Kei is the best masseuse I have gone to and I've been to quite a few. She is strong and understands the body and how everything connects. She starts each session by asking how I'm doing and to also get feedback about the last session. Her rubdowns penetrate deeply and help my body to relax and recover. I love how she ends the massage with hot towels in the neck area, always a point of tension. Street parking is always available, and I've come at different times of the day. She is located in the Jack London Square area. read more

I've been seeing Kei a couple of times a year for several years now. She is energetic, does excellent work on a whole variety of muscle groups, has a penchant for proper pace and amount of pressure, and varies her technique each time. She's an incredible resource for wellness. read more

Fantastic massage. I was traveling and staying nearby and attempted to call once (while Kei was with a patient), and once more when she was on a short break mid-session. Fortunately she had an opening that afternoon since the evening prior I was unable to make it across a parking lot without several spasms and severe pain. 2 hours later I arrived. Her place is calming, clean, and professional. Plenty of free street parking all around as it's south east of Jack London just north of the train tracks. I disrobed with a 1hr appointment that I anticipated extending after booking my session if she had time. I was quite a mess with severe lower back pain. She worked my rib nodes and mid back recognizing that the tension above was likely causing the lower back strain. As we neared the end of my (agreed upon extended) session she asked if I had an extra 15 minutes since there were areas she felt needed more attention. Being in a physical state of severe pain I had no concept of time, and agreed to the extension. At the end of I had a moment of privacy to get dressed and was offered a glass of water. We chatted a bit about what I can do to treat the pain, and possibly alter behaviors also. I believe Kei spent a full 2:10 on me and charged me for 2:00. Her rates are quite reasonable considering what you pay for a bad Massage Envy treatment. Truly a professional and skilled in her craft! Kei makes you comfortable, and is very strong - but is attentive if you require soft hands...not me!! I like deep tissue and I was not disappointed. I am still tender 8 hrs later (in terms of strain), but I am regaining mobility and the spasms are nearly gone. Male, female, young, old...i give the highest recommendation, and being a repeat victim of debilitating back pain (through many years and many conditions) I wouldn't hesitate to refer you while heartedly! Just call and make an appointment! read more

I'm a runner and a massage therapist. I needed a medical referral for post-op therapy. For several days I was required to sleep in one position with my leg raised on pillows. I was unable to walk for a few weeks. I got around the house by dragging myself on a cushion. Bathing was a one-hour ordeal with one foot dangling out of the tub. Crutches caused multiple one-sided muscular and joint overload. I worried about secondary injury. Lumbar aches, knee strain, upper and lower leg cramps from suddenly using muscle groups differently, were risks to my safe return to running. I asked my physician for a therapy prescription. Her simple reply? "Try to see Kei Yumoto. She does wonderful work." Yelp gives us many therapists and franchises in the Bay Area. I know many therapists, but none so highly thought of by my physician. I booked an appointment. Kei's professionalism shines through. She requested the prescription. She took my temperature. Her Covid and hygiene protocols are thorough and reassuring. She designed a treatment plan. As a fellow therapist I struggle to immediately trust the therapist and take my critical hat off. Kei is present and intentional. Her techniques fearlessly address muscles from origin to insertion. Her integrity of touch is impeccable. She encourages feedback and values teamwork. To offer Yelpers a rounded review, I tried to find gaps in Kei's repertoire. Even if hyper-critical, I can only find this. With her light frame, it sometimes took Kei a little longer than most to move me on the table, or to lift and hold my knees for resistance stretches. Her work on my neck was perfectly effective but not at the masterful level of her other bodywork. But don't underestimate Kei's strength. She is petite and adapts her techniques to bring the intensity and pressure needed for any muscle group. It is not uncommon for therapists to accidentally hurt their patients. Therapists and patients have different pressure perceptions. This can easily cause a request for deeper pressure to be met with pain. Not so with Kei. She works deeply but connects with her patient's musculoskeletal system. Kei's mastery? She sets herself apart by adapting depth and intensity to how her patient's body responds. In-the-moment, real time. Interactive intuition is often elusive, a lifetime journey for therapists. It cannot be bought or taught. Kei has it. The best part? I hardly know her. She may just be skilled, graceful, and humble. But Kei seems unaware that her mastery is world class. A treasured find. Kei is one of the most talented therapists in the Bay Area. A fusion of transformative therapy, authentic empathy, and superb instincts. I'm so impressed. And so privileged. Five. Stars. read more

Kei is a great masseuse! I came in with some tension and tough knots in my shoulder and left feeling lighter, more fluid, and relaxed. I'm used to most masseuses using a lot of pressure to undue my knots but Kei did a better job with a gentle touch! read more

I've had lots of massages from lots of professionals, but Kei is in a league of her own. She has become a very, very important part of my mental and physical well-being because she is so smart and warm about how she does her work. Plus, when she's not working on you she is so funny and silly and fun! I recommend her to anyone and everyone. And if you're one of those people who feels a little shy about getting a massage or you're concerned about spending money on a massage, I can promise you you'll get over that fast with Kei! read more

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I heard about Kei from some of the Urban Fitness trainers. I have been seeing her regularly now for about 6-7 months. She is awesome not just because of her technique, but also for her warm energy and genuine willingness to analyze and alleviate my aches and pains. I highly recommend Kei's services! read more

I've been going to Kei since I woke up with a spasm in my neck and she was able to see me on short notice. My shoulders are a problem spot for me because I carry tension in them and sit at a desk all day for work. I also have scoliosis. Kei is amazing at working with problem spots in a firm manner that is never painful. Because of her I am able to tell a good massage from a bad massage. Highly recommend! read more

Kei is the most knowledgeable masseuse who has ever touched my body. I am 73 and I have been going to her since she first arrived in the Bay Area about ten years ago. She is an active athlete and has built up her reputation with others who have athletic muscular aches and pains. Kei does not just rub. She lifts, pushes and twists the body to help relax or stretch areas in need. She exhibits how much she likes her work through her exuberant attitude during the session. There are none better. read more

It's been hard trying to find a CMT who is not only able to analyze and fix my problem spots, but also caring enough to do so in the first place. A lot of massage that I've gotten, even in the private practices seem to lack a certain level of care that Kei exhibits in abundance. I can't believe I've missed out on a good massage for so long when her practice is so close to me. read more

This nimble-fingered goddess will work your muscles like a master violinist playing a Stradivarius. My body was a heap of throbbing aches and pains, but within minutes of surrendering myself to Kei's masterful touch, I was literally transported into a realm of indescribable pleasure as she deftly manipulated my muscles to squeeze every iota of tension out of them. I was soon lulled into sleep by her strong but soothing massage technique. When I awoke, I felt like like a limp dishrag. I was thoroughly relaxed, as if all the stress had been wrung out of me. I had a fantastic sleep that night, and when I woke up the next day, I literally felt ten years younger. Not only that, but my wife said that I looked ten years younger! read more

Kei was friendly and her space was warm and inviting. I'd definitely see her again for another massage.

AJR I have taught bodywork for 25 years and first met Kei in an advanced class I was teaching. I was immediately impressed, not only with her knowledge of massage, but the qualities that can't be taught: her enthusiasm, warmth, and genuine concern to "give" to her clients. Every person I've referred to Kei has gotten back to thank me, often commenting that her massage is so "different" from usual by-the-numbers spa massages. Although she is excellent at general massage, she continues to increase her knowledge with therapeutic modalities and is quite skilled at treating most all common injuries and complaints from plantar fasciitis to frozen shoulder and other acute joint or overuse conditions. She can treat these conditions either with focused "spot" work or in the context of a relaxing and nurturing full body massage. She is particularly skilled at neck work. I highly recommend Kei as a dedicated massage professional. read more

Kei is an excellent practitioner. I have seen Kei for some years now and always receive a very thorough massage whether I need extra attention for my knee or my tweeky back. She puts in the extra time to figure out what my body needs. read more

Kei is a gem of a person, and a wizard with her practice! I have had a number of injuries I've gone to see Kei about, and she has made them feel infinitely better. The scariest injury I had recently involved the inability to move my neck. I went to see a chiropractor twice, my doctor, tried to stretch and massage it on my own, and then finally Kei. She made a noticeable improvement and is my go to for anything injury related. Aside from that she is extremely knowledgeable and can provide a lot of helpful information about your postural, tissue, and joint health. read more

I know that Kei has a reputation for clinical expertise for problems, but I love her general massage work for relaxation and just feeling great. Basically, she listens to whatever I want and adjusts her massage to my changing needs. Each massage is different because she looks at me as an individual instead of performing routines with a great feeling blend of both therapy and relaxation and they all feel great. I go to the bay area every month for work. I get a massage from Kei every time!! read more

I see Kei at least twice a month, as I enjoy massage for both relaxation and therapy. Before I found her I had been searching for quite a while to find a therapist that inspired me to build a working relationship with. Once I found her, I have exclusively seen her. Her deep tissue techniques are very well refined as Kei takes her craft seriously and is continually working on improving an already amazing technique. Her sessions focus on your personal needs, which for me anyway, may vary from session to session. If I mention that I am having a problem in a certain area she will go out of her way to address the issue and she is excellent at communicating and soliciting feedback to ensure my particular need is addressed. Kei loves what she does which creates a warm, relaxed, and welcoming experience. She is so kind and friendly and truly cares for her clients. read more

Kei is one of the most talented therapeutic massage experts I've ever encountered. She is trained internationally and domestically across many modalities. Her deep tissue work totally saved me from foot surgery. She is intuitive, strong, cheerful and creative. She solicits feedback. She is intrigued by problems and researches and provides nuanced solutions. read more

I have been seeing Kei for a monthly massage for 8 months. As a person with rheumatoid arthritis, I know that it can be tricky to treat someone like me without causing an RA response. However, Kei has just the right touch - deep massage where I need it, and holding back on sensitive areas. She is very intuitive - (and warm and friendly as others have remarked). I have found that my general state of well being has improved every month, as the massage provides a cumulative effect on my body. read more