Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Wolfson Andrea Sitta
Mandy Wolfson, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thanks for having me. I’m a massage therapist here in Austin. Along with fellow massage therapist Andrea Sitta, we own Austin Ashiatsu, a massage therapy studio in east Austin that specializes in ashiatsu massage. We are both long time ashiatsu practitioners, with decades of combined experience. Ashiatsu is a style of massage that uses the practitioners feet instead of hands to perform massage. We are the only studio in Austin that offers exclusively ashiatsu massage. We hear from our clients everyday that they will never go back to a traditional massage after receiving a session at Austin Ashiatsu. I’ll talk more about what makes our technique so special later. Andrea and I both worked together for over a decade at Austin Ashiatsu before taking over as owners in 2021. Our small studio is a really special place.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges we as owners face is finding and training the right massage therapists to maintain a dedicated staff. It’s of utmost importance to us that every therapist we bring on board can provide the high quality level of service our clients are used to receiving at Austin Ashiatsu. We offer an accredited in-house comprehensive training program and mentorship to potential employees. Not only do we offer the highest quality massage, we’re dedicated to sharing our unique approach!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Our approach includes a blend of deep tissue techniques performed with the therapist’s well-trained feet. You can expect long intentional strokes along the muscle fibers following the entire length of the musculature. The broad pressure of the foot can cover a larger surface area than a pair of hands, thereby accessing an entire muscle group at one time. Your muscles are essentially being ironed out. The bars above each of our massage tables are securely fastened to the ceiling, providing the support the practitioner needs to assure a smooth and even pressure. Combined with our dedication to listening and being present with our clients to determine their unique goals for the session, the results we can achieve using our feet are outstanding. We also offer a diverse array of add-on treatments: Chinese cupping therapy, chakra balancing, stretching and sound journeys. We’ve been honing our unique approach for over 15 years.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
In a lot of ways, Austin Ashiatsu as it is today was born when we were able to re-open after the shut down. The former owner decided it was time for her to move on to the next chapter of her life and we leaped at the chance to take full ownership shortly after. With so many things uncertain, it was a very challenging time for any business but we soon discovered our clients wanted to get back to life and self-care. Like everyone during that time we struggled to make the most ethical choices for our staff and our clients, to create a safe space for healing during a very uncertain time. We’re extremely grateful that the service we offered was deeply in demand and our business thrived. One thing is clear- the world needs high quality massage therapy and we are proud and honored to provide our Austin community with the best!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austinashiatsu.com
