I have seen many LMP's before and Cassaundra is in my top 3. She is very thorough and makes sure…read moreyou are comfortable throughout the whole appointment. At the end of the session, my muscles thank me. She is keeping me healthy and in tip top shape so I can perform my job well. She also gives great advice regarding the areas that you are most concerned with (stretches, soaks, etc.). Very happy!

I purchased a deal for two 60-minute massages at Giving Hands Massage for $45 through…read moreSharingspree.com and had a fantastic experience. My massage therapist Rebecca was very professional, listened to the muscles I wanted her to work on, and got out some major kinks in my kneck. I can't wait to go back fro my second massage!

Danielle is great. I've been getting massages from her regularly for a couple years now…read more I initially sought her out because she specializes in therapeutic massage. Through a few sessions, she was able to help relieve the tightness and soreness in my lower back and shoulders that had accumulated through years of weightlifting. Danielle's general deep tissue massages are top-notch as well, and she's a great conversationalist. I keep coming back because her deep tissue massages are so relaxing, and she's fun to talk to. If you're in the Ballard area and you're looking for a good massage, and you want to support a small business, I would highly recommend Smiling Owl Massage.

If I could give one star, I would. The massage I initially received was great, but after Danielle…read morecancelled an early AM appointment with less than 2 hours notice via email, things became really messy. I work with families and children intimately and I understand cancellations happen, and people become sick, but to cancel an AM appointment with under two hours notice without a call was not a great way to handle the situation. I was already getting ready and on my way to the appointment. Upon arriving I sat there thinking she was possibly late, then I called the number on the door because I figured that was the best option to figure out if the appointment still stood or not which. Then after back and forth email with Danielle she was upset that I had called the number on the door because it was for someone else. How was a client to know that? I waited for 40 minutes and left. When I arrived home I had seen on my desktop the reason I didn't get her email was because It was sent from her personal email instead of her business email which was the one email we had ever used prior. We sent some Emails back and fourth and because I had expressed how inconvenient it was for me she decided she didn't want to see me for my other appointment or reschedule. I had told her many times I understand these things happen and hope she will feel better and was kind, I just wanted her to know that a call for a two hour or less cancellation would be more ideal since clients are likely to be up and already getting ready to leave their homes. She then basically replies she doesn't want to see me as a client anymore while also being smart saying "in the age of smartphones" her email with 1.5 hours notice was appropriate. Especially when people are likely already on their way. Since I had bought 2 massages via Groupon I had asked if she would then work with me to help get a refund, she agreed and even wrote me an email saying she contacted them, and they would be reaching out to me within the day via phone. (Side note she also said she didn't want to see me because she only makes 17 dollars from her groupons, which i though was wildly inappropriate to tell a client.) When I didn't hear anything from them and emailed her back stating all I saw was that my account was flagged and had not received a call, her reply was so rude calling me challenged and whiny. I really don't know how someone would work in this industry and be so rude and able to personally jab at clients but I was completely taken aback by her unprofessionalism through-and-through. I would not recommend her place of business, as when things come up she cannot handle them appropriately, timely, or professionally and will attack you for it.

Very professional, attentive, and skilled massage therapist. I have lower back problems and Jenny…read morehas made a big difference in my rehab progress. I would definitely recommend to others.

I also hate to negatively review a small, local business but I feel more compelled to warn our…read moreneighbors. This was the worst massage experience I have ever had. I should have followed my gut and left but the twinge in my lower back urged me to stay. The place smells like a litter box. It is not very clean. Check out the bathroom to see what I mean. It was very clear when my bare feet were on the carpet when I went to get dressed. So gross. Okay, no music but it came on when I was leaving. This means I could hear every breathe my unmasked masseuse exhaled over me (I did not realize she was unmasked while I was face down). My masseuse was unfocused and it was as if she had ADHD. She was all over the board. She was rubbing my neck and then my right leg back to me neck, my left arm (but never my left leg. That somehow got completely ignored) and back to the neck and shoulder but never my lower back. It was not calm, it was not relaxing. It was disjointed, disconnected, unfocused, amateurish. She yelled through the door in Mandarin over the top of me to someone out front. Super aggravating. My door was opened 3 times while I was unclothed so that also was deeply disturbing. The language barrier was more than problematic and I do not appreciate having to pay in advance. My one hour massage was 53 minutes and that includes the 4 times she stepped out of the room for more than 6 minutes so that means 47 minutes for a prepaid hour. Like the other reviewer stated, I almost got up and left in the middle. Save your time and money and go elsewhere. Trust me.

Great experience. Listened and focused on the areas that needed more attention. Place was clean and…read morewell maintained

Casey did a great job. She is intuitive and senses the areas requiring primary focus. My 90…read moreminute Swedish massage was just what I needed.

I'm very happy to have found Tara's practice!…read more Not only is she close to my home but the studio is clean and quiet, she has an online booking tool so you don't have to deal with a bunch of back and forth phone calls- I find that very helpful. The massage itself is wonderful, and Tara has a very intuitive sense of what level of conversation you find appropriate. The fully heated massage bed is a real treat for those of us who are always cold! I will be back regularly.

I got a massage from Tara recently, but it was at the Vital Energy Center in Capitol Hill instead…read moreof this location. I tend to keep a lot of tension in my back, so I try to get in for massages as much as possible. Tara was intuitive and seemed to work a lot with pressure points. The energy in the beginning of the massage felt calm but intense; kind of like forming the intention of creating the space as a healing space. For about 10-20 minutes I was in the "This is nice, but I'm not sure if this is the style for me" space. About halfway through my hour, however, I realized that I had gotten into the state where I'm possibly asleep but feel more like I'm just so relaxed that I'm conscious but only coherent every once in a while. That tends to mean that I am VERY relaxed, and... well... I kind of love that. My back felt wonderful when I left, and the only soreness I experienced was from where she had worked on my chest (and that's just because it's very tight and I don't think it's gotten enough attention in the past). Tara recommended a stretch that should help loosen that up. I felt like my way home was something of a spiritual experience. Every time I get a massage like this I start really looking forward to finally finishing my degree and having a decent income again!

Myesha is a pro and as real as they come. For athletes specifically, I cannot recommend her…read moreservices enough. I play basketball and my mobility and posture improved dramatically after just one session. I honestly felt taller after our session. If you have any stress points in your body, you don't even have to tell her since she will notice them right away and work them out in the massage. If you are struggling with recovery times or feel like you need some stress or trauma released from your body, look no further. She is one of the more conscious people I have met and is very experienced at what she does. Come ready to laugh, cry, and think about life if you choose to do so. A real professional!!

Myesha was amazing! I received a postpartum massage and she did not play around. I felt drunk after…read morethe massage with all the good chemicals/hormones flowing through my body. It's been a while since I have had a massage, like years, so my body really needed it and she knew exactly how to help me. She was able to provide deep tissue massage and attend to some really difficult points in my body. I can't wait to go back! It started with some time in a sauna and then moved to the massage table where she used essential oils and coconut oil. I'm big on all natural and organic products so this was perfect! I normally use coconut oil as a moisturizer for my body so it was perfect! I didn't feel like I had all kinds of weird massage oils ruining my clothes after.

This is a wonderful massage experience! I had a 90 minute massage and felt truly wonderful…read moreafterwards. This massage included hot stones, stretching and warm cloths were used to make sure you do not leave covered in massage oil. I also had a pinched nerve which felt relief after treatment

I went to the spa because of extreme tightness in my neck, I only had about a 30% radius range of…read moremotion. Sara was very kind, knowledgeable, and skilled. After a 60 minute massage I was able to turn my head 90 degrees in both directions and was pain free. The spa is very clean, comfortable, and welcoming. Sara is an excellent massage therapist, friendly and easy to talk to. I highly recommend her and this spa.

This woman knows what she is doing! Karen Smarter, of…read moreSmarter Massage, is about the best massage therapist I have come across in my many years of having massage. Before moving out of state last fall, I saw her for two years and I still pine for her massage to this day. She has had years of experience and uses many therapeutic modalities such as sports massage, cranio-sacral, deep tissue, etc. She applies the correct technique and I have never walked out of there feeling like I was pummeled instead of truly cared for. She also takes the time to teach her clients about what they can do for themselves at home. She was with me throughout my pregnancy and helped resolve many of the normal pregnancy related aches and pains that I had. My baby even knew her voice when we first visited her after he was born! She's a great person, very intuitive and even takes insurance if need be.

Karen Smarter is an incredible massage therapist. She always amazes me by knowing just what by…read morebody needs and then applies whichever massage technique will best met those needs at the time. One of the biggest bonuses for me has been a hugh reduction in migraine headaches. My husband is also a big fan. He had problems for years with his tailbone after a biking injury. One session with Karen and his pain was gone for good.