MEEFERS - Balance Massage Therapy

If you are anything like me, the thought of hot stones being pressed all over pressure points on the body conjures up images of classified Guantanamo Bay footage. It was with some small degree of trepidation that I stepped forth into the comfortably chic antechamber of Balance Massage Therapy. Fortunately, the soothing music and babbling water sounds lulled me into a sense of security.

Located just barely beyond the point at which you start wondering if you’ve driven too far, Balance Massage is nestled in the middle of a modest shopping complex. The owners, Chris Draybuck and Josie Ann Lee, sit poised at the reception desk, eager to introduce stiff, sore, and stressed customers to their warm and welcoming massage studio.

Though it opened just a few short weeks ago, the ladies have already amassed a roster of regulars. They confessed to me that they had just attended a strenuous convention of all sorts of massage interchange and were eager to implement their newfound knowledge.

After exchanging pleasantries, Chris led me to a room in back. What puzzled me were the two sets of doors. Chris proudly sashayed over to the one I hadn’t come through, and slid it aside.

“Couples massages,” she declared, revealing an off-whi

te bed identical to the one I was leaning on. Apparently some people like to converse as their muscles are palpated.

She told me to take my time getting undressed, and closed the door. Without hesitation, I shucked my clothes and hopped onto the bed. Pleasantly surprised by the radiating warmth, I relaxed under the sheet and rested my face on the donut-shaped pillow—which, incidentally, is the latest item on my wish-list.

Shortly after, Chris returned and began the massage, urging me to let her know if the pressure were too hard or too soft.

“Mmm,” I muttered in clear acquiescence.

I gradually relaxed into my role as recipient as Chris’ skilled fingers kneaded my weeks-old tension away.

As it turned out, the hot stones were really rather relaxing. The first two, placed at the base of my spine and the nape of my neck, were startlingly hot; but they pleasantly brought my focus to points on my body heretofore ignored. My atoms rejoiced as my skin prickled and adapted to the heat. If this is duress, sign me up!

Far too soon, I thought, Chris told me to lie still and take my time before getting up. She left me to reorient myself to the room around me, which was monumentally more concrete than the inside of my mind. My muscles throbbed gently, and my clothes felt too tight when I slipped them on.

At the door, I paused and turned longingly back to eye the plush blanket now lying rumpled on the bed. As I left, I tried desperately to think about who I might convince to take advantage of the holiday discount on gift certificates to stuff my stocking. I’m still thinking…

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