About Us
Alternative & Holistic Health Services
TAO has been serving the Monmouth County community with unparalleled spa services since 2005. We’ve earned the public vote award of “One of the Best” spa businesses in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
After ten years in business, TAO expanded and moved to its
new permanent home at 611 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park in 2014. With this move, TaoMassage became known as TAO as the new location offers more diverse services not previously available: e.g. floatation therapy, far infrared sauna
TAO accommodates private enclosed massage therapy rooms in a peaceful, clean environment. TAO offers a variety of massage techniques that are blended to create a customized massage session.
We only work with highly trained, qualified skilled therapists that have been active massage therapists for years. At TAO we have a combined bodywork knowledge of over 75years. Whomever you choose to work with toward reaching your health goals, know that you will be in “good hands” or in “good feet”.
Tao Philosophy
Our philosophy is simple. We work hard to make you feel better, all ’round! We hope that from the moment you enter TAO you feel like you are cared for from the start. Our commitment to quality and your care does not waiver whether you have been a client of ours for ten years or just walking through the door for the first time curious about what we do. We are constantly at work to make each experience at TAO as best it can be. Please let us know how we are doing.
Why Tao
The business name is inspired by the first three letters of the Director’s last name: Taormina. It was a natural progression to use it as the company name as it also embodies the spirit of the TAO: balance and movement.
SUSTAINABLE SPA PRACTICES: TAO only uses the highest grade scented or unscented body oils, creams, and body care amenities from natural and organic sources that are preservative free and chemical free. All linens are 100% biodegradable microfiber for optimal comfort. Linens are washed in a non-polluting, biodegradable, cruelty-free washing liquid that is free from artificial fragrances/perfumes, dyes/colors and phosphates—gentle on all skin types.
The TAO specialty is Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, a deep compressive style massage delivered by the therapist’s feet.
Amy – LMT-NJ
Amy has been a massage therapist for 20 years having traversed the country both east and west coast including working at the Ritz Cartlon spa! She performs deep tissue, neuromuscular therapy, Swedish, prenatal, reflexology, hot stone and cupping. She uses an approach that is as therapeutic as it is relaxing while delivering a warmth of Tao client service.
Andria “Andi” – LMT-NJ
Specialties & types of clients best suited to my style of therapy: Andi has accumulated over the past 20 years as a therapist:
Chair Massage (On-Site Massage); Cupping; Deep Tissue Massage; Energy Work; Gua Sha; Hot Stone Massage; Hydrotherapy – Cryotherapy/Thermotherapy; Integrated Massage; Jin Shin Jyutsu; Muscle Energy Technique; Myofascial Release; Neuromuscular Therapy; Pre/Perinatal Massage; Reflexology; Rehabilitation Massage; Reiki; Relaxation Massage; Spa Therapies; Sports Massage; Stress Relief Massage; Swedish Massage; T’ai Chi; Thai Massage
Preferred styles of massage therapy used in treatments: Therapeutic Massage for specific conditions – Muscle Tension and Sinus Headaches, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Frozen Shoulder, Fibromyalgia, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, TMJ Dysfunction, Piriformis Pain Syndrome, Arthritis just to name a few.
Candice- LMT-NJ
Candice loves learning about the body. She also loves sharing that knowledge by teaching Anatomy & Physiology and Continuing Education classes at her alma mater, The Institute for Therapeutic Massage. Her favorite thing about massage is seeing the client’s face when they leave the treatment room feeling refreshed and put back together.
Treatment philosophy: Pain is our bodies way of telling us something is wrong and it’s time to take care of ourselves. A massage therapist’s job is to help you understand what needs work and giving it the attention it needs. Listen, Relax, Balance.
Specialties & types of clients best suited to my style of therapy: People recovering from injuries, ranging from those with chronic pain or serious injury right up to that little crick you have in your neck. I’ve worked on many athletic injuries on a local university’s sports teams and orthopedic patients at multi-specialty chiropractic offices. It’s always fun getting a client who is open to trying new techniques to achieve the goal, such as massage cupping, muscle energy techniques, and orthopedic testing.
Preferred techniques used in treatments: Relaxation. Candice tends to incorporate a lot of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, trigger point therapy, and determination to figure out the puzzle and relieve the client’s pain and discomfort. I like to let your body speak what it needs and my goal will be to help bring it back into balance. Relaxation and feeling comfortable is important, even in a vigorous or deep tissue massage, as it allows your body to receive the work and respond naturally.
Crystal – LE-NJ
Crystal’s goal is to empower each individual that she works with to help them feel confident in their own skin. Healthy, glowing skin is not an overnight process but we can get you to where you desire to be. Focusing on education for clients with their future outcomes for their skin in mind is behind each and every face she touches. Crystal’s favorite part of a facial is the massage and she can’t wait to learn what your favorite part is, if not the whole thing! Anyone can benefit from a facial as it helps accelerate facial rejuvenation!
Ellen – LMT-NJ, LE-NJ
Ellen is dual certified as a licensed massage therapist and skincare specialist/licensed esthetician in New Jersey offering both services at Tao. She brings body anatomy awareness not only from her training as a massage therapist but as a registered yoga teacher since 2016.
Ellen is a highly requested therapist using integrative approaches including myofascial release, prenatal massage, trigger point therapy, reflexology and sports massage. While she enjoys working with athletes, specifically the Rutgers football team by preparing for their events and recovery, she also enjoys offering general relaxation for people who suffer from anxiety.
Personally, Ellen grew up around large muscle animals, working on horse farms and used to compete competitively in English horse back riding. She loves animals, has a rescue pitbull of her own and is a cancer survivor.
John – LMT-NJ
Ayurvedic and Eastern medicine influence John’s approach to you relaxing Swedish, balancing Shiatsu massage, or corrective therapeutic bodywork. John is also a yoga teacher, life coach, and multi instrument musician and performing artist.
Karla – LMT-NJ
Karla became a massage therapist after years of immersion in natural science illustration and anatomy for artists. To best meet her client’s needs, she combines Swedish, Myofascial (MFR), and Neuromuscular deep tissue techniques (NMT) for a customized session tailored to individual needs and preferences. Karla approaches massage as holistic body healing, with the goal of deep relaxation and pain relief leading to continuous wellness of all systems. Her massage connects to lifetime-long interests in meditation, breathing, relaxation, and relief from chronic pain and discomfort.
Vivian – Director, ICF Trained Body-Mind Coach, LMT-NJ, BCTMB, BA
Treatment Philosophy: Finding and seeing the holistic picture of each of my clients is at the center of each session. Initiating, versus annihilating, muscle tissue through the use of Ashiatsu has allowed my work to develop over time to deliver a safe, deep, slow, unforgettable experience benefiting my clients for days or weeks at a time.
Specialties & types of clients best suited to my style of therapy: As a specialist in Certified Advanced DeepFeet/Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy Vivian has worked with thousands of clients in chronic pain. Now she uses her 25years of body knowledge to help clients make the body-mind connection with personal coaching through EM{BODY} by TAO
Preferred styles of massage therapy used in treatments: My hands are now only reserved for specialty services: cupping; thai poultice; all clients receive massage “soley” by my feet – Ashiatsu. I am continually blown away by the power of cupping and the delicious effective awesomeness of Ashiatsu.
Education Licenses & Certifications: ICF Trained Body-Mind Coach, State of New Jersey Licensed Massage Therapist/LMT, Certified/Certificates in Advanced Ashiatsu by the original DeepFeet barefoot massage training 2004, Massage Cupping, Active Isolated Stretching, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Thai Poultice and is a ICF (International Coaching Federation) trained Body-Mind Coach.
Yves – LMT-NJ
Yves is centered in peace and quiet, which he also thrives in. He brings his natural state of calm and good vibes into each service. As a graduate of Institute of Therapeutic the Massage, Yves learned the value and importance of self-care, physiology, human anatomy, and a variety of different modalities that differentiates fluff and relaxation massage to therapeutic and corrective rehabilitation. He believes that offering a variety of treatments are an essential part of your preventive self care routine.
As each service is customized for you, Yves may also adapt to your needs and include hot stone massage, deep tissue/integrative massage, isolated stretching, and reflexology while enjoying the benefits of your classic Swedish massage long relaxation strokes. Close your eyes and let Yves energy and calm wash over you!
Whether coming to Tao to unlock deep muscle tension or for overall relief of stress, our massage therapists and therapeutic modalities from floating to infrared sauna will surely assist you to a place of calm, comfort and rejuvenation.
From the moment you step through the doors of Tao, your journey to relaxation begins…greeted by soothing lighting and serene music and the decompressive nature of the TAO by design thanks to our 11 foot ceilings, that alone allows for a deep breath, your therapist will review your problem spots making sure to address them with extra care during your session. “I CAN TELL I’M GOING TO LIKE IT HERE ALREADY”
You may experience something like this at TAO:
Snug under the ultra soft sheets and resting securely on the warm massage table, you are already beginning to relax.
Should you choose to start your massage facing up your therapist will begin your treatment by working on your neck, shoulders and scalp–kneading and stretching away stiffness. With smooth strokes that glide across your skin from the use of nourishing and luxurious cream, the therapist slides hands down your back and along your spine, releasing the tension around the vertebrae and calming your body with these long stokes…“AHHH, SO SOOTHING!”
One arm at a time, is then taken from below your light blanket, the rest of your body stays warm and still cozy. The therapist hands move firmly along your arm, while you relax further, your wrists loosen and your hands are carefully and skillfully addressed, while your arm is guided into gentle opening stretches that increase your range of motion…“I’M FEELING AMAZING!”
Now on to your legs, hips and FEET!…again taking one leg at a time, the rest of your body is tucked securely below the sheets…. you look forward to these long sure stokes from your ankle all the way up to the outer hip, now you might be drifting away completely, if not, you will, once your feet are expertly cared for. More tension than you realize has accumulated in your feet and with just the right amount of kneading and firm pressure you are now deeply relaxed.
But the massage is not over yet! Still more is in store…you carefully turn your body over while the therapist helps you stay snug under the blanket and you are then treated to a warm towel directly on your back. “IT’S LIKE IT DROPPED OUT OF THE SKY, SO GOOD!”
Now you are melting into pure bliss while your spine and lower back get the royal treatment.
Legs and and feet get more attention still.
You cannot believe your good fortune!
Your body feels so grateful for this much needed attention and care.
Once the therapist has finished addressing your whole body, they quietly leave the room.
You rest for a few more moments savoring this exquisite experience and then get dressed, feeling invigorated and refreshed.
Heading out the door with a fresh bottle of water and a special TaoMassage treat, you are now more fully ready to face the rest of your day!
“THANK YOU TAO MASSAGE!”
Spa Etiquette
1. Please remove your shoes: We ask that you remove your shoes prior to entering the office to help us maintain an optimal healthy environment free of road dust dirt and debris. We provide indoor slippers for your TAO visit.
2. Quiet please: Please speak softly as you enter and exit the office in the reception area.
Our Policies
Our policies may be found here