With My Own Two Hands was born in late 2001, when Julie Lefmann became a Certified Massage Therapist. She has also been both a Certified Watsu Practitioner (Warm-Water Meditation Massage) and a Reiki Practitioner (energy healing) since 2004. Julie practiced as a Birth Doula for 12 years and attended well over 200 births but retired as a full-time doula in January of 2018.
A Triple Pisces, Julie is very much a water-baby and this informs her bodywork. Her fluid-like movement is a combination of Hawai'ian Lomilomi (patterned after the ocean) and Deep Tissue. She is a highly skilled therapist both on land and in the water.
A Triple Pisces, Julie is very much a water-baby and this informs her bodywork. Her fluid-like movement is a combination of Hawai'ian Lomilomi (patterned after the ocean) and Deep Tissue. She is a highly skilled therapist both on land and in the water.
Services
Julie Lefmann has been a continuously practicing Certified Massage Therapist since 2001, specializing in the highest quality Prenatal and Postnatal Massage, Induction Massage, Hawai'ian Lomilomi, Deep Tissue, and more. She has offered on-site massage, or mobile massage (in clients' homes, vacation homes, offices.)
Reviews (23)
Antonea C.
Jul 22, 2021
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Kerry Bunger
Apr 27, 2021
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Rob T.
Apr 04, 2021
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Terry Fitz
Jan 26, 2021
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Julie is a truly excellent bodyworker. I receive massage on a regular basis and have worked with many practitioners over the years, and she ranks at the very top of her profession. Her skill and body knowledge are truly exceptional, and I would highly, highly recommend her for anybody who either has issues with problematic muscle tension or just wants a thoroughly relaxing massage experience. Thank you, Julie.
Alison Steer
Nov 23, 2020
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I have been a repeat customer of Julie's for the last 3 years, took me awhile to find someone I was comfortable with and that was able to dial in the right level of pressure as needed and requested. I highly recommend if you are seeking a quality massage, you'll come out feeling invigorated and relaxed.
Bonnie J.
Nov 11, 2020
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Another reviewer who had a wonderful experience with Julie. She came to our weekend hideaway in La Selva Beach to give massages to my boyfriend and me. We each received 90-minute massages and they were excellent. Absolutely world class. She was punctual, professional, and helped make our weekend truly special.
She took time and care to understand our individual needs and preferences, then delivered precisely what was requested. There is no doubt that we will contact her again the next time we are in the area.
Highly, highly recommend.
She took time and care to understand our individual needs and preferences, then delivered precisely what was requested. There is no doubt that we will contact her again the next time we are in the area.
Highly, highly recommend.
Kim Girard
Jun 02, 2020
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Just had my first massage with Julie, and ended up buying a package on the way out the door because I KNOW I want more!! I've had quite a bit of body work done in the past, but nothing quite like this. I carry a lot of tension in my shoulders, and I now have workable, pain-free shoulders again!!
Thank you, Julie. You (and Scuba Steve) are the best. :)
Thank you, Julie. You (and Scuba Steve) are the best. :)
Angela G.
Mar 28, 2020
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At the risk of this secret getting out and her appointment book getting too full, I feel like Julie is deserving of an honest and stellar review. Julie is truly the best massage therapist I've ever seen. When I want to treat myself I call Julie and my family all know what to give me for birthdays/holidays. Julie instantly creates such a relaxing environment whether you're in her spa or in your home. For her in-home sessions, she brings music, the table, warm towels, everything. I've never had a therapist that instinctively knows where you need work like Julie does. I prefer a deep
Lisa K.
Mar 20, 2020
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This review is long overdue.
I've had many massages from Julie over the years, with the most recent at her Los Gatos location (I live in San Jose). From the very beginning, Julie makes you feel heard and cared for and she truly makes your massage therapy experience special. I really like (and need) deep pressure massages; Julie has strong arms and hands; using her entire body at times, she knows just how much pressure is needed. Julie really knows the body and how to adjust to make you feel your best. She also will check in throughout the massage to see if pressure is right, but still
I've had many massages from Julie over the years, with the most recent at her Los Gatos location (I live in San Jose). From the very beginning, Julie makes you feel heard and cared for and she truly makes your massage therapy experience special. I really like (and need) deep pressure massages; Julie has strong arms and hands; using her entire body at times, she knows just how much pressure is needed. Julie really knows the body and how to adjust to make you feel your best. She also will check in throughout the massage to see if pressure is right, but still
Meadow G.
Feb 24, 2020
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I feel blessed to have found Julie! I had been seeking a new massage therapist since the schedule of another I really like doesn't work for me. Julie is awesome! She listened to my initial requests and adjusted her technique as the massage progressed. I like fairly firm touch and she did great. She is professional, kind, and intuitive in her approach. Highly recommend!
Owens P.
Feb 06, 2020
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Julie is kind and caring. She has to be one of the best if not the best massage therapist I have ever had work done. She immediately makes you feel comfortable and calm. She has the best follow through with her strokes, making you feel like she is always touching your body. She even did my feet which I've noticed a lot of masseuses rush around that area. I don't know what else I can say except she's very intuitive to know which areas to concentrate on. Did I mention she's mobile too! Extra bonus. I will definitely have her come back again and again. Thank you Julie, my sister
Richard Swan
Dec 17, 2019
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Julie provides an excellent massage therapy service. I went to her Los Gatos office on Monday. She is warm and sympathetic while being completely professional. I had a 90 minute Lomi Lomi, Hawaiian style, massage. I have had many massages around the world, her's was one of the best. I am recommending that my wife try the experience.
Tricia R.
Nov 28, 2019
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I'd been looking for a regular massage therapist for a while after someone I'd worked with for 3 years moved away. Julie delivered! I personally feel like you can anticipate the quality of a massage from the first minute or so, and Julie always make me feel immediately grounded and calm when we begin. I enjoy deep tissue massage and she does a wonderful job at working out the tension I have. I book a 90 minute session with her as often as I can!
Brisa S.
Nov 04, 2019
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This review is long over due. I am currently 9 months pregnant with my second baby and thanks to Julie I have been feeling great throughout my entire pregnancy. I see her regularly for prenatal massages. I live in San José so we meet at her Los Gatos location. Every massage starts with a mini consultation where she asks me how I've been feeling and if there's any areas I want to focus on. I can tell she has a lot of experience working with pregnant woman and really knows how to make us feel better. I always walk out of there feeling relaxed and renewed. I plan to continue going to
Christine Vermeersch
Oct 26, 2019
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I have been getting massages from Julie for many years now, and she is awesome. Besides giving a great massage, she is very repectful of the client's wishes for quietness and relaxation. She does her work without needless talking and is very good at maintaining an air of relaxation, both with the energy that she puts out and with keeping the environment relaxed and uncluttered. Her watsu sessions are divine, the first time it created such a massive release of emotions I just sat there and sobbed, I had never felt so loved and cared for.
Go see her you will not regret it!
Go see her you will not regret it!
Nakul M.
Jun 03, 2019
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Julie is an incredible masseuse, who I recently hired for our preschool to treat all the hard working teachers with a private 20 min onsite massage. Every single person had nothing but amazing things to say about their experience. On behalf of the whole crew - we wanted to say Thank you!
The process was very straight forward and Julie's services & professionalism were top notch! Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great experience and feeling super relaxed! Thanks again!
The process was very straight forward and Julie's services & professionalism were top notch! Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great experience and feeling super relaxed! Thanks again!
Holly B.
Mar 05, 2019
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Julie is warm, conscious, and has magic hands that left all of our staff in bliss, after she treated us to mini-massages at our work party.
I really appreciated her diligent communication and attentiveness, as she patiently worked with us in organizing the spa evening for 13 of us.
I, personally, am somewhat of a newbie to massage - and the few experiences I've had haven't always been the best, as I have a nerve & autoimmune disorder that can leave me hypersensitive. She sensed immediately, during my massage, that she needed to change pressure/technique and what she switched to
I really appreciated her diligent communication and attentiveness, as she patiently worked with us in organizing the spa evening for 13 of us.
I, personally, am somewhat of a newbie to massage - and the few experiences I've had haven't always been the best, as I have a nerve & autoimmune disorder that can leave me hypersensitive. She sensed immediately, during my massage, that she needed to change pressure/technique and what she switched to
Joe W.
Aug 05, 2018
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My wife and I came up to SAnta Cruz for the week, staying in a vacation rental, and we have an infant here too. She worked around our schedule to come when the baby was asleep, then came and delivered each of us a thorough massage. She has some excellent techniques and welcomed communication about how much pressure, or the climate of the room, comfort of the table, etc. I usually will have a social conversation with a massage therapist, but Julie urged me to relax and not feel any need to talk, and I have to say that by keeping quiet I got into a deep zone and had time to have personal reflection
Angelika H.
Aug 02, 2018
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We had Julie come to our beach rental in La Selva for a massage, courtesy of my sister in law. Spa day- yay!
Julie was great. She spent about three hours giving 20-30 minute massage to myself, several sister in laws , my daughters and nieces. She even did a mini massage for my younger son who wanted to try it.
It was so relaxing and we all felt revitalized afterwards.
We all agreed, she did a great job. She is a lovely, sweet person who you feel at ease with.
Highly recommend Julie!
Julie was great. She spent about three hours giving 20-30 minute massage to myself, several sister in laws , my daughters and nieces. She even did a mini massage for my younger son who wanted to try it.
It was so relaxing and we all felt revitalized afterwards.
We all agreed, she did a great job. She is a lovely, sweet person who you feel at ease with.
Highly recommend Julie!
Lorien B.
Sep 06, 2017
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We had a great experience with Julie from the start! After meeting her at a meet-the-doulas event, and being recommended from a friend, we chose Julie to be our birth doula. We connected with her energy and enthusiasm, and valued the tremendous amount of experience she has. Her healing work/massage was an added bonus! My husband and I interviewed a handful of doulas and were unanimous in our decision to work with Julie for our first birth.
We took all the prep classes and talked to friends and family leading up to the birth but still felt some anxiety going into it. We both wanted the insurance
We took all the prep classes and talked to friends and family leading up to the birth but still felt some anxiety going into it. We both wanted the insurance
Mo B.
Oct 08, 2016
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I wasn't going to write a Yelp review for Julie at first, because I had already sent her like a 10 page letter, informing her that (and explaining to her, in great detail, why) we did not find her services to be beneficial for us. I had written this letter as amicable as possible, in hopes that she'd receive it as a sort of guide, for things she might consider improving upon, in order to help try to prevent making similar "mistakes" with any future clients, thusly improving the quality of her business over all.
I had even mentioned in the letter that I didn't want to leave
I had even mentioned in the letter that I didn't want to leave
Jamie B.
Apr 01, 2016
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My husband and I met Julie at a Blossom Birth "Meet the Doulas" night, and we were both immediately impressed with her confidence and depth of knowledge. Her warmth and many years of experience helped us feel certain that we had made the right choice when we hired her as our birth doula. (Our dog also really liked her, which we thought was a good sign.)
Julie did a great job helping us prepare for the birth through her prenatal visits at our home. Additionally, she recommended some helpful books and an excellent childbirth class, and she was always quick to respond to any questions we
Julie did a great job helping us prepare for the birth through her prenatal visits at our home. Additionally, she recommended some helpful books and an excellent childbirth class, and she was always quick to respond to any questions we
Jeremy T.
Sep 05, 2015
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We started looking for a doula right before we went into our third trimester. We searched online and Julie's name came up in several places with positive ratings, so we reached out and had her come by the house for a meeting. She was exactly what we were looking for with our first child. She has a deep knowledge on the subject of maternity and labor and she was great at sharing her experiences to help inform us on the range of scenarios we may face while attempting a natural birth. We wanted someone who was going to help advocate what we wanted and would point us in the right direction
