Today we’d like to introduce you to Maple Conn, owner of Sabai Body Temple — a massage therapy studio in Uptown Minneapolis.
Hi Maple, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, thanks for having me! Born and raised in Evanston, IL, I was introduced to massage therapy by my mother who had a small home-based practice during my childhood. Massage Therapy was familiar and welcoming and when I discovered an intensive massage therapy training program in 2017, I jumped at the opportunity to learn as part of a gap year after high school. That program, offered at the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy, was the best decision I’ve made, and led to a flexible career that has supported me through a move to Minnesota, an undergraduate degree, and a pandemic!
I have worked in a variety of spa settings, assisted my mother’s small practice, offered function-focused bodywork in an athletic center, and after my move to Minnesota, joined the incredible team at Sabai Body Temple in May of 2019. That choice was a fortuitous one.
Sabai Body Temple has been a staple in Uptown Mpls since 2007, founded by Jess and Josh who I have been thrilled to work with and learn from for the last 3.5 years. After 16 years in business, they have decided to step forward onto new professional paths. For the last several months we have been diligently preparing and transitioning, and as of New Year’s, I am happy to announce myself as the new owner and operator of Sabai Body Temple. I am excited to lead our studio and awesome team into the next chapters of Sabai’s existence, and I am so thankful to be working in a profession and space that I have such love for.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any path, this one has had challenges, but I like to approach moments of challenge with patience and curiosity and view them as learning opportunities. The pandemic shutdown was hard on our little studio; we had 7 on our regular team in March 2020 and we reopened with half that team in July 2020. Perhaps remarkably, we haven’t had any instances of COVID transmission within the studio, though not by accident as we have brought intention and a high standard of communication to our team and our amazing clientele.
A silly small struggle recently is that I ordered too much toilet paper and we didn’t have enough storage space. But again, it’s always easier to approach the challenges with humor and curiosity!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sabai Body Temple is a massage therapy studio with a focus on client-focused hospitality and care. Every session starts with a glass of herbal tea, a warm towel, and an intake interview between the client and therapist so that the session can be customized to the client’s needs or goals. As a studio, we practice a blend of Eastern and Western bodywork techniques, termed “slow flow deep-tissue” which uses patience and intention to work with the client’s body to achieve profound relaxation and pain relief without causing discomfort in the process. Depending on the session you choose from our menu, your therapist may include heat, reflexology-based foot massage, a variety of oils including CBD oils, steamed herbal poultices, energy work, and other therapeutic approaches. We also have a robust Just For Couples menu and Gift Certificates available for all of your holiday or gift needs!
On the back end of the business, we shop locally as much as possible, participate in a CSA farm share, and donate to local non-profits/charities to give back to the community. We pay our team a living wage and offer employee status, professional development, and some additional benefits. We care for the Earth and use chemical-free ingredients for both clientele and studio care, and minimize our use of disposable products.
We take special pride in our client lounge which offers a soft oasis in the middle of the city. With cushioned chairs, water jugs, and our living plant wall, it’s the perfect place to decompress before your session, and gently land after your session.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Minneapolis has a growing holistic health scene, and that spreads into other aspects of balanced city life. For example, greenery is well-incorporated into the city, as are bike lanes, and artwork! There are eateries representing many different cultures, and community-building events are easy to come by especially in the warmer months. These are really great traits and resources to have in a city.
As someone who grew up near Chicago, I struggle sometimes with transportation options/convenience. Minneapolis is very drivable, and while biking is very safe, the highways affect bike routes and potential train or bus routes! But on the flip side, the train is quite clean and mobility-friendly; if the train were recognized and used by more of the community it might help traffic patterns (for example during heavy snow).
Overall, Minneapolis has been very welcoming, has encouraged me to spend time outdoors year-round and I’m thankful for the community I’ve found here. Now the goal is for Sabai to continue to be a comfort and support for this lovely community!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sabaibodytemple.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabaibodytemple/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabai.Body.Temple/
