Still Life Massage and Float — Local services in Bellingham

I went here for my 26th birthday and had one of the best 60 minute massages of my life with Spencer, a recently licensed massage practitioner with AMAZING talent, and thoughtful intention. My partner also received a massage and said the same thing of her experience at Still Life.

Details: I carry a lot of tension in my back (all of it), glutes (so tense), and neck (so stiff). I normally receive a firm, consistent therapeutic massage with some relatively light Myofascial work. This massage was not that, and it’s because I asked for something different. I was feeling picky, and it was my birthday after all, so I asked Spencer for some work on my glutes which is an area of my body I always feel a little awkward about when I’m lying face-down on the massage table.

Spencer’s communication was so stellar. I was blown away by his ability to talk the medical/science details and address the stiffness and tension in my body at the same time. Spencer told me that if I’m feeling tension in my glutes, we should probably work on my hip flexors on the side and in the front. Working on that area sounded tender and awkward (more so than asking for glute work), but I’m so happy he suggested it because I never would have asked for that in the first place. Now, after this massage with Spencer, I have a fundamentally different perspective on massage.

Why? (Content Warning: Some TMI ahead.)

1. The change in my stiffness, tension, and pain was the most significant I have ever felt after just 60 minutes of work.

2. Spencer explained abdominal massage in a way that made so much sense to me. I have often felt emotional, ticklish, awkward, and uncomfortable when it comes to touch on the front of my body (on or off the massage table). Spencer communicated very matter-of-fact that humans carry trauma in their hip flexors (i.e. because of the fetal position), and experiencing emotion and/or trauma is often part of resetting the muscles there. He was clear that if we needed to stop, change the area we were working on, or take time for my emotions that we could do that. This kind of work takes a lot of trust for me, and Spencer helped build that trust in our dialogue.

(Sometimes I want to not talk during a massage, and I always become a tad bit anxious when I’m trying to decide if I want to talk to my LMP. I like Spencer, and I’ll talk to him when i see him again, but I’m fairly confident he would respect anyone’s request to have work done with less chat- he’s a very straight forward, and interesting person.)

TMI portion 3) I didn’t realize how much tension was in my hip flexors. I’m pretty young, but I’ve always had a little trouble using the restroom for BMs (really have to concentrate my efforts). I didn’t know that I was having trouble, though, until after my massage with Spencer. The work he did in my hip flexor area released what must have been a very long-lasting tension in the muscles I use to go to the bathroom. 18 hours later, and I’ve had 3 BMs that required SIGNIFICANTLY less effort than ever before. Moreover, I feel more relaxed after using the restroom as opposed to feeling like I just finished a 3-minute workout.

Like I said- best 60 minute massage of my life. 10/10,...

This is by far the best float tank experience I've had, and I have experienced a few different float tanks in the region. The staff is courteous, informative, and present an overall feelin of calm. The cleanliness of the entire establishment is top-notch. Provided in each room is a shower, disposable ear plugs, make-up remover, and petroleum jelly so that the salt doesn't burn if you have a small cut or hang-nail on your skin. A bathroom with a hairdryer is located just down the hall and when you exit the float tank, you have a full view of the boats in the marina.

During pre-pandemic times, customers are encouraged to have water and tea and sit as long as they wish in the quiet little area near the rooms. Since the pandemic, this option is not available. However, they have taken every single safety precaution. The staff all wears masks, and they wear them correctly. Guests are spaced apart in time and are asked not to come in until five minutes before the appointment time. Then, all guests wear a mask. Only when you are alone in the float room do you take the mask off. Between guests, the rooms are clearly cleaned and sanitized. The float tank itself begins a clear cleaning cycle before you are even fully showered and dressed to leave. That cycle takes between 30-40 minutes, so any concern of aerosols in the air from a previous guest is abated. I frequent very few places for anything beyond necessities, as I know people who are immunocompromised and I can't imagine getting sick and passing it on to them. In this situation, I felt 100% safe.

The float experience itself is one of pure relaxation. You are in your own room with an interior lock. Lights turn on and off via motion detection, so once you are in the pod, you are in gentle darkness. For those who are claustrophobic, you can leave the pod slightly open or close it completely for the full experience. Inside the pod, there is a light that you can turn on or off with a button. There is also a button on the other side for help.

The first few minutes of the float, there are calming music and natures sounds. Soon after, you are left with only your own breathing, thoughts, and heartbeat. It sounds crazy, but I fall asleep floating every time. It is a relaxation I can't explain. If I could float every day, I would. It helps me to regain a center within myself. It also helps with my headaches, neck pain, and back pain. As a bonus, you will leave with incredibly soft skin. When the time is nearly over, the same soft music from the first few minutes will begin to play. That is your cue that your session is nearly over. I appreciate that cue, as other places I've been do not have such soft transitions.

Thank you, Still Life Massage and Float, for having the best float experience...

Y'all. This place is amazing.

I needed to squish in as many appointments as I could in a few weeks in order to maximize medical benefits with my insurance. In six weeks I managed to receive eleven massages from five different massage therapists.

Everyone who was at the front desk was attentive, polite, professional, and warm. Everyone. Even the owners put in time at the front desk. The facility is clean, with clear attention to detail. It feels like there is good energy in the place, especially since the staff all seem to enjoy each other. The temperature was always comfortable, water and hot tea was always available.

Each of the three massage rooms are relaxing - two have an abundance of natural light, and one feels like a warm, safe, dimly lit cave (I actually think I liked that one best). The massage table is heated, the linens are all crisp, clean, and snuggly. The music each therapist chose was varied while not being too loud.

All five of the therapists from whom I received massages were excellent. Seriously excellent. Two used cupping (whoa, never done that before!), one had huge hands and utilized natural strength, two were particularly intent to listen to my body and tried some techniques that were totally interesting and new to me. Each person was kind, skilled, genuinely present, professional, thoughtful, and intent on helping to bring healing to my neck and shoulder (the area that needed the medical massage). Four of the five entered into dialogue during the massage, and they were very enjoyable to talk with. I learned a lot. And, after the eleven weeks, not only am I better, but I'm so glad to have learned of Still Life Massage. My soul feels like it received considerate, skilled, and kind attention.

Many thanks...