The Art of Massage

Like a farmer who considers his soil sacred, or the musician who exalts a melody, so does Grace Hyndman (McCarthy) regard massage therapy as a talent to be revered. This became evident when she named her business.

“I wanted customers to know that massage isn’t just about muscle and bone – it also has the capacity to penetrate your soul,” Grace says, “That’s why our therapists often feel like artists when they apply their physiological expertise. So I called it The Art of Massage.” Thus was born the Westhampton Beach facility she opened in 2001.

Regardless of the therapeutic modality, the common thread is Grace’s passion for improving the wellness of her clients. “I opened The Art of Massage because of my desire to help people in pain,” says the Long Island native, who earned her massage therapist license from the State University of New York in 2000.

Among Grace’s favorite offerings at The Art of Massage is Ashiatsu Oriental bar therapy™, the famed ancient method in which a therapist grasps ceiling bars while executing a barefoot massage. In fact, she’s proud to say she was trained by Ruthie Hardee, the founder of the therapy. “Ashiatsu is great for really deep, intense work”, says Grace.

Grace’s venue may be situated in the Hamptons – the upscale resort area where power brokers abound and celebrities party – yet there’s a wonderful tranquility when customers step through the door. That’s no coincidence, she insists. “Everyone is treated equally here”, says Grace, who ensures that all her services remain affordable. “We treat local workers who come here to relax sore muscles, just as we do famous artists, movie producers and summer visitors. The important thing is that my staff provides everyone a soothing touch, a balm for the mind, and serenity for their soul.”

A lofty goal? Certainly. Yet it’s why Grace hand-selected her staff of twelve, all of whom share her belief that an artful set of hands can heal your spirit. Or, as 19th-century British poet John Ruskin once exclaimed: “Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.”