Before I'd reached the end of my first massage with Jennifer Michels, I knew I needed to book another. She is talented and enthusiastic, balancing body knowledge with a soothing touch. She's also really fun to chat with. Jenn has a clear passion for the body and you will definitely feel it in her work on yours. I particularly enjoy her use of heat therapy on me: to release tension in my shoulders and upper back she uses steaming hot towels that seem to make my muscles melt. It's such a relaxing and wonderful experience. Jenn's been performing massage at Moonshadow for 13 years, and I can see why - the little studio in the back of the salon is such a sweet space. It seems perfectly suited to her and is a great place for a getaway (if only a 60 minute one). If you're looking for a spot of self care, book an hour with Jennifer Michels. read more

Jennifer is AMAZING. I've only had the pleasure of a massage from her 1x and it's enough for me to praise her. She really did a number on my back but in a good way! I walked out a bit sore, as expected, but after a few days I could really tell a difference. I am a loyal patron of Moonshadow Salon (where Jen works) and every time I get my hair done, my fiancé gets a massage from Jen. She always eases his tense muscles and knots. Her prices are reasonable - $45 for 30 mins and $70 for 60 mins. If you're looking for a masseuse who truly knows her craft then look no further. We live 30 mins from the salon and it's worth the drive. read more

As a yoga teacher I know many massage practitioners and get many wonderful massages of all sorts. When something goes wrong that I can't fix with my yoga practice, I go to Jennifer. I went to her once with a chronic knee problem that I'd seen many practitioners of all kinds to seek help, and it disappeared for years after one visit. It came back, so I went back, and am feeling better already. She really knows how to talk to my body and I recommend her highly and frequently. read more

The other reviews are accurate about Jennifer. When I first saw her and how tiny she is, I wouldn't have believed the punch that this lady packs. I am rather large and somewhat muscular and she has managed to release some very deep spots on me by using techniques that move the muscle while applying pressure, facilitating deeper opening. She knows her anatomy and this makes a huge difference in how she uses her time with your body. I know because I am a massage therapist and not only have I received 1/2 dozen massages from her, but we have also talked shop. Jenn pursues regular continuing education, which is more than I can say for most massage therapists that I know. Jen uses flowing strokes along with some deeper moves and occasionally treats me with her hot stones at no extra charge (if you have paid for hot stone massage before, you know it can be quite expensive!) Her space is beautiful and she is just a lovely person. read more

Jennifer is Fantastic! I'm so grateful to her for her amazing massage, which fixed my vertigo issue. She was incredibly attentive and spent extra time listening to my explanation of symptoms, asked insightful questions, and focused in on the source of my pain (as it turned out, an interaction of points with more complexity involved. In addition, she showed me new movements to help proactively with my posture and body mechanics. I'm so relieved. Jenn is not only remarkable, but a gem too! I highly recommend her. read more

She didn't use firm pressure and didn't bring the confidence and body knowledge to apply a beneficial treatment.

this is an updated review (which was 5 stars then, and still is). Jenn is still doing really great work. It's hard to find a good massage therapist and not have it be a creepy experience. Jenn is definitely not that creepy. read more

Jennifer Michels is the go to person for pain eradication. I work long and hard hours. I travel frequently and the accumulated pain from stress and no exercise means I have sought out many a practitioner. Jennifer is the one I have settled on and I have done a large comparative study. I would advise anyone reading this to stop here and book an appointment. Having said the above, I have not been to see Jennifer in quite some time. However, once my business picks up again, I will most certainly be back on her table. read more

You seriously will not find a better massage therapist! She uses very creative ways of somehow finding and releasing what feels like old spiderwebs in my back, and she gets to those parts that nobody else seems to be able to get to, releasing me of stress and tension that I often hold onto without even realizing it. She's a true miracle worker. I cannot say this enough. Also, she's very reasonably priced. She could charge far more, and I'd still go to Jenn! For EXTRAORDINARY results, Jenn to the rescue! read more

The best massage you can get in the Bay Area (if not the world) is in the back room of Moonshadow Salon in Berkeley. That is where the smart and spritely Jennifer Michaels works her tension-relieving magic. Her space is humble and cozy, thoughtfully adorned and sufficient. It's a reflection of her: and any concern regarding ability because of her petite 5-foot frame are immediately forgotten once the treatment begins. Results are amazing when specific techniques are not requested: don't ask for deep tissue, swedish, lomi lomi, etc. She's well versed in all of them, yet massages in a jeet kune do fashion, astutely applying pressure, stretches, delicate touches, and sometimes hot stones based on what she senses from your body, transitioning smoothly from one application to the next and maintaining a smooth rhythm. All you need to do is breathe in the fresh Berkeley air and meditate on the soft background music. In a massage, the skill of the therapist is all that really matters. You can always find bigger, ritzier, pricier salons, decked out with accoutrements, side treatments, and amazing views. I've been to many, and they always disappoint, because simply, the therapist was not Jennifer. At the end of the treatment, you'll open your eyes to see the bamboo-lined ceiling and a feathery Brazilian talisman. It stands for protection. As you ease into consciousness, that's what you'll feel: your body, safe, rejuvenated, and ready for the outside world. read more

Jennifer Michaels is a skilled and gifted therapist. As a person trained in massage myself, I know what is good and what is great. And Jen is GREAT! You're lucky if you can get an appointment with this much-in-demand CMT. Jay Sordean, Acupuncture and NRCT, The Redwood Clinic, Berkeley CA read more

I've been getting work done by Jennifer ever since she used set up at the Berkeley Farmer's Market. I'd trade coffee for massage, which is pretty sweet. She's gentle, but not too much so, responsive, and best of all, no nonsense! I frequently have sports injuries due to my really lazy inability to convince myself of the importance of flexibility, and she's worked through them with me, offered me great advice on prevention, and has generally been better-versed in lower-leg anatomy than my doctor. Plus she's nice. read more

Jennifer Michels was wonderful and very professional. It was great to be worked on by a fellow runner who can understand what's going on with my body. She also talked with me about things I can do in my daily life to prevent future stress on my body. She is highly recommended. read more

Jennifer Michels is fantastic, intuitive, and she really knows her stuff. She's both strong and gentle, and also a great listener if you have pain. I have been getting both relaxing and pain relief-related massage (for SRI and various injuries) from Jennifer since 2001. She is truly incredible, and the atmosphere in her space is relaxing, peaceful, and professional -- right down to the birds singing outside the window. She is one of the best massage therapists that I've seen, and I recommend her highly. read more

I've been visiting Jennifer off and on for the past couple years as I tend to be very rough on my back/neck/shoulders. The reason I like Jennifer is because it really is a "therapy" session to fix all the terrible things I do to myself. She responds well to feedback and I find myself learning new things about my muscles every time she works on me. Very professional, and highly recommended. read more

wow! I feel so lucky to have a friend recommend Jennifer. I've only had her work on my tight, stressed body, but promptly schedule another session. She's good---plus kind, my size and caring. read more

I have been seeing Jennifer for many years and must say I love her as a massage therapist, and a person. Let me count the ways: 1. She is knowledgable about her craft. 2. She goes the extra mile for me and is obviously dedicated to my well being. 3. She is the strongest petite person I know! 4. Her prices are fair and she responds immediately to appt. requests read more

Wow! After my long-time (and much beloved) massage therapist stopped her practice, I went to a number of different massage therapists to sample their services. Jennifer Michaels is absolutely wonderful. She is strong and gifted at the art of bodywork, and I could not be happier that I found Jennifer. read more

A few months ago, I was in desperate need of a MT. I had a lot of shoulder and neck pain from bad posture/sitting in a chair in front of a computer Monday-Friday, 9-5. I needed a pro, and I found Jennifer. She is phenomenal - totally full of expertise and I cannot recommend her enough. Those 60 minutes of my life were mind blowing. All the tension in my muscles evaporated. It was a life-altering experience. Needless to say, I now see Jennifer on a monthly basis. Her sessions are relaxing, rejuvenating and she uses hot stones. It does not get any better than that. Jennifer truly knows her stuff. And to top it off, she is the nicest person ever. read more

I'm not sure why I have waited so long to give a review. I went to Jen in 2011 for several months after I pulled a back muscle. She is very kind, caring and knowledgeable and was able to work on the specific muscles that I needed her to. She also gave me great running tips as I was training for Bay to Breakers. I would definitely recommend her services. read more

Jennifer is hands down one of the best massage therapists I've seen in the 20 years I've been getting body work. She has deep knowledge of the body and has studied a wide variety of modalities. The work is always custom to fit my current needs - relaxation, stress reduction, RSI / injuries, and Jenn has a knack for selecting the right technique each time. I have recommended Jenn to friends in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Thanks, Jenn! read more

With a deep understanding of the human body, massages by Jennifer are both therapeutic as well as deeply relaxing. I have been so impressed by her ability to use many different methods in one session to target and heal my sore and tense spots. She's brought in hot stones and given me great stretches that are seamlessly integrated into an overall full-body massage. She has a warm personality and is responsive when I give her feedback during the massage session. I've loved getting massages from Jennifer and recommend her without reservation. I've been to her numerous times over the past couple of years and her massages are consistently great. read more

I've been a client of Jennifer's for many years, when she started out at the Tuesday farmer's market in her early days in Berkeley. After trying a number of other massage therapists, Jennifer quickly stood out because of her ability to pay attention to what is actually going on in my body more than what I think is going on. Over the years her skill and knowledge has increased tremendously and now she is able to concentrate very effectively on just about any specific situation I bring to her. Finally, she has this incredible ability to put her entire self into her work as she's doing it; that communicates itself to me in a very healing way. At the risk of getting bumped from my regular monthly session, I highly recommend Jennifer. read more

I deeply appreciate Jennifer Michel's work as a massage therapist. Having been one myself for many years, I always appreciate being in good hands. Not only does Jennifer provide the serene and comfortable conditions for thorough relaxation, she's skilled at seeing compensation in the body. When I first came to Jen I'd been dealing with hip injuries and aches and pains for two years and Jennifer noticed what no one else had (including myself), that my right quads were more developed than my left. This feedback was extremely useful as it told me how I had been favoring my right over my left and so I had a new avenue for further rehabilitation. These days I also work as a psychotherapist and so massage has become an even more critical part of my personal sanity-maintenance routine. I am grateful to have Jennifer to go to. read more

Yet another 5-star review for Jenn Michaels! I am a runner and I have been seeing Jenn regularly for body work to help me be able to compete in a high volume of races. She is a brilliant person who understands every muscle, tendon and bone in your body, and can work them to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and of course just make you feel totally awesome. If you are an athlete I highly recommend Jenn -- who is an athlete herself -- and especially if you are a runner. Jenn understands runners' bodies and can help you stay strong and pain-free for whatever you're training for. I can't say enough, thank you Jenn! read more

I have been going to see Jennifer for 5 or 6 years. She was recommended to me by a friend and I was hooked! I like deep massages that really relax your muscles, and she is great at that! She is very intuitive and seems to know just how to work it. On the flip side, though she is strong, the massage never hurts. I go to see Jennifer about once a month and a couple of times she has worked in some interesting new techniques - like different pressure points and using hot rocks. Gotta love variety. Plus, the setting for her studio is very serene. You walk through a busy salon/spa in the front, but in the back where Jennifer works, it's quiet and peaceful. There is a garden outside the window and the music is lulling. Overall, I'd give her my highest recommendation. I have had many professional massages from the East Coast to the West Coast, and I love Jennifer! She's a gem. She's also a very nice person. read more

Jenn is awesome. She clearly enjoys using her diverse and extensive training to problem solve and address your specific needs. I've been to too many massage therapists who ask you what's bothering you and then proceed to give you a generic 'rub down' that has nothing to do with your problem. Jenn has done amazing work for me on specific athletic injuries as well as other more chronic pains. Her approach is a combination of massage and physical therapy. She is strong and not afraid to dig in deep or give you a strong stretch, but she is also extremely sensitive to your personal pain threshold or the particular needs of your ailment. I really could not give her a stronger recommendation. read more

If you are thinking that you might need a massage for pain, just get one. Jennifer helped me with a back strain I got from lifting something too heavy. Medications just dulled the pain but she helped me heal my back. After dealing with the pain for a week I asked for help, and Jennifer helped me tremendously. She is a sweet person, and it is easy to let go and accept her healing touch. A couple of days after her treatment my back felt fine and I can say she has the healing touch. She is a pro. Leave it in her hands to make you feel better. read more

I highly recommend Jenn as a massage therapist. I lived in the Bay Area for 6 years and got massages from her every 3 weeks. I really appreciate her approach to massage therapy: she takes time to listen to how you feel and what you need, she leaves time for you to wind down and settle in once you enter her cozy and peaceful room, she manages to tackle most of your body in one session (back, arms, legs, shoulders, jaw, head), and then leaves you time to settle back into the world. I moved away now and miss her as a massage therapist, and as a person a lot! I felt quite lucky to have that monthly time with her, getting my body a nice reset! I'm both admirative and envious of Jenn, she knows a lot about the human body and is continuously training herself, going to hands-on workshop or seminars to learn more. She's cool, and skilled, and fun, you'll feel grateful to have been to her practice! read more

Weird that her phone apparently works, but she has not responded to any of my calls! She should clarify the situation on her answering service. read more

As a stressed out high school teacher, I began seeing Jennifer about 4 years ago. I've had around 10 different massage therapists in my life and rarely returned to any of them after one appointment. Jennifer, however, has been an amazing exception. Although a petite little thing, she has the strength and agility to get any achy spots I've acquired since previous visits. She can immediately pinpoint the problem areas and work the pain right out with her hands, her hot towel, her hot rocks, guided stretches, etc. I have always been incredibly satisfied with her massages and her professionalism. She is so in touch with my body that when she asks, "oh, what's going on there?" I often have to remind myself that, yes, in fact, I've been experiencing pain in that exact spot. Yet, as we often do, I ignored it and toughed it out for several weeks. That is, until the ever-astute Jennifer feels it herself and works it out in our appointment. read more

Jennifer Michels comes to bodywork with an extraordinary set of skills and knowledge. I'm constantly impressed with the sensitivity, pragmatism and cheer she brings to our massage sessions. Together with her insight and ever expanding capabilities, Jennifer is one of the very few massage therapists whom I would call a true healer. read more

I've been going to Jennifer for 3 years and have always got a good massage from her. The energy flows from her center through her magic hands and releases my muscles from head to toe. She has many skills and much knowledge. Heat flows from hot rocks and hot water pads. Her understanding of anatomy enables her to seek and loosen tight muscles so that I sink into a bath of relaxation. She tunes in to where I'm at and is silent or conversational depending on my mood. Afterward, I float out through the rest of my day. read more

As a 92 year old woman i have had massage with quite a few people. Jennifer is just tops in her practice,knowledge of the body and expertise at finding just that pain spot and going to work on it. i so look forward to my time on her table. Zona Roberts read more

It is so difficult to come up with something to say that hasn't already said in all the other 5 star reviews here on Yelp, except to say they ring completely true for me. I found Jenn here on Yelp - it is so difficult to find a massage therapist that is right for you, who you can trust to put their hands on your body and work it. A few minutes with Jenn and you'll know this is a person of strength, intuition and lightheartedness, with a talent enables you to safely relax into her touch, and to trust ability her ability to reach the places that need to be reached. I feel lucky to have found Jenn, and I have the other reviewers to thank for that (thanks other reviewers!), and with enthusiasm I add my voice to the chorus. read more

I have been going to Jennifer for massage and bringing my daughter, who's body stiffens from a physical disability, to Jen for massage work for about 10 years now. I can't sing high enough praises for Jen's brilliance! She is dedicated to her work, and still goes to workshops to continue learning her craft, even though her knowledge of anatomy and massage is extensive. She works hard, and is the most intuitive masseuse I've ever known. Though she could charge so much more, her prices reflect the person she is: Jen is generous of spirit, and extends her knowledge past the table, enabling you to help yourself with corrective posturing and body wisdom. My body goes out of whack often, and I've come to count on Jen to put me back in shape; I have never been disappointed. If you are lucky enough to have her lay her healing hands on you, you will become a grateful fan. read more

i tell everyone with body tension or pain about jennifer. i first experienced her uncanny ability to find and release tension years ago at the berkeley farmers markets. since then i have been a loyal client. everyone that has given me a massage since is automatically compared to her, but never measure up. jennifer clearly has a deep understanding of the body and how all the parts work together and the ins and outs of muscle tension. she is also great about working with me to figure out what i can do on my own to heal myself. while it feels luxurious and delicious to be on that table with the music and the hot rocks and the tension release, this is not a wimpy spa massage this is an integrated healing session. read more

This was easily the best massage I have ever gotten. Jennifer's touch and table-side manner are outstanding. Rich

While I use yelp often for reviews/suggestions, I have selfishly not been a contributor until now. Being a client of Jennifer Michels (since 2005) compelled me to write a review. For years I have had massages from various therapists but I have never experienced anything comparable to the gift that Jen has...truly magical hands. She managed to get me through my first preganancy and all the aches and pains that come along with that...and through my post pregnancy joint issues. When I first began going to Jen I would list where my aches and pains were, this is not needed. Jen has amazing intuition and knows what needs TLC. Her space is relaxing and secluded. This comes with a warning--her massages are addicting...once a special treat, now a line item in my monthly budget! read more

Jen is awesome!!! I've been going to see her for massages for a while now & am always looking forward to the experience and the way I feel after the massage. Jen has her massage room in the back of the bustling Moonshadow Salon in Elmwood. As soon as you walk back to her room, relaxation begins. The space is quiet and zen-like with soft lighting, candles. The massage bed is very welcoming with flannel and warm blankets when it gets cold out. Jen is very responsive to my specific requests or parts of my body that need work. She sometimes uses hot rocks or a hot water bottle. She gives amazing deep massages but will tailor the technique to fit her client's needs. I always walk out of the massage feeling extremely relaxed and my body feels wonderful. In addition to being quite talented as a massage therapist, Jen is also very sweet person and has great energy so its always a pleasure to see her. I highly recommend Jen and have referred her to friends and family who now go see her & love her as much as I do. read more