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Testimonials

I have had some amazing massages with James. Highly trained and highly intuitive. His sessions are very healing and technically sound. He has a great ability to do deep work in a variety of ways, and I come away from each session having experienced a new level of relaxation and balance.
I know that he also teaches massage. His knowledge of healing and health and the body is vast. It is all very apparent through his work. I highly recommend him for anyone needing anything from a feel-good massage, to deep holistic transformation and release of tension or pain for the long run.
- Jessica Hadari, FEM Talks Founder
As an orchestral conductor who constantly beats up my body through conducting, as well as spending half of my life on airplanes, I have had a lot of massage therapy and body work done all over the world, by some immensely talented therapists. James ranks among the very best of the very best. I have had many transformational massages from James, and every single time I was impressed that although he is impeccably trained, he is also a true natural healer. He's got "the gift." Within the first 30 seconds of my first massage with him, I knew that he knew exactly what he was doing, and then some. If you are in need of a more-soothing Swedish style massage, he can deliver that brilliantly. Equally so, his deep tissue work is among the best I have ever encountered anywhere.
But Swedish and Deep Tissue are just the tip of the iceberg, in terms of James' vast menu of modalities. Even though I have had hundreds (thousands?) of massages over my conducting career, he introduced me to new modalities that were very beneficial to my own unique personal situation and physical state. He is extremely intuitive, and his massage comes from a genuine holistic approach. He is extremely well trained in an impressive number of different modalities, and knows exactly when to use what.
For example, as a conductor who gives new meaning to "repetitive stress syndrome" since I stand in front of orchestras day in and day out wafting (mostly) my right arm for hours on end daily/weekly/yearly, I always (especially) have major issues with that side of my upper body, as well as my lower back. James knew exactly what to do. He thoroughly understands the human body, and what it needs to regain its optimum balance. In addition to his highly intuitive abilities, he also communicates with his clients in the verbal medium, but knows how to translate that into the physical.
So, an actual massage from James feeds the soul and the body in many, many ways. You can feel the stress -- both physical and mental -- dropping away from your body and brain during the massage itself. But the actual proof of his talents are how exceptionally balanced and pain-free you feel the day after . . . the week after. And following body work by James, that improvement is impossible to miss.
There are a lot of fantastically-trained and talented massage therapists in Northern California -- we are very lucky in that respect. But there are a tiny few who take massage from being merely excellent, to that higher, elite, unquantifiable level. James Vaughn is one of those elite few.”
- George Daugherty, Emmy-winning Conductor
James is an extremely gifted therapist and I am always amazed at his intuitive abilities to relieve tension and pain as well as creating a relaxing and tranquil environment. He takes time to understand your goals for the session and specializes in tailoring therapy specific for your needs. I always leave feeling not only relaxed but ten times better!
- Anne Delgado, Violinist, Instructor
James shows a great mastery in his depth of attention to details -from the music and essential oils he uses in our sessions, to the amount of time and technique he gives to each area of distress, to even the subtleties in my voice and body language when I walk through the door that tells him right away what kind of work we'll be doing that day. He deftly brings me out of time and space into an extraordinary healing state. Every session has been a treasure that blesses me long after I've left.
- Sarah T
I find great value in James’ services. Not only is he a master at many different styles of body work, but a great life coach as well. His understanding of the subject is only magnified by his nonjudgmental and compassionate approach, giving me room to explore my own life, and empowering me to live more intentionally, trusting my inner guide, instincts, 6th sense, holy spirit, or whatever you call it.”
- Shaun S
James was so nice and welcoming. Let me preface my next statement by saying that I've gotten many massages in the past, some of which were absurdly expensive, but the massage I got from James was the best I have ever had. His attention to the body and how your muscles feel is beyond professionalism, it's passion for what he does. - Lauren T
James has this profound intention to see others be as happy and healthy as they can be. You might not like everything he has to say, but you'll know he's right, and that he'll really support your best interests -even when you can't see them for yourself. He's helped me get out of my head and into my body; and help me rise above my limited perspectives to ones that really helped me get through major challenges in my life. I'm forever grateful that I found him.
- Paula B
I was in a car accident and in intense pain. I went to James five days after the accident and within an hour he had me out of pain. I'm a competitive figure skater and I thought my competition season was over due to the pain from the accident, but by seeing James weekly I was able to continue my training and compete without pain and with full range of movement.
As a professionally trained massage therapist myself I have had many massages. James's technique far exceeds most other therapists. He knows how to release tight areas and to stretch the body so that it heals itself. When his massage is over you feel relaxed, pain free, and as if you've been healed. I highly recommend his therapy sessions.
- Marci N
From overdoing it at the gym to relieving stress from work or an upcoming belly dance performance; James has been able to get me back to feeling myself on many occasions.
I've met numerous massage therapists over the years but none with such an expansive knowledgeable base. He educates his clients on techniques he uses and explains how they work.
During my first session with James, I thought I'd save him time and tell him what I wanted - he pretty much told me what I needed and I've never questioned him again. James has been my therapist for 2+ years now and I have no need to look elsewhere but instead am frequently recommending him to those who truly have not experienced such relief.
Either for therapy / medicinal or purely relaxation, there is no question...go see James!
- Vicki C
I've had a good long life, seen most of the world, and never found a health practitioner like James. I can truly say I wouldn't be alive today were it not for him. Shortly into my first consultation with him, I realized I had found my lifeline. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable, he has a dazzling depth of intuition and sense for how things connect. He helped me see what was causing or contributing to my health issues that I never would have suspected, but made so much sense once he pointed things out. He knew what to do, who to send me to, and gave me a list of resources that have been critical in helping me get what I needed.
His life coaching is compassionate yet unflinching, giving me both the kick in the pants and the support I needed to break through my comfort zones and excuses that held me back. His mastery of Jin Shin acupressure drew out buried emotions and memories that he held space for with equal care, and took me to transcendent places. Each session went deeper, expanding my heart and mind, connecting me more to my intuition, and brought me into greater peace and sense of freedom.
James is a master bodyworker. I never experienced a massage therapist who incorporates so many modalities into such a balanced flow that invigorates yet deeply relaxes me. I have never experienced a healthcare practitioner who helped me feel so free in my body.
He helped me quit smoking and lose 100 lbs. After decades of insomnia, I can get a good night's sleep. I feel happier, healthier, and even *younger* than ever. The healing James helped me to find transferred to healing my relationships with my children and wife, saving my marriage. I reclaimed my creative spirit. I replaced a life of bitterness and despair with one of happiness and passion.
- John F
Although I take credit for taking the steps I have, I have to credit James for inspiring and helping me take those steps, and where to place my feet with each stride that has been improving my life in profound ways. Words like "Awakening," "Freedom," and "Becoming my true self" come to mind as I think of how my life has turned since James came into it.
Perhaps the most profound thing to note about his part in my transformation is that all he really did was really listen and "see" what was going on in my life, and then giving me information that has empowered me with knowledge and options. From there, it was simply his holding space for my Journey, while encouraging me and helping me find my own strength.
For years I have suffered from PTSD, an emotionally and physically abusive relationship, constant migraines compounded by cluster headaches and severe side-effects of heavy drugs prescribed by ineffective doctors trying to manage my symptoms who did more harm than good for lack of the knowledge and perspective that James used to help me break me out of this cycle of pain and suffering from groping through the dark while being led by the blind. His breadth of knowledge, training, and experience, combined with his enlightened understanding of health, life, and people, amazed me once I started discovering the truth he provided by the results I've achieved. As time goes on, I realize I've barely begun to see the extent of his wisdom and knowledge. The wealth of knowledge he's absorbed throughout his life, and the integrity of his research has and continues to provide me life-changing information. From the foundations of physical health, to the edges of consciousness and perspective, he led me through a compassionate, wholesome process to health and wellbeing I didn't know was possible.
Some concrete examples of how he's helped me are the weight loss I've achieved which has promoted more positive thinking that has helped lift my quality of life and my vision of what's possible for me. He's inspired me to become more proactive for my overall health. He's helped me understand the biological and psychological mechanics of cortisol and how to manage it. My resting heart rate used to be around 118. Now it's around 80! My debilitating migraines and cluster headaches have become significantly less frequent and less severe. Asthma used to have control over my life, but now I have control over my asthma. I'm running and dancing again. This is something I haven't done in what seems like a life time. My mind, body & spirit are soaring with new found knowledge & abilities that were just lingering beneath the surface waiting to be set free. I had to work hard to overcome my fears, my anger, and my pain to achieve all this. I had to be willing. I had to trust -to have some faith- not just in James, but in my self. He helped me touch that part of me that has no limits and knows virtually anything is possible. He showed me pathways I didn't know existed to reclaim my health, my self, and my life. I shudder to think of where I'd be now if it wasn't for his particular blend of compassion, knowledge, and commitment to my personal wellbeing.
Thanks to James, I feel more empowered with the knowledge I have, because I know what's going on. Only when you know what's going on can you know what you can do to change it. You can't change something if you don't know what or where the problem is.
Thank you, James, for all that you've helped me to have and become! - Cobi S
I was suffering from very limited mobility and pain in my neck and shoulders after falling off a mule on a hiking trip when I called James for help. After just one session, I have full range of motion in my neck without pain and can finally sleep through the night without waking up because my neck hurts.
He is well versed in a variety of massage therapy techniques and is gifted with intuition about what the body needs to heal itself. It was clear that he custom tailors his massages to meet his clients' needs and address their pain issues or trouble areas without compromise. As an added bonus, he is a professional who is obviously very active in his field and has vast knowledge about other holistic health resources available in the area. If he knows of other places that might help you, he will share them.
Even if you are not in serious pain or recovering from some injury, a massage from James would be the perfect way to relax and destress or just treat yourself.
- Jackie T
I was searching for a good massage therapist to help me through some lower back pain. I recently suffered from a slipped disc and although some of the inflammation went down, it never fully healed. So I wanted somebody who knew what they were doing. James was very professional. We went over my medical history and we talked a little about my back injury. I chose the 90 minute massage so I could totally relax. He made sure that I was completely comfortable. He focused a lot on my lower back, but not too much. I don't often get massages so I'm not sure what the "norm" is but I've never had a massage like that before. I felt like my massage was customized to my needs. He helped take compression off my spine, stretched me out, and also used acupressure to relieve my pain- that was the most amazing part. He twisted me in positions I thought would be painful but I experienced absolute relief and it felt incredible! It helped stretched my back out and helped me relax.
I had this massage just this morning and although I'm a tiny bit sore in my lower back, I haven't had this much mobility or relief since BEFORE I threw my back out. I cannot wait to go see him again!!!
– Justine G
A superior therapist! I booked an appointment with James because of his stellar reviews on Yelp. Now post-massage, I cannot sing his praises enough. I’ve had enough massages to know what is good, better, best, and James is the most exceptional therapist I have met. He takes time before and after the session to speak about any pain you may be dealing with, health goals, concerns, tensions he found in your body, etc. He is a true professional. He gave me exercise advice to help heal the chronic pain I’ve had in my rhomboid. (I did not know what a rhomboid was before meeting James). James is incredibly knowledgeable, highly skilled, and genuinely passionate about health and wellness which makes for a perfect experience. For him this is not just a job – unlike my experiences with others. I must borrow the words of George D. on Yelp, “there are a tiny few who take massage from being merely excellent, to that higher, elite, unquantifiable level. James Vaughn is one of those elite few.” If I were not moving out-of-state, I would see no one else. Northern California is lucky to have him! - Stephanie D
They say there is a trinity of being: Body, Mind & Soul, and that in order to have a happy, healthy, whole life, these three things need to be in balance. This led to my search for the "perfect" holistic health practitioner. I wasn't in balance. At that time my body felt clogged with old energy. My mind harbored old stale thoughts. And my soul... let's just say I was far away from the feeling of being connected to something larger than myself. I felt separate. Lost. I found James thru an internet search, yet I truly know now that it wasn't by happenstance.
During my intake we went thru a short series of questions that immediately made me feel understood, cared for, and that I finally found THE practitioner who could guide and support me on my journey. No health practitioner had ever done this with me before. I felt I was finally on my way. Prior to our massage time, I thought I knew just what I wanted in my massage. I shared where I hurt, where I hold tension etc. Not only was the first session amazing, but it revealed and addressed so much more than I realized I was carrying. It's the more I want to bring your attention to. James has the ability to see intuitively into process. The work he facilitates works on so many more levels than what we can even begin to fathom. There is a profound brilliance in his work. He can tap the weakest, scariest part of you with such deep compassion that you feel compelled to stay and work through it -knowing you're in a safe and sacred space to get what you need. He helps you realize that you're so much more capable than you know, and that so much more freedom and joy in life is available to you. You feel safe. You feel a transcendent love. You feel deeper peace and clarity just being in his presence after even a short time. You know you're in the right hands.
So I committed to my happy, healthy life plan, which James helped me put together, and booked weekly sessions, with the belief that I could and would be able to create the balance between my Body Mind & Soul that I was looking for. To date I can truly say I am a changed person, inside and out. Everyone in my life has been asking me what I've been doing lately. They see the change. My path is affirmed. Putting my massage/treatment program with James as a top priority in my life, I am already seeing the life I want to live come into being. I feel hope. I feel confident. The wellbeing I feel now is whole new world for me. And I know this is just the beginning. So if you are searching for the "perfect" holistic health practitioner, massage therapist, body worker, life coach, HEALER, then you need to set up your session with James. It will become the most important time for you in your day. It could be the most important, life-changing choice you've made in your life thus far.
- Bonnie K
As a world-travelling outdoorsman, I live a rugged lifestyle and take special care of my body to ensure I can enjoy my active life as long as nature will let me. I've become very discriminating about who I see over years of hits and misses, so it's no small thing when I praise James Vaughn for the excellent care he's given me. He's helped me recover faster from strains, injuries and illnesses so I can get back to doing what I love, and helped me prevent those better so I can enjoy my adventures far more than I would have otherwise.
He thoroughly researches my issues so he can make the best recommendations for me. His passion for supporting people enjoying life as much as possible is evident by his dedication and care.
For the value I've experienced from his service, I think his rates are modest. I particularly appreciate the discounts he provides to military and firefighter vets (since I'm both).
On a special note, James was critical in helping several of my veteran friends overcome PTSD, drug addiction, and depression. I thought they would never recover from their combat experiences, but James helped them reclaim their lives and restore them to their friends and families. We will be forever grateful!
- Tom A