When I started getting massages in spas, close to 20 years ago, I remember the music being rather ethereal or new age or ….I dunno, just relaxing and not what I listen to all the time.

But when I was in massage school and we were practicing on each other, they didn’t necessarily play “that” kind of music, what I’ve now affectionately started calling it “Flutes and gongs.” They were playing Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder.

Since I’ve been out on my own, I’ve tried to stick to what would be termed “relaxing music,” but I’ve come to understand that not everybody needs flutes and gongs to relax. One of my favorite massages I’ve received from one of my dear massage therapist friends was the stuff I enjoy listening to…Jimmy Buffet and his style, like the Zac Brown Band.

She would play the client’s choice of a playlist on her Pandora channel…and there were never any commercials!

What is this sorcery?!?!

My Pandora stations always have commercials! Mine was free, so they have to make some dough somehow, right? My friend was paying for the least expensive subscription – all of 5 bucks a month. ($4.99, technically)

I kept thinking I needed to do that. For at least a year. Probably two.

Yesterday, I took the plunge. I signed up for 5 bucks a month!

So you, my dear friends and clients, can choose what music YOU want to listen to while you relax with your massage! You want flutes and gongs? Great! You want Van Halen? AC/DC? Great! You want Alabama? Oak Ridge Boys? Great!

For you, I’ll even let Mariah Carey songs play. I absolutely draw the line at Neil Young, though. (I may get flack for this, but his voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me….sorry N.Y. fans)

In addition to music choice, you have a choice in aromatherapy that’s included in the service, rather than an upgrade you have to pay an extra 7 or 10 bucks for, like you would in “some” places. *cough*most spas and franchises*cough*

So when you come in, I’ll ask you the usual questions about your goals/aches/etc but I’ll also ask 1) what kind of music? and 2) what kind of aromatherapy?

I’m also offering packages now! You can pre-pay for 3 visits at either 60, 75, or 90 minute sessions for roughly a 10% discount. You math folks can figure out exact percentages, but I think it’s close enough so we’re not looking at nickels, dimes, and pennies.

I want you to have a great massage experience – so I hope by making some changes in the choices you have for your sessions, you’ll come back and tell all your friends too!