I loved this massage! Kaylie is a great conversationalist, if you like that! I'm sure she'd be happy to allow you to enjoy your massage in peace, but I'm a chatterbox! I felt like she focused the perfect amount of time on each muscle group. The pressure was negotiable, so I felt like it was tailored to my liking! I'd never go back to a hands-only massage! Loved this experience and will absolutely be going again! read more

I had my first ashiatsu experience today, and I'm not sure I ever want to get any other massage! The differences in pressure Kaylie can provide with the broadness of her feet vs hands and forearms was fantastic! For example, I generally never enjoy much attention to my legs in a traditional massages but felt they didn't need to be left out with the feel of ashiatsu technique. Kaylie is also the sweetest, and an absolute professional- checking in regularly with how I felt and my comfort! 10 out of 10 recommend! read more

Ever since I began working full time, I would get horrible headaches once or twice a week. Six months into this pain, I was monitoring my headache cadence with my doctor, but still could not find one root cause of my pain. I briefly tried a daily migraine medication but ultimately could not deal with the side effects. Hoping to get to a point where I was off the medication, I tried to seek out other solutions. I heard that holding stress in your neck and back could trigger headaches so I turned to yelp to find a masseuse to at least temporarily relieve the headaches. After doing a yelp deep dive, I found Kaylie at Vital Balance. I was intrigued by the testimonials on her site about posture alignment therapy. Eager to seek a solution to my headaches instead of just a band-aid, I signed up for an appointment. I was very impressed with Kaylie and the principal of posture alignment therapy. In the first session we discussed did an initial assessment of my posture and discussed my history with my headaches. Kaylie took pictures of my front, back, and side views and then showed me the pictures with a line drawn down the center to show me where I was rotating or leaning forward (this took about 30 minutes). Turns out after years of different sports, my body was out of wack. In the next 30 minutes Kaylie walked me through a set of exercises (known as a menu) that I would do daily for the upcoming week. In each appointment going forward, Kaylie would check my progress (look at my front, back, and side views) and then assignment a new set of exercises. Each of these appointments were about 30 mins. In total, I did 8 sessions with Kaylie. I was amazed by how much progress that I made with Kaylie- both with my posture and with my headaches. I now stand more upright and my body is less rotated. Most importantly, my headaches are less frequent and I was able to stop the daily medication! I cannot recommend Kaylie and Vital Balance enough!! read more

Kaylie is simply the best. Knowledgeable and professional, she is so open to talking through your pain or problems areas and educating you on what she's doing, or just letting you relax and enjoy. Her demeanor is instantly relaxing and comfortable, she's just so sweet. Her massage is powerful and effective. I've recently started getting back into shape and seeing Kaylie has helped me so much! I was nervous about getting massaged by feet, but I honestly couldn't even really tell when she switched from hands to feet, I was instantly relaxed and never thought about it. You just know she is passionate about her craft and that she has put in the work to produce a great result. Keep it up, Kaylie! read more

I rarely treat myself to a massage but this past Friday it was cold, rainy, and for once I had free time in my schedule - I'm so glad I did, my massage by Kaylie was exactly what I was looking for. She is a great therapist - attentive, professional, and her techniques are therapeutic and relaxing. I came just for a relaxation massage but Kaylie also soothed my sore shoulder muscles that I have from hours of swim practice. I'm excited to come back in the future for an Ashiatsu style massage! Kaylie practices out of a cute and cozy study on Peidmont Ave. Come a little early to find parking or there is a lot on the corner 41st Street and Piedmont. read more

Kaylie is a master of her trade. She's fixed me on numerous occasions. She has an amazing touch and is able to really get into troubled areas that most therapists can't. I leave every session feeling balanced and for lack of better words...fixed. Her deep tissue will make you laugh at any spa therapist you go to after her. Seriously, she's petite but I'm sure she could make a grown man cry. Don't be scared though, she always checks in and stays within your comfort level I'm just saying the woman's elbows and feet should be insured by Sotheby's or something. read more

Kaylie is an incredibly talented massage therapist. On my first visit I was in great need of stress relief. My body & mind were both in a fragile state and she was able to offer me a very supportive, gentle relaxation massage that brought my stress level down and calmed my frayed nerves. It was exactly what I needed! On my second visit, I was in much better condition on all levels and I was excited to try her Ashiatsu massage! I have always shied away from super deep massages because they felt too painful or bruised me with elbow work. Kaylie's Ashiatsu was far and away the deepest massage I've ever had and I was completely comfortable the whole time! I felt relaxed and rejuvenated in a very deep and profound way. I had been sore from working out and she smoothed out every knot and kink in my body! No matter who you are or what you are needing in the moment, Kaylie is at a skill level with her craft to deliver a completely customized treatment for you, every time! Skip the cookie cutter "massage" that you can find anywhere and book an appointment with Kaylie for a fabulous experience! read more

I've had reoccurring low back pain between periods of pain free, athletic mobility for the last 21 years. Each time my back "goes out" it can be very painful and debilitating. I've experimented with various therapies: chiropractic massage electro stimulation acupuncture NSAID's active release Tx None of them have been as effective as the treatments I've received from Vital Balance. My back pain responded to Kaylie's posture therapy immediately during the first session. She let me try it first before I committed to it, rather than a massage. Kaylie followed my progress with internet communication after our initial in person assessment. Each week, depending on how your body is progressing, Kaylie will prescribe new simple exercises that activate muscles that will help relieve pressure on your nervous system and spinal column. You'll know whether or not it's right for you at the first session. Each selection of exercises that I have received can be done at home with minimal equipment (chairs, walls, door frames, strap). Each selection has built upon the previous treatments. During each one I've felt a few spinal crepiti (cracking) as well as pelvis and sacral crepitus. I've also noticed the discomfort which began in the lumbar region, move down. First to the hips then to the knee, becoming less intense with each session. Kaylie understands the way our bodies are supposed to work and performs a thorough assessment of what your particular issue is. read more

Just tried her deep tissue massage. The ashiatsu, aka "massage with her feet on your back" takes some getting used to. But damn I feel a lot better than I did before I went in. What sets her apart is that she's an expert on posture as well as massage. So you can work with her to fix the bad posture that causes the tension that makes you go to massage. She's legit, down to earth, I've already booked a second appointment read more

Kaylie is the BOMB. I can't stress enough how rejuvenating my massage was. Afterwards, I felt like a drugged noodle (in a good way). She was able to deliver a very high level of pressure with zero pain--this isn't easy to achieve. Her technique is highly intuitive; she was able to zero-in on knots and trigger points with the ease of a true professional. Also, her facilities are relaxing and impeccably clean. I will be back for sure!!! read more

An out of this world massage, and nearly an out of this body experience. I walked away feeling seriously realigned without any of the discomfort that one can get from a "deep" massage. She paid particular attention to what was troubling me (in my case shoulder/neck and calves) but at the same time showed tremendous expertise at working out the kinks from head to toe. A highly gifted professional. read more

This review is about kaylie's 5 star service. I am flying into San Francisco and last minute i ask kaylie a few days before if she can slot me in if anyone cancels. Turns out someone did and kaylie moved some clients to give me a time slot. I was all set and super looking forward to the visit. The story takes a turn here as today my flight is delayed by 2 hours thanks to runway construction at the San Francisco airport. Why me? I know these are first world problems! I am super disappointed and feel badly I inconvenienced her. I hope to rebook with kaylie in my next visit! She is simply wonderful and i highly recommend you visit her. read more

It's not every day you find a therapist that not only listens to you but has the skills to address the matter. She's not just pushing and digging around aimlessly. This woman is on a mission and she can get to the heart of the matter quickly. In other words, she knows what she's doing. I like that she uses a variety of techniques in her sessions. No two are ever exactly alike. I've had her ashiatsu barefoot work and it's extraordinary. I couldn't even tell when she went hands to feet! She also does instrument assisted soft tissue treatment. Man, I'm not going to lie...it's not the most comfortable experience but she was able to break up some stuff that I didn't even know I'd been living with! High quality therapist that listens, cares and is always on top of her game. Well worth it. If I hadn't moved to Atlanta I'd be there every week! read more

I've been a massage client of Kaylie's for several years and have recently started alignment therapy (the Egoscue method). I've had two shoulder surgeries over the years, and like most of us, suffer from being inwardly rotated (driving, computers, phones, etc.). I can't begin to describe how quickly my body has changed for the better since beginning the alignment therapy sessions. First, let me say that Kaylie is incredibly observant and great to work with -- she really cares about her clients and helping them overcome their physical issues. Second, the exercises that she prescribed immediately began to activate muscles in my body that I hadn't been using, and helped to open up other areas. I noticed an immediate impact at the gym in my first week (stronger, less pain in my shoulders), and can feel the benefits of the Egoscue method throughout the day (posture, walking, etc.). I'm looking forward to more sessions, more exercises, etc. Thx Kaylie! read more

I have been going to Kaylie for posture therapy for about 5 months now. As a casual athlete, my initial goals were to perform better in my chosen sport while reducing the risk of aggravating old injuries. In the process I have learned so much from Kaylie about my body's (mis)alignment and how it has contributed to the same aches and pains for many years. Kaylie designs a "menu" of postures based on the Egoscue Method to target muscle and skeletal imbalances. As someone who has always struggled to find a mobility regimen that actually worked, the results have been staggering and I've noticed significant improvements to my fitness performance and pain reduction. I have touted the benefits to everyone I know and my brother now regularly sees Kaylie to equally great end. I've also visited Kaylie for massage, an experience I haven't enjoyed in the past, but did so much that I immediately booked another session. Kaylie is thorough, knowledgeable, and I appreciate that she always checks in with me between appointments. Kaylie has truly transformed how I approach my body, fitness, and overall self care! read more

Kaylie is a wonderful massage therapist. I had my first barefoot massage with her and I've been back several times. I like my massages somewhat deep and it's amazing what Kaylie is able to feel and work out with her feet. The added benefit of this type of massage is that Kaylie is able to incorporate some work with her hands at the same time, providing excellent lengthening of the tissue, something I haven't experienced in any other massage technique. read more

I came to Kaylie with persistent pain in my right hip and low back. At times this pain would shoot down into my knee and ankle, making my love for running and dance quite painful and discouraging at times. Degenerative hip disease runs in my family, and at age 29, I sought out Posture Alignment Therapy as preventative medicine-and it has been just that! Throughout the initial assessment, Kaylie took great care to both ask me about any traumas to my body, as well as fully analyze my posture with photos and hands-on assessments. After discerning where misalignments in my posture existed and how this was showing up as pain in my body, she created custom menus of exercises that specifically catered to my body. Within the first two weeks of sessions I felt a dramatic decrease in pain, and by the 4 session I was able to run for 20 min on a treadmill without feeling any pain in my body both during and after my runs! Not only has the pain subsided, but I've learned an immense amount about my body, including what I need to ask my body to do in order to learn new, aligned muscle and posture patterns. And now i have 8 exercise menus to reference an reuse for months or even years to come as i move forward in my healing and as my body shifts with age. In addition to all the positive results, in such a relatively short period of time, I'd also recommend Kaylie because of her warm and approachable nature. She always made me feel safe and comfortable in the space, and that any question was welcomed about the process and what she was teaching me. As many of us know, when we tap into the body we inherently tap into emotions and memories stored in the body, and Kaylie did a wonderful job of checking-in with me and creating space for whatever I was feeling to be present in the room. I'd highly recommend doing posture alignment therapy with Kaylie, not only because the exercises are fun, empowering, and produce results, but because it will save you so much pain (and who knows, maybe even surgery or medications) in the long run. read more

What a wonderful experience getting a massage from Kaylie! As others have said, she is warm, welcoming and very skilled at giving excellent massages. She applied just the right amount of pressure and listened to the special needs of my body. I had never had Ashiatsu massage before and I LOVE it! I will definitely be back for more massages from Kaylie. read more

Kaylie is phenomenal and very knowledgeable - one of the very best massages I have ever experienced. It was the perfect blend of remedial and soothing pressure. read more

Kaylie has a great location and the massage was top notch. I deal with a lot of lower back issues and her unique approach of using her feet to massage is a much deeper massage than any I've ever had. She's easy to talk to, understands the body, and can offer stretches afterwards to help with recovery. Highly recommend, and she was also nominated for the Best of Oakland 2016 in Oakland Magazine. read more

Amazing massage! Kaylie has a truly skilled touch; gentle and soothing, yet strong and effective. As an acupuncturist and a person with chronic neck pain, I know the importance of a skilled massage by a knowledgable practitioner. Kaylie smoothed out the tension and relieved the pain in my neck. After the massage, I left about 3 inches taller and feeling great! I just booked my first session of her posture alignment therapy and can't wait to get started. read more

Kaylie is a kind and compassionate massage therapist. She has a gentle and caring touch that is soothing as well as effective at releasing muscle tension. I had never had Ashiatsu before, and I was surprised by how gentle it is. Kaylie explained that she always has one foot on the table so that she can apply just the right amount of pressure with the other foot. Kaylie found areas of tension that I hadn't even mentioned. She also showed me a few stretches for my hips and sent me links of videos of the stretches after the session. Very thoughtful! read more

Kaylie's postural alignment treatment has truly been life changing. Instead of chronic pain and stiffness without an understanding of what was happening or what I could do about it, I now have a specific program of exercises and a much deeper knowledge of my back issues. Kaylie took the time to educate me and also tailor a program for me. She has gone above and beyond to provide me with a program for long days at a desk and for pre and post workouts. I could not successfully get back in shape without Kaylie's expertise and guidance. I am extremely grateful and look forward to her continued help. read more

Kaylie is thoughtful, aware and extremely knowledgeable about the body. I am in love with Ashiastu massage! It felt amazing and released my tight muscles in a way that was effective and long lasting. She has studied varied techniques in order to meet the many needs of her clients. I highly recommend Kaylie and look forward to receiving more massages from her. read more

Was always a bit scared of ashiatsu thinking it maybe painful.....BUT I was wrong! Deep tissue has new meaning now...very relaxing Kaylie is a great therapist. read more

I have been a certified and practicing massage therapist in the east bay for over 6 years. It is rare that I find a Therapist with such skill and patience with the body. While the overall experience of the session was excellent, I have to single out a few exceptional pieces that really will have me coming back for more treatment. Firstly, she is truly attentive, from taking account of my previous injuries to making sure that I was comfortable with the pressure. I felt safe and in good hands (or feet). Until seeing Kaylie I had never experienced Ashiatsu, but now I am a convert. It has a wonderful balance of deep broad pressure, and sustained specificity. I know the skill it takes to create that sensation by hand, I can only imagine the talent required to do it with the feet. Lastly, she is knowledgeable and cares about her clients, which is not as common as it should be. It makes me happy to have a high caliber Bodyworker like Kaylie in the neighborhood. I will be booking with her again soon. read more

I recently received a message from Kaylie, she is extremely professional and attentive and a great massage therapist. I left relaxed and balanced and the effects continued on for the whole week. I will definitely be going back... read more

Full disclosure, I am friends with Kaylie - but I am also a very picky massage customer. Kaylie is fabulous, she has various certifications and is truly passionate about helping her clients learn to take care of their bodies. Not to mention, she has a great touch and is receptive to requests & feedback before/during/after the massage. Can't say enough about her - call her already! read more

I just got my first massage from Kaylie, and it was fabulous! I have gotten a lot of bodywork throughout my life, so I am picky. She was knowledgable, attentive and the massage was great! I loved the Thai massage especially, I could literally feel my spine grow longer! Don't miss out, we all need a good bodyworker! read more

I have been getting a weekly a shiatsu from Kaylie for the past two months. It has changed everything I used to think about deep tissue massage; the foot pressure is more evenly dispersed and so, is less painful and therefore deeper and more satisfying. Kaylie is a thorough professional, and the studio is perfectly set up with a heated table, proper draping, aroma therapy (if desired), and soothing lighting. She is by far the best massage therapist I have encountered in the East Bay, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who appreciates the artistry and therapeutic efficacy of deep tissue massage. read more