Jennifer Michels, CMT

This was easily the best massage I have ever gotten. Jennifer’s touch and table-​side manner are outstanding. Rich

It is so difficult to come up with something to say that hasn’t already said in all the other 5 star reviews here on Unilocal,except to say they ring completely true for me. I found Jenn here on Unilocal — it is so difficult to find a massage therapist that is right for you, who you can trust to put their hands on your body and work it. A few minutes with Jenn and you’ll know this is a person of strength, intuition and lightheartedness, with a talent enables you to safely relax into her touch, and to trust ability her ability to reach the places that need to be reached. I feel lucky to have found Jenn, and I have the other reviewers to thank for that (thanks other reviewers!), and with enthusiasm I add my voice to the chorus.

You seriously will not find a better massage therapist! She uses very creative ways of somehow finding and releasing what feels like old spiderwebs in my back, and she gets to those parts that nobody else seems to be able to get to, releasing me of stress and tension that I often hold onto without even realizing it.
She’s a true miracle worker. I cannot say this enough. Also, she’s very reasonably priced. She could charge far more, and I’d still go to Jenn! For EXTRAORDINARY results, Jenn to the rescue!

Wow! After my long-​time (and much beloved) massage therapist stopped her practice, I went to a number of different massage therapists to sample their services. Jennifer Michaels is absolutely wonderful. She is strong and gifted at the art of bodywork, and I could not be happier that I found Jennifer.

Before I’d reached the end of my first massage with Jennifer Michels, I knew I needed to book another. She is talented and enthusiastic, balancing body knowledge with a soothing touch. She’s also really fun to chat with.
Jenn has a clear passion for the body and you will definitely feel it in her work on yours. I particularly enjoy her use of heat therapy on me: to release tension in my shoulders and upper back she uses steaming hot towels that seem to make my muscles melt. It’s such a relaxing and wonderful experience.
Jenn’s been performing massage at Moonshadow for 13 years, and I can see why — the little studio in the back of the salon is such a sweet space. It seems perfectly suited to her and is a great place for a getaway (if only a 60 minute one).
If you’re looking for a spot of self care, book an hour with Jennifer Michels.

Yet another 5-​star review for Jenn Michaels! I am a runner and I have been seeing Jenn regularly for body work to help me be able to compete in a high volume of races. She is a brilliant person who understands every muscle, tendon and bone in your body, and can work them to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and of course just make you feel totally awesome. If you are an athlete I highly recommend Jenn — who is an athlete herself — and especially if you are a runner. Jenn understands runners’ bodies and can help you stay strong and pain-​free for whatever you’re training for. I can’t say enough, thank you Jenn!

wow! I feel so lucky to have a friend recommend Jennifer. I’ve only had her work on my tight, stressed body, but promptly schedule another session. She’s good — plus kind, my size and caring.

I’ve been going to Jennifer for 3 years and have always got a good massage from her. The energy flows from her center through her magic hands and releases my muscles from head to toe. She has many skills and much knowledge. Heat flows from hot rocks and hot water pads. Her understanding of anatomy enables her to seek and loosen tight muscles so that I sink into a bath of relaxation. She tunes in to where I’m at and is silent or conversational depending on my mood. Afterward, I float out through the rest of my day.

I deeply appreciate Jennifer Michel’s work as a massage therapist. Having been one myself for many years, I always appreciate being in good hands. Not only does Jennifer provide the serene and comfortable conditions for thorough relaxation, she’s skilled at seeing compensation in the body. When I first came to Jen I’d been dealing with hip injuries and aches and pains for two years and Jennifer noticed what no one else had (including myself), that my right quads were more developed than my left. This feedback was extremely useful as it told me how I had been favoring my right over my left and so I had a new avenue for further rehabilitation. These days I also work as a psychotherapist and so massage has become an even more critical part of my personal sanity-​maintenance routine. I am grateful to have Jennifer to go to.

Jennifer Michels was wonderful and very professional. It was great to be worked on by a fellow runner who can understand what’s going on with my body. She also talked with me about things I can do in my daily life to prevent future stress on my body.
She is highly recommended.

this is an updated review (which was 5 stars then, and still is).
Jenn is still doing really great work. It’s hard to find a good massage therapist and not have it be a creepy experience. Jenn is definitely not that creepy.

I’ve been visiting Jennifer off and on for the past couple years as I tend to be very rough on my back/​neck/​shoulders. The reason I like Jennifer is because it really is a «therapy» session to fix all the terrible things I do to myself. She responds well to feedback and I find myself learning new things about my muscles every time she works on me. Very professional, and highly recommended.

I’m not sure why I have waited so long to give a review. I went to Jen in 2011 for several months after I pulled a back muscle. She is very kind, caring and knowledgeable and was able to work on the specific muscles that I needed her to. She also gave me great running tips as I was training for Bay to Breakers. I would definitely recommend her services.

I’ve been a client of Jennifer’s for many years, when she started out at the Tuesday farmer’s market in her early days in Berkeley. After trying a number of other massage therapists, Jennifer quickly stood out because of her ability to pay attention to what is actually going on in my body more than what I think is going on. Over the years her skill and knowledge has increased tremendously and now she is able to concentrate very effectively on just about any specific situation I bring to her. Finally, she has this incredible ability to put her entire self into her work as she’s doing it; that communicates itself to me in a very healing way. At the risk of getting bumped from my regular monthly session, I highly recommend Jennifer.

A few months ago, I was in desperate need of a MT. I had a lot of shoulder and neck pain from bad posture/​sitting in a chair in front of a computer Monday-​Friday, 9 – 5. I needed a pro, and I found Jennifer. She is phenomenal — totally full of expertise and I cannot recommend her enough. Those 60 minutes of my life were mind blowing. All the tension in my muscles evaporated. It was a life-​altering experience. Needless to say, I now see Jennifer on a monthly basis. Her sessions are relaxing, rejuvenating and she uses hot stones. It does not get any better than that. Jennifer truly knows her stuff. And to top it off, she is the nicest person ever.

Jennifer Michaels is a skilled and gifted therapist. As a person trained in massage myself, I know what is good and what is great. And Jen is GREAT! You’re lucky if you can get an appointment with this much-​in-​demand CMT.
Jay Sordean, Acupuncture and NRCT, The Redwood Clinic, Berkeley CA

Jennifer is AMAZING. I’ve only had the pleasure of a massage from her 1x and it’s enough for me to praise her. She really did a number on my back but in a good way! I walked out a bit sore, as expected, but after a few days I could really tell a difference.
I am a loyal patron of Moonshadow Salon (where Jen works) and every time I get my hair done, my fiancé gets a massage from Jen. She always eases his tense muscles and knots.
Her prices are reasonable — $ 45 for 30 mins and $ 70 for 60 mins.
If you’re looking for a masseuse who truly knows her craft then look no further. We live 30 mins from the salon and it’s worth the drive.

As a yoga teacher I know many massage practitioners and get many wonderful massages of all sorts. When something goes wrong that I can’t fix with my yoga practice, I go to Jennifer.
I went to her once with a chronic knee problem that I’d seen many practitioners of all kinds to seek help, and it disappeared for years after one visit. It came back, so I went back, and am feeling better already.
She really knows how to talk to my body and I recommend her highly and frequently.

The other reviews are accurate about Jennifer. When I first saw her and how tiny she is, I wouldn’t have believed the punch that this lady packs. I am rather large and somewhat muscular and she has managed to release some very deep spots on me by using techniques that move the muscle while applying pressure, facilitating deeper opening.
She knows her anatomy and this makes a huge difference in how she uses her time with your body. I know because I am a massage therapist and not only have I received ½ dozen massages from her, but we have also talked shop. Jenn pursues regular continuing education, which is more than I can say for most massage therapists that I know.
Jen uses flowing strokes along with some deeper moves and occasionally treats me with her hot stones at no extra charge (if you have paid for hot stone massage before, you know it can be quite expensive!) Her space is beautiful and she is just a lovely person.

The best massage you can get in the Bay Area (if not the world) is in the back room of Moonshadow Salon in Berkeley. That is where the smart and spritely Jennifer Michaels works her tension-​relieving magic. Her space is humble and cozy, thoughtfully adorned and sufficient. It’s a reflection of her: and any concern regarding ability because of her petite 5-​foot frame are immediately forgotten once the treatment begins.
Results are amazing when specific techniques are not requested: don’t ask for deep tissue, swedish, lomi lomi, etc. She’s well versed in all of them, yet massages in a jeet kune do fashion, astutely applying pressure, stretches, delicate touches, and sometimes hot stones based on what she senses from your body, transitioning smoothly from one application to the next and maintaining a smooth rhythm. All you need to do is breathe in the fresh Berkeley air and meditate on the soft background music.
In a massage, the skill of the therapist is all that really matters. You can always find bigger, ritzier, pricier salons, decked out with accoutrements, side treatments, and amazing views. I’ve been to many, and they always disappoint, because simply, the therapist was not Jennifer.
At the end of the treatment, you’ll open your eyes to see the bamboo-​lined ceiling and a feathery Brazilian talisman. It stands for protection. As you ease into consciousness, that’s what you’ll feel: your body, safe, rejuvenated, and ready for the outside world.