This article is taking a little side step away from the “Massage and Health” category to the BIG QUESTION. This is what people always want to know, the most frequently asked question!

People always laugh when they see this question in the FAQs part of my website SomaOnEast.com . But it is a serious question. I can completely understand the fear some people have about getting naked and getting a massage. So let me answer that right here and now. No, you don’t..

However (you knew there would be a however) if you do “get naked”, you will be covered by a sheet. I will only expose the area I am working on and never will expose any “private” areas.

If you are comfortable enough to remove your underwear I will work directly over your glutes, the fleshy part of your buttocks, one of the largest muscles in the human body.

If you are not comfortable removing your underwear, don’t stress. 50% of the time people aren’t comfortable with it. I will still work the area, just over the sheet.

About 2% of the time people don’t take any of their clothes off. This is fine, if thats what you are comfortable with, however I will need to cut your massage short because I get friction burns on my hands from rubbing over fabric. Try it, rub your hand over the fabric of your pants a few times, it starts to heat up doesn’t it. Now try it for 60 minutes. Uh huh. Not fun.

If you are really freaked out by removing any of your clothing at all, you have a couple of options. You can either wear a bathing suit to the massage (this makes some people feel more comfortable) or you can wear a tank top and shorts.

More interesting massage “etiquette” facts and tips you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask. A few times clients have said to me “I skipped showering this morning knowing I would get all oily anyway” and though I am sure you are clean, it sounds kind of gross. It is greatly appreciated if you shower prior to your massage. Not only does it help the oil glide better over clean skin it also just seems less unsavory for the therapist. If you aren’t going to shower (yuck!) please don’t tell me about it.

Men with lots of hair have a difficult time receiving massage because the oil just wont glide over it properly causing the hair to pull and be painful. If you have a lot of body hair, here is a great tip. When you shower before coming in, after you have washed use some conditioner over the hair and then rinse it off. The hair stays soft and makes it much more comfortable for you to receive a massage. If you posess more than an average amount of hair, running a pair of trimmmers through it helps too. You don’t need to shave it, just trim it down some. Areas to focus on would be the shoulders and the upper back. Don’t worry too much about the legs and arms. If you would like chest work that is more than just a little compression over the sheets trim there too.

“I really don’t want a sheet over me” I am so sorry, but this just isn’t allowed in New York State. And no, I don’t do “body shampoos” “tantric massage” “colonics” “happy endings” or anything else on that keel. If you are looking for that try looking in the personals section of the local paper! Phew, after 10 years of fielding these questions you start to get a little perturbed by it, know what I mean?!

Women often ask “Should I put my hair up?” Sometimes this is helpful, especially when I am working on your back, just to get the hair out of the way so it doesn’t catch when I work on your shoulders and upper back but it really isn’t absolutely necessary.

“Can I bring my own music?” I love when people bring intheir own CD’s. I will even set them up on my computer with your name in the ITunes category list so I will always have it ready to play for you. So yes, feel free to bring in anything you want. It doesn’t just have to be “nature” music or relaxation music either. I have clients bring everything from Sinatra to Dave Matthews to Wolves in Yellowstone. The music does not have to please me, but it should be pleasing to you! I am only able to play CD’s, so please no cassettes.

Well, thats the etiquette lesson! I hope it has answered some questions for you. If you have something that you would like addressed please let me know.