I went today for a prenatal massage. Before starting, Lauren asked me some questions about my pregnancy and if I have any issues or something I'd like to have or not. Then she explained about the type of work we were going to do and finally we started. The massage was amazing: she focused on my back, hips and legs. It was a very strong massage , but also relaxing. While she was doing the massage I didn't think about anything, just enjoyed my cuddle time. I'll back for sure. read more

I came here at 36 weeks pregnant for a prenatal massage. First, for preggos who have major pelvic pain like I did, the studio is up a large flight of stairs, so if you struggle with those I would suggest looking elsewhere. I huffed and puffed my way to the second floor and filled out a questionnaire, including circling areas of the body that I wanted the massage to target. I was disappointed that my hour massage went by without my masseuse touching my feet - which all pregnant women know is a particularly achy body part - despite my circling of them on my initial questionnaire. So much time was spent massaging places I hadn't indicated. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend. read more

My husband bought me a 5-pack of pregnancy and post-partum massages for my birthday, when I was about 5 months pregnant. I was amazed by Lauren's vast knowledge of the pains of pregnant women, and the attention to detail she has while she works. She was even able to give me useful tips for my leg cramps and my c-section scar tissue. I don't think there is anyone else in the city as qualified as Lauren for maternity care. read more

My wife had a great experience and wonderful massage here. Absolutely no issues here.

Practice is conveniently located in Noe Valley. Entire space is nice. Massage room is very lovely and relaxing. A wide variety of services offered - especially great for pregnant women needing relaxation. There are several massage therapists working in the space. I had a very good massage with one therapist, who listened well, did deeper work when requested, and check in with me throughout the session, to ensure she was addressing my needs. Unfortunately, I had disappointing massage from a second therapist who didn't address my needs. Practice acknowledged my complaint swiftly, which is quite laudable. read more

I have had multiple massages from Lauren over the years and she is fantastic. She is clearly skilled at working with post partum bodies, bringing relief to my cramped and pinched back, neck and shoulders. I've sent many new parent friends her way! She also creates a comfortable, relaxing physical environment where I was able to completely rest. Highly recommend! read more

I've been seeing Lauren since near the start of my pregnancy, and plan to continue up to birth and beyond! She's very skilled and I always feel great after my sessions. The room and bed setup for prenatal massages is very comfortable, and Lauren takes a lot of care to make sure you're comfortable and if you have any specific needs/wants. Booking and payment is also super easy. read more

I had a wonderful prenatal massage with Lauren. I was nearly 38 weeks and had a pinched nerve in my low back. Lauren really took the time and dedicated her attention to that area. It felt so, so nice. It's more than 48 hours and the pain is much duller and no longer acute. I am thinking about going back next week!! read more

I found Noe Valley Integrative Bodywork on yelp, and loved it. The prices are more reasonable than spas in the city, and the massage was fantastic. Sergio worked all my pain points and I left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The space is clean, quiet and has tons of charm being in an old house in the heart of Noe Valley. I had a prenatal massage and Sergio had all the props and pillows needed. I was comfortable throughout and still able to have a great massage despite not being able to lie face up or face down. I highly recommended NVIB, whether pregnant or not. read more

I've been seeing Jacquie a lot this year, so I wanted to add some love to my review and share the word. Jacquie's skilled technique and understanding of energy centers make her one of the best massage therapists I've ever met. When your body is feeling run down from kicking a cold, working long hours, or surviving an emotional wallop, a visit with Jacquie will totally set you right again. Plus she's just the sweetest person, and so fun to talk with. I also love that this practice is tucked away on a residential street in Noe Valley, but a skip away from the cafes and stores on 24th Street should you need them. That's important, because after an hour on the massage table, you don't want to step out into city chaos if you can help it. Plus, I should note the studio space is really guy-friendly, in that it's pleasantly simple and not intimidatingly fancy. Highly, highly recommended. read more

Yes, it's pricey, but I have a "massage fund" (I put all my dollar bills in a box and when it comes to $100, I treat myself). BUT, for an EXCELLENT massage, $85 is quite alright with me if the therapist doesn't mind a $15 tip (admittedly, I tipped more as it *is* Christmas). I'm hesitant to name the therapist, LAUREN DAVIDSON, because I'm selfish and I want her all to myself, but I will spread the love! Lauren is truly gifted. I met her when she was a massage therapist at my yoga studio and she had to move when they moved due to space constrictions, and I always regretted not having a session with her. However, the yoga studio owner raved about her massage so I trotted off to Noe Valley for my 5 PM appointment. First off, the place is quiet and relaxing. Some massage places get noisy (can't avoid it in the city), but this place was calming and roomy. Lauren sat down with me and went over all my aches and pains, injuries, if I had any allergies (can she use essential oils?), if I hated being touched anywhere (e.g. face, head), asked what I wanted, and made suggestions - Aromatherapy? Yup! Hot stones? Okay! Deep pressure? You bet! She got the pressure *just* right, and pulled out all the stops with the aromatherapy, hot stones, some Thai and Swedish moves...All I could think about (other than ohmygodiamsorelaxedoooohmmm) was I had to start putting $5 bills in my "massage fund" so I can go more often. I slept 11 hours that night. read more

Background: I wanted to wait until I'd had more than one experience to review so I could give a clear perspective. My first trip was with a gift certificate, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Most of my experiences up to this point with massage were with either incredibly light to no touch such as Reiki and Rosen, or the polar opposite in physical force such as Swedish and Thai massage. Celine was very clear when we first sat down to discuss that she covered a range of possibilities within that spectrum, and was attentive to my initial discussion about my previous experiences. I value energy work as much as deep tissue work, and see value in the range of healing practices, and Celine has a skill set that covers the gamut. My initial session was a 60 minute integrated massage, and it went smoothly and left me invigorated and more physically aware. Exploring alternative approaches to working on things such as the strain of my IT band, and her careful attention when working through the energy in my head and shoulders left me wishing I had added another 30 minutes. In the second session with Celine, I did go for the 90 minute integrated massage, and was grateful. We explored breath work and the impact on the IT band was even more noticeable. Of note, as with any intricate and unique set of processes such as massage and energy work, remember to communicate clearly with your practitioner. They may work some variety of magic, but are not (typically) clairvoyant. Having an open dialog with Celine throughout the process was key to finding myself more open and having a natural sense of progress both during and after the appointment. I have had sessions with other practitioners in other venues where I come out disappointed, only to realize that I wasn't adding my own value to the situation by communicating when something wasn't working or was going against my needs or comfort zone. What makes this practice, and specifically the appointments with Celine beneficial for me include several aspects. General attitude: her levels of exuberance, sensitivity, and care are astronomically high, and this is very, very valuable when working with such a vulnerable space as the human body. Bedside manner: she is open with her intent, and shares valuable technique details to both ease the process and also open up opportunities for exploration in ways that may be beneficial and not previously attempted. Skills with the human body: she is gentle to forceful with smooth transitions and very little unexpected action. She's incredibly fluid with her actions when she gets into a groove. Post massage care: Her instructions and guidance for recovery are key (even if I sometimes outright disobeyed them, because coffee) and I would advise you to pay attention. She knows the impact of her work. If you're seeking careful and thoughtful work, and aren't afraid to open up to techniques you may not be familiar with, Celine will provide with care and compassion. I would recommend her even for a straightforward relaxing massage. read more

In an effort to de-stress, I made an appointment today (same day) at A Piece of Peace. Easy, online, takes credit cards. A good start. The building is in a beautiful residential area, and I was nicely greeted in the waiting area and relaxed while I filled out some papers. Sandy, my masseuse, was absolutely wonderful. She was kind, attentive and, best of all, good! I left the massage feeling absolutely wonderful. The prices ($120 for 90 minutes) are a bit on the pricey side, but it's worth every penny. I'll be back there soon. read more

I have been loving Jacquie's perfect prenatal massages for the past few weeks. I was having some truly gawdawful pain due to working too much, sleeping funky and growing a wee parasitic googoo life form for the past several months. The good folks in my own practice were all booked up and I couldn't wait another minute for a session when it finally came to a breaking point. So my husband searched around this cool local web site (thanks, Yelp!) and found Jacquie. Hooray! Happy nights are here again. I can sleep, I can walk, I can work. I always laugh because each and every massage therapist who reviews on Yelp seems to talk about how picky they are as clients. Really? Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to tell you that I am not picky. Now, I certainly I enjoy some therapists' work more than others. And I have been around the block enough times to recognize skill (or lack thereof) when I feel it. But I will generally let ANYONE massage me, at virtually any time. And unless it is a serious fluffy-buffy waste of my time and money, I will usually enjoy it on some level. {Mind, I will rarely Yelp about it because sometimes life gets busy and, more importantly, exceptional practitioners are hard to come by. More often than not it unfortunately just ain't all that. I don't trade reviews with all my colleagues and friends, and I would much rather save my five stars for someone who deserves them and skip a courtesy review for someone who is a bit so-so right now but who may well be fantastic in a few years' time.} Long story short: Jacquie's prenatal work IS all that-- and a side of wakame salad. Her work with me has been marvelously effective, very technical deep tissue work but soothing enough to make me almost snooze once of twice. I plan on a visiting on a biweekly schedule now through B Day and I look forward to every session. FYI, Jacquie is a post-partum doula too-- something I may need to look into after this little person I harbor comes along. read more

I was jumping on a 10 hour flight to London at 7:20pm, my back had been tweaked for about a week! I knew that this 10 hour flight would make it worse. To avoid anymore back issues I made an appt. with Katy (based on Kamael's recommendation and all the great reviews on yelp) at a Piece of Peace. Katy first sat down and chatted with me to understand where my pain was and what I thought was causing it. The massage focused on all the spots we discussed. She also did reflexology to reflect on the areas of the back that hurt the most. I thought that so much time on the plane would result in all the pain coming back but Katy really helped. A week later and I'm still pain free.. Thanks Katy!! read more

I had a prenatal massage from Julie here. I felt really cared for, and Julie was very skillful at identifying areas of tension. I really appreciated the talk she gave afterwards, where she let me know what she observed through our session. There was a great use of bolsters to help me feel comfortable. I would definitely go back again! read more

I received the best gift ever today-an hourlong massage with Katy!!!! My time spent with Katy was amazing and I walked out feeling like my body had been given a complete reboot. Now if only I get get rid of all of the stress in my life and always remain in this blissful, peaceful state that Katy put me in. read more

The quality and talent of its masseuses makes A Piece of Peace special. I've had several 90 minute massages here (3 from Bridget and 1 from Nikki) which have all been excellent. If you're looking for a super fancy spa experience with all of the facility amenities, this isn't the place for you. But look no further if you want a healing, therapeutic massage that is guaranteed to make you feel better. I can't stress enough how knowledgeable these folks are at their craft. My dear husband kindly insisted that I go see Bridget for a prenatal massage at 25 weeks, because I had horrible rib pain and a very sore mid-back and shoulders. (The kind of constant miserable pregnancy pain that makes you short of breath, uncomfortable in every position, and keeps you from sleeping.) I expected that the massage would help, but thanks to Bridget's amazing skills it provided total and complete relief! She figured out that my baby had wedged an appendage under my right ribs and then gently convinced him to shift. I am so grateful to feel better and not have to spend the next 3 months in agony - thank you, Bridget!!! 5 happy holistic stars! read more

About a month ago, my husband surprised me with a prenatal massage from Piece of Peace. Although I didn't necessarily have any prenatal symptoms, I'm always in need of some rest and relaxation. Since that was the goal of the session, I can give a 5 star rating. However, fellow pregnant yelpers beware- a pregnancy massage is very different than a regular massage. If you like the masseuse to really get in there and work out your knots- you have to wait until post partum. Apparently, deep tissue massage during pregnancy can "release toxins" and possibly provoke premature labor in some cases. Who wants to take those risks? That being said, I will rely on daily exercise, stretching and yoga for relaxation, and perhaps try prenatal massage again in my third trimester, when deep tissue massage may not be as appealing anyways. Addendum: At 27 weeks pregnant, I returned to a Piece of Peace for another prenatal massage with Katy. This was a very different experience than the first, and I am really glad I gave it a second chance. Katy really listened to the areas that were bothering me, and applied deep pressure to my trouble areas. She is very knowledgable and we talked about the areas to avoid during pregnancy massage. (As a former doula- she was also able to give me insight on finding a doula for my birth- added bonus!) read more

I saw Nikki yesterday for a massage, and she was incredible. It's no surprise that A Piece of Peace has an average of 5 stars with people like her working there. Nikki is not only incredibly talented and trained, but she is very kind. She patiently went through all of my target issues with me prior to the massage. There is no feeling of being rushed out the door for another appointment, no methodical approach to healing; just a serene vibe of personalization and nurturing read more

For my birthday this year, I decided to treat myself to a 60 minute massage. I had my eye on A Piece of Peace for some time now based on their close proximity to my home (I can walk there!) and the stellar reviews here on yelp. After reading all of the bio's on their website, I realized that I would probably have a great massage by anyone who practiced there and decided to base my choice on whoever was available on my birthday. I waited until 2 days before my birthday to make an appointment and that was a mistake. You can book your appointment online with your chosen therapist and see their calendar of availability which is extremely convenient. Based on what I saw, it is probably a good idea to make an appointment a couple weeks in advance if you are particular about making sure you get in at your desired day and time. I was really lucky that Gonzalo had one opening available for me. There are 3 available free add-ons: Reflexology, Hot Stones, and Aromatherapy. I chose Reflexology and Aromatherapy. My birthday was stressing me out and I went with the "Calming" scented oil which was spectacular. My massage was amazing and lived up to my expectations and more. Gonzalo's expertise with Reflexology blew my mind. I am glad to say that this was one of the best massages I have ever received and I would gladly go back to Gonzalo. At the end, I was completely relaxed and full of positive energy, the best way I can imagine to start off my birthday. Thanks, Gonzalo! I hope to celebrate my birthday with a massage at A Piece of Peace every year from now on, but for 90 or 120 minutes instead of 60 just so I can luxuriate for as long as possible. Time went by way too quickly! read more

I went here many times throughout my pregnancy for prenatal massages and each one was so helpful and relaxing. Lauren really listened to me and took great care each time. I totally recommend making an appointment here. read more

I received a prenatal massage as a gift from my friends for my birthday, and waited until I had started the third trimester to indulge - good plan! By then I was achey and hurting all over from not only being pregnant but also lugging my toddler around. Sergio was absolutely amazing. The pressure was perfect and I really felt like he addressed my most painful/tired areas well, giving me a well rounded full body massage. I recommend him for any kind of massage, but his prenatal was heavenly and if I could afford it I'd go every week!!! I also appreciated that he let me just relax and zone out, without being chatty. Everything was just perfect and I was so sad when it ended. I had a couple of minor issues with the booking process (I had registered years ago and forgotten all my info) and also with getting a confirmation e-mail, but Lauren was right on the ball both times and contacted me very quickly to get everything figured out. I really appreciated that and felt like I was already being cared for, before I even got my massage. Thank you Sergio and Lauren, this tired mama got exactly what she needed. As soon as I can afford it I will be back! read more

I've been having muscle spasm headaches for over a month. I tried accupuncture and cranial sacral therapy with another clinic...none of it worked. I went to Kaiser and got a CT scan which was normal so the Dr wanted to prescribe narcotics. But then I found Jacquie. After my first visit I was able to sleep much better and my headache was alleviated to a dull ache. She listened to my issues and was very knowledgable about muscles around my neck and head. Highly recommend this place and Jacquie, will be going back for more! read more

A quick shout out for Bridget - amazing. She really works through the kinks and knows how to find key pressure points. I'm feeling relaxed and happy days after the appt. I think she is new to the area which is prob why I could get an appt with her but I'm guessing her schedule will start to fill up soon. One last tip: we took advantage of APofP's in home massage option.so worth it if it's hard to get out of the house or you want to make things super easy on yourself. read more

If you consider a good massage to be one that is like a well-orchestrated concert, with the masseuse as conductor, then you will not be disappointed by Katy's amazing services. She is serious, folks, so come prepared for one of the best massages you'll ever receive. The setting is casual but chic and comfortable. Katy put me instantly at ease, and spent more time than I have ever had before talking to me about my needs etc. Throughout the massage, the excellent attention continued. The 90 minutes is a perfect amount of time, and I feel you are paying way under market for this high-quality service. I give her 5+++ stars for the best massage I have had in a long, long time. HIGHLY recommended. read more

WOW! Enough said. Katy was amazing. It was exactly what i was looking for. She listened to what i was in there for and throughout the massage continued to pay excellent attention to what i was seeking. The setting is very warm, you feel instantly at ease as though she has invited you right into her home. ( it is set in a house converted to a massage studio.) I have nothing but great things to write about my experience. Yea katy! read more

I wish I had the energy today to do this review justice. I will simply have to come back and edit later: I have life-long and extreme chronic pain with long term stress. I don't like to tell people the chronic pain part as it really changes the way people treat you. I am 39, and of all the people I have seen, she is hands down #1. Note please: I have had fine ones, really damn good ones, some downright humiliating, and some too damn close to 'unwelcomed intimacy'. (For a some of these, I never get massaged on Piedmont Avenue, Oakland. Do with this what you will.) Katy: I felt safe, I felt listened to, she was comprehensive and damned responsible without intrusion re: medical history; there were many other things I am too exhausted to list. And for those with issues around nakedness, etc., I have never seen anyone be so adept & thorough with averting their eyes during massage. I think some are finely trained in massage, and I think some are gifted. Katy is gifted. "She's got the hands!" is what my friends and I used to say about a mutual friend. I would literally send/take anyone I care about, or do it as one of my volunteer work/charity tithe. Thank you Katy. Thank you (and the very kind woman who let me in!) for all of your thoughtful conscientious actions. read more

I loved my massage with Lauren. As the mother of a toddler and a full-time teacher, my body gets pushed to its maximum limits. I was so in need of a deep-tissue massage to help me relax, and Lauren gave me exactly that. We chatted before the massage and I shared what I wanted from the massage. She listened, and responded, to every word. I felt a million times better after and I will definitely be going back. The entire experience was wonderful from beginning to end -- the feel of the waiting room was soothing, the massage room was clean, quiet, and warm, and I felt right at ease. I highly, highly recommend Lauren. read more

For my birthday gift, my husband got me a gift certificate here. I made an appointment with Margaret who gave me a fantastic 90 minute pre-natal massage. She let me choose the music and helped me with some achy parts. I was a little sore for a few days, but that's my fault since I thought I could take the stronger pressure. At the time it seemed fine, but I guess I need a little less pressure which Margaret would have gladly accommodated. The space is in a vicotorian in the Noe Valley so not your typical massage space, but it was comfortable, clean, and quiet. read more

I received my first ever prenatal massage today from Julie Wang. It was amazing, relaxing, and I left feeling restored. The space was beautiful and Julie found my problem areas and gave them special care. Would definitely recommend to anyone, pregnant or not! read more

I went to this neighbourhood place for the first time, and I do believe I am hooked. I saw Jacquie, she spent time asking questions and figuring out what my body needed. This was healing therapy for my body, not just a massage. I had been having some ankle pain, and Jaquie was a miracle with it. She also explained to me the trigger points, and streches to help it recover! One of the best I have had in the States ~ read more

I came here today to utilize a gift certificate a friend gave me. It was time for some calm in my life. I worked with Julie today and it was amazing! 90 minutes goes really fast. I told her the areas that could use some work and she listened attentively and the pressure she used was spot on. Right away as I lay down on the table, everything is just wonderful. After it was over, I just felt so relaxed, felt so good, and calm. It was just what I needed and I would go back for another session with Julie! Thanks, Julie! Love it. read more

I made a same-day appointment as I was having some back pain. It was easy to book and Sergio was careful and attentive. Best of all, I felt great after! I'll definitely be returning. read more

Katy is one of the most generous, kind and open-minded people I know. I found "Piece of Peace" on the internet. I had moved back to SF a few months and needed a massage therapist. I had a flight coming up and knew I'd be all tight and knotted up after 13 hours each way. Katy worked her magic and I floated home after a blissful massage. My return a few months later was just as blissful. The foot reflexology is so effective. I could feel tenseness in my thighs and hips relax as Katy expertly treated me. I've been going through a 6 month program of acupuncture/massage/chinese herbs that has not left any extras for Katy but once completed, I'll be back. Katy makes you feel too good to ever want to stay away. We need more people like Katy in the world. read more

I had the most incredible massage with Celine. She did exactly what I requested, which was focus on back, shoulders, and feet. She worked her way into my muscle tissue gradually so that ultimately the massage was extremely deep and therapeutic, but never sudden or painful. I became so relaxed that I almost fell asleep! I could feel my body working through the detox the rest of the day, and woke up the following day feeling energetic and amazing. I highly recommend Celine to anyone needing either therapeutic massage for pain or simply for deep relaxation. read more

Highly recommend this spot. I have been here for both my pregnancies for prenatal massages during my 3rd trimesters. And both Celine and Lauren did an amazing job both times helping me relax and work through pain points. They have all the pillows and props needed for me to lie-down on my sides rather than back or face. Book through MindBody app on my iOS for convenience. Their massage room and bathrooms are always clean. The place is pretty quite, and the zen music and soothing ambiance, makes for a wonderful relaxing time. read more

I came here for a prenatal massage just starting to get some aches and pains of pregnancy. I booked with Sergio. I have to admit I walked by the place not knowing where it was at first. The finally saw the address, with only a paper sign on the door nestled into a duplex. I entered my door code and a stairway appeared. Upon arriving at the top of the stairs it was a small but bustling office space with people coming in and out of the offices. The vibe was very homey. There was no where to register and Sergio found me and we proceeded into his treatment room, which was quite big with soft music playing and curtains allow gentle afternoon light in. He let me get changed after asking me from problem areas. We then got started. It was deep tissue massage and was quite good. I felt my muscles finally give way and relax. The music was soft. In the end i couldn't hear the bustling down the hall. The price was reasonable given the duration and technique. It was a great experience. read more

Loved my massage with Ki. She was a great listener and really tailored the massage to fit my needs. I loved the relaxing atmosphere. I really appreciate that they send you an email reminder for your appointment. Overall, I wonderful experience. read more

High quality spot. Had three prenatal massages here so far, each with a different therapist, and they were all great. Massage helps me sleep better as I waddle through my third trimester. Careful about getting locked out. If you make an appointment the same day, you might not get the email with the door code in time. read more