MaiThai Massage and Bodywork

Excellent massage from Mai in a comfortable studio. Great location.

Exceptional massages by the most lovely person! I’ve been getting massages for the last 10 years and just discovered Mai about a year ago. She has the most incredible way of knowing exactly what muscles need the most attention and how long to stay in a place (something novice massage therapists can’t do!). She’s attentive to whatever I need that day, despite what I may or may not have signed up for (e.g., full body, deep tissue). She will fit me in last minute if I have a migraine that needs attending to. She’s appropriately and professionally warm with a matching therapeutic energy. Simply put, she’s the best out there!

Mai has phenomenal hands. I was recommended to her by my stepfather, who raved about her massages — and he was so right!!! I went to Mai because my neck and shoulders were all spasmed out — I had very little range of motion and was in constant pain. After the very first visit, she increased my range of motion 15– 20%. She is also such a sweet and interesting person, that you can’t help but talk to her during your massage! My only complaint is that it goes by too fast. I can’t recommend her highly enough.

Phenomenal massage. I went in the first time because of horrible back pain that was not allowing me to even move my arm up. Mai is awesome, friendly and super professional. Highly recommend her.

The best massage I’ve had in my life.
Mai is a well-​trained therapist with the unique ability to make you feel comfortable from day one. Her hands are magic; she soothed the many knots in my back (thank you, corporate America) over a single 90 minute session. Mai also has the ability to read one’s body pretty easily: She could tell, while I was fully dressed, where I held my stress. (Maybe I should consider looser clothing.) Mai then placed extra emphasis exactly where I needed it. The next day, I felt like a new man. In fact, over the course of 3 sessions, I’ve increased my range of motion and improved my sleep.
Mai offers a wide of array of massages. So far, I’ve done the deep tissue and traditional thai massage. The deep tissue was top-​notch: Mai is very strong – don’t let her size fool you – and really went deep, as I requested. (One time, I almost screamed.) However, my favorite massage is the traditional thai. Try it and you’ll see why.
I’ve had others massages at the spas in the city, such as Burke, and at some less fancy places. Mai’s massage is far superior to any of them. Her technique and sincerity separates her from those competitors.
Give it a shot. You will thank me later.

Mai has a real gift and touch. She gives the best massages I’ve ever had, and I was married to a masseuse!

I’ve been going to Mai for about 2 years now. On top of being a good masseuse she is also extremely friendly and easy to talk to. I’ve been to many masseuses good and bad, and the thing that sets Mai apart is how comfortable she can make people.

I have been seeing Mai for years (starting at the old Hyde Street Wellness and then Zazen location). I was so happy that she was able to start her own place. She is warm and friendly and does many types of massage extremely well. I would recommend her to anyone in need of a massage.

I have probably had close to 1,000 massages in my life, but I am not kidding when I say that Mai beats them all — hands down. Her intuitive touch, mastery of several distinctive massage styles both East and West, and the care and concern she shows her clients is extremely rare.
Her studio is set up for Thai massage, but she also does Swedish, Shiatsu, etc., and she is comfortable walking on your body, using elbows, heel of the hand, whatever it takes. Fabulous stretching too with the Thai massage style.
She activy participates in the bodywork experience with her clients and is not afraid to make recommendations about which kind of message will work best given the shape one’s body is in (mine was a train wreck), and she is right on the money in my experience.
I would recommend Mai to anyone who is serious about having the best massage money can buy — I mean, it’s going to cost you either way, why not have someone who will transform your body.
The only downside to Mai? Once you’ve had her, there’s no going back. She just sets the bar too high. Call Mai and schedule an appointment. Do it now.

I have been seeing Mai since 2012 for regular massages and have followed her to her new practice, a well furnished and decorated space in the back of a hair salon conveniently located next to Trader Joe’s parking lot.
I chiefly see Mai for her Thai massage and Thai deep tissue massage but Mai performs a range of massage styles including western Swedish and deep tissue massages and is always able to readily adjust her technique depending on my needs. She is always attentive and has a remarkable memory, remembering my trouble spots without instruction. She is strong and gentle at the same time and is able to apply firm restorative pressure without causing pain as well as help me achieve deep stretches that go a long way. I always leave my treatment sessions feeling healthier and more relaxed.
Mai has a warm, kind personality that puts you at ease. She is also clearly hard-​working, takes great pride in her profession, and applies herself with passion, which I am sure will help her achieve success in life. While I am grateful for Mai’s talent and healing touch, it also is gratifying to know that my fees are going to a person with an inspirational life story who will put it to good use.

Mai is a genuinely kind person and an excellent massage therapist. I was lucky enough to have received deep tissue massages from her when she worked at Zazen and followed her to her new business. She’s created a very nice calming studio (which you will find after passing through a hair salon in front). Mai takes great care to make certain you have a good, restorative experience, and she has the skills, intuition, and strength (!) to make that happen.

I’ve been seeing Mai since 2012 at Hyde St Wellness/​Zazen and I’m beyond thrilled she has her own space now. I started out by getting the Island Style massage which has her walking/​massaging along my back and back of my legs. Now I get a blend of Island Style and Thai massage which incorporates some stretching as well.
I do a lot of strength training so it’s important to stay loose but a foam roller can only do so much. I usually go to Mai with a area in mind I want Mai to work on but she always manages to find knots I didn’t know I had in other areas! Whether you’re an athlete or not, I highly encourage you to see Mai as a way to recover and relax!

Mai is a great massage therapist and a wonderful person. I got a massage with Mai a few times already, and every-​time she leaves me feeling healthy and energetic for weeks. Will be coming back.

I’ve been going to Mai for the past year. I was looking for someone who knew Thai massage and was lucky enough to find her near downtown SF. She’s been great! As some other reviewers mentioned, she’s very intuitive when working with you, and I love the combination of the Swedish & Thai massage she’s put together. She’s got amazing energy and does wonderful work.

Mai is a terrific massage therapist. She has such an amazing energy and very strong hands. She always heals whatever I need and is always so warm and welcoming too.

Having been getting massages for 20 years and Mai is the best. I have been going to her for the past 3 years. Some therapists are mechanical with the massage, but then you find someone who is gifted like Mai and you know the difference.
You won’t be disappointed.
And her new space is great!

Mai is by far the best massage therapist I have ever seen. I have been getting a massage from Mai for the past three years because she does such a great job. She has the ability to find those areas that need the most attention and then apply just the right amount of pressure to provide the relief. The fact that she is skilled in so many techniques allows her to adapt to meet any need. This little gal is a gem.

I have been going to Mai for the past year. I had back surgery a few years ago and I have found Mai has a very effective way of massaging my lower back. Unlike other massages where I feel good for a few hours, with Mai’s massage the therapeutic effect lasts for days.
Just as another reviewer wrote, Mai has an intuitive sense. Her fingers just seem to know what areas need the most attention. Even though Mai is petite, she is able to deliver a very sensitive yet powerful massage. She told me that she is one of the view people in the world who, at the age of 17, learned from a massage master in Asia a technique called «Island Massage». Using this technique, Mai is able to use her feet and body weight to perform a massage that is difficult to describe. i have never experienced this style of massage elsewhere. Once you try an Island Massage, there is no going back!

I have been going to Mai for two years now about once every 6 – 8 weeks. I get a Thai massage or occasionally a MaiThai (swedish on the back and thai on the legs). I won’t go anywhere else as long as she is in San Francisco. She is very talented and will focus on whatever is bothering me (sometimes spending 30 minutes on a single spot if needed).
To seal the deal, she is an incredibly sweet person. Getting a massage with her makes me feel like I am visiting a close friend.
Loving her new spot and the decorations of her new room. One tip: it’s located within the salon so it can be a bit tricky to fine.