Where We're Located

                                                         

We are conveniently located in the historic Phelan Building at 760 Market Street, between Grant & O'Farell, right at the North Market exit of the Powell Street MUNI/Bart Station—the same block as Virgin Megastore and CompUSA. We're just off Union Square and just blocks from the Financial District. MAP.

                                                         

The most convenient parking is the Ellis/O'Farrell Garage, with entrances on both O'Farrell and Ellis, between Powell and Stockton. Alternatively, the Fourth and Mission exit of the Fifth and Mission Garage is just two blocks away.

                                                               

There's plenty of natural light, and a warm, but simple decor with photographs by Director Mary F. Jenn, and original artwork by Bay Area artist Mike Kimball.

                           

When you enter our suite, you will be in our waiting area. If you are early for your appointment, feel free to take some time to do whatever you need to do: make sure your cell phone is off, use the restroom and help yourself to some green tea or water.

                                                         

About Us and Our Work

                                                               

Sonja Gubalke, CMT

Sonja was certified by the Nevada School of Massage Therapy in Las Vegas, and is grateful for the opportunity to study hands-on Anatomy with cadavers, giving her a deep understanding of the musculoskeletal structure.

                                                           

Since graduating, she has had the opportunity to work on a cruise ship and has worked in Hawaii where she honed her skills in Hawaiian Lomi Lomi. Sonja credits Lomi Lomi with increasing her awareness of the mind/body connection, and it has definitely influenced her work. She takes particular pride in her ability to listen and focus on specific issues.

                                                           

With a blend of modalities that include Sports Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, and Trigger Point Therapy and Lomi Lomi, her work is characterized by soothing, deep, smooth strokes and a keen ability to seek out the trouble areas and give them the attention they need.

                                                               

                                            

Andy Blum, CMT

Andy’s integrative style flows between the edgy manipulation of soft tissue and soothing, subtle bodywork. Coming to us from Kamalaspa, she brings her influence of Ayurvedic massage and combines it with training in Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy, Shiatsu, Swedish and Connective/Deep Tissue.

                                                           

Andy’s passion for bodywork is rooted in her education from the Florida School of Massage, where she graduated in March 2005 with 665 hours of training, including anatomy and physiology. She has since taken continued education ranging from Reiki to Ortho-Bionomy and is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB).

                                                           

Having used massage to manage her own chronic pain and sleeping disorder, Andy knows first hand the benefits of bodywork. This also lends to her open, compassionate and mindful nature as she listens with her hands and creates space for your body to let go of old holding patterns and move toward harmony and ease. She works with a variety of clients, including those seeking relief from pain associated with repetitive stress like carpel tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, scoliosis and migraine headaches.

                                                           

Outside of the office she volunteers with the Community United Against Violence.

                                                               

                                                               

Jenny J. Parma, CMT

After having a successful career as a professional writer for over a decade—including a stint at a certain ubiquitous internet search engine company—Jenny decided to explore a different path into the health care field. With a particular gift for listening (perhaps it's the journalism background?), she has an inherent passion for knowledge, which also is reflected in her bodywork.

                                                           

Trained in both western (deep tissue, swedish, reflexology) and eastern (acupressure and shiatsu) modalities, Jenny offers a truly customized massage. As a marathon runner, tennis player, and backpacker, Jenny easily connects with the somatic needs of sports enthusiasts. She focuses her attention on lengthening muscles, promoting balance, and reducing tension for long-term well being.

                                                           

Jenny is currently taking classes to fulfill medical school pre-requisites to become an Osteopath. She also volunteers at St. Mary's Hospital and at Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic. And she's still known to write and design websites when she has the chance.

                                                           

                                                               

Director Mary F. Jenn, CMT

I came to massage after years of getting bodywork to alleviate pain from old injuries. There have been times that I was in so much pain that I couldn't get out of bed, so I know what it's like. My work is a bit unconventional, and is informend not only by classes I"ve taken, but by work that I have had done to me, and has worked! Fortunately, I have never taken pain killers or had surgery.

                                                           

I received my professional massage therapist certification in August of 2002 from Phillips School of Massage in Nevada City. My education there included a clinical internship, as well as experience working with the special needs of seniors, sufferers of PTSD and outpatient oncology patients. Since then, I worked at International Orange—a busy San Francisco spa, and APEX Fitness—a Financial District personal training facility. Between those two facilities, I was able to further hone my skills and gained experience with pre-natal massage, as well as the special needs of all sorts of athletes, including runners, dancers, bodybuilders and yogis.

                                                           

I can best describe my work as slow and firm, as I "listen" to the body and how it's responding to the work. I tend to work "on the edge", addressing tight nodules and bands of tissue to allow them to release. While I do go into deeper levels of tissue, I believe it is more effective--and more soothing--to do so gradually rather than forcefully.

                                                           

The field of bodywork and massage is so vast and it never ceases to fascinate me. Therefore, I am constantly seeking new ways to more deeply understand the structure of the human body and the body/mind connection. So along with reading books on massage, I've also taken continuing education classes at both the Body Therapy Institute in Palo Alto, The Neuromuscular Institute in Boston, and the San Francisco School of Massage and am certified in Trigger Point Therapy.

                                                           

I graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor's degree from San Jose State University in Studio Art, Computers in Fine Art. During and after college, I worked in technology as a web developer and still enjoy working on my own website.

                                                           

Philosophy

It seems that everyone knows massage is a great way to relax. But why is it? I believe that massage is about more than just working out the knots—it's also a great opportunity to take a time out from our busy lives as workers, family members, friends and parents; to not have to do anything or be anything, but to just be. And breathe.

                                                           

Finally, I never consider myself a "healer" because I believe we each have our own innate ability to heal. It's my place to merely be a facilitator in your healing process. And while it may seem that what I am doing through my work is very healing, I see it as an interactive relationship. Since everybody's different, that means different things for different people. As I always have, I will do everything I can to support my clients in achieving optimal wellness, and will always be glad to share any insight or knowledge they ask me for.

                                                           

Among many volunteer jobs I've held, locally I've done volunteer work with LIttle Brothers Friends of the Elderly, and have been invited to join Charlotte Maxwell, a non-profit that provides complementary health care to underserved women with cancer.