What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 7pm Tuesday 12pm - 7pm Wednesday 9:30am - 7pm Saturday 8am - 1:30pm

Learn Barefoot Massage

Home
United States
Cincinnati, OH
Learn Barefoot Massage

I teach Barefoot Massage to LMTs so they can have long-lasting deep tissue massage careers. https://msha.ke/ashiatsuclasses

Available soon: course for LMTs on how to create a massage membership. Specializing in comfortable, effective deep tissue Ashiatsu barefoot massage with CE training for massage therapists.

07/09/2025

Do you need an electric table to give barefoot massage?

In a word, no.

But there's more to it than that.

Take onto account your weight PLUS your heaviest client.

When table loads are tested, they're horizontal. Your client WILL be horizontal, but you'll be vertical (standing up).

This is more specific, pinpointed pressure (think of an elbow in hands-on massage!)

❌So if your table max is 400 lbs and you think that you're safe, I'd beg to differ.

✅Let's work with a 500-600 lb limit. For this, I'd recommend the Ellora electric (on the left) or an Earthlite Spirit (on the right).

An electric table WILL make your life easier, but I betcha most therapists use a portable.

But that's not bad, because they're more stable than the electric due to the 4 legs.

Whatever you do, if you want to upgrade to an electric massage table, make sure it's
✅scissor style and
❌ not a pedestal lift.

Also,
❌no hinge joints like what you'd see on a Custom Craftworks or an esthetician table. It's not safe.

What table do you use right now❓

07/01/2025

So you've taken a class or 2 with us.

Yet somehow, you feel like you could do more. Maybe approach your client's issues from a different angle?Or start from an entirely new approach?

Here's the deal-you're not going to be able to remember all. The. Things. from any class you've taken.

(Maybe if you're Mike from Suits with a photographic memory, you would. But then you'd be a scrappy lawyer, not a deep tissue myofacial-ing barefoot massage therapist.)

Do you stay stuck? Take a new class?

How about revisiting one you've taken before? Our instructors all have different takes based on their own client experiences, so that's a great way to learn even more.

Dive deep into more effective experiences with the moves you've struggled with.

Last year alone, over 70% of our students returned for more.

Incredible!

Your body deserves you to work efficiently and effectively.

Don't get left behind as we continue to evolve our myofascial work as research evolves.

Your clients need you at your best.

So tell us, what's the next step you'll take to improve your barefoot career?

06/29/2025

One of my favorite things about working with massage therapists is training the instructors.

There are so many ways to teach barefoot massage well. Working with skilled barefoot therapists who come with their own massage experience, client base and business knowledge has helped me to become not only

a better barefoot massage therapist

but an instructor who's always up for the challenge of becoming more well rounded.

Here's me (in 2017) and newly minted barefoot therapists, along with Sara Newberry from after one of Sara's inaugural classes.

Fun fact-I just wore those Athleta pants and .barefoot.massage tank top this week.

📣1 space is available in my July 10-12 class in Cincinnati!

DM me with any questions!

06/04/2025

This barefoot massage team from includes:
Tara and Alexa-Ann,
Leslie and Matthew

In 3 days, they learned the Fundamentals of bringing barefoot massage to Charleston, WV.

One of the best parts of teaching deep tissue barefoot massage is that I truly help therapists save their massage careers in just a few days.

When your saddle joints give out but you adore your massage career, your choices are to

😭quit massage
💆🏻‍♀️ work lightly (hello, cranio and lymphatic)
👣use your body effectively and effectively by changing your tools and mechanics.

When learning to use gravity assisted massage, therapists work on
1️⃣ each other
2️⃣ me
3️⃣ women clients
4️⃣ men clients

Yeah--FOUR bodies!

My guest clients BROUGHT THE GOODS to the table with tissue issues and valuable feedback to assist each therapist in working more effectively and consistently.

Cheers to Team Spa Bliss! They asked great questions about clients, contraindications, and technique.

Can't wait to see them all in Intermediate in the fall!

05/28/2025

Some people are never going to try your deep tissue barefoot massage.

That's fine, because it's not for everyone.

But if they just think it's weird? Say it isn't so!

What you can tell your clients if you want to refute that notion and promote your incredible barefoot massage skills:

Tone->
Professional & Empowering:

"It’s not weird. It’s next-level bodywork. Barefoot massage delivers deeper pressure, better body mechanics, and serious results—for both the client and the therapist.”

Tone->Bold & Playful:

"Think it’s weird? Your back won’t. Barefoot massage is the upgrade your body didn’t know it needed.”

Tone->Friendly & Reassuring:

"Barefoot massage isn’t weird—it’s smart. Therapists protect their bodies, and clients get the deep work they crave.”

Tone->Straightforward & Educational:

"Barefoot massage uses feet instead of hands for deeper, more consistent pressure—and it’s anything but weird."

05/13/2025

You wouldn’t massage someone or write while wearing gloves, right?

So why are we walking, squatting, and even working all day in shoes that block movement and sensation?

Your feet are your body’s foundation—with 33 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They’re designed to move, balance, and talk to your brain about where you are in space.

But most modern shoes?

They’re built for fashion, not function. Tight toe boxes, thick soles, and rigid support weaken foot strength and limit mobility over time. That affects everything from posture to balance—and yes, even how someone receives massage.

As massage therapists, we focus on the whole body. But how often do we (or our clients) really pay attention to the feet?

Whether you're doing barefoot massage, walking around your house, or training in wide-toe-box shoes, giving your feet a break from modern footwear is one of the simplest ways to support long-term mobility and body awareness.

Here are a few easy ways to start:
👣 Go barefoot at home or during warm-ups
👟 Choose shoes with a wide toe box for work or workouts
🌱 Walk barefoot on soft grass for a few minutes a day
🦶 Practice spreading your toes and moving your ankles through full range
Start slow—but start. Your feet will thank you.

How about those clients?
🔍 What’s one thing you wish more clients knew about their feet?
(I wish all my clients came in with clean feet. 😆)
📲 Comment and let’s compare notes!

05/05/2025

Are you curious now? 🤨

What I hate most about teaching barefoot massage⬇️

is vacuuming up vinyl massage table crumbles when setting up prior to class and taking the tables down after class.

Why, oh WHY, is the vinyl on newer massage tables virtually worthless?

One of my portables peels off in bigger chunks/strips and the other just crumbles like a stale muffin.

Apparently, it has something to do with CA's emission fumigation smelly chemical fumes rules.

(My original massage table, circa 1997, still has perfect vinyl, as does my 2004 Earthlite Ellora.)

Good news! 📣
contacted me and let me know they're using a different kind of vinyl now. They're apparently going to replace one of my portables AND give me a table cover.

I DO love the table covers (I currently have 3).

I'll keep you updated if I get a new table on my thoughts.

04/18/2025

An oldie but goodie.

This is how we "heel" with barefoot massage. 😉

I may have given her some proper tools.

03/31/2025

I don't often share reviews, but this recent one hit.

Kayla recently got back from Thailand, where she had recently received multiple authentic Thai massages.

She gets deep tissue massage about once a month-has for years.

This was her first experience with barefoot massage.

"10/10 best massage I've ever received. I have tried Swedish, deep tissue, Thai and anything in between. Mary-Claire was hands down (pun intended) the best massage therapist I have ever been to.

"It was both relaxing but productive. She moves with such grace an intention. You will leave with more range of motion than you started with and feel like a new person. Highly recommend. I instantly booked again after our first session. "

I can teach you how to do this-as long as you're a licensed massage therapist. 😉

My next class is in May. Ask me anything about barefoot massage!

03/01/2025

Fundamentals barefoot massage therapy CE class with 2 students: Cincinnati.

Individualized attention is the name of a game with a private 2 person class.

I had the best time with Jenny from Dayton, OH and Sydni, hailing from Georgetown, KY.

Not only are they 2 beautiful, synergistic souls, but their talent and ability to receive feedback with immediate improvement makes them a powerful duo.

I'm blessed to know them. 🥰

02/04/2025

Are you a massage therapist killing yourself to give deep pressure to your clients?

😭And you're hurting yourself or failing when it comes to providing the CONSISTENT deep pressure their fascia and muscles need?

It's time for a change. 💫

I figured out a way to save my body from massage injury over 22 years ago, and I can show you how.

Learn Barefoot Massage with me in our Fundamentals (level 1, but definitely not basic!) class

Feb 27-March 1 im Cincinnati.

You can save your career in just 3 days, and it starts here.

Sign up now (link in the place you find them here).

Ask me anything about deep tissue barefoot massage!

01/14/2025

8 reasons why you should AVOID learning barefoot massage.

1. You think feet are disgusting.
2. You're convinced your deep tissue massage clients will think you've gone off the deep end.
3. You adore torturing your clients with pokey thumbs and elbows.
4. You refuse to stop icing your hands and wrists. It's a badge of honor, doncha know!
5 Pressure, schmessure. Who cares that gravity can help???
6. Working smarter, not harder, is toe-tally overrated.
7. You WANT to have s shorter career span, fraught with pain and uncertainty.
8. You LOVE running out of energy halfway through the day.

No? Ok, great!
You're IN!

Just sign up for my Feb 27-March 1 Fundamentals class in Cincinnati already. 😊

Address

7813 Affinity Place
Cincinnati, OH
45231

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 7pm
Tuesday	12pm - 7pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 7pm
Saturday	8am - 1:30pm

Website

http://www.LearnBarefootMassage.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Learn Barefoot Massage posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Who the heck does barefoot massage?

That would be me, Mary-Claire. Licensed by the State of Ohio Medical Board (33.008321) since January 15, 1999 (yes, I remember the date!). Why barefoot massage? The benefits are awesome for both my clients and me. It feels great, their results are long lasting, and I don’t feel like a T-Rex with itty bitty arms screaming after a long day of work. That’s why I teach, too, why I innovate. Because I need to help those who know there MUST be another way to do the work they love without killing themselves.