There's no one massage that is a right fit for everyone. Indeed, many people like a variety of massage styles. The therapist I usually trade with is a CE (class) junkie.

I schedule 2-hour massages with her--she works deeply with Ashiatsu and cupping, stretches me with Ashi-Thai and spends extra time trying out new stuff she's learned. 

For my birthday a few months ago, I went to another therapist for deep tissue hands on massage. Sometimes I like craniosacral, which is super light and amazingly relaxing.

When a new client came in today, he told me how he's been getting a massage every month. He's got some weird pains that have lasted for years--he has seen doctors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, chiropractors and massage therapists. He never really finds respite.

A few weeks ago he was complaining to his buddy that he felt like he needed someone to walk on him. "Well," said his friend, "have I got a therapist for you!"

So I cautiously worked on him. Usually, I can tell what pressure someone needs, but this was a special case due to what was going on with his body. Over and over again I checked with him about pressure, using cupping therapy, ashiatsu barefoot massage and Ashi-Thai stretching.

Smiling broadly when he came out of the session, he happily exclaimed, "I've been looking for you for 10 YEARS!"

There's no better compliment for a therapist when a client feels so much better after a session. Sure, getting paid is great, but a smile where there was just a short time ago a grimace is what makes it click for massage therapists.

I got into this business to help others, and it's days like today that really makes my heart happy.

What I like about Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy," says fan Scot Voss of Cincinnati, "is that it's so much softer than regular massage. I don't have to worry about pointy elbows and fingers. It's really deep and relaxing all at the same time."

In fact, many spas throughout the country list Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy on their menu. Canyon Ranch health spas offer this style of barefoot massage in their locations in Tuscon, AZ, Lenox, MA, onboard the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship and at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Ashiatsu can also be found at prestigious massage spas such as Urban Oasis in Chicago.  The Insider's Guide "Best of the Rockies"  lists Ashiatsu massage at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek as one of the "Most Memorable."

Sports enthusiasts who require deep work are typically harder for massage therapists to work on because of their muscle density. But by using gravity assisted effleurage, trained therapists can save some energy, reduce fatigue and save their wrists by performing this style of barefoot effleurage. In fact, the September/October 2007 issue of Luxury Spa Finder list Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy as their "ultimate skier's massage."

Ruthie Hardee and her team of dedicated instructors currently teach four classes in barefoot massage. I teach on a regular basis in Cincinnati, OH and conduct ashiatsu training in Denver, CO, on a regular basis. Portable Ashiatsu bars allow me to travel and train ashiatsu therapists throughout the Midwest.

Barefoot Basics are one footed strokes suited for the posterior side of the client's body. Any therapist with grace and coordination can learn these strokes, and she or he learn to shift body weight according to the client's needs. In Anterior/Side-Lying, the massage therapist learns both clinical side lying work as well as a luxurious spa approach to the anterior side of the client's body. The client's eyes are comfortably covered during this anterior massage, and all neck and pectoral work is done with the LMT seated on a stool. Arms and legs are included in the anterior protocol as well.

The advanced class of Deepfeet 2 teaches the massage therapist to use his or her entire body weight in two footed posterior strokes which are well suited for larger clients who really need or enjoy deep tissue massage. Therapists need good upper arm and core strength to give this wonderful two footed massage. And finally, the Fusion-Blend is considered to be the final mastery of all the posterior strokes, and it may be taken after Deepfeet 2.