Things to Know

We suggest you come in wearing casual attire – something you can easily slip off and on without fussing.

If you elect to shower after your massage, your therapist will take a rolled-up kimono for you to wear between the shower room and massage room.

If you’re getting a massage on the table, the best way to receive a massage is to be unclothed, but always disrobe to your comfort level.  Our therapists are trained in the “art of draping”. They will keep your body covered at all times except for the area they are working on.  They will leave the treatment room while you get under the sheet on the table and, after the session, will leave the treatment room before you get up from the table.

If you are coming in for a treatment that’s performed on the futon mat on the floor, we recommend you bring loose-fitting clothing with you.  If you don’t have it, we have massage clothing you can wear.  We provide any necessary towels, robes and slippers for you to wear during your visit.

Our peak times are Friday thru Sunday so call a few days ahead, especially if there’s a particular therapist you wish to see.  If your schedule is flexible, we recommend you book Monday thru Thursday. You can usually find an open appointment on those days with just 2-3 hours’ notice.

You can schedule an appointment in person, over the phone, or on our website for your convenience.

We strive to keep our facility tranquil and relaxing for everyone.  We therefore request that all cell phones be either turned off or silenced.

Thank you for your consideration!

First-time clients should arrive 15 minutes early for their appointment.  Each new guest completes a health history form which takes about ten minutes.  A rest room stop and a pre-massage intake with your therapist account for a few more minutes.  If you arrive late, your session may be shortened in order to end on time.

When your massage (and optional shower) is completed, you will check out at the reception desk. You may pay with a credit card, personal check, cash or gift certificate/card. A gratuity may be left in a tip envelope, available at the front desk.  Since few people carry cash or checks anymore, and credit cards are restricted to those with a VIP package, tips can be paid via Venmo or Zelle.

We love children; we even have some of our own!  However, the ambiance within the spa must remain as relaxing as possible for all of our guests (many of whom are actually enjoying a respite from their little ones). We request you do not bring little children to the spa.

Children under 18 must have written consent from a parent or guardian to receive a massage.

We want you to thoroughly enjoy your experience with us. Please let your therapist or a staff member know immediately if you are uncomfortable for any reason. Our goal is for your experience to be positive, and corrections can only be made if we are made aware of a problem at the time of service.

Before your session, communicate your preferences to your therapist.  During your intake, be specific about what you’re looking for – do you just want to relax or are there problem areas you would like addressed.

During your session, when the therapist asks you about the pressure, BE HONEST – all our therapists can give you more or less.  At ANY point in the session, if you need something to change, PLEASE SPEAK UP – like if you need more pressure, you need more time spent in a particular area, or you want your therapist to be quiet (say “I just want to relax”).  This is YOUR time – and your therapist only wants what is best for you.

Forget our address (939 W North Avenue).  It just confuses things.  Our building is located on the southeast corner of North Avenue & Sheffield (Sheffield is 1000 west).  If you’re being dropped off or parking on the street, enter the building through one of the revolving doors.  Once inside, walk down the stairs right in front of you (or, if you’re unable, take the elevator just beyond the stairs) and you’ll see us.

If you’re driving, and on North Avenue, turn south onto Sheffield.  You will see our big, blue, vertical parking sign – turn left into the garage.  If you park higher than the 3^rd floor, take the garage elevator to the 3^rd floor where you can enter the building.  Walk down the corridor.  When you get to the stairs by the Fitness Formula front desk, look right and you’ll see the Retail elevator which, normally, you would take down to “B” (for beautiful).  Presently, that elevator is kaput, so continue walking down the corridor to the Office elevators.  Take the elevator down to “B” and you will see us.

We will validate your parking ticket with a sticker that comps your first 90 minutes.

If you want to try your luck on the street, there are some free parking spots on Sheffield between Weed Street on the south and Clybourn on the north, as well as on Weed.

We offer purified water, fruit juices and both caffeinated and herbal teas.

Please do not bring food or drink to the spa. Avoid drinking alcohol before coming in – your massage will speed up your circulation and may intensify the effects of the liquor.  It’s also not recommended to eat a big meal just prior to a massage.

After your massage, it is recommended to drink at least one glass of water to help flush toxins from your body.

Gratuities are not included in our prices, nor are they required, but are gladly accepted. Calculate the amount of your tip as you would in a restaurant – typically between 15-20%, depending on the quality of your service.  It’s best to leave a tip in a small envelope at the desk when you check out, rather than giving it directly to the therapist or leaving it in the treatment room.  These days, few people carry cash or checks with them, and our policy restricts the using of a credit card (except for those with VIP packages).  For these reasons, you are allowed to tip via Venmo or Zelle (we have most therapists’ QR codes in a book).

For group reservations of three or more, we require 24 hours’ notice of any changes to avoid charges for the services. We can process gratuities for groups on a credit card.

Depending on the size of your group, we may not be able to book everyone at the exact same time, but we should be able to schedule everyone within 30 minutes.  It’s best to book at least two weeks ahead of time.

We recommend leaving all jewelry at home. Otherwise, remove neck and wrist ornaments and put them in your locker; we prefer that you wear your rings. You are responsible for your valuables! Please be mindful of not leaving valuables behind – frantic searches in robe pockets or nooks and crannies in the treatment room are stress-producing for all involved – not what you need after a relaxing treatment!

All our therapists have been trained in Swedish, Deep Tissue and Sports massage.  About 75% have been trained in Prenatal. Anywhere from 3 to 12 of our therapists have been trained in each of our other modalities.

If you have a strong preference for your therapist’s gender, please let us know and we will accommodate your request.

Persons with a medical condition such as cancer, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, deep vein thrombosis, recent heart attack or surgery, hematomas, tumors, hernias, recent or unhealed fractures, burns or infections, or who are pregnant, should speak to their doctor first and only receive massage by a licensed massage therapist.

If you are ill, please do not book a massage. It may actually make you feel worse and, due to the fact that viruses & bugs are contagious, we don’t want whatever you’ve got!

All clients, receiving services of an hour or more, are given the option of using one of our six private locker rooms with shower (Steam or Rain Shower).  The rooms each have two large wooden lockers, but we allow for just one person at a time.  Each shower provides soap, shampoo, conditioner and a washcloth.  Amenities such as spray deodorant, Q-tips, a shower cap, lotion and a hair dryer are available for you after your shower.

We do ask that you observe the 20-minute room limit.  Your shower room might be reserved right after you and that extra 10 minutes is needed for our housekeeping staff to clean and get the room ready for the next guest.