Indoor Massage Studio Moving To Santa Clara Ave

I have exciting news! I’m moving the indoor massage studio a few blocks away!

I expect to continue to offer outdoor massage when I first re-open, because I think both my clients and I have found our comfort zone there during covid. But when we are ready to move indoors, I will have some amazing new digs!

At my home, my tenant of over a decade saved up enough money to buy her own place (woo hoo! congrats!) This left the best possible massage studio open and available, at the exact time that my lease was up at the old Mandana Blvd location.

It is just a few blocks away from the old location, has a separate private entrance, private bathroom, great ventilation and an HVAC system separate from my home. It should also be quieter, without all those cars lining up at the traffic light outside the window at 5pm! Lower volumes of people coming in and out, and no more shared hallway and restroom with other offices allows me to feel very confident about disinfection practices in times of covid and beyond.

If you came for an outdoor massage, you have already seen the location.

I’m making a lot of upgrades to the space, and it won’t be ready for a while. But wow, it feels so good to invest in the future! 

Note that I have a new business phone number 510-604-2005 that accepts texts, as well as phone calls. And the new address, 326 Santa Clara Avenue Unit A, will be updating online in the coming weeks.

Extending Our Temporary Closure

Happy 2021, everyone!

In anticipation of Alameda County’s extension of pandemic closure dates, I am blocking off the calendar for another three weeks. I’ve arbitrarily chosen Feb 2 as a re-opening date, but this may change or extend based on pandemic metrics, like ICU capacity. If you are booked for a session that I cannot fulfill for this reason, I’ll contact you individually to let you know when the county announces dates.

If you are in urgent need of a massage during this time, check with Core Wellness in Oakland. They are doing medical massage indoors, defined as massage prescribed by a doctor, and they can operate during shut downs.

Though I’m qualified to do medical massage, I’ve chosen not to pursue it. So very few of my clients have prescriptions for massage, and I don’t have existing partnerships with individuals that can refer medical massage clients. The amount of set up time for outdoor massage - where I feel most comfortable right now -would outweigh the benefits.

And that’s ok. I’m doing fine. I’m actually engrossed in some exciting developments for the future! Hint: The massage studio is getting an upgrade. …So stay tuned to this space!

Temporarily Closing Due to Pandemic Winter Shutdown. See you in 2021!

In accordance with Alameda county directives, the massage studio is temporarily closing for four weeks, from Monday, Dec 7, through January 3.

If you are in urgent need of a massage during this time, check with your favorite chiropractor’s office. Medical massage, defined as massage prescribed by a doctor, is still allowed to operate. Many chiropractors have massage therapists that work in their offices. They can write you a prescription for massage to address the pain you are experiencing. I’m a big fan of Dr. Carolyn Finnegan and her staff, at Core Wellness in Oakland.

The massage calendar is blocked off through the end of the year, but January 3 and beyond is open in anticipation of returning to work at that time. Feel free to book a January victory massage for yourself. If regulations change, I’ll let you know and reschedule appointments as needed.

Gift certificates are also available online. They can be redeemed in 2021 when we reopen. (In the absence of being able to plan ahead in a pandemic, I had stopped selling gift certificates. Now, with a vaccine on the horizon, they are available once again!)

Be well, and Happy Holidays. I look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

— Andrea

Cooler Weather is Here! The Table Warmer is On!

A few tips for outdoor massage in cooler weather…

Wear cozy clothing. The ideal massage is one where you stay comfortable. Since we are outdoors, that means dressing for the weather. We can happily work through long sleeve clothing, long pants, hoodies, or even blankets.

About those blankets! I’ve got special spa fabric blankets that can withstand the same high temp, disinfecting commercial laundry processes as our sheets. Like our sheets, these are laundered, handled only after using hand sanitizer, and then stored in airtight containers until their time of use. They are both warm and provide peace of mind.

Weather. I love working outdoors because it makes me feel connected to my surroundings. But it also means that we are at the mercy of the weather. For winds forecasted in the 15-20mph range, temporary tents such as ours need to have their covers (...ahem, sails) removed, and frames collapsed for safety reasons. This winter is a La Nina year, so expect some wind and rain reschedules. I’ll notify you if we need to reschedule for weather. Be sure that you have your latest and greatest phone number and email on your account so I can quickly get in touch with you.

Table Warmer. I have had so many people comment on the awesomeness of the table warmer over the years. I’ve added one to the outdoor table, so it can provide direct heat on chilly days. It makes for a toasty, cozy massage experience. It’s got a variable setting that allows for 10 levels of heat. If you get chilly at any point, just let me know, and we’ll find the right setting for you. Also, if you have any health concerns with the application of direct heat, we can double down on the blankets instead.

Massage is Allowed. Is it Safe?

Alameda county recently jumped two levels in our Covid risk, from orange “Moderate” transmission to purple, “Widespread” transmission.” Which has people wondering if it’s still safe to get a massage.

A lot has changed since the early days of Covid, when massage was not allowed for many months. We have learned more about the way it is transmitted, and the ways it is not. And both the state and county have recognized that personal service providers like massage therapists, do receive training in pathogens and cross contamination as a regular part of their studies. So they’ve reclassified massage and other personal services as relatively low risk activities, and given us specific modifications to follow to reduce the chance of spreading Covid.

Massage, even indoor massage*, is expected to stay open during all phases, including purple "Widespread", from both a state and county perspective. Of course, this may change if we go back into the sort of lockdown we saw in early days, where doctor’s offices are closed, and elective surgeries are postponed.

Which leaves us with the question, “Is it safe for me to get a massage?”

Do what you are comfortable with. Learn about our safety precautions here. Know that my practice is running on a very reduced volume - I’m seeing a maximum of 12 clients a week, and my typical week is smaller than that. I treat everyone who enters my practice, including myself, as if they have an asymptomatic case of Covid - and that informs all of the practices and procedures I follow, from how linens are handled to how surfaces are disinfected.

If you aren’t ready, that’s ok.

I am navigating my own risk tolerances as we go along, and despite massage being allowed to stay open, I may or may not decide to take action before the state or county does. Back in March, I closed my business several days prior to the official shut down, because it seemed like the right thing to do. If I take that action again, I’ll let you know.

But right now, I feel confident in my procedures and redundant safe guards.

* I’ve chosen to go above and beyond and remain outside for a while. Despite the weather turning cooler, it seems to make clients (and me) more comfortable at this time. It adds a very strong layer of redundant protection for us both. And frankly, I think it’s nice being outdoors!