massage therapist | photographer

Archive for the ‘studio on main’ Category

Some tips on how to be an amazing therapeutic massage client: No. 4

In Business, Manchester, Marketing, Massage, self care, studio on main on October 10, 2025 at 10:11 AM

Have achievable goals. There are many reasons to get regular therapeutic massage. You can come in once a month as part of your complementary / preventative healthcare routine to help you reduce overall stress and increase a sense of calm and peace. You can also come in to reduce pain, increase range of movement, improve sleep. It is important to maintain realistic session goals. For example, if you have discomfort and limited mobility from twenty years of hard, repetitive movement at a job, it is probably not going to go away in one sixty minute massage treatment.  

What could be possible is the pain going from a ten to a six; range of motion improving by a few inches; anxiety around what is going on in the body decreases; willingness to do follow up self-care at home, like stretching, walking, or drinking more water increases. Healing often comes in small increments and over time how you live in your body will feel freer and easier.

When you are ready to book your next massage just go here and click on the ‘booknow’ button.

I look forward to seeing you.

More tips to follow  . . .

[See tip No. 1 here.  See tip No. 2 here. See tip No. 3 here.]

Some tips on how to be an amazing therapeutic massage client: no. 3

In body positive, Business, CT, Manchester, Massage, Music, reflexology, Refresh, self care, studio on main on September 28, 2025 at 1:17 PM

Communicate. Before you ever step into the office, communication is important. A health intake form is sent via a secured site so that you can take your time to fill it out, completely, without pressure. Amongst other things, we are looking for contraindications, to be sure it is safe for you to receive massage, and for your session goals, to gauge if our style of working and accumulated CEU’s align with your desired outcome. Once you are in the office, please take a minute to let us know what is going on that day. Do you just want to relax or is there a knot in your shoulder that you would like us to address? Let us know about superficial adjustments as well. Is the heat on the table too much? Would you prefer different music? Does it feel better to have a pillow under your head when you are supine?

We are invested in creating an environment that feels safe and relaxing and want you to leave feeling a little better than when you arrived. Each person who walks through our door experiences life in their body differently. To one person the lightest touch can feel painful, and to another all the pressure we can muster feels like nothing.  While many bodyworkers are intuitive and are looking for clues to how the body is responding to the work, we cannot read your mind, and it is ok to speak up and let us know what is going on.

When you are ready to book your next massage just go here and click on the ‘booknow’ button.

I look forward to seeing you.

More tips to follow  . . .

[See tip no. 1 here.  See tip no. 2 here.]

Some tips on how to be an amazing therapeutic massage client: No. 1

In CT, Indulge, loving kindness, Manchester, Massage, self care, studio on main on September 14, 2025 at 3:05 PM

Schedule your appointment so that you can arrive a few minutes early, especially if it is your first visit to the building. This gives you a chance to find parking, silence your cell phone and use the restroom if needed. Having a cushion of time so that you are not rushing to the massage room signals to your body / mind that it is ok to start slowing down. It also gives us a chance to chat for a moment about your goals for that day’s session. Another important note is that being on time ensures that you will receive all the minutes that have been set aside for you.

[photo taken by me on a visit to the ocean this year . . . makes me feel peaceful and reminds me to breathe]

When you are ready to book your next massage just go here and click on the ‘booknow’ button.

I look forward to seeing you.

More tips to follow  . . .

Organic Body Butters

In body positive, Essential Oil, loving kindness, Manchester, Massage, self care, studio on main, Uncategorized on September 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM

I’ve always been mindful of what goes on your skin during a massage session. There are some ingredients in skin care products, such as endocrine disruptors, that can affect hormone health. In the past [and sometimes still] I’ve even made my own small batches of massage balms to use in my practice, ensuring that every ingredient was organic and high quality.

I’ve recently fallen in love with some massage body butters that are handcrafted in a small warehouse in CA by Rebel Massage. The ingredients are clean, provide therapeutic effects from the organic base lotions and essential oils, and they smell amazing! I get excited each time I use them because I know they are good for you – and for me. The version with a bit more grip lets me access deeper muscle tissue layers with more ease and the version with a little extra melt is perfect for days when you’ve just come to relax.

Some of my most frequently used ones are: Sore Loser – which has Peppermint, Eucalyptus and Arnica to help sore muscles; For Your Inflammation – with Roman Chamomile, Juniper Berry and Wintergreen, which helps with inflammation; and Sole Food – which has Turmeric, Lemon and Black Pepper – great for foot health. I like Sole Food so much that I keep one at home as well, just for me.

Sole Food Total Meltdown Professional Bodywork Butter

Know that when you come in for your next massage appointment your wellness and well being are being truly thought of. I only use products that I’d feel good about putting on my own skin. Bonus that you get to go home smelling like heaven.

When you’re ready to book your next appointment just go here and click on the ‘booknow’ button. It’s so easy. See you soon!

20 things : video 4

In body positive, Business, CT, Massage, self care, studio on main on August 25, 2023 at 12:44 PM

(IF YOU’RE SEEING THIS VIA EMAIL – GO TO MY WEBSITE TO SEE THE VIDEO BY CLICKING THE TITLE ABOVE. AND IF YOU KNOW HOW TO HAVE A VIDEO SHOW UP IN THE EMAIL – I’D LOVE SOME GUIDANCE. :-))

It’s been twenty years since I graduated from massage school! Can’t believe how fast the time has gone by. I’m going to share twenty random things in several different videos. Could be about school itself, things your massage therapist wants you to know, self care practices to try at home, things I’ve learned, etc.

This is video four. I did this once before when it had been 14 years and shared the reflections on this website as written posts. Just type ’14 things’ in the search bar and they’ll pop up. I’d love to see you soon. You can click ‘Book Now’ under the Massage tab and find your way to your next appointment. :)

Massage Reviews

In Indulge, Manchester, Massage, meditation, reflexology, Refresh, self care, studio on main on March 24, 2023 at 10:18 AM

THANK YOU! I always get excited when my phone dings to let me know someone left a massage review. Your positive feedback is always appreciated.

If you need to reduce some stress and increase your sense of well being – you can book your next appointment HERE.

I look forward to seeing you soon! 🙂

Updates for 2022: Covid-19, Pricing, and Instagram

In 2022, body positive, Business, covid-19, CT, Manchester, Massage, reflexology, self care, studio on main, Uncategorized on January 6, 2022 at 12:38 PM

Happy New Year!

Crossing my fingers for a more easeful 2022, how about you?

This message is being sent to keep you updated on Covid policies and session pricing for 2022.

We’ve all experienced price increases across industries and I’ve noticed that many of my colleagues have upped their massage fees –  most to $90 an hour.

At this time I am choosing **NOT TO RAISE PRICES**. I don’t want a higher appointment rate to be a barrier to your wellness through massage.

Rather than raise prices, I am considering removing package discount pricing – however at this time you can still purchase two sessions at once to save 5%.

Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels.com

COVID policies: 

Masks are again required throughout your session – no matter your vaccination status. All last-minute cancellation fees will be waived for the time being.  I urge you to please reschedule your time with me if you feel unwell in any way or have been knowingly exposed to anyone who has tested positive for the virus.

I continue to keep 30 minutes between clients so that the massage room can be cleaned and sanitized thoroughly. An air filter is run throughout your session, my hands are washed, hand sanitizer is used, a mask is worn, etc.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

My main priority is to continue to support your heath and well being and keep us all safe.

I look forward to working with you soon!
Be well,
Tania

P.S. I occasionally post self care videos over on INSTAGRAM, along with some of my art. If there is something you’d like to learn about – maybe reflexology points for different aches and pains – message me and look for the video over there. You can find me @TANIAPALERMOSTUDIOONMAIN



What to expect for your next massage . . .

In Business, covid-19, CT, Manchester, Massage, studio on main, Uncategorized on June 13, 2020 at 5:48 PM

end of day

In black and white, landscape, personal, Photography, story, studio on main, Uncategorized on June 11, 2019 at 9:18 AM

RI_CLIFF_WALK_02_6-8-19©TANIAPALERMO

End of the day
in a place I only had
a few moments in.
Excited because the light was pretty.
Anxious because I was with 
three people and two dogs
who are not photographers
or artists – who were being patient but also,
wanted to move along.
They don’t know how quickly
the light changes
or how long it’s been
since I’ve felt inspired
to capture something.
This is making many photos quickly …
rather than going slowly, looking at
angles and perspectives, or
waiting to feel moved
by the subject.
Just hoping one will turn out OK.

Newsletter – Week of June 24, 2018

In Business, CT, Manchester, Marketing, Massage, Newsletter, self care, Specials, studio on main, Uncategorized on June 22, 2018 at 4:39 PM

My next newsletter comes out tomorrow  morning – and in it is a crazy good massage special for the month of July.  If you want to sign up to receive future newsletters so that you’ll always know when a special is coming – send me a quick email to tania@taniapalermo.com – and let me know.  All I need is your first name and a valid email address.

While you’re deciding … check out some of next week’s newsletter below:

Port Townsend WA for June 24 newsletter

 

Why I picked PTSM for my initial training in massage .  .  .

I lived in the PNW for many years – specifically Bellingham, WA [or B-ham as some locals referred to it]. When I got the itch to consider massage therapy as a career I made phone calls to lots of local schools. The first thing that drew me to PTSM [Port Townsend School of Massage] was that the woman who answered the phone was from New York!
Seriously.
I’d been missing the East Coast and I loved that she had an accent I was familiar with … and that she was a little – I don’t know the right words for it – maybe forward and loud. All the people I was surrounded by in B-ham were so laid back and nice I sometimes didn’t know what to do with myself.
That was not the deciding factor, of course – but it felt like serendipity and got me to drive out to the school for an interview.
Fun fact about my time there. Each weekend we had class I had to drive down the coast a few hours to get to Whidbey Island to then get on a ferry that took me over to the Victorian Seaport of Port Townsend. One of my favorite parts of the trip was crossing Deception Pass. I wasn’t a photographer then … but stopped as often as I could to take pictures and walk around a little bit.
deceptions pass for june 24 newsletter
If we had time before class started after getting off the ferry, my friend Charity and I would rush to the Tyler Street Coffee House to see if there were any scones available. Seriously the best scone I’ve ever had, and they only made them a few times a week, so scoring one was a treat.
The whole thing was an incredibly rewarding and life changing experience and I wouldn’t change it for anything. In fact thinking about it now is making me heart achingly nostalgic.
pineapple june 24 newsletter
Hydration Recipe:
Keeping hydrated is an important part of staying healthy. Water promotes cardiovascular health, keeps your body cool, helps muscles and joints work better and keeps skin supple. Here is this week’s hydration recipe:
Mango Pineapple Water
Ingredients:
1 medium sized mango, thinly sliced
1 cup pineapple, chopped
Water
Instructions:
Peel and slice one mango. Add 1 cup of finely chopped pineapple and water. Refrigerate 4-6 hours before drinking to allow flavors to infuse.
Bonus Tip:
Possible benefits of eating mango & pineapple:
Mango – may help to – promote clear skin; improve eye health; alkalize the body; & improve digestion.
Pineapple – may help to – aid immune system; support eye health; improve gut health [anti-inflammatory properties]; & strengthen gums.

texting image for june 24 newsletter

DIY Hand & Forearm Massage:

Too much texting?
Don’t worry.
Try this hand / forearm massage to help relax your muscles.
  • Relax one arm, palm up, on top of your thigh.
  • Push the heel of your other palm slowly along the forearm in the direction of your wrist.
  • Use enough pressure to feel some heat, but not to give yourself a brush burn.
  • Do the same thing across your open palm all the way down toward your fingertips, and again over the mound of your thumb.
  • Repeat a few times, and switch hands.

 

 

I’d love to send you tips too. If you want to sign up for the next newsletter leave your email in the comments below – or send me a quick message at: tania@taniapalermo.com