How Much Should I Undress for my Massage at As Within Massage & Wellness?

July 26, 2023  |  Natanya Knauf, LMT

TLDR:  As much as you’re comfortable with.


Some massage businesses have rules about how much clothing to keep on, and/or do not work on areas like the glutes without written consent from the client.  At As Within, all adults are encouraged to remove all clothing.  Minors are required to keep underwear on.


Benefits of removing all clothing

I prefer to work directly on the skin because it makes the massage feel better - I can create better flow with my motions, and I can include some full-body strokes that wouldn’t be comfortable over fabric.  I also like to avoid the risk of staining clothing with the massage medium. 


Draping rules

Some areas will never be exposed, like the groin/genitals and gluteal cleft; breasts on women and genderqueer people with breast tissue will never be exposed at As Within*, and I will expressly ask genderqueer people without breast tissue for preferences and comfort levels.  


I only undrape the areas I am currently working on, and the edges of the sheets will be tightly secured so they don’t move and expose other areas.  If you are not comfortable with an area being exposed, please let me know and I can work on that muscle group over the sheet, or skip over it entirely.


The white linens used at As Within are thick enough that even just one layer of fabric blocks any visibility of the body underneath.  I will often have another colored sheet or blanket on top, which is used for comfort and decoration, and can be removed if you get too warm on the table while still maintaining your privacy.


Areas I work on during a massage

In my standard full-body massage, I automatically include work on the gluteals, thighs, upper chest, scalp, and forehead.  I do not typically include work on the face, abdominals, or feet, but will be happy to do so on request.  If you are not comfortable with an area being worked on, please let me know and I will avoid it. 


There are exceptions!

If you would be experiencing mental discomfort over not keeping your underwear on during a session, then by all means leave them on.


If you have a medical condition that creates a high risk of leaving body fluids on the massage table, please address the areas appropriately with bandages, depends, or menstrual products, or by bringing lactation pads to lay on while face down.  I am equipped to handle accidents, but would like to avoid them as much as possible.


Always remember, no matter where you're getting a massage...



See you soon!  


Natanya, LMT





Questions or feedback about how great this was to read: hello@aswithinmassage.com