Emile Feldenzer, RMP

hi folks,

it's beyond time to let you know that i will not be providing massages for at least the next 2 weeks, if not longer, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. my most recent client was last thursday, i stopped taking mobile appointments at the hotels over the weekend, and since then i've just been taking everything in, checking on loved ones, and thinking about how to word this post. i love doing bodywork and i wish i could continue offering it to the community during this very anxious and uncertain time; however, given the virulence of this virus and its long incubation time, the only way i can ensure i do no harm is by shutting down my practice completely for the time being.

i still have a couple of paychecks to look forward to from gigs i worked in february, and i am fortunate enough to have family and friends who can support me financially and emotionally. i can expect to have a steady supply of food, meds, and hormones, and for that i am deeply grateful.

however, as you may know, one of my main streams of income is doing chair massage for events, and most of my gigs for april/ may have been cancelled at this point. i'm also not able to apply for unemployment as an independent contractor/ self-employed person. if you are financially unaffected by this crisis and would like to help make sure i have work post-quarantine, consider buying a gift certificate or booking yourself an appointment 4 weeks or more in advance. it'll make a nice treat for you or a loved one after being cooped up inside for so long!

for those of you who are financially impacted (which is most of my friends and clients), i want to help you out as well. food service workers, bartenders, freelance artists, entertainment workers, gym/ spa/ theater employees, fellow massage therapists, and anyone else who's been laid off for at least the rest of March--you can book for 50% off my usual rate, or arrange a barter with me (to reiterate, though, must be *4 weeks or more in advance*).

i'm hoping to use some of this down-time to revamp my social media presence (without getting too hypnotized by the Facebook feed). this could look like:

💫more anatomy art!
💫posting resources about physical/ mental wellness, especially LGBTQI-focused ones
💫video content demonstrating massage techniques for self and others (any requests?)

in all likelihood, though, i will also be spending a lot of time resting, reflecting, trying new recipes, reading Ursula K. Le Guin novels, playing with the cat, gardening, cleaning, and other such domestic bliss. i encourage you all to lean into whatever practices of self- and community-care you can safely engage in, and to let go of any lingering shame about your lack of productivity. compassion is great for yr immune system!! we're all in this together and secretly, we have been all along.

holding you all in the light,
--emile

i'm at the holiday market on 1014 36th street till 8 tonight! stop by after the Christmas parade for a relaxing treat :)

more chair massage events are around the corner!

i'll be at Miracle on 36th St. Winter Holiday Market + Mayors Xmas Parade offering my usual chair massage rate:

❄️$5 for 5 minutes
❄️$8 for 10 minutes
❄️$12 for 15 minutes
❄️$15 for 20 minutes

there will be massage gift certificates available for purchase as well! gift your loved one a session of 30 minutes or more and get a 30% discount on your next massage 🎁

i'm also excited to be participating in the healing space at International Day to End Violence Against S*x Workers - D17! i will be offering pay-what-you-can chair massage in the space, with all donations going to SWOP Baltimore. s*x worker-led activism is beautiful and necessary, and i'm grateful for this opportunity to support a cause & organization i believe in 🕯✨🌹