I really enjoy a great Thai massage. That said, I hardly EVER get mind-blowing Thai massages...except in S\an Francisco from someone named Paula (some amazing gymnastics), or from someone named Nak in Chiang Mai (who is blind and can find ALL spots and crack them -even between my tibia and fibula).
My friend treated me to a 1 hr massage. Was absolutely RAVING about this place. I now know why. The decor is FAB, and not overly done up. It is graceful and the fragrance of green jasmine tea hits the spot. The Feng Shui is done nicely as well and has a positive flow.
The outside of the place is also beautiful at night with wooden statues and a pretty cool (and functional) swing. Kind of what you would find on an expensive Asian veranda.
The inside is gorgeous. It really is. Nice and clean, but not hit-you-over-the-head minimalist either.
They had no idea if I was Thai or not. Hey, I look like the boy next door in most of Asia and Latin America. There were some newbies there, and I was talking to them. I lived in Thailand for a little while, so I was able to explain a lot of their questions away...while I was sitting comfortably on the floor -in a way that looks a bit Thai.
Some of the folks who work there noticed this, and made some comments -to which I slyly answered in Thai...but hey, I'm not Thai...and I had to say that early on. One of the comments had something to do with herbal tinctures, poultices and how to use them. ...the other was when I was first putting up my hair...they said something under their breath -and I gave them a sharp look because I understood the funny comment at my expense.
I pointed at the guy who I wanted to massage me. He wasn't available because his back was starting to hurt. LOL. I wonder why... maybe it was cuz he was a little cute...and I was sizing up his strength.
They gave me an older, friendly guy. Who DIDN'T give me enough pressure. I kept asking for it in Thai. He just didn't do it hard enough. At one point, about 25 minutes into the massage, I got frustrated and asked if I could show him. He tried harder. I told him to eventually use his elbows -on my palms. I told him to use his knees...but he had finished my back by the time it registered that I like it pretty deep.
It also didn't register to him just how I don't seem to have bones. I'm VERY flexible...and I don't require a warm up. He went about his routine -but I felt NOTHING. After a few of the same moves, I started to flex and stretch my legs myself. He sorta stumbled into me -he started to get the hint that my limbs go A LOT further.
It's funny how confusion and amazement register so quickly when someone gives me a massage. We both giggled quite a bit. He would (try to) put me in a stretch. And I would adjust myself and get another 30 or so degrees into the stretch. Especially with my hyper mobile toes, feet and ankles. (Somewhere on youtube is a vid of my feet opening a jar of pickles in Goatikin's community garden.)
I started to assist him in how I wanted a better massage. At the end, I asked him if he wanted me to give him a one minute massage. He quickly acquiesced.
He left the room so I could put my street clothes on. He had apparently run to the rest of the staff and my friend with the comment "HE KEPT ASKING HARDER AND HARDER!!"
I put my clothes on and gave him a full minute of stretching and simultaneous compression with my knees and elbows. I asked him a few times "Jep mai?" (does it hurt?) and he really enjoyed those 60 seconds. What he took 20 minutes to do to my body, I did in 30 seconds to his. I'm very effective, controlled and expedient with bodywork. (If you go through yelp, you'll find comments about me)
Then it REALLY dawned on him HOW MUCH BETTER I AM AT DOING THIS, and that the massage I received could have been much much better, faster, stronger. (Thank you Daft Punk). He could have worked out some of his own childhood trauma out on my back and I would have enjoyed it. He asked if we could exchange moves. Nah. I have to attend a reptile super show. I told him I don't live there and that I was visiting for only a day.
In any case, all of us had a good laugh. I told him if I ever meet him again, maybe I'll give him two minutes. Maybe.
I tried to tip him by shaking his hand. Apparently, that was his first time to get tipped within a handshake because he certainly didn't understand what I was doing. For me, that was precious.
-The one with more understanding has more responsibility...
I could've been an awful and mean client. But I understood the situation a lot better and tried to make it better as well.
The staff asked me for my card. LOL. We don't really have to get into it here.
Good space. Good people. Good massage. Good price. What else do you want???? read more