Purple, and his massaging technique are in some ways unorthodox, and each facet deserves consideration. ==Purple Himself== If you're like me when you first meet someone you'll stick out your hand for a shake. Purple will subvert the notion and deliver you a signature hug, in which he starts massaging you with the back of his wrist as portent of things to come. It's worth noting that Purple, will be wearing purple, and will be amidst his many purple accessories. As one might expect he is soft and down to earth, comfortable, and energetic. ==Purple's Technique== Purple's technique I heard described as a combination of Thai and Shiatsu massage. Yet that his not entirely telling, because the treatment also involves Power Tools. Two electric deck sanders - noncircular oscillation I believe he described it - are converted with rubber pads (purple) in place of sandpaper. This can seem very jarring at first, but are wielded to great ends. I imagine it similar to electric drumming, when drummers would think that using a electronic drums and drum machines was 'cheating'; but it's clear now that the idea of 'cheating' in arts is absurd, and it's about what you can achieve with your medium. The massage is very much a combination and waves of techniques. First you'll be kneaded, then "buffed out" using the Ryobi electric sanders, and lastly follow into passive stretching. During this point you can allow yourself limp and let Purple stretch your in acrobatic ways. He'll become sweaty and as he sips on his purple water bottle, you'll feel like you've done Yoga, it's just that he did all the effortful parts. ==Partner Massage== It's worth noting that Purple offers Partner Massage. I'd never heard of such a thing, but I went with my girlfriend to experience it. I thought that at some point I'd be called upon to massage her with Purple, or her me, but in fact is quit the opposite. Purple is undaunted by the prospect of massing two people at once. The way the Purple massages you both at the same time takes many forms; treating the mass of two as one massageable object, utilizing one person to massage another, and switching between the two. At first my partner as I laid side-by-side and Purple kneaded us as if we were a conjoined twin. Later the partner aspects grew more integrated, when he would use Person A's hands, arms, legs and joints, to massage with and through to Person B. Then in a lesson of contorted Psychics Person A was used as a stretching lever to Person B. Othertimes Person B will be laying horizontally ontop of A, and the Ryobi deck sanders will vibrate A using B as an intermediary. All of this is difficult to conceptualize, but was remarkably pleasant. It's actually something you can do with your partner, and enhanced because of it. Purple is very open, and my girlfriend and I kissed at times owing to the relaxed atmosphere that was being projected. Don't take partner massage as a weird joke, it's a logical generalization of the tradition that massage is between one masseur and one receiver. ==The Space== If you elect not to have Purple come to you, but go his home studio, you can enter his world of Purpleness. The furnishings are a shrine to the Color, which add to the ambiance. Likewise a solid rotation of chill psy-trance-esque massage music will abound, which for all intents sounds like Purple at that point. ==Conclusion== Clearly, Purple's style is unusual in some points, it's not standard massage. That is a good thing, because experimentation can lead to improvements and further the art. read more

I have been receiving bodywork from Erik/Purple for the past 5 years with great results. As a body worker myself I have received a lot of body work and various healing modalities and nothing quite compares to to the unique work of Erik. His combination of "Empowered bodywork", deep stretching, and gift of full presence are a transformative experience that invite you to into a state of deep surrender. Many of us struggle with high stress lives that trap is us in our heads and disconnect us from our bodies. The experience Erik offers creates a safe space that allows you to let go of whatever hectic thoughts may be looping through your mind and fully occupy your body. He will expand your ideas of what bodywork can be- twisting you in knots you didn't know your body you go and and shaking out tension from places you didn't even know it was held! As a dancer I am often pushing my body to its limits and then wanting to do the same the next day. Thank to Erik this is often possible. Not only has he been a wonderful bodywork but I have also learned a great deal about healthy eating, micro-nutrients, and other aspects of holistic health and healthy living. read more

READY TO BE TURNED INTO A PUDDLE OF BLISS? Erik Perp-Heal does not only massage you with hands and knees and legs and arms in a combination of what looks like thai massage and shiatsu (if I have my massage styles straight), he also uses power tools to literally "erase" the knots out of your body in a way that no human hand can possibly accomplish -- and years of handling such tools means that he can feel your skin and muscles and bones precisely and perfectly as to give you the perfect deep tissue massage every time. What can I say. I'm sold. I walked in with a back rigid as a board and in pain, and I walked out a puddle of bliss. His combination of skill, technique and tool (besides being funny and awesome), along with a free pair of colorful dance tights (necessary for the "buffing") did a superb job, and I write these words today with a deeper sense of myself and my body. Which is to say: I love it and I'll be back for more. read more

Purple and his custom massage therapy is a visionary approach to bodywork. In one session, our first session together, I went deeper into opening up tissue across my body which had been inaccessible through other modalities such as Rolfing, Craniosacral, Deep Tissue, Accupressure, Thumping, and Thai Massage. Why and how is this possible? A combination of factors which he educated me on while working on my body. Schedule an appointment, learn, and have your body/mind opened! I highly recommend Purple Bliss Works for people who need/want massage to alleviate pain/stress, soften tissue, address structural issues, and improve range of motion. read more

Purple himself is a very unique individual! He is bringing forth a way of messaging that he personally developed through an amalgamation of knowledge and experience and added a strong overtone of creative Purpleness! . He offers massage and bodywork in an individual, partner of group setting. And this is no ordinary massage session. He uses your own body to assist in your own massage!! Or if you're in a partner or group setting, he will use other peoples bodies to assist in your massage and vice versa. He folds you, bend you, and uses your bodyweight. He rolls you, squishes you and hugs you. He uses pressure, stretching and "buffing." All of these things are done on a purple mat, using various sizes of purple balls, with purple electric buffers by Purple himself wearing groovy purple clothes! This experience can be described as unusual and eccentric. Purple definitely marches to his own beat! But it can also be described as gentle, caring, relieving and fun. And if you have any questions, Purple is a wealth of bodywork knowledge! This is no joke! Your body will get massaged! I did a Partner Play session with Purple and I thoroughly enjoyed it for multiple reasons: One. It's new and different for me. I haven't had many massages and this was way more fun, comfortable and easy going then the ones I've had in the past. I didn't have to quietly step into a "zen" spa and listen to spiritual music and drink tea. No, I got to roll around on a purple mat with a partner and get squished and loved! Way more fun! Two. It's so amazing to see someone living out their authentic vision. I mean how many people do YOU know named Purple who wear purple outfits and "buff" people with soft, purple upgrades of Ryobi power tools and use Squish as a technical term? Yeah, that's what I thought! He's one of a kind and totally amazing! Three. It felt really great. Not only did it feel good while we were being rolled and hugged, my partner and I were lighter and happier when we left. We went and ate ice cream and laughed and acted goofy! It was JUST what I needed! My body AND mind felt better! And Four. It was fun. How could it not be? So, in conclusion, if you are interested in doing bodywork with Purple, I say YES! Do it! At least try it! You will most likely experience something you've never experienced before. And you'll probably like it! read more

I have never been so blissfully, ecstatically, and soulfully mushed into a puddle of tension-free love in my entire life! I came to Purple with a month's worth of neck and shoulder tightness after an unfortunate encounter with a bad mattress and he melted it all! He used these amazing vibrating orbs that were actually once car buffers, and they literally shook then tension out. Then he stretched me out on a ball and with these fantastic yoga positions while simultaneously massaging me. I didn't know it at the time, but this massage was the definition of 'what I needed!' Prepare for Thai massage turned up to 11, and so much more!! read more

As a bodyworker, I learn each time I receive work from Purple Erik. Erik's use of power tools, inflatables, and nutrition is unique. As a Radical Bodywork cultural curator I search far and wide, and Purple is on the evolving edge of trance-formative therapeutic massage. If you are privileged to get the opportunity of a session with him, take it and prepare to be somatically schooled. read more

I have been to all types of healers, masseuses, etc. As well as countless workshops and retreats on healing & the body-mind connection. I have never met anyone like Purple though! He is an incredibly present and intuitive healer, who has dreamed up revolutionary new ways of bringing people more into their natural heart-centered state of ease and bliss. He has helped me to release in ways that I no other healer has. His style is super unique, often incorporating buffers, yoga balls, and yoga swings, as well as his whole body (not just his upper body strength/arms/hands). A session with Purple is a joyful, fun, new, and extremely healing experience. I highly recommend! read more

You can read numerous reviews in details on how special Purple's work is, I'll be short here and just say that everything you read is true. Purple's work is unique, soul-full and really fun. You'll absolutely positively feel more alive. read more

Purple heals what ails you and teaches you how to keep those ailments away long after you've left his studio. And honestly, what more could you ask for? Well, allow me to tell you what to ask for: Buffing is woodworking's contribution to your healthfulness. In Purple's hands, your average industrial sander is transformed into a soft tissue rejuvenator. Complete with a fader to gauge the intensity exactly to your needs. Education and in-depth explanations are integral to Purple's method. Before moving into any new techniques he details what it will do for me, how I can integrate it into my daily life, and what I will feel. It's exhilerating to feel empowered with new knowledge of how to help your body. A blend of Thai massage and so much more. Purple's techniques are informed by a wide range of studies and it shows. Nearly every move he makes is accompanied by an anecdote of how he learned it, a friend who has developed it, or some lesson he has taken from practicing it. Contact was Purple's way of introducing me to, well, him! Within the first 10 minutes of my experience he had me hanging off his body, suspended left, right, and upside down. It has got to have been the most fun and powerful way I have ever had a massage begin. Fun and powerful really sums up my time with this fantastic artist. Purple is the man! Accept no substitutes. read more

He is a fabulous practitioner... Super unique and effective. I wish he lived up in grass valley so i could regularly receive from him. Thank you so much for sharing your work with the world! read more

Amazing session with Purple. I have paid 100s of dollars for massages that my husband could have done for free. Purple actually works "outside the box" and transforms the way your body feels. Truly the best body work I have ever experienced. Besides is skills, he is sweet, funny and extremely professional. Very in tune with his clients' needs. read more