Ezekiel O’Brien

It is important to read this well-written site thoroughly; this massage offering is unique. Warmly, Zeke.

Welcome to Deep Esalen™ Massage by Zeke. A unique, two-decades-in-the-making, deeply nurturing massage and bodywork offering. I am a traveling Esalen massage therapist primarily based out of Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1997, I have taken pride in bringing a palpable passion to my evolving bodywork business. My informed, loving touch skillfully blends technical bodywork with the fundamentals of yoga and soothing deep Esalen bodywork. Our session is a dance between the intensity of focused deep tissue massage and dreamy, enveloping, nurturing touch. My intention for our session is that our shared time leaves you feeling whole, integrated, and furthermore deeply touched. If you are looking for the finest in therapeutic in-home outcall touch, which is deeply heartfelt, warmly sensual, and full of transformative touch…Welcome!

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Stroke Sheet

Myofascial

An opening of my massage and a hello. The sensation of “myo” work is that of a friendly Indian burn. “Myo” strokes by nature are accomplished without oil. Myofascial massage consists of slow, connected strokes to move, shape, and open the fascia so that your muscles can find comfortable space.

Esalen

Wavelike, delicious long strokes without end. My style of Esalen  is trance-inducing, deep, sensual and a prominent part of my massage riff. My mentor, the late Glenn Wilson of Tucson, was an accomplished Esalen practitioner. Furthermore, I enjoyed a one-year internship at the Esalen Institute of Big Sur, California where I attended the in-house Esalen  Massage program.

Nurturing Swedish

A lotion-aided massage. Featuring sumptuous sensual head-to-toe long strokes (effleurage) mixed in with kneading massage moves (petrissage). The flow teases out tightness in tired muscles. My style of Swedish is deeply relaxing and hypnotizing. When in the throes of deeper, more intense bodywork, I return to the hypnotizing and grounding Swedish riff, often to deeply integrate the changes.

Focused Trigger Point Work

AKA knot work, shiatsu, or accupressure. Firm, direct, pointed, and patient holding of bunched-up muscle. The goal is to break up the blockages which enable discomfort and tightness. Point work “hurts so good” because it floods the body with yummy endorphins.

Educated Deep Tissue

During deep work, I listen to your body and use my knowledge of anatomy to go deep without danger. A decade of listening and working with athletes and large adults informs my highly-skilled style of deep work. After my deep tissue you will be able to walk comfortably the next day, and your challenged muscles will be addressed deeply with care.

Yoga-Based Stretches

Stretches are a big part of my massage offering. As a lifelong big man and dedicated yoga practitioner, I love a good stretch. Flowing from my experience, I employ and transfer various asanas (yoga routines) from the yoga mat to the table and into your massage. Furthermore, in reality, attempting to stretch yourself is a bit like tickling yourself. . .it’s always so much better if you have a helping hand (or body) to assist in your stretchy bliss.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How are you addressing COVID-19 in your hands-on work?

I double-mask while giving a session and suggest you do also while receiving your session. Ventilation is encouraged, and if you have space I recommend doing the session outdoors. I also get tested on a regular basis. I have both doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

By e-mail, please tell me a bit about you and what you are seeking from our session. If I can’t tell who you are, or your intentions, I am unlikely to respond. Verifying you protects me, and us, from people who don’t want you to have a choice in touch. I will not respond to short, soulless texts such as “R U Available?” In summation, heartfelt and respectful people have more fun and live a connected, joyful life.

No. This is a 100 percent every-single-time in your home/ hotel service. I happily bring my table to you. There are no exceptions; you cannot “come to me.” Instead, I will joyfully come to you.

No. Good bodywork and self-care are perhaps the best investment one can make. Through over two decades of providing premium Esalen massage and Deep Bodywork I have found that 90 minutes is the sweet spot for full relaxation, attention to detail and complete integration of transformative nurturing work.

After two decades of offering massage and bodywork, my preference is to work with clients who are open to receiving a good massage, friendly, punctual, have a modicum of cleanliness, and are discreet. Other than that, I have no preference as to the shape, sex, age, or sexuality of my clients. All are welcome.

No two Simply Good Bodywork sessions are alike not even the rate.  Ninety minutes is the optimum amount of time to share my offering with you; the rate depends on where you are located.  For a 90-minute in-home or hotel session, the current rate is $225. Cash or PayPal only.

No. Don’t ask, as it’s disrespectful to the massage profession writ large, devaluing to me personally, and I won’t respond to you. I have 23 years of experience and am usually fully booked. If you’re looking for  cut-rate massage I hear there are great deals here though http://www.massageenvy.com

Yes. I graduated from Tucson’s Desert Institute of the Healing Arts with a Thousand-Hour Diploma in August of 1998. I expanded my massage horizons during a one-year residency at Big Sur’s Esalen Institute. The learning never stops, as I have taken workshops in India, from Body Electric School of Massage , Sky Dancing Tantra trainings, Thai massage studies at the Sunshine School in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Craniosacral studies with the Upledger institute. In addition, I have done lots of self-work, such as an annual Kundalini yoga cleansing at 3HO’s Summer Solstice yoga intensive and all 8 levels of HAI.

Integrated and sensually holistic. After 20 years of a full-time bodywork practice, I like to think that each massage therapy session is unique and a dance. Some of the moves include: sensual Swedish; unique deep tissue; trigger points; full-body stretches; Body Electric tantric massage; and blissful flowing Esalen long strokes. I believe a good massage is a shared journey, not just a series of rote techniques. Clients who have employed me for years often tell me that no two Deep Esalen Massage sessions are alike.

I believe that massage should be a personal, unique and energy-filled experience. Because I believe in quality bodywork and put so much energy into your session, I limit my massage appointments to no more than one per day (or two if it’s a couple) and 4-5 total sessions per week.  I value craft over mass production.

Of course. I believe that massage should be about comfort and connection. Wear what makes you feel comfortable and connected during your massage session. After our pre-session interview I leave the bodywork room to wash my hands. There are always two fresh sheets on the table so you have a choice of the level of draping or un-drape which suits your comfort level before I return to the room to begin your bodywork session.

Yes, to your level of comfort.  My massage offering is open to touch of your entire body.  I believe that massage by nature is sensual and that the body and soul respond well to being treated and touched as a complete tantric creation. In my experience, profound and positive changes unfold when the sensual tastefully meets the therapeutic. And that is what I offer.

Always. Body mechanics and the longevity of my massage career (I have embarked on the 3rd decade) depend on having a massage table which is adjusted to an appropriate height.

I primarily use Biotone’s Dual Purpose Massage Creme. Secondarily, I use some Aveda products like “Love,” “Hand Relief,” and “Foot Relief” to enhance the massage and create a pampering mini-spa atmosphere. I also use Kiehl’s “Body Cream.” If you have special oil needs, it’s a good idea to bring a bottle to your session.

Maybe, however, I don’t need to get sick too. Please wait until you feel better to schedule your massage.

Breathe fully and deeply. Sound, and/or tell me when something feels really good. Relax, let go, and enjoy.

No, but I happily accept PayPal.

Where you are.  I do outcalls, so wherever you are that you see my ad. My upcoming travel schedule is here

I am recovering from a rare neurological B-1 deficiency, and although touch and energy flow naturally for me, talking initially is not something that is easy or enjoyable.  My preferred method of first contact is by thoughtful e-mail to deepesalenmassage@icloud.com or text to 510-631-2929.  In your appointment e-mail or text, please let me know a bit about you and what you are seeking from your session. I appreciate the understanding and your care to make initial contact through clear and concise typed communication. If you e-mail, please remember to include a contact number.

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Kind Words from Two
Decades of Dedicated Touch

Check out Deep Esalen Massage on Yelp

Michael McCarthy

Santa Monica

“I have received massages from Zeke for over 10 years, and I see him whenever he is in town. His massage is a wonderful combination of deep tissue, body-long Esalen strokes, and wonderful stretching using his strong hands, elbows, forearms, and knees. His movements are like a dance around your body that will leave you in a dream like state. He will find every stress point and leave you relaxed. He responds quickly to messages and is absolutely dependable. He has a friendly, mountain-man personality and his massage is spiritually nurturing. Time spent with him is simply the very best body work that I have experienced.”

Craig A. Smith

Santa Fe, New Mexico

“An excellent massage session, fully up to previous experience and expectations. There was plenty of deep pressure varied by lighter touch, and very good attention to problem areas including neck and shoulders. I would recommend this masseur at the highest level.”

Angela Lim

Berkeley, Ca

“I feel very lucky that I found Zeke and even more lucky that he has time on his calendar to work with me and my back and hip issues. Zeke has an amazing sense of how to work on problem areas as he has had many years of experience providing body work to his clients. For those of us who are athletic and tend to push our bodies to the limit, we depend on healers like Zeke to help us recover so we can keep doing the sport or activity that we love. He has been absolutely professional and very helpful in my two years of working with him and I hope we continue to work together for many more years!”

My News

Creativity Is The Language Of Success. Kitchen Is Its Grammar.
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The Power of Trigger Points

 by Ezekiel O'Brien

The year was 2000. I kept my bodywork schedule in a paper calendar and took my calls for  appointments over a Nokia flip phone. I was living on the top floor of a charming bungalow on a  hill near the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. 

My lifestyle was quite active: trail running up Mount Sanitas; lifting weights at Rally Sport; and skiing at Eldora. Even though I was just 26, my body was beginning to talk back when I pushed it  too far. And for the first time, concepts like “low back pain” and “sciatica” weren’t abstract ideas that I read about in Travell’s Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction and treated, but discomforts which I was beginning to uncomfortably embody.

Read More

Pages From the Family Album

 by Ezekiel O'Brien

One of the attributes which attracts clients to my Deep Esalen bodywork is a unique combination of massage moves which I custom-tailor to a client’s needs and desires.

My offering is one-of-a-kind. Common feedback I receive is

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Feedback Matters

 by Ezekiel O'Brien

Feedback matters. 

One of the best ways to get a really good massage is to tell me what feels really good. I am so experienced, dedicated and in-tune that I rarely perceive that a client feels they did not get a  good massage even if they didn’t get the session they expected, or don’t chose to rebook.

Read More

Contact Me

My preferred method of first contact is by thoughtful e-mail or text. In your appointment e-mail or
text please let me know a bit about you and what you are seeking from your session.
I appreciate the understanding and your care to make initial contact through clear and concise
typed communication. If you e-mail please remember to include a contact number.

ADDRESS

Outcall:
Your Place

PHONE

510-631-2929

MAIL