breaking the massage myths

In France, a wellness massage is often associated with "tickles” and not considered a true wellness session, and that whatever the sex of the practitioner. 
For a medical massage done by a physical therapist, there are less apprehension about it because the patient as often more conscience of the benefits of the massage for his or her own health.
The wellness massage is often referred to as "esthetic", and reduced to the act of "being oiled up" instead of being considered as anatomical, energetic, physiological, sensory, or even aromachological (the influence of the scents).
The main clichés associate the wellness massage with a beauty salon, the lotus flower or the oils, and these falsehoods give a connotation of sensuality and femininity that could potentially bother some individuals.

GETTING A MASSAGE FROM A MAN

As soon as we consider the wellness massage as a "real and true" wellness experience with health benefits and not a simple "tickling" session, reluctance goes away. One will then easily accept getting a massage from either a woman or a man. The reluctance to be massaged by a man is very often lifted after having tried it, thanks to the professionalism and the communication of the practitioner.

As one of my regular male clients says, "once your eyes are closed, you don't even think about whose hands are massaging you because your tensions melt away".

Unconsciously, a massage performed by a woman is thought of as being softer, as opposed to one performed by a man which is thought of as being stronger, more tonic and deeper. This false idea comes from the collective thought process that associates men with force and women with softness.
A man's touch is no better or worse than a woman's touch, it's just different, and more and more people are looking for that difference, and appreciate it when they finally find it. 

RESPECT  & PROFESSIONALISM BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE

A wellness massage (and even a medical one) is an experience triggered by the touch, without any sexual connotation. The touch is probably the oldest form of manual therapy, practiced since the beginning of times.

For some, the touch is synonymous with intimacy. It is therefore extremely important to respect everyone's intimacy to instill trust and to achieve the goal of relaxation and well being we are looking for. You can decide to not massage certain parts of your body for whatever reason, which I will respect without any questions asked. I will answer any of your concerns in case any doubts remain.

GETTING READY FOR YOUR MASSAGE WITH NO PRESSURE

Contrary to many massage places, at Zen Minervois, you disrobe and get ready for your massage without anyone in the room, and you take the time you need to do so. You just have to ring the bell provided to let me know that you are ready to start your experience. 

DRAPING

For the more modest, I offer the draping technique. This technique generally used in the USA allows to be covered entirely with a sheet to protect your intimacy. Its goal is to reassure and make for even "safer" environment for the person who could potentially feel vulnerable. 
This technique allows to concentrate exclusively on one body part which is uncovered (back, arm or leg...). The rest of the body remains covered with the sheet. The shy person will then be able to relax and fully enjoy the benefits of his or her massage.

WHAT TO WEAR

The choice of what to wear during your massage is entirely yours and doesn't change the quality, the finality, or the benefits of the massage you'll always receive with professionalism, and with utmost respect of your intimacy and your being.

MASSAGE, A SOURCE OF HAPPYNESS

A massage is like an anti-depressor. When the touch receptors are triggered, your body produces more serotonin, a neurotransmitter that naturally stimulates well being. Your brain then receives a surge of serotonin and produces more dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure which can trigger a state of euphoria comparable to that of a drug. That is why you feel so good after a massage.

My massages are signature intuitive massages that mainly target physical and psychological stress in order to deeply relax you. They are personalized according to your specific needs. Their benefits are reinforced with the health benefits of the oils I use, with the energy healing pauses throughout, with the serenity and the authenticity of the environment where they are performed.
 

When are you scheduling yours?

Well being intuitive energy massages are not a medical treatment or advice and do not replace medical treatments, nor medical advice. According to the law # 46.857 of April 16th 1946, the articles L 4321.1 and R 4321.3 of the French public health code and the ordinance  2008-507 of May 30th 2008, well being massages are neither medical treatments nor physical therapy treatments, but according to article 38 of the law # 2005-882 of August 2nd 2005, they provide a way to harmonize the body and mind, and improve lives through relaxation.