What happens in a session

Most people booking bodywork for the first time want to know exactly what will happen before they commit to it. This is the whole thing, start to finish.

Before the day

You text Ryan with your address, the session length you want, and anything relevant — injuries, what has been bothering you, what you have already tried. He confirms the rate, since it varies a little with travel distance, and sends available times.

Before a first session you complete a form: the massage therapy consent form for Traditional Massage and Massage for Subconscious Tension, or the ERT waiver for Emotional Release Therapy and hybrid sessions. Both are on this site and take a few minutes.

Setting up

Ryan can bring his table, or chair and all supplies to your home, hotel or place of business. A clear space of roughly six by eight feet is enough. Music or no music is your call.

The first ten minutes

You talk first. What hurts, what you have already tried, what you want left alone. Whatever you name as off limits stays off limits for the whole session, and you never have to explain why.

This is also where the session type gets settled if you were not sure. Describing what has been going on is usually enough for Ryan to say which of the four makes sense.

The work itself

You stay draped with a sheet throughout, with only the area being worked uncovered at any one time. The breasts and genital area stay covered and are never worked on.

In a Traditional Massage, this is the part where you can switch your brain off entirely. Swedish and deep tissue technique at the pressure you request, working on circulation, adhesions, stiffness and muscular fatigue.

In Massage for Subconscious Tension, the session is active rather than passive. It starts light, using position changes and breathing mechanics, and adds depth only as the guarding reduces. You will be asked to keep moment to moment awareness in your body and breathe toward the areas being worked.

In an ERT session, Ryan works specific points, watching for the physical signs that you are checking out and pacing accordingly. Emotion may surface and it may not; neither means the session worked better.

Coming back

A few minutes before you get up. Water, and usually one or two things to carry into the week.

People feel different things afterwards. Loose and sleepy is common. So is a day or two of mild soreness, particularly after deeper work. Occasionally people feel emotionally tender for a day. If anything concerns you, text Ryan.

Common questions

How long before the session should I be ready?

Ryan arrives a few minutes early to set up the table. Clear a space roughly six feet by eight feet in whichever room you prefer. He brings the table, sheets and oil.

Do I need to talk during the session?

In a Traditional Massage, no. In Massage for Subconscious Tension you will be asked to keep awareness in your body and breathe toward the areas being worked, which usually means some back and forth. Some people talk the whole time and some barely speak.

What if I want to stop?

Say so and it stops. You can also ask for less pressure, for an area to be left alone, or for the session to change direction, at any point and without explaining why.

What should I do afterwards?

Drink water and give yourself a little time before driving or going back to work if you can. Ryan will usually suggest one or two things to do during the week, because most of what the body holds is a habit and habits need repeating.

Do I need to fill in a form first?

Yes. Before a first session you complete either the massage therapy consent form or, for ERT and hybrid sessions, the ERT waiver. Both are on this site and take a few minutes on your phone.