Testimonials

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I recommend John Picard to anyone who needs healing, empathetic massage therapy--and isn't that everyone? He is simply the best I've ever met, and I can't recommend him highly enough. He's someone who--if you have never had a massage--will spoil you for all others. And if you are considering John because you know how crucial massage is to your own wellbeing, then your session with John will be more effective than any other.
Linda Rosewood, Santa Cruz, California.

I had the pleasure of receiving several massages of the very gifted John, whose hands I can only describe as magical tools. He just seems to intuitively know what your body or in fact what your whole being needs when you lie on that table. He is so generous in sharing his gift and puts his heart and soul into each treatment that you will leave feeling revived, renewed and whole again. Apart from all this, he is completely professional, knowledgeable and trustworthy. If anywhere near Athlone, do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a wonderfully holistic experience with John.
Out of this world.
Nadine



"I felt completely at ease, accepted and nurtured......John was very respectful and caring.....I have had many different massages, but this was the best , by miles..."
Lisa Brooks, Galway. 

"Wonderful technique...John is excellent at setting a comfortable mood...put me at my ease from start to finish...a perfect massage experience..."
Lora O'Brien, Roscommon. 

"I came across John while WWOOFing near Athlone. Since having a motorcycle crash when I was 16, my back has been quite bad and back in Germany, where I come from, I went to a few Physiotherapists who tried different types of therapies, but none of them really worked. My back would have been better for the next few days and then bad again. So when I asked my WWOOFing Host if she knew somebody who could fix my back and she recommended John, I did not expect too much.
When I then had my first treatment with John, I was surprised by the amount of time he spent working on not only my back, but my whole body. I had three treatments in a row and with every treatment my back got better and better, and after the third one I couldn't believe how good it had turned out to be.
Even though his methods were new and unfamiliar to me, because they contended massaging as well as energetic therapy, I always felt comfortable and if my back will ever be bad again (Which I at the moment don't believe because I feel absolutely great!), I will definitely save up for a trip to Ireland!

Thanks a lot, John!"
Johanna Riedel, Germany


John came to my home to give me a massage. He prepared the room with music candles and incense. We had a chat about where I was in my life and what my needs were before the massage. The whole experience was a delight. While John massaged my body, I felt he knew exactly what I needed, and where was tense and needed loosening. I felt so safe and held and nurtured. By the end , I was in a state of bliss and gratitude.
Ahlmeirah Ariel Hallaire,  London.


"John is a highly experienced and professional masseur. I recently booked in for a series of Lymphatic Drainage massages with John. I can really feel the difference, I feel healthy, happy, and relaxed. I firmly believe regular massages are extremely beneficial not just for relaxation purposes but for overall health and well being. I recommend them to my clients all the time."
Linda McFarland, Nutritional Consultant and Chef.

 
"John's massages are a unique and individually tailored experience. I felt completely comfortable and at ease with him. I came away feeling deeply relaxed and at peace in both body and mind. Lovely settings, lovely atmosphere, lovely manner and great experience. Thank you John"
Karena , Roscommon

A hidden gem in Athlone.
After enduring some muscle pain from an old injury and soreness from stress and traveling, I finally decided something needed to be done for my body. I looked up a few places in Athlone (where I was visiting for a few days) and was immediately intrigued by the reviews from this clinic. After a pre-massage interview, John was very attuned to my body's needs and achy areas. He de-knotted me from head to toe and I left his clinic feeling like a brand new woman. If you want to treat your body to gentle healing and escape the world for an hour or two, you must call John!
June, Stavanger, Norway.

"Uplifting massage....."
I received a truly amazing massage from John. He is extremely professional and experienced in offering a unique experience to his clients. He is welcoming and open and offers a relaxing and uplifting massage from start to finish. I would highly recommend and i will return again. Thank you John!
Emily, Vancouver.

Durch meine Arbeit, als Erzieherin, habe ich ab und an mal Probleme mit meinem Rücken.
Ich habe dann auf epfehlung meines physios (was ein Fehler seiner seits was ;-)) einen Termien mit John ausgemacht. Was soll ich sagen? Einfach nur eine Wohltat für den ganzen Körper! Himmlisch so entspannt war ich noch nie nach einer Behandlung bei einem Physiotherapeuten. Absolut schmerzfrei und auch die Tipps welche ich am Ende von John erhielt waren hilfreich. Ich bin seitdem noch zweimal bei john zur massage gewesen... auf jeden Fall sehr empfehlenswert, ich werde auf jeden Fall immer wieder zurückgehen. Perdita.

"Calme et relaxant".
Après plusieurs séances avec lui je n'avait plus de douleur au dos. John est un très bon masseur, qui est a votre écoute et celle de votre cors. Il travail dans un cadre calme et relaxant.
Je retournerais le voir avec grand plaisir! Marie F.

"It was an excellent, strong, deep muscle massage and I enjoyed it very much. It really helped me to relax, and it loosened up knots and and pains in my back and neck greatly. John is a terrific masseur, he is patient and caring and I feel very safe with him. He is very talented and skilled with a natural healing ability in his hands."
Heidi Bedell, Dublin.


"Hope you don't mind but I felt the need to write about these magical hands..I had my first John Picard massage experience 10 years ago and it was such a magical experience it stuck in my head and my body never forgot. I recently experienced it again and oh what a soothing, relaxing, most amazing massage ever. The years of experience do tell in the hands and I cannot begin to tell how amazed I was, my body never felt so relaxed and it was a much needed release of tension. I would recommend to everyone to experience it at least once in a lifetime. He is so worth the experience."
Maria, Dublin

"John's massage is a combination of both strong and sensitive, really enjoyed it.....very present and professional"
Judith Ashton President, Irish Massage Therapist Association.

"I've had a number of massages from John, all of which I've thoroughly enjoyed. As a professional massage therapist myself, the massages were thorough,firm, professional, respectful, and I look forward to enjoying many more. John is caring, empathetic, gentle and respectful . Some people have it, others never will..........John does."
Frances.

"very relaxing....felt like a newborn afterwards. Aches and pains I had beforehand have vanished."  
Michaela, Roscommon 

A deeply relaxing moment, a magical touch, a compassionate ear and a very gentle smile. One of the best massages I've had.
Amelie Bal, Galway.

"What an amazing experience! John is so easy to talk to and makes sure to have a good chat with you first about what your needs are, what's happening with your life at the moment that would affect you physically and makes sure that he knows your comfort level and is perfectly happy to work within those limits. He has a wonderful touch (and lovely warm hands!) and clearly knows what he is doing be it the physical part of the massage or the energy work he does while he kneads out your kinks. I can't say enough about what an amazing experience it was and I am certainly placing myself on his list of regulars! I'm already planning on booking him when he comes back down to Dublin again!"
Paige Keating, Dublin.

I’ve known for many years that Massage is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of healing. 
10 years ago, I spent a year in India and experienced Ayurvedic Massage regularly and found it 
hugely beneficial. Since then, I would go through phases of ‘self care’ and ‘get a massage’ to loosen 
the tension in my body. This week, I went to John Picard at his therapy room in Garden Vale and
experienced my second Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage.
I have to say it is the most amazing and profound form of massage and one I definitely recommend for
anyone who either wants a totally relaxation experience or those who are more serious about exploring the body armoring in the body.
So, what makes it so special, what is it, how does it differ from other massage, how does it "work"?
Well, after my experience of the massage, I came home and looked up on the web – the reasons why I
found it such a profound experience:-
The Hawaiians view all aspects of the body as one and believe that the physical, mental, emotional 
and spiritual are all part of the "whole" self - when healing is effected on one level, all levels are
affected. They look at things in terms of energy flow, following the idea that an idea or belief can
block energy flow as much as muscle tension can. When harmony is lacking in the body, the effect
is pain physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. Lomi Lomi helps release this and therefore
facilitates the road to healing. On the physical level, it can help relieve stress and tension and stimulate
the elimination of wastes and toxins. It works by gently yet deeply massaging into the muscles with
continuous, flowing strokes, totally nurturing the body and, enabling the recipient to relax, give in and
simply be. However, whilst technique is an important part of the massage and associated healing, just
as important is the presence and state of mind of the Masseur with their focus on the client being deep
and complete, using loving hands and a loving heart. As I read and gathered information about this
sacred form of massage – it affirmed my experience with John Picard as a Lomi Lomi practitioner.

– I entered John’s room in Garden Vale and my senses were greeted with the relaxing smell of
aromatherapy and the inviting warm temperature of a large airy bright space. After a ample time of 
conversation and relevant note taking, John left me to get ready for massage and I lay on the table
covered with my towel.
The massage is ritualistic from beginning to end. It was given in fluid, rhythmic motion using the
forearms as well as the hands, feeling like gentle waves moving over the body. At other times,
different parts of the body were massaged at the same time, while he was working on my shoulder, the
other hand may have been sweeping down my hip. It was totally relaxing and invigorating at the same
time. Apparently - it is impossible or at least extremely difficult for the brain to focus on the two
different areas at once, so while at times it felt like my whole senses were being assaulted – the body
amour and resistance in my body had no option but to eventually give up and surrender to constant of
flowing stokes, followed by slow motion and his hands being placed in Reiki positions on the body.
An hour and a half later, I was totally zonked! My body felt at ease and totally relaxed. In a busy world of being, doing, striving, achieving.... It’s a precious occurrence to be a woman and experience a sensual,
relaxing, healing massage with a safe skilled professional man.

Thank you John. I’ll be back.

Martina Breen.