I agree whole-heartedly with the other positive reviews. In my view, the fact that the reviews are very consistent speaks to the superb quality of her work. I don't often write Yelp reviews, but I am very grateful for Sarah's care and I want to describe my experience in detail to give others a sense of what to expect from Sarah's services.
As a Northwestern PhD student, I need all of the massages I can get. I visit Sarah as often as I can afford, which is usually once every 2 months. If I could book sessions more frequently, I would do it in a heartbeat. The best massages I've had in my life have all been from Sarah. She is the epitome of a massage professional, as she is kind, attentive, and exquisitely thorough. As mentioned in other reviews, Sarah's massages will be especially helpful for those with specific pain or chronic muscle issues (although anyone can benefit from a good massage).
My general experience at Somavida:
The beginning of a typical session will start with Sarah asking about the specific locations, intensity, and frequency of your pain. She takes thorough notes on your responses and uses this information to structure the techniques used in your session.
During the massage, Sarah will focus on the areas that need care while making sure the pressure and technique is comfortable for you. The room is calm, quiet, and gently lit. Sarah is fun and easy to talk to, but if you prefer to relax in silence or with soft music, she is always more than happy to accommodate your preferences. (To be clear: Sarah does not work in a high-end spa. The surroundings are comfortable and conducive to relaxtion and pain relief, but if you are seeking something very lavish and luxurious, you may want to look for that elsewhere).
After applying firm, steady pressure to your muscle knots (or trigger points), Sarah will check in with you to make sure the trigger points are responding to the massage and that the pain is getting better. (There were a couple of times when the pressure was a bit too intense, and when I told Sarah, she was receptive and responsive to my feedback and changed the pressure to my comfort level.) Sarah is very well-educated on massage techniques and the intricacies of anatomy. Often I will have questions about the anatomy of a given region (i.e., "Which muscles in this area are responsible for killing my back?") and Sarah will give a detailed, informative answer.
After the session, you will briefly meet with Sarah. She will ask you to describe any changes in your pain levels as she records in detail whatever feedback you have about your pain or your session. If you return for a second session, Sarah uses her notes on your pain (often she will remember your major trouble spots) to guide her work in that session. I think this system works very well because I feel that I am receiving a very personalized experience that is tailored to my specific problem spots, and that feels more meaningful and worthwhile than getting regular massages from someone who is not as aware of your body's needs.
As for payment, the prices for Sarah's services are more than reasonable, especially given the quality of her work. If you are student, she offers a great discount on individual sessions and packages.
One last important note: As Somavida is becoming more popular, appointments should be booked farther in advance. If you are considering booking an appointment and have questions, email Sarah - she's really good about getting back to people in a reasonable timeframe (around 24 hours or so). The sooner you book, the better - though Sarah is also willing to contact you in case of cancellations.
I am lucky to have found Sarah & to be one of her regular clients. I refer friends to her all of the time, and many have become regulars too. My goal in writing this review is to draw attention to and praise Sarah's great work. read more