“I’d really love a massage, and I hear he’s an excellent therapist, with lots of training. 

  … But I’d never get a massage from a man.”

It’s regrettably acknowledged within the spa and massage industries, that the statement quoted above reflects a prevailing attitude among many male and female massage clients, toward accepting services from a male massage therapist.

Recent studies indicate that many clients – most of whom would never consider basing their selection of a therapist on racial, ethnic, or religious grounds - are requesting massage from female therapists over male therapists by a ratio of almost 3 to 1 – and accepting their choice as preferential, rather than discriminatory. 

A gender disparity such as this addresses attitudes prevalent in our social conditioning - how we are raised, how we view and treat the body in our culture, male and female role expectations, our experiences in relationships, and the assumption that touch between adults holds a potential expression of sexuality, rather than a communication of healing, comfort, and relaxation. Clearly, the anxiety and emotional sensitivity this issue can provoke may be significant for many clients, and has even been acknowledged and humorously depicted in an early “Seinfeld” episode (Below.)

Concerns about the supposed “imperfections” in our bodies can create self-conscious feelings of shame, inhibition, vulnerability, embarrassment about being seen, and worries over having critical judgments passed about the way our bodies appear.   The net effect of all of this cultural conditioning is that - unfortunately - we may come to view ourselves in an uncomfortable, “Body Negative” context. 

Mindful of this cultural burden we all carry, Kailo Center strives to create and maintain a Body Positive environment for the clients who seek services here, by providing a safe, ethical, skillful, and non-judgmental massage experience.  It is acknowledged - and accepted - that bodies come in different genders, all shapes, all ages, all sizes.  Please be assured that all will be treated with respect, and all are welcome here.  

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