I love praising good people behind their back and I'm going to do it here so get ready:…read more Tranzend is a woman of color owned and operated small business. A small biz that punches above its weight class and does it all with kindness. I struggled for YEARS not knowing what my diagnosis was and was in a deep struggle with my physical health and mental well being. No one understood me. Health care providers would misdiagnose me multiple times before I found the right fit and would often seek referrals from anyone I trusted to find a massage therapist who could be kind, attune to my diagnosis, and just a good human being. Janice didn't just change my life; she saved it. The work we did together on not just my physical being but my soul was something I can never thank her enough. My financial situation wasn't the greatest either but Janice would insist on making it work and I dare say she would do the same for any of her clients. I don't recollect how many years I would see Janice but it was a lot. Janice is a compassionate and empathetic massage therapist and she has a breadth and depth of expertise that you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else. If you're not seeing this woman, what are you doing with your life?

My husband found Janice and booked massages for us for our anniversary (we stayed in downtown…read moreSeattle for the occasion). We each had a 60 minute massage in her cozy little studio with the most beautiful rooftop view of the Sound. The massages were great (my introduction to cupping) and Janice is a lovely person. I get massage and other body work done regularly so I've experienced a wide variety of quality. I'm also not the easiest body to work on (very tight, problem spots). I would absolutely come back again. I can't comment about the value because I didn't pay the bill :-) Hubby said her prices were average, though. I'm not complaining about anything because I enjoyed myself and felt great afterward, but setting expectations so no one is disappointed. The massage studio is in a large professional building and shares hall space with other medical professionals. TrandZend is a single massage room, not a full spa experience. Because it's in a professional building, it's locked on weekends and Janice has to come down to let you in (didn't phase us since the sun was shining, but this could mean waiting outside for quite a while). Janice creates a warm, inviting experience, but take note if you're looking for something different. I debated between 4 and 5 stars because it isn't a full spa, etc. but I figure it's the quality of the massage that matters and that was definitely a 5 star experience.

Holly offers experienced , quality therapeutic massage. Her treatments are too notch and effective…read more I have been seeing her for years, and can vouch for her excellent massages each and every time !

Fantastic care and quality! I had such a good experience here and I intend to come back. Location…read morewas cute and cozy.

I just saw the lovely Jessica again for the first time since my initial review, and am writing to…read moreconfirm that she really is amazing. She has great touch and technique. She definitely has very strong hands people, so those of you who love that will be most happy. She was super receptive to requests and lightened up when I reported any tender areas. I came to her b/c of my pain issues, and was absolutely hurt free when I levitated out of there. She is an intuitive body worker, but obviously very skilled with our anatomical build in that she understands the complex networks and kinesiology of muscle, fascia and connective tissue. She is restorative and relaxing, a very tough balance to find.

Marcus is hands and elbows down the best!read more

Danielle is great. I've been getting massages from her regularly for a couple years now…read more I initially sought her out because she specializes in therapeutic massage. Through a few sessions, she was able to help relieve the tightness and soreness in my lower back and shoulders that had accumulated through years of weightlifting. Danielle's general deep tissue massages are top-notch as well, and she's a great conversationalist. I keep coming back because her deep tissue massages are so relaxing, and she's fun to talk to. If you're in the Ballard area and you're looking for a good massage, and you want to support a small business, I would highly recommend Smiling Owl Massage.

If I could give one star, I would. The massage I initially received was great, but after Danielle…read morecancelled an early AM appointment with less than 2 hours notice via email, things became really messy. I work with families and children intimately and I understand cancellations happen, and people become sick, but to cancel an AM appointment with under two hours notice without a call was not a great way to handle the situation. I was already getting ready and on my way to the appointment. Upon arriving I sat there thinking she was possibly late, then I called the number on the door because I figured that was the best option to figure out if the appointment still stood or not which. Then after back and forth email with Danielle she was upset that I had called the number on the door because it was for someone else. How was a client to know that? I waited for 40 minutes and left. When I arrived home I had seen on my desktop the reason I didn't get her email was because It was sent from her personal email instead of her business email which was the one email we had ever used prior. We sent some Emails back and fourth and because I had expressed how inconvenient it was for me she decided she didn't want to see me for my other appointment or reschedule. I had told her many times I understand these things happen and hope she will feel better and was kind, I just wanted her to know that a call for a two hour or less cancellation would be more ideal since clients are likely to be up and already getting ready to leave their homes. She then basically replies she doesn't want to see me as a client anymore while also being smart saying "in the age of smartphones" her email with 1.5 hours notice was appropriate. Especially when people are likely already on their way. Since I had bought 2 massages via Groupon I had asked if she would then work with me to help get a refund, she agreed and even wrote me an email saying she contacted them, and they would be reaching out to me within the day via phone. (Side note she also said she didn't want to see me because she only makes 17 dollars from her groupons, which i though was wildly inappropriate to tell a client.) When I didn't hear anything from them and emailed her back stating all I saw was that my account was flagged and had not received a call, her reply was so rude calling me challenged and whiny. I really don't know how someone would work in this industry and be so rude and able to personally jab at clients but I was completely taken aback by her unprofessionalism through-and-through. I would not recommend her place of business, as when things come up she cannot handle them appropriately, timely, or professionally and will attack you for it.

You are in excellent hands when seeing Jolynn. She has a soothing and calming sense of touch. Her…read moreoffice space is both professional and tranquil. She is able to find the tension areas, and provide relief in a soft, gentle manner. Her long strokes are heavenly, and I feel grounded and centered after a session with her. I am confident in recommending her for a relaxing and therapeutic massage in a carefully cleaned and sanitized environment.

Jolynn's massage treatments are powerful and therapeutic. She is incredibly knowledgeable about…read moreanatomy and that expertise informs her ability to identify and help resolve muscle tightness and other issues. Her massages have helped alleviate the issues I've had from sitting at a computer too long and other activity (or lack thereof) that has created pain in my neck, shoulders, and back. Jolynn's massage skills have made me feel better immediately and have had lasting results. She is a talented and emphatic healer!

Whenever I've received a massage from Jacquie over the last several years, the massage has been a…read moreperfect balance of relaxation and therapy. Jacquie has extensive knowledge on the massage methodologies and always tailors her approach to what your body needs at the time of the appointment. The atmosphere of the massage room is thoroughly relaxing, and booking has always been very easy as the appointment hours are surprisingly flexible. Highly recommended!

I have been getting massages from Jacquie for over 3 years and have never been disappointed. She…read moreis incredibly skilled and comprehensive, but more than that, she has a level of passion and commitment to her craft that is rare among massage therapists. She is incredibly strong and powerful in her work, and balances it with a lot of awareness and attention to what is needed in any particular spot. I always leave her table feeling like a new woman, and will be going to her for all my bodywork needs for years to come!

Jen is a wonderful massage therapist and a wonderful human being. She was referred to me by a…read moremutual friend, and I couldn't be more grateful. I was scheduled to have a major surgery, and Jen was incredibly flexible in squeezing me in TWICE last minute. She not only relaxed my muscles, but put my mind at ease entirely. I'm convinced I will recover swiftly thanks to her masterful hands. Jen is a queen-of-all-trades and reads your body like a master. In one of our sessions alone, she used the many modalities of deep tissue, swedish, craniosacral, Thai stretching, reiki, and intra-oral on my TMJ to fix the popping issue, as well as some deep belly massage to work on my incredibly tight psoas muscles. How many practitioners do you know that can fit all that into a single session? I've had many, many massages over the years, and Jen has helped my body so much in such a short time. I haven't felt this loose in ages. Do yourself and your body a favor, book a session with her and you'll leave feeling incredibly relaxed and blissful. Thanks again, Jen

I've been utilizing Jen and her body care products for over 11 years. She has a vast understanding…read moreof Bodywork and produces amazing results. I work in a labor industry and consistently feel tight and burdened by chronic pain in my back and shoulders. She always does an assessment and targets problem areas. In addition to the overall work she does she focuses on these areas for a very personal healing session. She's professional with cleanliness and her studio is very comforting and a relaxed environment. She will become a great friend with true concern for your health and healing and I will continue to use her for years to come.

Whenever I want to treat myself to a massage, I go to Megan. She perfectly combines long, fluid…read moremotions with more specific pressure points too. I prefer firmer pressure, and she nails that as well. I highly recommend getting a massage with Megan!

I just got home from the most fantastic massage! Megan is amazing!…read more I sit at a desk for 10-12 hours a day sometimes. I have very tight shoulders and hips - Megan was able to relieve the pressure and pain that pressure caused. She didn't just massage but also used pressure points, stretching and more to release my tight muscles. The office was very clean, well-kept and relaxing- her practice is inside a chiropractic office which to me is a good sign! She offers great deals for first time clients as well as referral bonuses. Make an appointment with Megan it will make you feel like a regular person instead of a knotted up mess!