I Tried an At Home Massage Service and I'm a Convert –Here's Why
In partnership with Mara Massage.
First things first: I am not, traditionally, one of those pop-around-to-the-house-whenever people. If you’re visiting my home, I usually require 10 days' written notice, a reminder email the day before and a confirmation text the morning of to ensure that skirting boards have been cleaned, the windows washed, the tea poured and the good biscuits put out. Okay, I’m kidding – but only slightly.
So you can imagine that the idea of an at-home massage stirred some doubts. Would I be able to get the living room clean and zen enough? What if the masseuse stepped on some lego? But still, when I was invited to try the divine-sounding signature 60-minute full-body massage from Galway company Mara Massage, my aching limbs won out. Spa-quality massage without any driving, parking, and the inevitable hasty undressing and dressing? Yes please.
What is Mara Massage?
Galway’s Mara Massage was founded by Barna woman Eileen Greaney over four years ago. A certified massage therapist with extensive training in various techniques, including Thai, Swedish, deep tissue and more, Eileen and her team service Galway city centre and surrounding areas.
Mara also offer limited membership options too, giving members access to discounted rates and the ability to regularly schedule in much-needed me time in an easy and consistent way.
How to prepare for your at-home massage
Booking my treatment with Mara Massage was easy peasy. I simply went to the website, selected my neighbourhood from the map and picked my massage.
I also really enjoyed browsing their Instagram account prior to my treatment, as founder Eileen uses the space to answer questions and share tips about prep and aftercare.
You don’t need to have anything ready for this treatment, though the team recommend darkening the room, popping on the heat and lighting a few candles, all of which I did.
What to expect from your Mara Massage
My therapist Sibéal arrived with everything needed, including a big, comfy professional massage bed, complete with heated blanket and even a speaker playing relaxing music.
She set up in a few short minutes and then left the room so I could de-robe and get tucked up under the towels.
Sibéal chatted to me about my preferences and areas that could do with extra TLC before getting stuck in. She built up pressure slowly and gradually, expertly teasing out knots and tension. Once I was on the bed with the tinkling tunes playing, I was surprised at how quickly I forgot I was in my own living room and went to that zen, switched off place you go to when getting a massage in a spa or treatment room.
Final thoughts
Once Sibéal headed off, it was such a genuine treat to be able to stay in my dressing gown in the comfort of my own home and not have to hustle to change and get on the road.
On the advice of the Mara Massage team, I left the oils on my skin that evening and drank lots of water and my skin still felt soft and smooth the next day. Safe to say, I’m already looking forward to booking my next one…
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