Signature Session in Ede on the Veluwe

You decide. I always blend different massage styles together depending on your wishes and what your body needs. The main style depends on your preference: on the table with oil (ideal for deep tissue, sports massage and lomi lomi) or clothed on the mat (for dynamic Thai Yoga massage and shiatsu). Not sure what suits you? No worries, we'll talk it through together during the intake.

Not at all. You don't need to be religious or spiritual. My approach is practical and down to earth. It's simply a space for you to relax, reset and recharge, fully tuned to your needs and preferences. Sound healing works on the level of vibrations and your nervous system — no belief required.

The standard three-hour Signature Session is the perfect introduction for most people: two hours of massage followed by one hour of sound healing. It takes at least 45 minutes for your nervous system to truly settle, so those two hours of massage give your body the space to fully let go. Want to go deeper? At four hours I have room to work the full body thoroughly and address every problem area properly. Treatments up to six hours are available for those who really want to take their time. My pricing is structured so that a longer treatment works out better value per hour.

Give yourself a soft landing: keep the rest of the day free from heavy physical or mental activity. Drink plenty of water to support muscle recovery. My studio sits on the edge of the Veluwe, with endless forests and heathland just around the corner. I recommend combining your treatment with some time in nature. In summer I offer treatments on my balcony, and for mat treatments we can even head into the forest. Coming from far away? Consider staying overnight at a nearby holiday park, Airbnb or hotel.

It's the ultimate gift. A Signature Session is like a mini retreat for the soul, the perfect present for yourself or someone who's ready for some serious self-care. You can order a gift voucher through the website. The recipient picks a time that works for them.

A Signature Session lasts at least three hours and combines massage with sound healing, with reiki running through it. That means two things apply at once here: the points that concern the sound, and the list I use for all my massages.

For the sound part: it is not recommended with epilepsy, because in rare cases the vibrations can trigger a seizure. The same goes for a cochlear implant or serious hearing problems, and during the first three months of pregnancy. If you have a metal implant, let me know and I will not place singing bowls directly on that area.

For the massage part, the level of contraindication decides what is possible. There are four.

1. No contra-indication: everything in the session can go ahead as intended.

Osteoarthritis · Pelvic floor complaints and diastasis · Work-related overuse · Breastfeeding · Burnout and chronic stress · Fibromyalgia · Heel spur · HSP, ADHD and autism · Jaw tension and teeth grinding · Lower back pain · ME/CFS and long covid · Stomach and bowel complaints · Miscarriage and pregnancy loss · Neck pain and a stiff neck · Overworked muscles from sport · Menopause symptoms · Postpartum · Rheumatoid arthritis in remission · RSI and CANS · Scoliosis · Sleep problems and restless legs · Tension headache · Muscle soreness after training · Work-stress shoulders

2. Relative contra-indication: I shift pressure, position, duration or technique, and sometimes the emphasis towards the sound part.

Facial paralysis · Anxiety and panic · Asthma and COPD · Pelvic instability · Trapped nerve · Blood thinners · Carpal tunnel syndrome · Depression · Diabetes · Dizziness · Intermittent claudication · Frozen shoulder · Swollen lymph node · Herniated disc · High or low blood pressure · Hypermobility and EDS · Sciatica · IVF treatment · Cancer and aftercare · Caesarean section · Knee complaints · Groin injury · Lipoedema · Runner's knee · Lymphoedema · Menstruation, PMS and endometriosis · MS, Parkinson's, epilepsy, stroke · Kidney problems and dialysis · Nut allergy · Oedema · Oil allergy · Osteoporosis · Tendon irritation · Psoriasis in remission · Raynaud's · Thyroid complaints · Shin splints · Varicose veins · Lumbago · Strong painkillers · Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow · Tinnitus · Trauma and PTSD · Ankylosing spondylitis · Pregnancy

3. Local contra-indication: I leave that one area alone and the rest of the session carries on.

Acne, rosacea and folliculitis · Bursitis · Eczema · Sprained ankle · Gout · A lump or pain whose cause isn't known · Cold sore · Hives · An open wound or bruise · A local inflammation or inflamed joint · Recent fracture · A muscle tear or strain · Fresh tattoo, 4 to 6 weeks · Fresh piercing, until it has closed · Fresh scar · Athlete's foot and nail fungus · Molluscum contagiosum · Warts · Sunburn

4. General contra-indication: we move the session to another date.

Acute injury, the first few days · Acute psychosis · An acute situation that needs a doctor first · Phlebitis · Shingles · Heart condition, untreated or unstable · Concussion · A skin complaint of unknown cause · Fever, flu or covid · Impetigo · Lice · A migraine or cluster attack · A mole that is changing, growing, itching or bleeding · Under the influence of alcohol or drugs · An infected tattoo or piercing · Recent surgery · Ringworm · High-risk pregnancy without approval · Scabies · Strong painkillers that leave you drowsy or dizzy · Thrombosis or suspected thrombosis · Whiplash, the first few days · Erysipelas and cellulitis · A torn calf muscle, the first two weeks

Because the session is long, I would rather hear well in advance what is going on. The earlier I know, the more is possible within those three or four hours, and you will usually notice little of it during the treatment.

There's not much you need to do, and that's exactly the point. Come well rested if you can, and don't eat a heavy meal right beforehand, a full stomach works against you when you really want to let go. Drink a little extra water on the day. Most importantly: keep nothing demanding planned after the treatment, give yourself the room to enjoy the afterglow. Think about your intention for the day if you like, but don't worry about it. We'll talk it through together when you arrive.

It depends on the massage style we choose. If we work on the table with oil, for deep tissue, sports massage or lomi lomi, I work on bare skin and you can undress to whatever level feels comfortable for you. You're always properly covered with towels. If we choose the mat, for dynamic Thai Yoga massage or shiatsu, you stay clothed in loose, comfortable clothing you can move easily in. We'll discuss what feels best beforehand, you're always in control.

Very naturally, and that's the real strength of the Signature Session. After at least two hours of massage your body is already deeply relaxed and your nervous system has settled. That's exactly the moment I let the first sounds ring out. You don't have to do anything, no getting up, no switching gears. The Himalaya singing bowls and gong drums take over where my hands leave off. Because it all happens in one continuous treatment, you don't drop out of that deep state, you sink even further into it.

The Signature Session asks for time and surrender, at least three hours. If you're short on time or just want to quickly ease the worst tension out of your neck, a shorter, focused massage is a better choice. And if you have certain medical conditions, I ask you to check with me or your doctor first. But you absolutely don't need to be experienced with massage or sound healing. Many people choose the Signature Session as their very first proper moment for themselves.

Every Signature Session includes at least two free enhancements of your choice. Popular ones are relaxing magnesium oil for your muscles and aromatherapy to deepen the sensory experience, but there are plenty of other options. Not sure what suits you best? Then I'll choose something with you that matches what your body needs that day. We'll talk it through calmly during the intake.

They can, and that's completely normal. With long, deep bodywork and sound healing the body sometimes releases what the mind has held onto for a long time. Tears, a wave of relief or simply a deep sense of calm are all welcome. There's no right or wrong reaction. I create a safe space where everything is allowed, without judgement and without pressure. You don't need to force anything or explain anything.

A Signature Session needs at least three hours in my schedule, often more, so those slots are more limited than for a short massage. I recommend booking in good time, especially if you have a specific day or time in mind. You reserve easily through book.michalismassage.com. Unsure about the duration or how to fill it? Feel free to message me first and we'll work out together what suits you best.