Hosting a Massage Party is actually quite simple!
Book an LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) for a few hours, invite some friends, coworkers, anyone you owe a favor to, or anyone you want to impress and let the therapist work their magic on your guests!
Hiring an LMT; things to consider:
- Who is paying?
If you’re feeling generous, you can cover the cost of the sessions yourself. This is a popular option for corporate events (think team building or corporate wellness) and for wedding parties (like a bachelorette party).
Of course, the more common scenario is to let each guest pay for their own session. The cost of the session typically depends on the length of time and the style of massage. Prices vary among therapists so check with yours to determine final costs.
- How long do I book the massage therapist for?
The standard length of a massage (at a spa or private practice) is 60 minutes. In contrast, at a social wellness event, shorter sessions will allow for more people to benefit from this unique restorative experience. For a massage party I suggest 15-30 minutes per person.
Consider how many people want bodywork done, how long their appointments will be, and then add an extra hour for set up, clean up, and space between sessions. That will give you a pretty good ball-park estimate of how much time you will need to book your therapist for.
It is important to note that your therapist will need a few minutes between each appointment to sanitize their equipment, hands included. They may also want to discuss expectations and outcomes before or after the session, so be sure to allow some time between massages.
If you are booking your LMT for multiple hours, they will inevitably need a break. Allowing time to mingle is a great idea. At the end of the day, your main focus is to promote self-care, so giving your guests and your LMT time to get to know one another will increase the likelihood that they work together again in the future.
- What do I need?
Just space! Make sure the massage therapist has enough room to work and they will bring everything else.
(Except snacks & such….. You should bring the snacks & such.)
Your LMT will bring either a massage chair or a massage table. Massage chairs take up less room, but are used for 15-20 minute sessions and mainly focus on massaging the back. A table is larger, takes up more space, but allows the therapist to use a variety of techniques. Your massage therapist will decide if the work they are hired for will be better completed with a chair or a table, you just make sure they have enough space to work comfortably. I typically recommend a separate room with calming music for full effect, but you could use the same room as everyone else has gathered, if need be.
Pro-tip:
Be sure to let your therapist know if anyone in attendance has allergies, as some oils, lotions or creams may not work for everyone.
**Keep in mind that some people may want to attend without getting a massage and that’s perfectly fine. In fact, being around multiple people who are gloating about the wonderful massage they’ve just received is more likely to sway an on-the-fencer than anything else. Remember that what we are promoting here is self-care. Some people simply don’t know how good a massage can be for you and therefore may satiate their curiosity and quell their hesitation simply by observing.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to me or seek clarification from your LMT of choice. Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoy your massage party!!
EverBetter Wellness 