Inner Rhythms Massage & Bodywork

I am so happy to have found such an amazing healer. My relationship to receiving healing has definitely been changed since beginning sessions with Mathieu. Words can’t really do justice to the way he puts dedication, passion, professionalism, listening, sharing, giving, teaching, and healing to practice. His sessions are not only friendly and nurturing, they often also include some shared knowledge at the beginning and end that inspires self-​motivated practice at home.

Mathieu is a magician! He’s super knowledgable, a wonderfully present listener, very effective, and gives great tips to keep muscle problems at bay when you go back home. I greatly recommend him to anyone who has any issue with pain or who just wants a great massage!

Mathieu is gifted. I always feel like my massage begins within the first moments I see him. That’s because his very calm and deeply present demeanor starts working on me even before I get on the table.
I respect Mathieu’s attuned intuitive approach, his knowledge of the body, his generous sharing of knowledge, and how his work extends beyond the physical to the energetic. It is clear that healing is his path. I am grateful for his ability, and recommend him without reserve.

I have studied massage and am very sensitive to touch. Mathieu is a cut above the rest. He brings a wonderful presence to his client’s massage and you can really feel the difference. He is THERE, His hands are in tune with your body’s needs and his touch is sensitive. I leave feeling relaxed, nurtured and satisfied.

I have received bodywork from dozens of Esalen and deep bodywork practitioners, on the Esalen crew and in the Bay Area. I can say with confidence that Mathieu’s massage is one of the very best, affording deep relaxation and lasting therapeutic benefits. The session felt like a seamlessly integrated dance; an artful combination of Esalen long strokes, deep bodywork, and lengthening stretches. I was also impressed by his vast knowledge of the body and technical precision — he was able to pinpoint and relax muscles in my neck, shoulders, and hips that I wasn’t even aware were so tight.
In addition, Mathieu took the time to do a full intake, actively listening and asking follow up questions. I normally book with female therapists only, but I felt very safe and comfortable with him. After our session, he took the time to discuss what he noticed in our session and suggest exercises that specifically targeted my trouble spots. I normally feel rushed in and out of my massage session — Mathieu’s thorough and attentive counsel was a refreshing departure from that feeling.
Days after the massage I feel lighter and more agile. I will definitely be booking another session and recommending him to all my friends and relatives.

Mathieu is a unicorn — his massages both feel incredible and create lasting change and pain relief in my body. I have multiple health issues and chronic pain and his body work offers me real relief. He has incredibly strong and trustworthy hands, as soon as they touch me I enter an altered state of consciousness and I leave each session with more ease of movement and less pain than when I came in and the impact lasts in a way that other body work I have experienced doesn’t. I also feel real loopy and tender all day.

Mathieu is a gifted healer, and I don’t use those words lightly. His touch is so trustworthy and kind, while using all the strength needed to bring pain relief and change. I’ve been to so, so many massage therapists over the years, and Mathieu is the first massage therapist who’s really gotten into my trapezius muscles in the way I need: deep, intense pressure, but with a gentle energy that keeps me open and receptive to the pressure. The long, soothing strokes of the Esalen style, combined with the strength and pressure needed to really get into my most serious knots, make Mathieu an incredible find in the sea of Bay Area massage therapists. He’s just the best.

I’ve had several massage sessions from Mathieu and all were excellent!
He combines the anatomical precision of contacting the knot, perfect pressure and soothing integrative long strokes. My body felt so much better after each session!
Planing restful time after your session might be a good idea. I felt loopy (which is a good sign) and really wanted to be quiet in my own world.

Matthew is totally dedicated to his craft, and truly embodies what it is to be a healer. A rare find.

After our last massage, Mathieu commented that healing is an art. It is all the physical stuff but it’s also creative. It was a fitting comment because I feel like Mathieu is an amazing technician when it comes to body work and also such a wonderfully curious, creative and in-​tune artist. Thank you Mathieu!
Do yourself a favor and book a massage with him today!!!

Mathieu has worked wonders on some chronic knee and shoulder injury. He knows how to look at long-​term healing and works to find the root cause of pain. He understands the body holistically. I appreciate the calm, healing space he cultivates.
I decided to experiment with a series of regular massage sessions instead of the one-​offs I usually schedule when pain become more acute. I have felt a distinct improvement – I’m definitely going to pursue regular massage as part of my health regiment.
Thanks Mathieu!

Mathieu is fantastic! Knowledgeable, intuitive, and gentle. Not only did I get a great massage that helped me significantly with a QL strain — he also gave me some great advice on stretching. I have referred friends as well and they always come back and thank me.

The first thing I said to Mathieu as I walked into the massage studio was, «I’m not really a massage person.»
And it’s true: over the years I’ve even declined opportunities to get free massages because I found myself bored and antsy. But recently it became a necessity as I started experiencing some nagging muscle pain as a reaction to this modern desk worker life so many of us live (ugh…all the sitting!).
What I was seeking was a healing touch, a thoughtful ear, and the guidance to make my pain go away. Thankfully, I found it with Mathieu.
Mathieu is a great listener and immediately sought to understand exactly what was ailing me and how his practice may be able to help. Beyond the massage that he customized to deal with my aches, he also educated me on the world of Somatic movement, and gave me some tools to start thinking more in my day to day about the way I stand, sit and move, and how over time those things are helping or hurting me.
I walked out of that first session feeling lighter and empowered to take my body back! I’ve since gone to 2 more sessions and plan to be a regular disciple because, quite frankly, it’s been working! I highly recommend him.

Phenomenal! After a stressful week of travel and meetings it was time to relax the body and spirit before heading back home. LIke so many of us in the 21^st century I carry a great deal of tension in my neck and shoulders. Mathieu is so grounded and focused that I was immediately put at ease. This experience is very far from that of a typical «spa» massage. Within minutes I felt the stress literally sliding away. Mathieu is truly gifted and combines both energy work, long, flowing movements and deep tissue work to create a unique experience allowing for tension to be released from muscles that are traditionally very difficult to access through massage alone. 75 minutes flew by and I felt like a new women. My energy feels more balanced and my muscles have managed to remain free of tension even after a long flight home.

There are few times I can remember when an hour and a half re-​centered my mind and body so completely. I booked my first appointment in hopes of settling some recent insomnia, but quickly recognized that Mathieu’s bodywork sessions contain much more than relaxation.
He’s deliberate and intentional with his approach and very clearly focused on the body’s responsiveness. He’s professional, attentive, and holds a calm demeanor during his sessions — all qualities that combine and translate into an amazing experience.
I walked away from the first (and just now a second) session thinking: «So THIS is what massage can do. THIS is what true bodywork feels like.»
Excited to continue working with him and would highly recommend his bodywork to anyone!
tldr: So much goodness! Many thumbs up :)

I met Mathieu by sheer luck during a very last minute day trip to Berkeley. It was the end of my work week at the hospital and I desperately needed a massage. As a nurse I am on my feet a lot for long periods of time, so I try to get massages as often as I can afford them. Truth be told, before I met Mathieu I wasn’t very consistent about my massages, and would often come up with excuses as to why I didn’t really NEED a massage.
After my first massage with Mathieu I was an instant convert. I live in Santa Rosa, almost an hour and a half north of Oakland, and I make sure to have an appointment at least once a month. I have enjoyed many massages in my life, but none can compare to the connection and skill experienced by Mathieu. This is an extremely talented person who has totally found his calling. I am so grateful to have him in my life. I look forward to every appointment and leave feeling more rested, grounded and connected. Thank you, Mathieu, for all that you do!

I got off work that evening, stressed as usual. I was so very eager to be relieved from my back-​shoulder pains with a back massage. I walked in as a first-​time client of Mathieu Robards. I should have known from his serene demeanor alone that I was going to receive so much more than just a massage.
Massage or bodywork? Massage. Bodywork. Massage. Bodywork. It soon became clear to me that bodywork with Mathieu takes on a whole different meaning. The experience goes beyond the physical because even before I had lain on the table, he was already at work with just his calm energy.
His work is remarkable, his work is smooth. You could sense his dedication to the art of bodywork from the session. To get the most effectiveness out of every stroke, he coaches you with breathing techniques. A lot of my aches and pains probably stem from the fact that I don’t breathe enough to get proper circulation going throughout my body. When I’m focused on tasks in front, I minimize all other movements and functions and redirect this energy to getting the task completed. Sometimes, I have to unfreeze myself and breathe. I’ll take it a step further by saying that this is also a reflection on how I live my life. I focus on making sure others are breathing, unknowingly neglecting my own. See, this is why I say that bodywork with Mathieu goes beyond the physical. That session was revelatory. Lol!
I’m grateful to Mathieu because he taught me how to breathe — silly as it may sound. But to me, this was very empowering because it reinforces the idea that I’m not dependent on someone else entirely to relieve me of my pains. Bodywork is a form of give and take. I’m an active participant towards my own healing. I can take steps — starting with breathing regularly — to easing my body from stress. I liked that a lot. I wouldn’t have realized this without his guidance.
I highly recommend Mathieu Robards for your own bodywork needs. Staying true to the art, he works with great care and leaves you with valuable advice to incorporate post-​session, which only optimizes all the effort put forth by him and you in the session.
Happy healing!

Mathieu is great. He has a really peaceful and calm demeanor and you can tell takes great care in his work and his clients. He is Esalen trained, which is my favorite type of massage, and he is really good at it. I can’t recommend him enough.

Mathieu does fantastic body-​work! I have many issues with my body (TMJ, Osteoporosis, scoliosis/​kyphosis, multiple neck injuries, I am a mess)…I have the utmost confidence in Mathieu’s work — his myo-​facia release is wonderful! Mathieu worked on my TMJ (my jaw would lock open) and I had relief for at least 2 – 3 weeks… yay!
I also work with computers — he helped with my neck, shoulders, arms/​hands — very therapeutic and relaxing. Fantastic hands… great read on the body to know which parts needed ‘help’!
Many times I fell asleep while on the table as he addressed the issues ‘knots’ that plague my body… such a relief!
Fantastic person to work with — body work along with great discussion (when I wanted to) or quiet (when I needed it). You have got to try Mathieu!!!
Shari N.

I am lucky enough to teach yoga at the wellness center at which Mathieu worked for over a year. I received many massages from Mathieu, and was consistently wowed by the quality of his bodywork, his presence, and his dedication to the craft. His touch is skillful, intuitive, fluid, and deeply calming. What’s more, he is wholeheartedly dedicated to practicing and living the healing arts, and brings that passion to his work. I have received innumerable massages over the years, and can say with total confidence that he is a rare talent!