meet nick (nonny)
With a decade of experience in massage, yoga and helping bodies feel better, you're in good hands here.
Massage Styles and Approach
Massage therapy can be helpful for a wide variety of aches, pains and conditions. Nonny's hands' style is different from most, yet oh so effective.
about
I was introduced to Thai massage in 2015 through a yoga teacher who noticed that i have intuitive hands. She set up a short lesson Nanda Nanthi, who would become my first Thai bodywork teacher.With that bit of knowledge and a book, i set off trying techniques on friends and family, relieving their aches and pains. I didn't realize how powerful the practice was until traveling in Nepal where i was working with an earthquake response team. A team member was put out of work for a few days due to "tennis elbow" and was about to be sent home due to his injury. I tried a few simple Thai massage techniques, and the next morning, he was up and working with no complaints.
That pattern played out a few times, where i was astounded by the progress people could experience: one friend with severe back pain from a surfing injury no longer needed muscle relaxers after a 2 hour session; another friend with hip issues released both the physical and emotional trauma build up there; again and again I saw that these profoundly simple, elegant, ingenious techniques work.
In 2017, I decided to pursue my practice by studying with Syam Vallabhi Devi Dasi at the Yogendra Ashram in Cali, Colombia where I completed bilingual courses in both Thai massage and yoga instruction. I returned to Miami, and studied with Nanda Nathi for the following 18 months where I learned to incorporate active movement, acroyoga and four-handed Thai into my practice.In 2024, I finally decided to earn my Massage Therapy license and attended the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy where I began adding elements of neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, sports massage, table massage and more into my blended practice.
As I work, learn and grow, I'm especially interested in where various traditional and conventional approaches meet, overlap and diverge in relation with massage therapy. I thrive on curiousity. Like, can we understand the energetical eddies of chakras through some kind of polyvagal theory? What exactly is going on with craniosacral flow and to what extent can one manually affect it through various techniques? Can I use sound to untangle some of these physical "knots", like some kind of human ultrasound?As a massage therapist, i show up with the mentality that the client and i are two incredibly intelligent systems with the shared goal of relieving suffering and embodying our most whole self. I listen, make suggestions, apply research and intuition, respond to feedback and stay as present as i can with the person on my mat. If this unique, collaborative approach to massage resonates with you, schedule a session soon[today?]!
massage styles and approach
There are so many approaches to and benefits from massage therapy. I incorporate various styles and techniques into sessions. Instead of scheduling an appointment that focuses on one approach, our sessions will balance the skill sets that I have to offer in order to achieve the best outcome for you.Here are some of the styles and outcomes that I specialize in:
thai-style massage
Thai massage has been developed over thousands of years since its founder, Dr. Jīvaka Komārabhacca brought it to Southeast Asia from the Indian subcontinent ~500 BCE. Dr. Jīvaka was the Buddha’s doctor, and Buddhism’s principles—compassion, mindfulness, non-attachment, etc.—are central to the practice. Additionally, Thai massage draws deeply from physical movement and positions from Yogic practices. Some people call even call it “assisted yoga,” which is not untrue, but also a serious understatement.In addition to the wide array of stretches, massage in Thailand can also include herbal compresses, skin scrubs, the use of various massage tools, oil massages, acupressure, chiropractic-like skeletal adjustments, protective/magical tattooing, and much much more.For more information on the tradition of Thai bodywork, see the FAQ section where there’s a list of compiled resources on the subject.
relaxation
Allow yourself to sink into the mat and leave the rest of the world at the door. Different folx need different approaches to calm them, but often these sessions will focus on the head, neck and shoulders where so many of us put so much stress.
myofascial release
From "Anatomy Trains" ©2001
Thai medicine's Sib Sen or primary channels
Myofascial lines or sen are the connective channels that hold our bodies together. These channels where our nerves, blood, and energy flow need to be balanced and open for well-being and health. By addressing the whole body, and not just the spot that hurts, we’ll bring you back into alignment and health.
injury and trauma recovery
Massage therapy can help people recover from and manage various health conditions. It is an especially powerful tool when used in conjunction with other forms of medical treatment from your PCP to physical therapist to your psychotherapist. I’m happy to work as a team with your other healthcare providers to bring you the best outcome possible.
sports and performance optimization
Whether you’re running marathons, dancing all night or looking to feel more alive in your day-to-day, nonny’s hands can help you feel and perform better.
accupressure
Many people require “deep” pressure for tight spots to feel better. My acupressure treatment is informed by both Marma Therapy (Ayurvedic, Indian massage) and Trigger Point Therapy. By working both deeply and precisely, we can work to untie the deepest of knots, and restore the body’s healthy flow of energy.
scar release and reduction
Scars may seem like a surface-level problem, but they often reach down through deeper tissues causing restriction, blockages, and pain. Massage therapy has the ability to help reduce scar size and tightness helping you to heal from injuries or surgeries that have left your body scarred.
tablework
Although working on a mat is the style I specialize in, sometimes there are situations where working from a massage table is preferable, for example, if a client has difficulty getting down onto or up from the ground. If that’s the case, no problem! We can happily work around what’s best for you.
Corporate events and private parties
Interested in hosting a massage event at your place of work or party? Reach out! Nonny’s hands massage for public events will most likely include a lot of seated massage (similar to chair massage) that can relieve that shoulder and neck tension that so often comes with office work.
pricing and booking
If you book online, you’ll see that prices are listed at the highest end of my sliding scale. To accommodate my billing services and the Noterro clinic portal—which does not have a sliding scale option—a discount will be applied to your session pricing once we agree on a fair price based on your resources using the Green Bottle model of pricing you see below. Feel free to reach out by email if you have questions or want to discuss pricing before our session.
All services are billed at the same rate regardless of technique or style.
I highly encourage clients to consider buying “packs” of massages, and I offer 5-packs and 12-packs of various lengths of services. There are two main benefits to paying for massages this way:
1. Massages are discounted—10% for 5-packs and 20% for 12-packs2. Clients can really feel the outcomes of treatment. A massage here and there is great, but if a client has health goals that we are striving towards, using massage continually in a sequence will be much more effective than sporadic treatments.
Payment plans are available for clients to pay in for packs in halves or quarter payments.I am available for on-call or on-location services. These services will be provided with a surcharge for travel and set up time based on your distance from me. However this on-call surcharge is flexible based on clients’ mobility and accessibility needs, as my home office requires the ability to climb stairs.
FAQs
My grandma, whose loving hands I hope to channel in this work, along with my teachers' and their teachers, Dr. Jivaka, and all the ancestors who placed hands on each other to not hurt but to heal.
- That’s a big subject there! I’d suggest these resources to get you started on the deep cultural richness of Thai massage:
- “Seven Peppercorns” and the Naga Center—one of the best Thai massage centers state-side
- Encyclopedia of Thai Massage: A Complete Guide to Traditional Thai Massage Therapy and Acupressure An explanation of the Sen by Sally Underwood
- Info from the Thailand Foundation
- Encyclopedia of Thai Massage: A Complete Guide to Traditional Thai Massage Therapy and Acupressure An explanation of the Sen by Sally Underwood That being said, Traditional Thai Massage, is an ancient form of bodywork that has been practiced for millenia in conjunction with other forms of medicine in Thailand. Most lineages of massage trace their origin to Dr. Jīvaka Komārabhacca, the father of Thai medicine and one of the sages who brought Buddhism to Southeast Asia. As an indigenous, folk practice, this medical art developed in conjunction with herbalism, nutrition, and surgery (yup, ancient surgery!)
- Thai massage is informed by both Ayurvedic [Indian] and Chinese medicine theory including acupoint pressure, “meridian” or, in Thai “sen” energy pathways, a distinct Thai elemental understanding of human bodies and the environment, and the multiplicity of interactions from the spiritual to the mundane that can cause pain, disease and suffering in the human system.
- I call my style of massage “matwork” because it’s not entirely Thai. It’s informed by a small slice of the richness of that ancient tradition which I have gained from my teachers combined with some distinctly contemporary styles of massage and my own understanding of the body through over a decade of yoga and bodywork practices.
I love working on a mat. I feel the lower level of positioning helps both me and the recipient stay more grounded. My mat is a magical, cozy queen-size futon with lots of room to roll into twists and other positions. I use various pillows and bolsters to keep clients in the ideal positions for the work we're doing, while I am also well aligned and in steady positions. I find that many of these positions simply aren't available in table work. Additionally, the mat allows me to use all of my body in massage — all of my weight, leverage and limbs can be utilized to make techniques more powerful than anything I could achieve without standing up on the table (which I'm known to do from time to time).
- You and I will spend ~15 minutes our first session doing a thorough intake. We'll start to understand the reasons you're there and set concrete goals for the session(s).
- All of my sessions center a focus on your breath, and we'll use the rhythm of your breath to synchronize bodywork techniques with your mind and body.
- Aside from that, Thai and my style of massage often includes a lot of compression on the body; rocking and vibrating; tapping, batting and thwacking tighter areas; passive and active movement; acupressure; herbal oils for skincare; scrubs; and more!
- You and I will spend ~15 minutes our first session doing a thorough intake. We'll start to understand the reasons you're there and set concrete goals for the session(s).
- Yep. For the most part. I may ask you to shift or remove a piece of clothing to treat the local skin with herbs, compresses, or oil, but for the most part, we can do massage with all your clothes on. Please wear loose-fitting, flexible clothing which will work best with the various movements a session may include.
- If that’s what technique seems appropriate. Some people love the pressure that using my feet allows. Some people do not need anywhere near that much pressure. However, with your consent, I’ll likely use all four of my limbs and various parts of my body during the session including elbows, knees, knuckles, etc.
- Maybe. And if so, in the good way. Some bodies respond well to pointed pressure and intense contact while others respond to a gentler, subtle touch. I’ll work with you and your body in ways that feel safe and effective to reach the goals that we set together. Usually, I will aim to leave you in a peaceful, easeful state by the end of our time together. Usually, I will aim to leave you in a peaceful, easeful state by the end of our time together.
- That depends on your goals and situation, but usually we find that some consistency to treatment is more effective than coming in sporadically. Coming in weekly or biweekly for a serious condition can help you see quick and lasting improvement whereas coming in every three, four or six weeks can help manage more chronic conditions.
- Yes. Full stop. No matter who you are, you are welcome and deserve Respect, Understanding, Compassion and Love on my mat. I am a middle-aged, queer, neurodivergent, white male, yet i have worked with all types of folx of different ages, genders, nervous systems, ethnicities and sexes. Part of the reason i love mat-style massage is because it’s clothes on as the default, so folx can feel safer. and I would be honored to help as part of your integrated physical and mental health team.
- Yes…and no. My work can certainly work deeply into your tissues through pressure, stretches, and patience, but this style of deep work will most likely not be the same as what you may have received at the spa or other massage studios.
- Yes. In cases where clients have limited mobility or difficulty getting down onto or up from a mat, sessions may be on a massage table or bench. Additionally, some techniques work better on a table. I endeavor to make my bodywork as flexible and accessible as possible.
- Gratuity is always welcome, but not always expected. See the pricing section for more details on billing policy and philosophy.
- …
- Although I take your well-being seriously, I usually keep sessions light-hearted while holding space for whatever challenging emotions may be released through our work. Come as you are, and we’ll try and bring my most authentic self as well.