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.
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.
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.
Sheena has been working at the front desk and taking chair massages in Adams Morgan since last summer as she's finished up her massage training and testing. She's converting to a full massage practitioner in spring of 2012. She's got the powerhouse touch and intuition that makes her a perfect addition to the Lunar team, and her head massage is like nothing you've ever experienced!
Jim rejoins Lunar in March 2012 after helping us open back in 2009! We call him "Mr. Shoulders." He has 10 years of experience and incredible hands. His specialities are working with shoulder dysfunctions, leg and knee rehab, and chronic pain. Jim also has a special interest in working with folks with fibromyalgia in a way that helps manage the pain without being too uncomfortable during the actual massage. Jim's easy-going demeanor and his philosophy that a therapist should work "with you and not on you" makes for a great experience. Jim works Mondays all day and Tuesday/Thursday daytime in Adams Morgan.
Razan specializes in bodywork for women and has been a massage therapist for 10 years. Using aspects of trigger point, myofascial, Thai, and craniosacral, she is able to bring harmony to the body at its deepest levels. If you've never tried a full craniosacral session and want to, or you're a fan already, she can do that for you by request. Her intuitive and targeted approach gets to the heart of her clients' needs, and they report decreased pain and greater mobility, range of motion, alignment, and calm. We are happy to have her as a part of the Lunar team as of April 2012. Please note that Raz's services are for women only. She works in Mt Vernon Tuesday and Wednesday and Adams Morgan Sunday.
Adaora discovered massage as a student athletic trainer in California and has been working as a therapist since. She received training both in California and Virginia. She enjoys using massage to teach and educate clients about the healing powers of their bodies. Often times clients don't realize that their chronic headache could be a result of a tight low back muscle, or that their knee pain comes from their gluteus muscles. She believes in incorporating breath and stretching to do deep work and help get release in those latent trigger points and stubborn muscles we all have. As of April 2012 she'll be working in Adams Morgan Friday through Sunday.
Shawnna's been at Lunar since 2010 when she first became a massage therapist. Her rhythmic style utilizes a combination of deep tissue and relaxation techniques. She went on maternity leave in the fall but has been working a few days at the front desk so we've still been able to see her smiling face! As of May 2012 she'll be easing back into massage starting with Thursday nights 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 ($43 for Nonmembers) - 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
