Just had a massage here, and all I can say is disappointing…read more
I've been going to a Chinese Tui Na massage in New York for a few years now, and have been looking for a place to go closer to home, which is why I tried this place out.
Linda was my masseuse, and from what I can gather, is the only person working here. The place is clean, but dark.
After leading me into the room, I disrobed, and immediately noticed that the room was somewhat chilly, a feeling that somewhat took away from the whole experience. Linda asked me if I would like medium or firm pressure, to which I replied "firm."
After having Dana at Chinese Qi-Gong massage in New York (http://www.yelp.com/biz/88-chinese-qi-gong-tui-na-new-york), I expected to be beaten, pummled, left gasping for air, and feeling like a million bucks at the end of it all. Unfortunately, I felt more like I got a traditional light Swedish massage.
The massage was...relaxing. That's about it. She did manage to get a couple of spots, shoulders and lower back, slightly looser, but was unable to dig deep enough to truly loosen me up. Anywhere.
Tui-Na should be a combination of firm strokes with the hands or forearms, and the use of fingers and elbows on specific pressure points. The massage I got hardly had any pressure points worked on, and those that did were, again, moderate at best.
Not once did I tense up from a particular sore/tight spot, nor did my breathing ever change. Work done on the arms were marginal at best, and feet were generally glossed over.
Also, during my massage, the phone rang 4 tines, each one calling for an appointment. I'm glad she has steady business, but the jarring sound of the phone while one is trying to relax is rather annoying. Not only that, but I was subjected to a one-sided conversation for 5 minutes as she held the phone in one hand, and massaged me in a rather distracted manner with the other. WTF? This is what I'm spending my money on??
If you are looking for a simple relaxing/stress relieving massage, this place may be for you. But for $70 + tips for a 1 hour massage (more like 50 minutes, actually), I'm sure there are better options out there.