Testimonials
Session Reflections
Read stories of how Nik's work has been impactful
Google & Yelp Reviews
Read more reviews and share how Nik’s work has supported you!
“Nik is AMAZING. I had hurt my back and was in so much pain. I had gone to a chiropractor and learned that the nerve pain I was experiencing was muscle related. After lots of stretching, foam rolling, heat, ice, rest and the tension down my leg kept returning, I booked an appointment with Nik. Thank goodness I did! It took a day for my body to integrate the work, but by the following day, I was no longer scared to move, no longer hobbling, no longer felt like the tension was causing my leg to go numb. Nik not only has a lot of knowledge about the body, but also a great communicator and I gained good insights into what was going on. Thanks Nik!”
“I had been having some difficulty with receiving massage when I landed on Nik's table. They had a very nurturing touch. It was just the right balance of intensity in the deeper work and soothing long strokes. I was able to fall asleep toward the end and actually continued sleeping for several hours afterward. They definitely created the space necessary for my body to take care of itself. I highly recommend Nik for anyone who has never experienced the deeply healing touch taught at Esalen.”
-Andrew D
“Nik is an amazing practitioner. The space is compact but warm and inviting. I've received Esalen, Deep Tissue and Cranio Sacral from them and each session was highly effective and had lasting results.I felt safe and held being seen by a fellow member of the queer community and as a BIPOC/mixed ancestry person I felt safe to be and speak freely and seen. I highly recommended Nik!”
“I received a prenatal massage from
Nik when I was 39 weeks pregnant and it was deeply restorative for me. I came out feeling so relaxed and released in perfect timing for my birth. Nik has a very special energy and skill set, highly recommend!”
Nik is an incredible massage therapist. I say this as someone who has gotten massaged by many therapists both here in the US as well as in Thailand, I am also a trained massage therapist and as such have very high standards with regards to receiving massage. I discovered Nik at a yoga/healing arts workshop. I signed up for a 20 min massage and was quite impressed by both their touch and their technique. To be an expert Massage Therapist one must have command not only of technical skills but also possess an empathic touch & a strong intuition. Nik has all of these and it shows. I have been seeing them once a week for the past year and can not recommend them highly enough. They are truly amazing!”
-Kara B.
“Experiencing Niken Kurtz Esalen massage was an spiritual experience. From the moment I stepped into the serene and inviting atmosphere of the space I knew I was in for a treat.
Nik is a highly skilled but also displayed a genuine passion for their work. Their ability to create an instant connection made me feel at ease and assured me that I was in capable hands. They took the time to understand my needs, preferences, and any specific areas of concern, ensuring a personalized my experience.”
“I'm so happy I found Nik. Their massages never feel rushed or as though a checklist of techniques is guiding the massage- something I've definitely experienced with other bodyworkers. Nik's intuition, intelligence, and experience are all at play throughout, and I feel not only relaxed but closer to whole when our session is over. Their communication is clear and kind. I'm so appreciative.”
Rhonda S.
“It was a really wonderful, caring experience. It had been a while since I'd had a massage, and a friend referred me to Nik. I'm happy I went.
Their technique was different than I was used to, but it was very effective. I left feeling a lot less stiff and much more relaxed. They are a great listener, and responsive to suggestions and changes. I look forward to many more massages by them.”
“Nik's care was deeply relaxing for me. I have a lot of nervousness about people touching my body and I noticed almost immediately that my body could relax with Nik, due to their thorough communication, kindness, and care. They are very responsive to my needs each time I've gone to them - from firmness of touch to type of massage, from talking to not talking, and take great care with any part of my body that is injured. If I have an injury they give thorough instruction around rest and stretching. As a trans person I especially noticed my body could relax around them with their care around draping and deep knowledge of trans care.”
~Dylan Wilder Quinn, Founder of Transintimate
“In 2014, I worked with Nik. They are very talented - Attentive to needs and strong command of muscle tightness and soreness. As a runner and cyclist, I benefited greatly from IT band work in my first session. Scheduling was painless.”
-Leo W.
"I have been seeing Nik for Esalen and deep tissue massage treatments for almost 10 years and cannot recommend them more highly! Nik has helped me ease general tension, find deep relaxation, and address both chronic and acute injuries. Nik's treatments have helped me through demanding graduate school and professional experiences and multiple pregnancies, and they have helped me address aches and pains that come with an active lifestyle. I always feel deeply supported during my sessions with Nik, they are able to ease gently into deep muscle work."
“I am typically pretty sensitive to receiving bodywork, I always need that "just right" pressure and intention, and Nik was able to meet my needs with their gentle, yet deep and present work. I felt safe to relax and receive a soothing full body massage and enjoyed getting reacquainted with parts of my body that had been in pain or numb to sensation. Nik's office is warm and welcoming, there are trees out the windows and nice white noise from the air filters.”
“I've had body work done worldwide and never worked with someone quite like Nik. I wasn't familiar with an Esalen Massage before, but I do know that their style is intuitive, knowledgeable, and effective. The time was so much more than a simple massage. I felt myself drifting in and out of semi-awareness, almost in a meditative state, more than I've ever done before. It's like that rare precious state one can sometimes find during savasana, when the body and the mind release from their state of consciousness and just be." -Jamil S.
“"My sessions with Nik were amazing and really supportive for my body. I arrived with a shoulder injury and Nik was able to work with multiple parts of my body to relieve stress pressure and tension in my shoulder that made an impact for many days and weeks following. My shoulder had been an ongoing problem, and my sessions with Nik were fundamental in making huge progress in my recovery and I am so grateful that I made the decision to see them."
~ Rose Slam Johnson
"I’ve seen Nik for massage consistently over the past year or two. They have helped me get out of some tricky hip/glute pain, gave me relief for some ongoing neck and upper back pain, and supported me with bodywork pre and post-top surgery allowing me to have the most comfortable recovery possible. Nik has amazing intuition for knowing when to go in with deep pressure, when to hold easeful touch, and when to wait for my body to release tension before moving on to the next area. Bonuses: Nik sees and honors my gender identity and expression and I feel safe on the table. Also, as a scent-sensitive person myself, I appreciate knowing their space is accessible and there won’t be any surprises with any scented massage oils or lotions."
-Sandy Baird, he/him