f.a.q.

What’s Sliding Scale?

Its Purpose

In order to balance making bodywork more accessible and sustaining the practice, sama-sama uses a sliding scale model. This allows participants to pay what they can per session by breaking down pricing for services is broken down into 3 tiers. Each tier is based on the Sustaining Rate for the practice.

Sessions at the Accessible* Rate are limited and depend on the practitioner’s capacity.
Sessions beyond the practitioner’s “budget” are funded by Solidarity Rate sessions; the more people we have at the Solidarity Rate, the more we can directly fund Accessible* sessions!

In gratitude, regular Solidarity Rate participants also enjoy additional discounts. See below.

Some Guidelines

Please read the following guidelines to determine which rate is appropriate for you and your current financial situation.

If you’re still note sure which rate works for you, click here to take a quick quiz or learn more about sliding scale.

  • This rate is at 25% above the Sustaining Rate and funds more Accessible* Rate sessions.

    This rate is for you if you…

    • Have access to financial security/wealth

    • Are securely employed

    • Are rarely stressed about affording needs or debt

    • Are able to take multiple vacations without financial stress

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    Regular Solidarity clients can receive the following discounts:

    • every 3 sessions, get one session 15% off

    • every 6 sessions, get one session 30% off

    • every 9 sessions, get one session 50% off

    • book all home visits with $15-20 travel fee

  • This rate sustains the practice and allows the practitioner a decent standard of living in New York City.

    This rate is for you if you are…

    • Securely employed and have steady income

    • Experience some struggle in moving away from paycheck-to-paycheck living, paying off debt, and/or build savings

    • Able to afford necessities (food, housing, healthcare, etc.) most of the time with minimal to no stress

    • Able to take time-off/vacation occasionally without financial stress

  • This rate is about 25% below the Sustaining Rate.

    Sessions at this rate are limited and depend on the practitioner’s capacity. Sessions beyond the practitioner’s “budget” are funded by Solidarity Rate sessions.

    This tier is for you if you…

    • Are living paycheck-to-paycheck and underemployed

    • Have limited to no expendable income and savings

    • Have significant debt

    • Are extremely stressed about affording necessities (food, housing, healthcare, childcare)

    • Cannot afford to take time-off/vacation

    If this rate is not suitable for you, please scroll down for more limited accessible options.

  • Limited availability during the 1st week of the month (days falling between the 1st-7th).

    This offering is specifically for
    TGNC BIPOC (trans/gender-non-conforming Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and
    migrant community who:

    • Are living paycheck-to-paycheck and underemployed OR employed and significantly financially supporting family outside of the US

    • Have limited to no expendable income and savings

    • Have significant debt

    • Are extremely stressed about affording necessities (food, housing, healthcare, childcare)

    • Cannot afford to take time-off/vacation

    Pricing at the Super Accessible Rate is as follows:

    • 60min - $80

    • 75min - $95

    • 90min - $110

    Bookings are limited to 30 days in advance and at the capacity of the practitioner.

a note on accessibility*

*I understand that what is considered “accessible” in this economy varies!

If these rates don’t work for you,
there are
limited payment plans available.

f.a.q.

bookings, payment, fees, etc.

  • No, a card is required to book your appointment but you will not be charged until the time of your session.

    Accepted payment/gratuity options: Cash, Venmo, CashApp, all major credit/debit cards.

  • Tipping can serve as an extension of sliding scale.

    If you enjoyed our work together, found it significantly helpful, and can afford it, monetary gratuity is greatly appreciated and creates more capacity for more financially accessible sessions.

    Generally, 15-25% tip is customary in the industry.

  • Unfortunately, I do not.

  • By booking a session, you are reserving my time and energy. Late cancellations and no-shows greatly impact me as the time slot could have gone to another person.

    The canceling and rescheduling policy states that if you would like to cancel or reschedule

    • any session with less than 24 hours notice, you will receive a late cancellation fee. This fee is 50% of the scheduled session fee.

    • any session with less than 6 hours notice or don’t show up for your appointment, you will receive a no-show fee. This fee is 100% of the scheduled session fee

    Late cancellation and no-show fees will be charged to the card on file. If you intended to pay for your session in cash and highly prefer to not charge the card, please contact me.

    In cases where illness or medical or family emergencies force you to late cancel or no-show, contact the practitioner immediately. Your late cancellation or no-show fee will apply towards your next session if it is rescheduled within 1 month of the cancelled appointment.

  • If you are feeling ill, please let me know ASAP as I encourage you to stay home and rest!

    If you must late cancel due to illness, your late cancellation fee will be applied* to your next session.

    *In order for your fee to be applied to your next session, it must be scheduled within 1 month of the canceled appointment.

  • Online bookings are available up to 4 hours before the start of an appointment. If you would like to book with less than 4 hours notice, please contact me via:

  • No, the 2 hour session is only for 1 client.

    If finances are a barrier, you can book at the Super Accessible* Rate every 1st week of the month or apply for a payment plan. If the need is urgent, please contact me directly.

  • Yes, within NYC and surrounding counties.

    In order to book and finalize a home visit you will need to make:

    • A home visit inquiry

    • A deposit of 50% of the total quote for your session

    • New home visit clients must complete a 5-10 minute video chat with the practitioner. During this call, we will introduce ourselves, talk about your home and the space where we will be working in.

    Learn more about home visits here.

during the session

  • Sometimes unexpected circumstances will make us run late… And that’s okay! Please reach out as soon as possible in these situations. I will do my best to give you as close to the full session time. This may vary depending on day-to-day scheduling.

    Regardless of how late you are, you are responsible for the full session fee as scheduled.

  • Because some people are immunocompromised to varying degrees and COVID is still being spread en masse, masking during sessions is required for all clients.

    Masks can be provided for you if you don’t have one at the time of your appointment.

    Exceptions can only be made for medical reasons.

    Air purifiers will be running in the space during business hours.

  • Ideally, you come 5-10 minutes before the start of your session so you can settle into the space and use the bathroom if you need to.

    We’ll start by checking-in, clarifying your goals for the session and what you are prioritizing. Aside from asking questions, I may ask to palpate the area or ask you to do some movements to assess mobility or strength. Please let me know about any sensitivities, any areas to be mindful about or to completely avoid.

    I will leave the treatment room to go wash my hands, while you undress to your comfort level and get on the massage table. I’ll knock and ask that you are all set on the massage table before re-entering the treatment room.

    If at any point during the session, you’d like more or less pressure, please let me know.

    If at any point during the session, you change your mind and would like to pause or stop the session, please let me know.

    Massage therapy sessions can range from general full-body to only working on specific areas — up to you. As we move through the session, only the part of the body that is being worked on will be undraped. Glutes are only undraped from the side and if the client has chosen to not wear underwear. The chest is only undraped to slightly below the armpit.

    Depending on your goals for the session, I may ask you to breathe mindfully into a release, or ask you to mindfully move a body part to help with release.

    At the end of the session, you are encouraged to get up and get dressed slowly. You can meet me in the waiting area where we’ll debrief, you can share feedback or ask any questions.

  • No! In my practice, I honor pain as the body’s wisdom that adjustments need to be made ASAP. I do not want to force the body to release or relax more than it is ready to, as it can result in soreness or “rebound pain.”

    I also believe there’s a difference between the “sensations of change” and pain.
    Sensations of change” is like that “hurts so good pain” that your body experiences; the discomfort with the transition to relaxation. Breathing through the work can increase the relaxation and the discomfort shouldn’t go past 3-4 out of 10.
    Pain is when your body is tensing or bracing for the work. At this point, we should lighten pressure or change technique.

    Massage is most effective when the recipient is as relaxed as can be. The benefits can last longer if we are patient and go at the pace of the recipient’s body as it releases stored up tension.

    Please do communicate when we are approaching your pain threshold.

  • Completely up to you! I have worked on people completely clothed and naked.

    This can also depend on your needs and goals for the session. For example, if you really like that full, flowing and gliding feeling of massage, it would be helpful to undress as much as is comfortable for you.

    Please note that I typically use a shea butter as a skin lubricant. Please let me know if you want to avoid getting oil on any clothes left on during the massage.

  • You are always welcome to customize your massage and request only your concern areas to be worked on.

    It is customary to work on the back, glutes, legs, feet, arms, hands, upper pecs, and scalp as part of a full-body massage. Abdominal massage can be incorporated depending on your needs.

    Because the glutes, upper pecs, and scalp are sensitive areas for some folks, I will confirm that I can work on these areas prior to the start of session. I will never un-drape or touch sensitive breast tissue or the genital area.

  • If you booked an in-studio session, please aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early so we can check-in and maximize your session time. Wear comfortable clothing and if you are participating remotely, make sure you are in a safe space that will minimize distractions.

    Before we start the session, we will check-in and ground ourselves in your intentions and goals for the session. You and your body are the ones receiving the reiki energy, integrating it, and healing itself. As a Usui reiki ryoho practitioner, I am merely facilitating the healing by channeling reiki energy to you and your body. Sometimes, I am able to receive intuitive messages and guidance if you consent. If any are received, I will relay them to you after the session.

    For in-person sessions: You can choose to be seated or laying down. You can also choose whether you prefer gentle touch or hovering hands. Reiki energy will be directed to the:

    face, head, neck/throat, shoulders, chest/heartspace, belly, back, legs, feet

    Even if I am not be making physical contact, you may feel warm or tingling sensations in these areas.

    As the reiki session progresses, we may unearth things that may be difficult to process; but doing so makes room for more ease and flow within and between your physical, mental, and spiritual bodies. I will do my best to always minimize our exposure to triggers and focus on strengthening our co-regulating strategies. If at any point you feel discomfort during the session and would like to pause or end the session, please let me know immediately. You are welcome to withdraw consent at any time.

    Sometimes people feel energized after a reiki session; other times, tired. The reiki energy may continue to integrate for some time after the session is done. Do your best to make time for resting and nourishing yourself after our reiki session together.

  • Touch is optional for reiki healing. Many find touch to be comforting and healing. Others may find touch triggering. If you do consent to touch, my hands will be placed on your head, ears, neck, shoulders, belly, back, knees, and feet. If you do not consent to touch, my hands will be hovering over your face, head, ears, throat, chest/heart center, belly, back, pelvis, knees, and feet. Even though I would not be making physical contact, you may feel warm or tingling sensations.

  • Any words, touch, gestures, or behavior of a sexual or violent nature will not be tolerated. This will result in the immediate termination of session and full session fee will be due.