Service Policies

Choice

• Let’s begin by reframing WHY you are coming to see us. We ask that you begin to tell yourself that you choose to receive our services because they make you feel better.

• Time again I hear in clinical settings, “I wouldn’t be here if I was feeling good.” You may see us because you are experiencing pain, limited motion, lots of stress, or any of a million reasons. The one reason you choose Ikigai Wellness LLC is because we improve the quality of your life.

Safety

• Both client & therapist reserve the right to stop a service at any point, for any reason.

• Clients are encouraged to voice their comfort & discomfort, regarding pressure, movements, and techniques. It is important that clients feel comfortable & relaxed. Some techniques will bring you to the edge of discomfort; it is the clients responsibility to inform the therapist of their edge & the therapists responsibility to work around that edge, compassionately.

  • The edge of discomfort is described as the ability to remain relaxed, having the ability to breathe slowly & deeply. If a client loses the ability to feel relaxed & control their breath, this is “beyond their edge.”

  • Areas that are sensitive or painful, before therapy, will be sensitive to work with. It is imperative to work within the clients level of comfort. We are not trying to produce pain, you are already feeling pain. Our goal is to help you deal with it, mindfully.

  • As sensitive areas relax, they will become less sensitive, allowing for stronger pressure. Strong pressure or pain does not imply better technique or therapy. Ikigai Wellness LLC does not support the “No Pain, No Gain” theory.

  • “Ouch” & pain are STOP words. In the event that you express pain, we will stop, reevaluate, and adjust in order to keep you comfortable.

Relaxation

• Ikigai Wellness LLC facilitates your innate ability to relax by focusing your breath, placing your body into positions, which allow relaxation, and creating the environment to stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system. We can not make you relax; it is your ability to experience your life & breath, which will help you relax.

Breathing

• Mindful breathing is one of the most important aspects of our service, as it is one of the quickest & easiest ways to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.

• Breathing is intimately connected with emotions & stress responses. Always aim for the most relaxing feeling & sounding breath patterns. We encourage you to sigh & make noise.

  • First imagine one that is anxious, stressed, or angry. How do they breathe? Note the pace, the sounds, & any physical response.

  • Next imagine one that is rested, relaxed, and calm. How is their breath different?

Tipping

• Tips are not expected after any service. If you deeply enjoy the service and are feeling generous, we gladly accept tips.

Timeliness

• We want to provide you with the best therapeutic experience that we can. To do this we ask that you respect your time, as much as ours & our other clients time. All sessions will begin & end on time. If you are running behind, your session will still end at its designated end.

• To respect your time and ensure we can provide you with our best quality, if you will be more than 15 minutes late for a 60 minute session or 30 minutes for a 90 minute session, you will be considered a no-show.

Cancellations & No-show

• We require a credit card on file and all appointments to be pre-booked, in order to reduce no-shows & late cancellations.

• Ikigai Wellness LLC holds a 24 hour cancellation policy, before which any session may be rescheduled without consequence.

  • If you need to reschedule within 24 hours, you will be charged 50% of the total fee.

  • No Call / No Show appointments will be charged 100% of the total fee.

• Special exceptions can be made for emergencies & illness, with notice. Please let us know as soon you are able.

Consent

• I acknowledge that Ikigai Wellness provides therapeutic, non-sexual bodywork, stretching sessions, and private wellness classes. In the event that a client must disrobe for a therapy, they will be provided linens & blankets, & draped in accordance with the therapy. When the therapy is complete, the area will be re-draped. The therapist will not be present in the room for changing & will not assist in the removal of clothing.

• I am aware of the benefits & risks of receiving massage services. I understand that there is no implied or stated guarantee of success of effectiveness of individual techniques or series of appointments.

• I acknowledge that massage therapy is not a substitute for medical care, examination, and diagnosis.

• I have stated all medical conditions that I am aware of and will inform Ikigai Wellness LLC of any changes in my health status.

Scope of Practice

• National Certified Board of Theraptutic Massage & Bodywork

  • Standards of Practice

  • Code of Ethics

• New Jersey Massage License: 18KT01331300

  • Scope of Practice - Page 14

• Certified Yoga Teacher: Kripalu Yoga Teacher - 200 hr