I rarely write reviews, but after my horrific experience at The Bodywise Massage Inc. (1435 4th…read moreStreet Suite F, San Rafael, CA), owned by Tobi Lessem, I feel compelled to warn others. If you're seeking a place for relaxation, healing, or even basic professionalism, steer clear of this establishment. Tobi's incompetence, condescension, and outright dismissal of customer needs turned what should have been a restorative birthday treat into an emotional disaster. I'll detail exactly what happened so you can see why no one should ever trust her or her business with their well-being.
In February, I texted Tobi to book a 2-hour massage for my birthday, which I treat myself to annually as a form of self-care. This year was particularly tough; I'd lost two incredibly close women in my life, leaving me in deep mourning, emotionally heavy, and profoundly vulnerable. I was counting on this session to help process that grief through therapeutic touch. Tobi confirmed the 2-hour booking via text, so I arrived excited for some much needed relief.
The masseuse was a bit late, but she got me settled quickly, and we began. About an hour in, while I was face down, fully immersed in the massage, feeling those pent-up emotions finally starting to release, there was a sudden knock at the door. The masseuse stepped out, spoke briefly with Tobi, and returned to inform me that my session was over because the next client had arrived. Stunned, I reminded her of my 2-hour booking and offered to show proof from my texts. She stepped out again to relay this to Tobi, only to come back insisting it was just a 1-hour slot and I had to leave immediately.
I was furious. Being yanked out of that vulnerable, healing state mid-session felt like a violent interruption to my emotional process. I got dressed and confronted Tobi in the lobby. I explained the booking error and showed her our text exchange proving the 2-hour booking. Even the other client, a gentleman who'd been double-booked over my time, overheard our conversation and graciously offered to reschedule, saying, "I'm sorry, it's your birthday, I don't want to interrupt that." But it was too late; Tobi had already forced me off the table and out of the room.
Tobi acknowledged her mistake in booking me for only 1 hour instead of 2, but her response was shockingly condescending. She dismissed my concerns, saying she "had to make the call" and would prioritize the other client, essentially telling me to she didn't care. When I expressed how deeply disappointed and hurt I was, especially given my personal circumstances, she had the audacity to retort, "If this is the worst thing that's ever happened to you, you're lucky." Appalling doesn't begin to describe it. Here I was, raw and exposed, and she minimized my pain with a flippant remark that showed zero empathy.
Later, Tobi sent a follow-up email that only compounded the insult. I've attached a copy here so you can see her mindset in her own words.
Read that again: "We are not interested in good customer service." She openly admits her business prioritizes some vague "community" notion over basic respect for paying clients. She assumed the other client's "medical massage" needs trumped mine without knowing anything about my own emotional and physical state, as if grief and vulnerability aren't valid reasons for care. I paid for the full hour I received, but the damage was done: my birthday self-care ritual was ruined, and I left feeling more broken than when I arrived.
This isn't just a simple scheduling mix-up; it's a glaring display of arrogance, poor management, and a complete lack of accountability. Tobi's actions show she values her own judgment over evidence (like text proof) and client feelings. In a field like massage therapy, where trust and sensitivity are paramount, this level of disregard is dangerous. Psychologically, interrupting a session mid-flow can exacerbate emotional distress, turning a healing space into a traumatic one. If she treats vulnerable clients this way, imagine how she'd handle yours.
Do not give Tobi Lessem or The Bodywise Massage Inc. your time, money, or trust. There are plenty of compassionate, competent massage therapists in San Rafael who actually care about their clients. Save yourself the heartbreak, avoid this place entirely. 1 star, and that's generous.
