Shine Sparrow Massage

Ritz does a great job! I hope you are ready for full relaxation because that is what you will experience! The massage I received from another «professional» was terrible! Then going to Shine Sparrow it was night and day! It was amazingly relaxing!

My girlfriend and I had been talking about getting massages for quite a while. I was referred to Ritz at Shine Sparrow Massage by a friend, and I asked her if she could do a couples massage. My request was on a Wednesday for an appointment that weekend. She was super accommodating with her schedule, and ended up blocking out a Saturday evening for us. She gave us massages individually, and even gave us helpful tips on what to do while we were each occupied with our massages.
We both had previous hangups about massages. My girlfriend was concerned about a massage being too intense, as she had some previous experiences with deep tissue practicioners that resulted in a few days of intense pain for her. I was concerned because most of the massages I have had previously were relaxing and all, but didn’t really address the tension issues I have dealt with in my neck, shoulders and lower back.
Ritz was super patient with me, and took the time before the massage to really talk through what my expectations were, what needs I had for the massage, and while she was performing the massage (which was literally the best massage I’ve ever had in my life) she made sure to talk me through some of what she was doing and reminding me to breathe through all of it. On top of all that, she created an incredibly relaxing and warm environment.
I was still unsure of what my girlfriend would think of her massage, I had gone first and when I came out my girlfriend commented that I looked «absolutely zenned out» (which I definitely was in the best way possible). After my girlfriend was finished, we were walking to the car and I asked her what she thought, and without skipping a beat she said, «That was seriously hands down the best massage I’ve ever had in my life, I feel like I’m floating on air right now.»
So, thank you Ritz, not just for the amazing job you did massaging us, but also for creating an incredibly warm environment that fostered a very successful date night for this couple. I will highly recommend you to all of my stressed out friends! Haha!

I got a 60 minute prenatal massage from Ritz, and it was heavenly! She was so warm and welcoming and made me feel totally comfortable. She asked what I was looking to achieve through the massage, and planned our time accordingly. She played soothing background music and had a candle lit– very relaxing environment! I will probably go back soon for a post-​natal massage!

I took myself for ashiatsu massage a few months ago at Shine Sparrow. That involves a pretty standard massage experience, except that pressure is mostly applied by the therapist’s feet! Ritz’s training was obviously amazing, and the strength of her toes as they curl into the knots on your back is better than any fingers I have ever had work on my stress. The studio engenders serenity, and the price is no-​nonsense. If you’re looking for a treat for yourself or a loved one, Shine Sparrow will help get your mmmmmmm on!

Ritz does fabulous work! Ashiatsu (Sp?) message is her specialty, but if you are extra tender somewhere and cannot handle the sort of extra pressure that may occur from that style then she will work with her hands as well.
Reason I originally went:
I have had shoulder issues for years, probably half my life now, originally due to long distance swimming. I see her once a month and she knows just what needs to be done to help me gain mobility back. If I could see her every week I would. I’d probably be lifting more if I did see her that often.
Reasons I keep coming back:
Not only because she is still the best I’ve ever found, she and I are now friends. Ritz is the sort of person that will meet you where you are at. What I mean by that is, if you have had a rough day/​week/​month and just want soothing music and to fall asleep while being taken care of Ritz will absolutely do that. She does not feel awkward being quiet for you and if you request quiet and begin to speak she will remind you of your earlier request and ask if you changed your mind and want to talk. She respects your wishes and helps you immediately relax. And if you want to have fun and joke around with loud music on, she can rock that vibe, too.
…
She meets you where you are at.
Bonus:
She rescued puppy, a medium sized black scruff muffin of adorableness, that sometimes comes with her. She plans on training it for therapy once it is old enough. If you love dogs, then you get the added treat of snuggles and kisses. If you are not a fan, no worries, let her know, she won’t bring her. (The owner of the building Ritz works in also has a bulldog. Just an FYI dog lovers, you could have 2 opportunities for puppy love.)
I hope you visit Ritz at least once. She is well worth the trip in every way.

The girl has magic hands, that’s it… end of story… you need not see another massage therapist as long as you live… Ritz is the bomb and can heal what ails you. But for real, go see her… she’s great!

Anytime someone tells me that something is ‘the best’ I’m immediately suspicious, but I can say with confidence that the friends who referred me to Ritz were absolutely spot on. From the moment I walked in the door I felt like Ritz made me feel at home. She listened and genuinely cared about my aches and pains. She took everything I had to say about my needs into consideration. Ritz intuitively knew exactly how much pressure was needed and how much work I could endure on each specific area. It’s hard to explain, but her technique is as much a work of art on your body as it is on your soul. I’m grateful to have found her, and I’ll be back.

I’ve been seeing Ritz for the last few months and I LOVE her massages. She’s really good at her craft and always seems to find my problem muscles in my back, even the ones I don’t know are there. She’s very welcoming and moderately priced. I look forward to more massages!

Was traveling in Austin and needed a massage. Between rough flights and camping– my body was a wreck.
Through the help of Unilocal– I located Ritz. A quick few emails and we booked a session. Probably the best decision I made all week in Austin (but no reason to digress…)
Despite it being our first and only session, she was able to adapt to my needs and the session was great. I left relaxed, refreshed and after lots of water later that day, I woke up without any aches the flowing day.
Having hired many massage therapists over the years, she was the best. Professional, comfortable environment and adaptable. Feel free to move to Cincinnati!

Two weeks before my last massage with Ritz in her fabulous Austin location my husband tried to give me an at home massage. I quickly responded, «You cannot Ritz me!» He wasn’t surprised by my comment after the glow I wore after my first massage with her, but he hadn’t experienced «Getting Rit’z» for himself. I was on a mission to change that. We traveled in June to Austin where we booked both of us a massage with her. Can I just say that what she does is holy? I mean, Ritz is a quality professional with high standards and she cares deeply for the healthy well being of her clients. My husband was so impressed by her style of massage and can now say, «I’ve been Ritz’d.» I have never been massaged in a way that I let go of all my tension. Ritz gives her clients permission to do just that. My husband and I will forever be her clients.

I have never experienced anything like a massage from Maritza. Her touch was calming and soothing as she worked out parts of my body that I hadn’t realized needed relaxing. She found where I was carrying all my tension, stress, and shame — and she released it all. I would fly across the country just to get another and another and another massage from Maritza Valle.

I had an amazing session with Maritza. So much better than going to a really expensive spa. She was very accommodating, especially last minute since I was in town on vacation. It was the first time I have ever received a personal massage and it was definitely an awesome experience. Outside of the quality of the massage, she was an awesome person to talk to. Great taste in movies! Also I realized I’ve used the word awesome a lot… I promise I’m a better writer… let’s look at the thesarus… alarming…astonishing…awe-inspiring…awful…why is awful on here… dreadfull…okay
is drunk. Maritiza was simply amazing.

Want a fantastic therapeutic massage? Ritz is your girl. I started going to her almost a year ago and now I’m not sure how I managed before. She is fantastic and recently started doing ashiatsu massage. If you’ve never had this type of massage, you’re missing out.

There are some people who simply transcend the role that you try and neatly fit them into. Ritz is the epitome of that sentiment.
She a consummate professional and an accomplished masseuse. Unlike other massages I have received, there was no moment of awkwardness to try and push through. Ritz is the longtime best friend that you just met.
I booked her for 30 minutes, and cannot express how relaxed I felt after our session. I took 3 naps, people!
Ritz has magic hands… and feet!

I’ve been getting massages about an average of every other month for 4 years due to my lifestyle of running and climbing excessively. I look at it as medicinal more than relaxation and when I see a therapist I want someone who knows how to fix me. Ritz is just that. She has the perfect blend of soothing soul and personality but with thumbs and elbows that can make you see white. She knows her stuff and is attentive. I wouldn’t see any other therapist in Austin.

Ritz is literally the best massage therapist I’ve ever seen. I come in with my back and hamstrings in a hot tangled mess and leave feeling like I’ve been made new. I wasn’t even aware of how much tension I had until the pain was GONE. Wanna have the best day ever? Schedule a massage with her and then go home and take a nap. You will wake up feeling immortal and ready to take on the world.

I haven’t had a lot of massages in my life, but this is by far the BEST ever and I look forward to going back. I felt like more tension was released in the hour I was there than I knew I had. She’s definitely worth every single cent you pay her and more!