Marty Morales

This man is a true healer! One of the most outstanding body workers I have ever encountered. He is also an exceptional teacher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skill with the world!

I found Marty through a friend who studied under him, and he came highly recommended. I have done a 10 series with Marty, and it has vastly improved my chronic low back and hip issues. After trying massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, and physical therapy, I believe Rolfing, and Marty’s expertise with it, was the thing that tipped the scale. I continue to see him for maintenance and further work. I find this kind of work much more effective and lasting than regular massage, which is undeniably nice and useful but in comparison seems like a fleeting spa treatment, at a similar cost. Meanwhile, chiropractic work only lasts until your unworked muscles and fascia pull any adjustments back out of place. Rolfing addresses the nuances that other modalities lack, and it helped me!

I saw Marty yesterday after struggling with carpal tunnel issues and related tendonitis for about 8 months. Like most people, I work on a computer all day, which is unavoidable — so my problems had been getting progressively worse despite many efforts to fix them (sleeping with a wrist brace, forcing myself to take breaks/​stretch at regular intervals, changing my workstation setup, etc.). I also saw a highly recommended physiatrist a month ago who was not particularly helpful, either. In frustration, I got in touch with Marty for some expert advice on what to do next, not realizing that Rolfing could actually be helpful! After about 20 minutes of his manipulations, my wrist and arm feel better than they have in months. He explained what he was doing very clearly, but I’m still convinced that he worked some sort of magic. Thanks so much, Marty!

I scored when I found Marty – Although I do a lot of yoga – and have practised with very knowledgeable teachers who give detailed, accurate instruction, I do have various pings and dings from not totally straight spine, sitting too much etc. I have found some lovely chiropractors – and a good physical therapist but Marty is the cream of the crop !
He is a Rolfer but uses other modalities as well – Rolfing on steroids! He explained clearly – first time for me, what was going on, where it all started, and what I need to do to help the process. I am smitten. He’s worth staying in SF for !

It’s nearing 10 years since I began seeing Marty on a regular basis. I recommend him to everyone I know in the field (I currently work as a body-​oriented psychotherapist, which is saying something with SF being a mecca for amazing bodyworkers. As a former competitive figure skater in my younger years, my adult body was in sore shape from repetitive injury that shows up in my neck, shoulders and jaw from falling on the ice. My experience of work with Marty is that the quality of his presence and skill is consistent from session-​to-​session; he is kind, gentle, professional, clear boundaries; his touch is deeply intuitive (many in his field say so about him); and his skill level is at the MASTER level. Look him up to check out what he’s up to these days in terms of teaching and mentoring other practitioners.

Marty was the catalyst to my decision to become a professional bodyworker. I’ve taken many of his classes. Always inspiring he has immense knowledge of the body and is able to communicate technique and touch like no-​one else. He has the unique ability to make you feel comfortable while working extremely difficult and potentially painful areas — and he’s a joy to know! Whether it’s bodywork education or Rolfing, you’ll be safe in Marty’s hands. Thanks for all your help Marty!

Marty is the man with magic hands! Seriously, I have been a body worker for 13 years and my work and lifestyle sometimes takes a toll on my body. I have had temporary relief from physical therapy, but one session with Marty really made a huge impact. After the session, my core felt different, I was moving from my center. The weakness in both my hip and arm was gone! I have also been his student and he is not only professional, and compassionate but über generous with his teachings and information he shares with others. If you have long standing chronic issues and need some structural work, call Marty. Do it, you won’t be disappointed.

I am a professional body worker also and always wanted to try Rolfing. I took a gamble and randomly picked this guy in the city. Turns out Marty was not only a stellar practitioner, but he is an incredible educator and now a trusted colleague. Marty takes great interest in his clients to provide the best possible care. He is personable, funny and just an all around rad dude!

I just finished a 5 day course on Structural Integration with Marty at the SF School of Massage and Bodywork. I found Marty to be an excellent teacher on the subject. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom and has a great way of guiding you along as you begin (or continue) your path to assessing body movement both visually and on the table, hands on. He’s easy to listen to, has a great sense of humor, and seems to bring no ego or judgements along with him as he teaches. In just 5 days, I felt my assessment skills grow by leaps and bounds. I would (and already have) highly recommend Marty as an instructor and as a body worker.
I’d also like to give a shout out to his assistant for the class, Denise Deshettle. She was great and very helpful as we went through our instruction. Go to the San Francisco School of Massage’s website, find one of his classes and sign up now! You will be happy that you did!

I am really glad to be Marty’s client! He really listens well and understands what I need and what my goals are. He impresses me as one who truly has the intuition, wisdom, expertise and superior skills in bodyworks. He also is very honest and has great integrity. He is always thoughtful and gives what’s best for me. I feel really safe as his client — He always thinks for my benefit and do his best to work with me. My husband goes to him too. He helped us both a lot to rid of bodily pain and restore proper functions. He takes good care of us!

After taking Structural Integration classes with Marty as my teacher, I signed up for ten Rolfing sessions with him at the end of 2011.
Wow! It really helped me both physically and mentally. Outstanding job!

Marty is AMAZING! Best massage I’ve ever had. I am super tense — my neck and shoulders are like rocks — and he’s the only one who can go deep enough to alleviate the tension. He’s also got such a rich background of different styles that he can really blend something to suit your needs.
Plus, his prices are totally reasonable, and he is a super nice guy to boot!
Highly, highly recommended!

I found Marty thanks to Unilocal.I was in a lot of pain & Marty really helped. The next day I felt so much better and I was only visiting, so I only saw him once.

I just had the pleasure of taking Medical Massage classes from Marty at the Massage Therapy Institute in Davis, California. Of all the classes I have taken in over ten years, this would have to be my favorite educational series/​instructor. Marty is an impressive educator. It is self evident that he is passionate about his practice and about effectively educating others. I plan to take future classes with Marty and refer him to all of my colleagues for their continuing education.

Marty has been my Rolfer for quite some time now. Not only has he brought awareness and significant change to my posture and way of walking, but is also a joy to be around, funny, caring and somehow manages to give extremely relaxing bodywork even while being deep and specific. Any time I need something worked out, he gets it every time, 100% and has no doubt extended my career as a massage therapist considerably.
As a former student of Marty, I have found his teaching and mentoring to be consistent, wise and practical. I am always working to improve my relationship with clients, my body mechanics and my business practice and he is always extremely generous in his advice.
Thanks Marty, for what you bring to the world! I can’t recommend him enough.

Marty is the first therapist who understood what I needed at the first session. He listens and he is great.

OK, if I could give Marty 100 stars, I would in a heartbeat.
I came in with a bum hip, low back pain and just feeling achy.
In one hour, I felt so much better!
Marty knows what he’s doing, he targets the area that is causing the problem, and then proceeds to fix it.
I felt totally at ease w/​Marty, he makes the process fun.
When I was done with my first treatment, I seem to remember him saying I was walking like a nice Brazilian girl. Meaning my hips were actually MOVING, not stuck like the 100 year old lady I felt like when I walked in!
Thanks Marty!!!

Marty is a sensitive and caring man and listens very well when he asks what you’d like to have done with your body. Because he is married to Elena, he is TOTALLY safe for all women. The moment you meet him, you’ll know what I’m talking about. His presence and manners immediately puts you at ease, he asks you to undress to your level of comfort as he leaves the room and his expertise fixes what ails you.
I simply needed to relax and I got a very gentle and caring massage. And since I’m a gay man and he’s str8, I didn’t feel at all uncomfortable or uneasy, in fact, it was just the opposite. He truly does put you at ease. My ex boyfriend also reviewed him on here about a year ago because he was having severe neck pain and Marty took care of him.
I highly recommend Marty to anyone. He’s worth every dollar!
Marcus

Yes, you can believe the 5 star reviews here. I’ve seen countless bodyworkers over the years, but none of them have been as intuitive and as skilled as Marty.
I came to see Marty with a neck and shoulder issue (injury?) to have him work on alleviating the pain and limited mobility I had.
Thinking that he would work exclusively in that region, he discovered that the issue really was related to a recent surgery in my abdomen! He then proceeded working from there and even without working on my neck, things got remarkably better.
A few more sessions with Marty and I was back to normal. Totally worth the few ‘co-​pays’ I would have had to pay to see a doctor who would have prescribed me pills which would have treated the symptom, not the cause.
Marty went right to the issue at hand and I am forever indebted to his thoughtful, caring, and skilled approach.

Marty is an amazing massage therapist, as well as an instructor! My massage with Marty had just the right amount of pressure and communication. I felt really comfortable, and I also felt like I could speak up during the session if I had something to say, which is hard for me to do during massages, so that was awesome.
I highly recommend Marty for anyone who wants a truly therapeutic experience.