Yes. At every visit you can ask for the pressure you want and the areas you want worked. Tell the front desk, and it goes to your therapist before you start. You can change the pressure at any point, and you never have to explain why.
The short answer
Pressure: from light Swedish to deep tissue, at the same price.
Change it: say lighter or deeper at any point, no reason needed.
Areas: add Target to a body massage and choose up to three.
Very deep: Ashiatsu, where your therapist works with their feet.
The test: if you are bracing or holding your breath, it is too much.
Describe the pressure you want
Words like medium and firm mean different things to different people, so describe what you want. "Firm on my back, lighter on my legs" is a clear request. So is "first massage, please start gently."
A body massage runs from light Swedish to deep tissue, and both are the same price, so the only question is what feels right to you. Here is how Swedish and deep tissue differ.
Change it at any time
Pressure is never locked in. Say lighter or more at any point and it changes. If you are holding your breath or bracing, it is too much.
In the Zen Flow™ method, pressure deepens as you breathe out, because slow pressure on an exhale tends to meet less guarding. That is how it reaches deep tissue depth without the bracing. Deeper is not automatically better; the right pressure reaches the tight spot while you can still breathe slowly.
Choose the areas with Target
When you book a body massage online, add Target under Massage Styles. Choose up to three areas, such as neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, calves or feet, and only those areas are worked.
Would you rather keep the full body and spend extra time on one area? Book 90 minutes, which leaves time to stay longer where you are tightest, and tell the desk which area matters most. For one smaller area, 45 minutes suits focused work.
For very deep pressure: Ashiatsu
If deep tissue by hand never feels like enough, look at Ashiatsu, also under Massage Styles. Your therapist works your back and legs with their feet, for very deep, even pressure. The weight spreads over a broad surface, so it can feel deep without feeling sharp.
Other things you can ask for
Areas to skip, such as your feet, your face or a recent injury.
A male or female therapist. Put it in the notes field at the end of booking, or tell the front desk, and we match it whenever staffing allows.
Less talking, or none at all.
A change if you feel too warm or too cold.
From Dr. Nick
Your therapist cannot feel what you feel. The clearer you are about pressure and where it hurts, the better the session gets, and nobody here minds being told.
Common questions
Will my therapist mind if I ask for less pressure?
No. Adjusting pressure is part of the job, and it is expected. You never have to explain why.
Can I get deep pressure on my back and light pressure on my legs?
Yes. Say so before you start, or when the work moves to your legs.
What if I do not know what pressure I like?
Start at medium. Your therapist will check in, and you can go deeper or lighter from there.
Can I ask for this on a foot massage too?
Yes. A foot massage is done at the pressure you ask for, and you can change it at any point.
Book your massage
Serenity Zen has studios in West Covina and Diamond Bar. Open daily, 10 AM to 9 PM.