About Lunar Massage
Lunar Massages are not spas – they are affordable, no-frills, neighborhood massage studios designed to deliver high quality bodywork and massage to clients in D.C.
"troubleshooting massage": A massage that targets the troubled areas of your body from a therapist who helps you fix them with bodywork now and better habits later. (Oh, and it's without the cheesy extras.)
If you're a motivated, licensed massage therapist interested in building a practice that doesn't involve body scrubs or dark rooms, Lunar Massage can be the perfect environment for you. Contact Joanna to discuss working in our unique studio.
Ander walked in to our studio and said "I want to fix bodies" and we said "you're in!" He has an interest in researching how massage can aid in the treatment of degenerative neuromuscular diseases. With strong, deliberate execution he identifies your problem areas to help release them to help regain openness and range of motion. He's been at Lunar Massage for a year now and works all day Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the 5th street studio.
John's practice is influenced by his many years in Hawaii. His area of expertise is deeply rooted in Trigger Point Therapy, Neuromuscular, Sports, and Deep Tissue. Trigger points (or commonly referred to as knots) are those areas of connective tissue which are cut off from blood flow. These knots show up all over what therapists call "soft tissue." John’s main goal is to get blood circulation back in order by eliminating those blockages, sweeping away toxins from the area into the lymph system so they can be eliminated from the body. He works at the Adams Morgan studio Thursday through Monday.
Rodney believes massage is an essential part of recovery from stress, injuries and other muscular issues. As a DC native, he understands the fast paced and stressful life this city brings and that sometimes you just need a good old fashion elbow to get at the tensions. He brings a sports and technical approach to his work with clients. He works at the Adams Morgan studio on weekends.
Tony has been a massage therapist for almost 20 years. He has a special emphasis on Thai massage, myofascial, and sports work. He has a calming presence and confident, fluid approach that involves stretching and intuitive targeting. We call it 3D massage because he takes his work into another dimension, using dynamic movement to work out your problem areas. He works in Adams Morgan Monday through Thursday evenings and every other Sunday, and occasionally makes appearances in Mt Vernon as well.
Shawnna's been at Lunar for over 18 months since she first became a massage therapist. Her rhythmic style utilizes a combination of deep tissue and relaxation techniques. She works Tuesday through Saturday at Mt. Vernon. As of November 2011 she'll be on maternity leave for a few months but still helping out at Lunar.
Brad's first massage experience years ago changed his life and inspired him to bring the same body awareness and corrective therapy to others. He enjoys working with athletes and takes a troubleshooting approach with his clients, combining a determination to work out a problem spot with an overall pursuit of greater openness in the body. He often advises on stretches and other body mechanic changes as preventative measures for his clients. He works in Mt. Vernon.
Jamila first discovered the healing power of massage in high school when she massaged a teammate's legs before a track meet and witnessed him feel and perform better because of it. She had no idea at the time that she would become a massage therapist, and it wasn't until she experienced a healing massage herself for serious back pain that she decided to go to school for it. Since 2007, Jamila has been using her strength and knowledge to bring pain relief and relaxation to her clients. To take her practice even further, she became a yoga instructor to incorporate the principles of breath, openness, and stretching in her work. Her style is primarily informed by Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Thai Massage, Reflexology, and Myofascial Release. She works in Mt. Vernon.
Tanisha joined Lunar Massage in January 2012. She has almost 15 years of experience as a massage therapist. She was trained in New York State and specializes in Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Medical, and Sports. Her strong, targeted technique makes her a great fit for Lunar Massage. She works in Adams Morgan.
I created Lunar Massage to bring real bodywork and therapeutic massage to DC, which has an overabundance of froo-froo, expensive massage obscured by the additional services of spas and not focused on actual healing and pain relief
. I don't think massage should be kept behind the wall of luxury - it should be available in ways that are easier, more targeted, and more convenient for the urban lifestyle.
I also want massage to be more affordable by stripping out the unnecessary overhead, streamlining with technology, and abandoning the silly extras that come in the spa environment. Lunar comes in at $75 an hour - a high quality product at a full 60 minutes, as opposed to the average DC price of $90 for 50 minutes. The closest comparison to a spa massage would be our 45 minute premium (sheeted) massage and that's $65. I've had the experience myself and heard from many clients how frustrating and discouraging it is to be in pain and pay $120 for someone to rub lotion into you for 50 minutes. I think that's unacceptable.
The most popular product at Lunar is the 30 minute/$38 massage - it's targeted, effective, and about the cost of going out to dinner with more value for your overall health, morale, and well-being. And with our membership program (no contract, no recurring payments) we make it even *more* affordable to get massage regularly.
I believe that rest and the numerous benefits of massage can make a huge difference in our health, make us more productive, and reduce our health care costs over time. But massage has to be accessible, affordable, and habitual. Lunar Massage was designed to be your home for maintenance massage. And it's the only thing we do, so we're damn good at it.
Many aspects of the traditional massage experience are intimidating. There's a confusing menu of choices, you can be unsure of the norms, and you're headed into a dark room to have a stranger touch your naked or almost naked body. Only 32% of Americans have experienced a professional massage and I believe many more would if it was less opaque, intimidating, and expensive.
Lunar Massage's studio is an open, light-filled space for seated and table massage that can be accomplished wearing clothes. You can get the targeted help you need from a therapist who gets to know you. After anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes of refreshing renewal or therapeutic repair, you can be back to your crazy schedule with a fresh boost of energy. It’s like a mini-vacation.
I hope you'll find Lunar Massage to be a restful, rejuvenating place for you to frequent.
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Oct/Nov: Joanna and Lunar Massage featured in the cover story of BusinessWeek Small Biz magazine!
Sept/Oct: Lunar Massage in Amtrak's Arrive magazine (under the Monty Python story). Click on the image to see the full article.
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August: Doublethink Magazine: What's your story? Joanna Robinson: Starting a business in the middle of a recession.
May 19: DailyCandy: Fifteen ideas under $15
May 7: Washington DC Examiner: New massage therapy for on-the-go Washingtonians
March 24: Washingtonian.com: Sneak Preview: Lunar Massage Opens On-the-Go Shop Catering to the Twentysomething Crowd
[Quick clarification on the article - Lunar markets "the twentysomething massage" to entice younger people to experience massage but Lunar's customers are of all ages. We're a neighborhood massage studio for everyone.]
@iheartrocknroll: "Thanks to @joannafaye and Lunar Massage my mood is better and tension gone! My new fav place in dc!" Dec 3
"Please thank your masseuses as they were awesome! I'll definitely be coming back and definitely be giving you and your business props on yelp and wherever else I can. Your management and customer care are outstanding and your therapists are talented. Thanks again... See you again soon :)." Nov 19
"Thank you again for flexing on the hour massages last night. I really appreciate it and would definitely return. I really liked my masseuse (Sade). I really like your concept and vision and wish you the best." Nov 12
"I think that's the best massage I've ever had." July 17 (about Edith)
"I'm in a totally zen state right now." June 30
"I can't stop smiling." (post-massage) June 17
"That was incredible. That was the best massage I've gotten in a long time. I'm going to tell my husband to come." June 13
"Okay, LOVE Lunar Massage - Sade, my massage therapist, was spectacular. Reasonable cost, no pretensions, fabulous. Going again." @abfdc, June 7
"I am so blissed out right now." June 5 (about Malik)
"I would like to report that the shoulder/neck pain I had vanished after my appt with Julia. You guys totally rock!!" May 1
"This is such a great idea and a great location." April 25
"Thanks so much for the great massage after work today; no more 'stressed, tense back and shoulders!'" @erinwest, April 24
"I've been waiting for a business like this for 3 years." April 16
