Cut from the cloth of the 1960s Human Potential Movement, Esalen® Massage is a style of bodywork that takes each client’s whole state of being into consideration, as well as the relational presence shared with the practitioner. There is a meditative quality that gears you, the client, towards internal self-exploration during your session.

During an Esalen® Massage you can expect long, slow, fluid strokes that encompass vast surface areas of the body at a given moment; gentle holds, gentle rocking; and meditative pauses.

My practice is meant to increase full-body awareness, minimize discomfort associated with physical touch, and to facilitate imaginative expansion. Approaching the body like sculpture, I bring a multidimensional quality to the session so that my clients can feel truly held.

I use a variety of pressures, musculoskeletal techniques, and dance-like rhythms to help clients access their calmer, spontaneous, more-connected states of self. I approach deep tissue work intuitively, listening to what the client describes during intake, noticing the non-verbal communication in session, and responding to where the body is asking for deeper work.

In the Esalen tradition, the sessions I offer are longer (75-120 minutes) and include additional time for a preliminary consolation to get a full sense of what will feel excellent for you during your massage. Massage can be healing, relaxing, or even invigorating. I’m here to help you articulate just what quality of touch is needed to bridge the gaps between your emotional, mental, and somatic experiences.

I started bodywork in Asheville, NC in 2020. The timing and location of that genesis undoubtedly informed my practice as a massage and bodywork therapist. You can learn more about my studio in Asheville here.

I work with all kinds of people, especially folks in the music & visual arts industries, dancers, and creatives in general. I have a strong commitment to providing accessible bodywork for black, BIPOC, queer, and working artists.

All bodies welcome.

The Garden Studio is located in Bed Stuy near in the intersection of Bedford & Putnam Ave. Please arrive at the studio 10-15 minutes early for intake.

Each Session will start with a cup of herbal tea and a 10-15 minute preliminary consultation in the garden patio outside (weather permitting) where I will discuss your expectations and how I can meet those. This is to get a full sense of what will feel excellent for you during your massage, plus answer any questions you may have before getting started.

During the session you can expect an Esalen® Massage with added elements of high-quality Pranarōm essential oils, sound & frequency instruments, burned herbs, hot towels and/or hot stones, music or silence, all or none of this–depending on your preferences.

The carrier oil I use is a personal blend of high-quality organic jojoba, organic apricot seed, and organic avocado oils; it is nut-free and allergen-free.

The session will complete with a closing conversation where I will finalize payment with you, offer an opportunity to give and take feedback, and witness any reflections you may have.

Please plan for up to an additional 30 minutes in the studio to account for consultation and closing conversations before and after your session.

$150-$200 for 75 minutes
$180-$240 for 90 minutes
$240-$320 for 120 minutes

Added tips are not expected

Our communities need healing, our bodies need deeper self-knowing. I believe that bodywork can be a radical conduit for these things. And that everyone deserves access to bodywork.

Currently, what I am able to offer in New York City is a 75%–100% sliding scale for:

BIPOC, black, and queer folks, artists working a side hustle to survive, and/or anyone who does not own property and has access to less than $55,000 a year.

The sliding scale is based on the honor system. Please consider your socio-economic position and pay what you can/what feels right for you. Also, I’m always looking for ways to do more in the realm of equity:

If you’d like to add a tip to your session to help someone else afford one, let me know and I’ll find a match for your contribution.

If you’d really love to book a session and absolutely cannot afford these rates, please email me and I will let you know if there is an equity contribution available to cover part of the session cost. hi@haydynmarinabody.com

Thank you.