How to prepare for a massage: a practical guide

Your massage starts in twenty minutes. And here you are chasing a tram, replaying that last work email in your head, having grabbed nothing but a coffee for lunch. Sound familiar? That frazzled state is the one thing that can quietly rob a lovely massage of its best moments.

The good news: a few small things fix it. Preparing for a massage isn't a science or a rulebook. It's simply how you make sure the first minutes on the table aren't about switching your mind off, but pure enjoyment from the start. We'll walk through everything from timing to food and clothing to what's worth telling us beforehand. And if you're after a concrete list of things to pack, you'll find it in What to bring to a massage. Here it's mostly about getting in the right frame of mind.

Why a few minutes beforehand shape the whole experience

A massage works best the moment your body and mind switch into calm. If you rush in breathless with a full head, the first ten or fifteen minutes are really just us "peeling off" the tension you brought from your day. Arrive rested and settled, and we start right where a massage matters most: at deep relaxation.

None of this is hard work. Most of the preparation happens in your head and in a few choices during the day.

• Book your massage so you don't have to rush anywhere. Ideally leave yourself a little free time afterwards, rather than squeezing it between two meetings.
• Pick a massage that suits your mood. Do you want to stretch out, or mainly switch off? If you're unsure, the guide Which massage is right for me helps.
• Have a rough idea of what to expect. Knowing how a massage unfolds makes it easier to relax. We describe the whole process step by step in How a Thai massage works.

Arrive early and don't rush

Rushing is the biggest enemy of a good massage. When you burst through the door at the last second, your body is still on alert: racing pulse, shallow breath, a busy mind. It takes a while to settle. So arrive 10–15 minutes early. That time is far from wasted:

• You settle in calmly. Put your things down, use the bathroom, take a few slow breaths.
• You have a welcome tea. It's part of the ritual with us. It helps you switch from the bustle of the street to the quiet of the salon.
• You talk through what you need. A short chat about what's bothering you and what pressure suits you is well worth the extra minutes.

Factor in the journey too. In central Prague, just off Old Town Square, parking is tricky. Public transport or a short walk saves you the frustration you'd otherwise carry straight onto the table.

Light food, plenty of water and freshness

Your body relaxes best when it's neither overfull nor starving. A few simple rules:

• Skip the alcohol. A massage after a couple of drinks isn't recommended: it dulls your senses and your body responds less well to pressure. Save the toast for afterwards.
• Sip water through the day. Well-hydrated tissues are more supple and the massage feels better. No need to overdo it. Normal daily hydration is plenty, not a litre right before.
• Come fresh. A quick shower beforehand is considerate to your therapist, and you'll feel better clean. Go easy on strong perfume, though. In a small room it can be very intense over an hour.

What to wear — and what to leave at home

Dress for comfort, not for show. Come in something loose and easy to slip out of that you don't mind creasing a little. For a traditional Thai massage you stay dressed in loose clothes, which we can lend you if needed; for an oil massage you undress to your comfort and we always keep you discreetly covered.

Leave jewellery and your watch at home. They're just a nuisance. For a detailed "what to bring" list, from contact lenses to a spare T-shirt, see the article What to bring to a massage.

What's worth telling us beforehand

This is the one part of preparing you really shouldn't skip. Your therapist isn't a doctor and can't see beneath your skin. She's guided mainly by what you tell her. A few sentences at the start turn a massage from "generic" into one tailored precisely to you.

• Health issues and injuries. A sore back, a fresh scar, high blood pressure, varicose veins. Anything that should affect the pressure or the choice of techniques.
• Medication and pregnancy. Mention regular medication and pregnancy (even very early). During pregnancy we use a gentler approach and different positions. More in Massage during pregnancy.
• Pressure and tender spots. Say whether you prefer firmer or gentler pressure and where it bothers you most. And do speak up during the massage too. No one minds if you ask for more or less.
• What to avoid. Don't like your feet being touched? A particular shoulder that hurts? Just say so.

Sometimes it's kinder to postpone a massage. With a fever, an acute inflammation or a fresh injury, for example. You'll find an overview of when to wait in the article massage contraindications, and if you're unsure, check with your doctor first. A massage is care and relief, not treatment.

Get your head ready, not just your body

The last piece of preparation can't be bought or packed in a bag. It's your mindset. A massage does the most the moment you let yourself deal with absolutely nothing for an hour.

• Silence your phone. Honestly, the world will manage without you for an hour. A phone buzzing in your pocket pulls you out of relaxation faster than anything.
• Breathe more slowly. A few slow breaths on the way and on the table tell your body it's time to switch off.
• Let go of performing. You don't have to lie "correctly" or force yourself to relax. Just surrender and leave the work to your therapist.
• Think about afterwards too. Keep a little calm after the massage instead of diving straight back into the rush, and you'll stretch the good feeling across the whole afternoon. What to avoid afterwards is summed up in What not to do after a massage.