How I Transitioned Clients to Barefoot Massage
- Julie Marciniak
- Oct 2
- 5 min read
Massage therapists often ask me, “How did you transition your clients to barefoot massage?”
It’s a valid—and common—question, especially from students just beginning their Ashiatsu journey or looking to preserve their careers with less physically demanding techniques.
Although I’m technically a certified Advanced Rolfer®, I started just like many of you: a licensed massage therapist trying to figure out how to keep doing deep, effective work without wrecking my body in the process.
Looking back, my transition into barefoot massage was surprisingly smooth. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t come with a few lessons—and hopefully, those lessons can help guide your own barefoot bodywork journey.
The Breaking Point: When My Hands Couldn't Do It Anymore
By the early 2000s, my body was telling me loud and clear: something had to change. I was dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome, frequent headaches, and nerve symptoms in my arms and hands. At one point, I remember thinking, "I can't keep this up much longer."
Out of sheer necessity, I started walking on my clients' backs. No lotion. No strokes. Just barefoot compression. My ceilings were so low back then that I could literally touch them while standing on top of a client. I didn't have bars or formal training—I had no idea barefoot massage was even a thing.
Then one day, I saw an ad in a trade magazine for an Ashiatsu training class in Denver, Colorado, and I immediately told my husband, "I need to learn that!"
Once I signed up, I told my clients I was going to learn this new way of working, and they couldn't wait for me to come back. Their encouragement gave me the momentum I needed. And when I returned, I incorporated barefoot massage into my practice as soon as my bars were up.
Why the Transition to Barefoot Massage Was Easier Than I Expected
When I got back from that first Ashiatsu class in 2002, I didn't hesitate—I was all in. I needed this new way to work. My clients trusted me, and I trusted the process. I wasn't offering them a choice between hands or feet—I was offering them the best bodywork I could give, and I was determined that my feet were going to continue to get better and better.
I don't remember much resistance. If a client didn't want to try a massage using feet, I probably let them go. My practice had always been focused on pain relief, not pampering. The results spoke for themselves, and clients stuck around because they were getting relief, not because of how I delivered it.
Where I Did Hit Resistance: Rolfing Changed the Game Again
Interestingly, the real struggle came years later, when I went back to school for Rolfing®. That was a harder pivot—because it wasn't just a new technique, it was a completely different way of thinking about bodywork, and a much bigger jump in pricing.
By then, I had a full practice of massage clients who didn't want to go through the formal Rolfing 10-Series, but I couldn't unlearn what I had just trained in. I was still using my feet. I was still doing deep work. However, my sessions were now infused with the Rolfing mindset, whether the clients were aware of it or not.
It created internal friction. I was doing similar fascial work across the board, but charging different rates—and I couldn't keep splitting myself like that.
Eventually, I had to make a hard call: I stopped offering "massage" sessions altogether and began charging one price for my time, no matter what we called it.
I share this because I know how challenging it can be to restructure your practice after a significant shift. Even though my situation may be different than yours—Rolfing is a whole new modality, while barefoot massage is more of an added tool—the tension is the same.
You're learning something that changes how you work, and you have to decide what that means for your business.
There's no one right way to do it. But if your current way of working is hurting your body, it's time to start making changes.
Lessons I Learned While Transitioning My Massage Practice
A few things I've learned from this process, both from my barefoot massage journey and my shift into Rolfing:
Start With Clients Who Already Trust You
Your regulars are your guinea pigs. Let them know what you're learning and why it's important. You'll be more comfortable with them—and they can give you honest "feetback." ;)
Don't Undersell Your Expertise
You've invested in continuing education massage training—own it. Clients are paying for your knowledge and skill, not your tool of choice.
Frame It as Progress, Not an Option
Don't present barefoot massage as a gimmick or add-on. Present it as the natural next step in your evolution as a bodyworker.
Define Your Value and Stick To It
Having two price points for essentially the same outcome creates confusion—for both you and the client. One price. One you.
Yes, You Might Lose a Few Clients—and That’s Okay
Did I lose clients during these transitions? Probably. But I don’t remember much grief about it—because I was finally doing work that felt good in my body and aligned with my skills.
More importantly, I wasn’t stuck in sessions feeling like I had to hold back or filter myself based on what a client was paying.
Not every client is meant to be your client.
Some people just aren’t ready to move forward with barefoot massage—or with your evolving approach to bodywork. Don’t take it personally. Don’t chase them. Let them go.
The right clients will stay—and better yet, they’ll refer others who truly value what you offer.
Once you learn how to use your feet properly and effectively, it’s hard to go back. It’s not just easier on you—it’s often better for your clients too.
Final Thoughts: Trust the Process
When you're doing work that supports your body and feels aligned with your skillset, you'll find your groove—and your people.
Trust your training. Stay grounded in the kind of bodywork you want to be doing. And know that your ideal clients will show up.
Ready to start using your feet with clients?
This guide walks you through how to start the conversation, set expectations, and begin integrating barefoot work into your existing sessions with confidence.
Feeling awkward or unsure after your first Ashiatsu class?
You’re not alone—it’s normal to feel clumsy in the beginning. This blog breaks down what’s happening and why it gets better with practice.
Up next:
Want practical tips on how to ease your clients into barefoot massage without losing the ones you love working with? I’ll be breaking it all down in next month’s blog—stay tuned!
Keep learning—and I look forward to seeing you in future classes! – Julie
