It’s like submerging yourself underwater. As you close the door behind you, the hubbub of the world above and beyond is silenced and forgotten. You find yourself in a space of dark blues and gentle whites. Instinctively, you relax; you are where you need to be.
Welcome to enmasse.
Several years ago, I experienced a full-body massage for the first time. The experience was one of the most unpleasant and sticky of my life. I felt simultaneously beaten-up and oiled-up, and by the end of my session rushed home in a frustrated, lubricated rage, denouncing massages henceforth and forevermore.
But one session at enmasse has me converted. There is a way for massages to be beneficial, powerful and rejuvenating – being slapped about and marinated like a hunk of meat isn’t it.
Born in Gardens, Cape Town, and with a new branch in Illovo, Johannesburg, enmasse is the latest newcomer to the massage space.
“enmasse was established with the goal of elevating and reinventing the positive aspects of oil-free, hygienic and fully clothed Thai massage,” says Murray von Hirschberg, the founder of enmasse. “We wanted to create an experience that was authentic to its roots, while simultaneously being contemporary and convenient.”
enmasse has reconfigured and refined all previous conceptions about what a massage should involve. From its warm and soothing décor, to its personalised service, highly trained therapists and unique massage environment, every need is catered for. Your encounter with a therapist is undertaken through a series of seamless, fluid movements that work to address every physical ailment, in addition to providing the many other benefits of regular massage. These include reducing stress, anxiety, headaches and insomnia.
enmasse offers a variety of massage options, from Thai to shiatsu and reflexology. A specially designed pregnancy treatment is also available. The duration of your massage can range from 60 minutes, to 90, to a wonderfully indulgent two hours. Should you wish to make massage part of your daily life – which only serves to enhance the many benefits of massage – memberships are also available.
And it’s not only massages that are on offer. enmasse has established itself as a merchant of some of the finest tea you’re likely to experience. Chocolate chai, hot cross bun chai, naartjie rooibos and green rooibos are just some of the 40 flavours on offer, all of which can be enjoyed in enmasse’s lounge, either before or after your massage.
This is more than what you imagine it to be. Escape for a moment, and enter the world as enmasse sees it.