At your first massage you check in, tell your therapist where you want the work and how firm, then rest while they do it. For a body massage you undress to your comfort level in private and stay covered by a sheet. You can ask for lighter or deeper pressure at any point, and nothing about asking is awkward.
The short answer
Book online: first-time guests book online so we can set up your profile before you arrive.
Arrive 15 minutes early.
Wear anything comfortable. For a foot massage you stay fully clothed.
Tell your therapist where to work and how firm.
Speak up at any point: lighter, deeper, or stay there.
Before you arrive
Book online. It sets up your profile, so your first check-in is short.
Eat lightly. A light snack 30 to 60 minutes before is fine; after a full meal, give it about 2 hours. More on eating before a massage.
Wear something comfortable. For a foot massage, wear pants that roll up above the calf. More on what to wear.
Note anything your therapist should know, such as an injury, a health condition or a pregnancy, and tell the front desk when you arrive.
When you arrive
Arriving 15 minutes early gives you time to check in and settle. There is a locker for your things, with a key bracelet you keep on your wrist. If you arrive more than 5 minutes late, the session may be shortened so the next guest is not held up.
Before the massage starts
Your therapist asks where you want the work and how much pressure you want. Name the spots that bother you and anything to avoid. If you are not sure about pressure, start at medium; you can change it at any point.
For a body massage, you undress to your comfort level in private. Most guests keep their underwear on, and some undress fully. Either is fine. You lie under a sheet and a blanket, and only the area being worked on is uncovered.
For a foot massage, you stay fully clothed. It starts with a warm mineral soak.
During the massage
Talk as much or as little as you like. Many people go quiet, and some fall asleep. Both are fine.
Speak up whenever something is off: too firm, too light, too warm, too cold. Say lighter, deeper, or stay there. Your therapist changes course without asking why. If the fit is not right, tell the front desk and we will change your therapist.
After the massage
Take a moment before you sit up, and get up slowly. Some people feel a little sore the next day after firm work, and it usually passes within a day or two. Here is more on what is normal after a massage.
Tipping is optional. We recommend 30 percent or more, and every tip goes to your therapist. A gift card cannot be used for the tip. More on tipping your massage therapist.
From Dr. Nick
The best first massage is the one where you said what you wanted. Your therapist cannot feel what you feel, so the more you tell them, the better it gets.
Common questions
Can I ask for a male or female therapist?
Yes. Put it in the notes field at the end of booking, or tell the front desk, and we match it whenever staffing allows.
What if I feel self-conscious?
That is common, and it passes quickly. You undress in private, you stay covered, and you can keep on whatever you like.
Which service should I book first?
A 60-minute Combination is an easy start: feet first, then the body. See which massage to book.
How early should I arrive?
Fifteen minutes before your appointment, so you get your full session.
Book your massage
Serenity Zen has studios in West Covina and Diamond Bar. Open daily, 10 AM to 9 PM.