Had a great experience with the hot stone massage. Josh has great hands and I felt so relaxed during my massage. I will be returning. I also have to say it was extremely easy schedule online and he sent a reminder text and email that I appreciated. Great prices. read more

This was a perfect experience. Another reason for me to love Kansas City since moving here a month ago. I was impressed every step of the way. I had expected a somewhat low-budget establishment because of the very reasonable prices, but it's situated in a nice neighborhood and everything from the waiting area to the massage rooms were very very nice. When Josh came to greet me, I was already comforted by his soothing voice and demeanor. I knew I'd be in good hands... and I was right. Beyond the technique and training, there was just something extra about his movements. Really, some kind of magic. His strokes were graceful and artful, but he was also very precise in hitting all the right spots. Josh knows the body better than anyone I've been to (I've been getting massages monthly for the past couple years). This was the best massage I've ever had. I recommend it to everyone (just leave room for me on the schedule!). Time to loaf around the apartment. I'm too relaxed to do anything else. read more

I had used three different licensed massage therapists around Kansas City with varying degrees of satisfaction before Josh at Haleli Wellness was recommended to me by a friend. Although I was a little reluctant to not go to my usual, experienced LMT that does a fine job, between the glowing recommendation and Haleli's very affordable prices, I decided to give Haleli Wellness a try. Three massages later, I continue to be completely impressed with Josh's skill and touch. I came to Josh looking for therapy that could address some chronic back pain I experience and literally, within five minutes of the first session, I was convinced enough that I informed Josh that he was my new massage guy. I don't know what chemicals are released in the human body during a massage but after he was finished, I felt like the million bucks that I should be paying him. If you've been wanting to treat yourself to a massage but don't think you'd be able to really relax in front of someone new or if you're a little self-conscious about someone being in your personal space, rest easy and give Haleli Wellness a try. Josh's demeanor is very professional and confident. While Josh could be seen by someone who hasn't met him as tall and formidable, I can't help but describe him as a gentle giant. His presence is a very warm and calming. I'm generally nervous around new people but this was not an issue for me with Josh and I was immediately able to relax--body and mind--and just drift away. If you've been longing for a true healing massage but haven't found the right therapist or if you've convinced yourself massages are solely a luxury and are unaffordable, inquire with Haleli Wellness about their rates. You may find yourself surprised and drifting away, too, wondering, "Why did I wait so long for this?" read more

Decided to try this place out because of the Yelp deal and close proximity to my hotel. Joshua is gifted. And as a bonus he is quiet. Cannot tell you how many chatty massage therapists I have encountered, even when asking for silence, some are simply not capable. I received massage and reiki here, and both were a great experience. Me, tense? no way. read more

Wow. I have no other words to say. I've been to SO many masseuses and Josh blew everyone out of the water. His voice is so calming and I immediately felt at ease as soon as I walked into the room. I was a little freaked out that a dude was going to be rubbing me down, but he was so professional and used the perfect amount of pressure to try and ease out the sick knots in my shoulders. He even threw in hot stones because someone had cancelled before me. My 90-minute session was over way too quickly and I'm already looking forward to my next appointment with Josh. BOOK HIM. NOW. You won't regret it. read more

Joshua Ayakatubby, the owner of Haleli, is the only guy I trust my muscles to. A licensed massage therapist through MTTI/Wellspring, he really knows what he's doing when it comes to the human body, how it works, and how massage can be applied therapeutically to ease and prevent painful problems. Joshua's studio is currently housed in his apartment, and he has done a remarkable job turning a spare bedroom into a cozy retreat. The massage table is always warm and covered in soft, clean sheets. He keeps the room at a comfortable temperature and often has aromatic elements (herbs, warmed oils, incense, etc.) to enhance the atmosphere. He keeps the lighting low and soothing, and it's not uncommon for me to start to doze off during a session. Of course, then he usually finds a trigger point, and that's the end of that! At first, I was a little wary of getting stark naked and letting some dude put his hands on my body. I mean, I've done that before, but there were drinks involved, you know? Joshua immediately put me at ease, though. He is extremely professional and always happy to explain techniques to me if I have questions. I feel totally comfortable with him now. I typically go for an integrative massage session, which combines Swedish massage techniques with deep tissue, neuromuscular therapy, and myofascial release. Joshua is always very client-oriented in his approach and takes time to ask me where my problem areas are to tailor my visit to my needs. Working as a vet tech, I spend all day long on my feet and do lots of lifting, bending, and squatting. As a result, my neck, shoulders, and back are chronically sore. After a session with Joshua, though, I always come out feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. He's also willing to give his clients tips on how they can reduce muscle aches and strain by altering the way they perform their every day duties. My incidence and severity of muscle pain has been greatly reduced since I started my massage regimen at Haleli. In addition to massages in his studio, Joshua also does outcall appointments at clients' homes and hotel rooms (for a small additional travel fee) and chair massage sessions for companies and events. His chair massages, though much briefer than a full-body session, are great for targeting specific areas of neck and back pain and helping relax and relieve stress. His rates for everything are very reasonable, and you get a lot for what you pay for. He also has specials for new clients, referral bonuses, and discounts for law enforcement, firefighters, and health care workers. After spending more than a year getting my massages from Joshua, I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else. He's got magic hands! read more

There's nothing worse than a bad massage. You get all excited, spend a ton of money, looking forward to some nice relaxing time alone, and instead you get chatted at for an hour with hands that feel like a wet noodle. Joshua is NOT that. First of all--he's affordable. If you book a second massage within a month of your first, you get a significant discount. $40 for a 60 minute massage is unheard of. Second of all, he's quiet. You can tell he is focused on his work. Also, there were no distractions that can ruin a massage. The space is quiet, with no chatter in the hallways. No cigarette smoke or strong fragrances on his hands or clothes, no noisy jewelry. It's the little things. And the biggest plus is that the massage is simply stellar. He can sense problem areas with his hands and will gently work them out. I went two weeks ago and he worked out a knot in my left shoulder blade that hasn't come back since. The only negative I've found is that his schedule books up quickly, so you sometimes have to wait 6-8 weeks to get in. I will be recommending him to all my friends! read more

I've been to many massage therapists and used to get massages every week. Josh is one of the best massage therapists I've ever had. He is professional start to finish. He was prepared with the paperwork ahead of time, knew I already paid online and thoroughly reviewed my paperwork. By the time I arrived he was ready to go. He asked several times if the pressure was okay which I like because some areas I do like deep pressure. His touch is so relaxing, I almost fell asleep which never happens when I get a massage. He took the whole time for the massage which is wonderful because most of the time massage therapists will stop early. I am pleased to have found him and will definitely be going back! read more

Joshua is amazing. If you need a truly healing and rejuvenating massage, you need to see Joshua. You are instantly relaxed as you walk in, and he addresses any needs to help you feel awesome. read more

Ok so I personally haven't been to Josh, but my mom and my husband have, and they both rave about the experience. I first sent my mom to Josh a year ago for Mothers Day. Being from out of town, I chose him because he had positive reviews and because he was running a Yelp deal. Following the massage, my mom was in raptures. She's been back every month since. After my mom's positive experience, I also sent my husband there, and he also had a great experience. Every time he's traveling to KC, we make sure he stops by to see Josh. He's been about three or four times and always comes out refreshed and glowy-faced. One thing I rreeaally appreciate about Josh is how easy he is to work with. You can book online, and when I have called he doesn't always answer but he calls back soon and he's also reachable by text. Josh is also a really good deal. His prices are really reasonable, and he has offered us lots of deals, like discounts for referring a friend. I haven't written many reviews, but when I reflect on the massage options my husband has in our hometown I really realize how great Josh is. KC'ers: take advantage of what you've got - go see Josh!! read more

I bought the Yelp deal a while back and it was completely worth it! I needed relaxation and had some back pain I told Joshua about. He did a swedish massage with hot rocks, all very relaxing. Guess what? No more back pain! It was also convenient that he didn't need the print out of the yelp deal, because his records show who has purchased the deal. read more

I came to Haleli Wellness in September for a 90 minute massage and added hot stones. Josh was great! He is very kind and personable yet professional. I've had a lot of body work done and think he is very well trained and has a gifted touch. I will definitely be returning sometime in the future! read more

Joshua is a local treasure. I've been getting massage therapy for most of my life, and Joshua is the therapist of choice. I refer all my friends to him. read more

I traveled to Kansas City from Las Vegas to attend an Chiefs game at Arrowhead stadium. A few weeks prior, I irritated my sciatic nerve while at work. I figured that a great option would be to get a massage while on vacation in order to help alleviate the pain. So, I did some research and found Joshua through the daughter of my co-worker. I sent an email, hoping that he would be able to fit me into his schedule though I was only in town for two days. Somehow, he got us in. I must admit that I didn't expect much--I just wanted a relaxing massage that would help me until I returned home. How wrong I was! Locating his office was easy with his directions that he emails you before hand. Cute office building with plenty of parking. Waiting room is no-frills (which I love). Upon our appointed time, he came out and ushered me into his massage room. Very low maintenance but extremely soothing. Filled out a brief questionnaire and the massage commenced. This is exactly what I didn't know I needed! In my case, with the pain radiating down my right leg, I asked him to focus primarily on the painful areas and this was not a relaxing massage. The beginning was somewhat painful..deep breathing techniques and the fact that he knew exactly when to stop before it got too much helped me through it. Joshua definitely does focus on this work, and doesn't talk much. Towards the end of the massage though, Joshua gave me excellent recommendations and advice on what to do back home. That night, my leg moved the best it ever had with very minimal pain. I think I over extended myself at the football game but the pain is still almost 50% better than before I saw him. The extent of his knowledge and skill is vast--I truly wish I lived in KC! I highly recommend Haleli Wellness for anyone and everyone. Thanks, Joshua, for everything! The next time I find myself in KC, I will be seeing you again :) read more

This is my first time seeing Josh. I relied heavily on the reviews on Yelp, but was still somewhat concerned and nervous about picking out a massage therapist based on others opinions. I'm so happy to say that I feel the rave reviews and 5-star ratings are well-deserved. In so many situations a person is faced with "You get what you pay for", yet Josh offers such fantastic pricing. I'm so happy he does. This will allow me to treat myself to a wonderfully relaxing massage more regularly. read more

Joshua was very nice. The massage prices he has are a great value. He went wayyy over time just so that he completed his work thoroughly. He doesn't give the 'Ow that hurts' kind of massage that your body feels entirely worked over, but it's relaxing and my legs and butt (?) definitely were a bit sore the next day. read more

I've had many massages at countless places, and this one is definitely the best massage thus far. I just had the massage an hour ago and I wanted to make sure I yelp it right away so Josh, the therapist, can get credit for his amazing and hard work. The atmosphere was calm, soothing, and relaxing. The massage itself was very high quality with perfect pressure and he got rid of all of the knots in my neck and back. I will definitely come back. Now I understand why he is booked so far in advance. read more

Joshua is amazing. It took me a long time to find a terrific massage therapist. I have consistent issues with my neck and shoulders, and he is the only therapist I've been to who can alieve the tension and pain. He is very intuative as to where the tension really lies and is able to eliminate it. His new office is very easy and convenient to get to from anywhere in the city. The room itself is comfortable and relaxing. I like the fact that I can register for an appointment online at anytime from anywhere. His hours of operation reflect this availability as well. I can't recommend Josh enough. read more

OMG! Are you a fan of Seinfeld? Do you remember George Costanza's dad pleading for "serenity now?" How much different his life and temperament would have been had he experienced massages from the masterful hands of Joshua Ayakatubby. Very recently, my muscles got a fine tuning from the adept strokes of this gentle giant's strong hands. The room was peaceful. The background music was soft and soothing. The maestro wasted no time with the chat that seems ever present with many other practitioners. Rather, he was focused on deliverance from aches and pains and cares and woes. When my hour under his hands was finished, I can honestly say that I've never felt more relaxed. In other words, my now was serene. Since I've already scheduled more visits, so will be my future. read more

I've been to alot of massage therapists in town, but the most consistent and dependable is Joshua. His place is clean, he is very professional, he inquires as to sore or specific places that need work. He has strong hands and is not afraid to use pressure, but will back off a bit if it's too much pressure. Joshua is worth the time and money. Take the time to find out. read more

Everything said in previous reviews is true - He's quiet, calm, and has the perfect touch. I've been to too many massage therapists who can't stop talking. And those are also the ones who seem to not pay any attention to what they're doing. Joshua finds my knots without me saying a word. This, to me, shows he's actually paying attention while he works. And, he cares about how you feel afterward. I would recommend him to anyone. read more

Joshua is a talented practitioner! I got the 60 minute Swedish Massage with the Yelp deal. He was absolutely professional and very calming. I will definitely be a repeat customer! read more

An OFF-THE-CHARTS GREAT massage therapist! Highly, highly recommended! Joshua is professional (ie, maintains silence during treatment), has a very intuitive and convenient booking system, offers incredibly reasonable rates and provides a massage that is simply spectacular! Operating heavy machinery should be illegal after a treatment with Joshua! That's just how relaxed you will be! read more

Josh is wonderful!! He helped me loosen up a knee after a knee injury and made it pain free for the first time in years. Josh will also give tips on stretching to keep muscles loose. He is well worth the visit!!! read more