with the table.”
  • “My tension melted away.”
  • “You’re right on brand. I melted.”

This doesn’t happen just by luck. I have a deliberate, systematic approach I’ve refined over years of practice, that begins with the Initial Consultation and continues with feedback from the massage recipient. To learn more, read about the First Visit or read what others have written on Yelp. Once you’ve tried it, maybe you’ll have a review to post as well. 🙂

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Melt Massage LLC

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