I recently moved to Edmonton, which meant having to say goodbye to a masseuse in Minneapolis I really liked. Here, all the Yelpers recommended Alberta Momentum and specifically Volya Baziuk, so I went there first. Meh. I mean, they were *okay*, but I didn't get what all the hype was about. But I trust Yelpers, and so like the food, I had resigned myself to the idea that the massages in the City of Champions wouldn't be as good as back home. But now it appears Volya isn't doing massages anymore anyway, so I was forced to look for a new one. This was a blessing in disguise; otherwise I would not have gone to see Katherine at Compose Massage. The space is very cute, and the room was tastefully designed, if you're concerned about such things while your eyes are closed. More importantly though, the bed was amazingly soft. And warm, with a heater underneath the sheet. I melted right in. Just thinking about it now makes me happy! Katherine gave me the choice of a heat pack, which I also liked. She has a great sense of touch, because while she applied consistent pressure and really worked out the knots, I'm really not sore at all the day after. She also was great at focusing on my problem areas of the upper back, shoulders, and neck. Without my asking, started to work my armpit muscles. Hey, don't knock it til you try it -- most people have very sore rotator cuff muscles, and they're best reached from the armpit. I was so relaxed I almost fell off my bike on the ride home. As a measure of Katherine's commitment to the profession, she gives students a hefty discount and doesn't accept tips. She also suggested exercises for me but I was like, No, believe me, I already have a routine and my back is actually a lot better. Anyway, the lack of tipping (and the discount, for students) makes her significantly less expensive than other masseuses, but you're not sacrificing in quality one bit. I've just found my new masseuse in Edmonton! read more

I've been asking friends & coworkers for recommendations on a massage therapist. I have a regular lady I see, but we've become friends outside of her practice and when I go now there's a bit too much chit-chat for my liking. I'm passive aggressive, so I haven't been able to bring this up with her. I didn't know what to expect when I arrived today, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The space looks like its set up for a few different therapists that operate their own business. The shared space is clean, warm and inviting. Katherine provided me with the initial paperwork that was required before she began the massage. She asked if I'd like a glass of water, or if I needed a minute to use the restroom. I took her up on the second offer, and the restrooms are locked and shared with other tennants outside of the therapists space. Again, clean and modern. This gave the therapist some time to look over my information and she then asked me what I'd like to focus on. I've had a lot of shoulder and upper back pain in the last week, so she ended up focusing on that area. I was so happy that I had a very quiet, relaxing massage. She only asked me a few questions about the heat and the pressure during the massage. Her room is lovely (a 9+ compared to my regular lady's 4, lots of greasy lotion stains everywhere!) and the sheets and blanket were so soft! I noticed on her bookshelf a jar with hair elastics, mint candies and eye makeup remover wipes, along with a glass of water just incase. She's put great thought into the space to anticpate her clients needs. The music was also very calm and soothing. I did enjoy my massage and am very appreciative that I was able to get in quickly to see her. Her appointments are able to be booked online (and as brand new client I was able to do that effortlessly). I saw the appointment on a Friday night (late!) and was able to book for the very next day. I'm pretty confident I'll go again, but I really should have a talk with my regular therapist... read more

I saw Katherine today and she was fantastic. Not only did she get me in within a couple of hours of calling, but the massage was great. Price is perfect. I will for sure be back! read more

I have only recently started at Compose massage, but everything so far has been top notch. Katherine is strong, professional and kind. The online booking is excellent and there are often last minute openings, so it is very easy to get in. I basically divide my time between Compose and Momentum massage. read more

I also recently moved to Edmonton, and being a full-time student I've been in desperate need of a massage for a while now. Looking up discount rates for students for massages in Edmonton, I stumbled across the review (or was it a few reviews?) for Compose Massage (good ones) and true enough, student discount, so I made the appointment (also liking that I could book appointments online without a credit card) and waited for the appointment. Excited, right as it was about to begin, the power for the building went out and I was left in the dark, alarms going off. Katharine didn't get flustered and politely and professionally asked if I'd like to rebook...for a longer session...free of charge. Being broke as I am, I gladly and thankfully accepted and booked as soon as I got back home. Waited patiently for my appointment for today and as soon as I laid down on the heated bed, I would have been alright if i laid there for a while and it ended there (which actually happened last time). It was worth the wait. She focused mainly on the areas I had mentioned, but managed to get every part of me that hurt. And it DID hurt but in the good way that only a massage can do. I loved the oil she used and the heat felt amazing coming in from the frigid afternoon, and I could have stayed there all night. The only thing I could really 'complain' about was the fact that around the middle, there was a loud, consistent drone of a vacuum or snow blower or something that doesn't tend to lend itself to a relaxing spa environment. But fortunately I find background noise relaxing, and the power outage and noise were both things beyond Katharine's control, so I can't really fault her for them. The tip I insisted on leaving goes to charity, it's in a great location, in my opinion, and there is lots of free parking. SO! If you want a massage in general or specificially for someone who doesn't get much action in an average day and is unusually sore, I would definitely recommend booking a massage with Katharine @ Compose Massage. You'll get free lavender bath soak at the end of it if you do. :) read more