Massage 101: What to Expect for Your First Massage at Indigo
Welcome, we are so glad you’re here!
Whether you're here for relaxation, pain relief, help treating a more chronic condition, or just self-care in general, our goal is to help you feel better in your body!
Here's everything you need to know to feel confident and comfortable coming into your first session with us.
Booking your appointment:
If you’re seeing treatment for stress, pain relief, recovery from exercise, or as a self-care practice, we recommend starting with The Indigo. It’s our signature, customized massage to meet you exactly where you are and facilitate your wellness goals.
If you’re looking to improve your emotional and spiritual connection, feel more grounded and have more mental clarity, we recommend The Core, it’s a bodywork session that feels like receiving energywork, while working on the deepest of levels to help rebalance the nervous system and improve clarity.
If you’re feeling tired, heavy, holding onto excess fluids, struggling with painful periods, have been dealing with recovering from illness, or managing seasonal allergies, we recommend The Detox. It’s a full body, wellness lymphatic massage treatment that helps you let go of what no longer serves you and promotes detoxification on the cellular level.
Still have questions about where to begin?
We’re here to help guide you through the process of selecting the appropriate service for your unique wellness journey.
Our Guest Services team is available to answer all your questions and can even help make a service provider recommendation to best fit your needs as well! Our team of practitioners is so dynamic and skilled, in their respective areas of focus, so just let us know what you’re experiencing and what your goals are, and we can help guide you!
Once your appointment is booked, we will text your intake forms directly to you so that there is no paperwork to complete when you arrive. We ask that you please fill these out within 24 hours of your appointment so that your massage therapist may begin preparing for your session together.
Today is the day! You booked your service and have been matched with your massage therapist, your forms are completed, now what?
Please arrive about 10-minutes early for your first appointment. This gives you time to settle into the space, use the bathroom, have some tea or water and not feel rushed. This will also give your massage therapist time to talk to you before your appointment and go over your intake form together.
Our team of massage therapists really enjoy getting to know who you are as a person, and they customize each session to your individual needs each and every time you visit.
It’s important to arrive on time or a few minutes early each time so that there is time to touch base on any changes to your health history and understand your goals for each session.
When you arrive:
We have herbal tea and slippers for you if you wish to forgo your shoes and settle into the space.
Our Guest Services team will greet you and help you get acquainted with the space before your massage therapist comes to show you to the treatment room.
First and foremost: There is no need to feel nervous. It’s totally normal to feel a little unsure before your first massage. Your therapist is here to create a safe, professional, and healing space for you.
Helpful Tips:
Communication is key, let your massage therapist know:
If it’s your first massage
Areas you'd like to focus on or avoid
If you have any injuries, sensitivities, or health conditions
Your preferred pressure (light, medium, firm)
What to Wear:
You'll undress to your comfort level, but you will always be fully covered with a sheet and blanket during the massage, and only the area being worked on will be uncovered (this is called "draping").
Hydration & Nutrition: Try to drink plenty of water in the 24 hours before and after your massage, and avoid eating a large meal right before your session.
During the massage:
You can talk or stay quiet—this is your time, and we will always respect your desired level of conversation.
It’s okay to ask for adjustments, in fact: we want you to speak up if there is something you would like us to change (pressure, temperature, music, or if anything feels uncomfortable). We will always work within your level of comfort.
Your therapist may use oil or massage cream—let them know if you have any topical or food allergies, as well as any sensitivities to essential oils.
Don’t worry if you forgot to shave your legs, believe us, we didn’t even notice and we really don’t mind! :)
If you fall asleep, that’s like giving us the best compliment ever!
This is your space and time to relax, so keep the communication open and flowing with us and we will meet you where you are! We think we’re pretty intuitive but we won’t know unless you speak up.
After the massage:
Please take your time getting up. Stretch a little if you need to, take a few deep breaths, and gently let your body begin to come back to the present moment as you integrate the bodywork. It’s normal to feel a little “woozy” or even groggy after your first few massages.
Let your massage therapist know how you’re feeling afterwards. If you need to sit and rest a while before driving, we have a cozy space for you to relax a little longer.
Afterwards, your massage therapist will likely go over their findings with you and give you some feedback as well as aftercare: things that you can do at home to see the best results from your session.
It’s important to hydrate well and give your body a nourishing meal as you integrate the work. Be gentle with yourself and plan to take it easy for the rest of the day if you can!
Lastly, on somatic integration & emotional releases:
There are times when massage can stir up an emotional response. This is especially true when you feel safe with another person under their nurturing and healing touch.
Our bodies hold onto so much memory and experience, and when we feel safe to let go of what we have been holding onto, emotional responses may surface.
If you experience an emotional release like, crying for example, this is a normal response to healing and we are professionals who are able to hold this space for you as you process and feel what your body needs you to be aware of, move through, and let go of… we are here for you!