Meet Tyus Tillman of Tables Up Massage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyus Tillman.

Tyus, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I became interested in massage therapy back in 2009 and began working towards certification at IPSB at Life Energy Institute in Culver City, California. I completed my first 150 hours of training there and learned the foundation of massage therapy which included lessons in Tai Chi and Swedish massage.

In 2010, I moved to Houston, Texas where I completed the 500-hour certification requirement at Avalon School of Massage. Training there included continuing Swedish massage techniques as well as Thai massage, Shiatsu massage and a deeper understanding of kinesiology and anatomy to be combined with theories of Chinese medicine.

Upon returning to Los Angeles in 2015, I quickly learned that being a regular massage therapist in this saturated market wasn’t going to cut it. That’s when I added active isolated stretching (AIS) to my services. Combining the two modalities separated me from the pack and allowed me to find my niche.

Since then, I have also been certified in several other skills including TRX fitness, animal flow, and other movement specialization techniques.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course, there are struggles in life, in general. One thing that has been a challenge in this industry, specifically, is getting people to understand the purpose and necessity of what I do.

Massage is often viewed as a luxury that people occasionally partake in when they want to treat themselves. The message I want people to know is that we move our bodies in so many ways every day and even sitting for long periods of time has an effect on muscular development and function. What I do isn’t just rubbing the shoulders for relaxation.

It involves sensory repatterning and correctional movements and stretches that improve flexibility, mobility, stability and overall quality of life when it comes to movement functionality. I provide my clients with the opportunity to counter the effects of daily living and workout routines.

Please tell us about Tables Up Massage.
Tables Up is a mobile service that prides ourselves on meeting clients where they are, literally and figuratively. We pop-up at local farmer’s markets in the greater Los Angeles area for the one-on-one table experience as well as lead group stretching classes at Thrive Health Lab twice a week.

Our tagline is “stretchin’ Issa habit,” and I’m most proud to have positioned myself as a thought-leader when it comes to shifting the narrative around how we care for our bodies, especially when it comes to stretching and the importance of flexibility.

In this way, we are not just working on the body, we are also working on the mind, helping clients value and prioritize their health in new ways. This, above all else, is what I believe separates us from other massage therapists.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I think the path that I’m on is where I’m supposed to be. If I tried to change anything, it would change everything.

Pricing:

• $1/minute at the farmer’s markets
• $75/hour in-studio

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tablesupmassage.com
• Phone: 323.332.9760
• Email: tablesupmassage@gmail.com
• Instagram: @tablesupmassage / @teewhyyoues
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/tablesupmassage

Image Credit:
Joi K. Madison

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