I started seeing James around five years ago when my body was holding a lot of stress due to a bicoastal life and a challenging relationship. I had never met a massage therapist who sat and talked prior to the session and I found it added a whole other layer to the healing process. And then there is the fact that James just has the best energy around! The minute you walk into his space you can feel it in the air and you leave with some of that energy after your session. I always do the 90 minute massage with Reiki and I always leave feeling like a whole new person. James Ruff is an amazing soul and a gifted healer.

I have worked with James for almost ten years. He is a massage therapist with a difference. He creates an extremely safe space, and approaches the body with reverence and sensitivity, which allows for deep relaxation. I have had very different experiences over the years, sometimes deep physical rest, and at other times, surprising to me, profound emotional letting go. James deals with whatever arises, and he is genuinely keen to be of service to you as a client. I am a psychiatrist and have referred clients to him to help with healing touch for people who carry trauma in their body memory. He is highly skilled and also intuitive. I love when he ends the massage with a reiki session, which I feel so strongly when he does it, I can literally feel the cells of my body calming down. It's a tremendous gift of self care, to see James for a massage.

There are times in life when people arrive at just the right moment. James is one of those people. I was suffering from a 'frozen shoulder' for over a month that was caused by anxiety, stress, and over-work. The pain severely restricted my movement and further deepened my depression. I found James after carefully researching options in New York that most resembled Zentherapy, a mixed healing practice that I spent the last ten years following back in the Bay Area. It was very clear from the get-go that time with James was not going to be like any other body work session. Before he even worked on me, we spent time talking about my condition, pain, challenges, and what I hoped to get out of my sessions. It was, during that first conversation, that I realized what a strong healing and calming presence James has. At that moment, I was so relieved to have found someone that I could share my story with and know that he only has my well-being at heart. He crafted a program for me that has served as the catalyst in my effort to re-learn a balance between mind, body, and spirit. I've had numerous sessions with James and his trigger point technique is excellent. With his help, I'm also learning what it's like to open my energy pathways and in particular release long-held pain through his vocalized sound therapy technique. I went in to have a 'frozen shoulder' fixed and received so much more in return. I highly recommend James for anyone who understands that true holistic healing requires an approach that only experience and wisdom can bring.

James has completely changed how I'm able to move around in the world and what I'm able to do. His knowledge of the body and injuries is way beyond anyone I've dealt with in 15 years of trying to recover form a serous accident. I cannot recommend him enough. Best money I've spent on my health and well-being by far!!

I had a recovery plan. After the plan fell apart a good friend recommended James. I'm recovering from skin removal surgery after a 225lb weight loss. I have 70 inches of scarring on my 5' tall self. Every week I have unique experiences with my body. James has become a navigator as I pilot my recovery journey. He creates an ideal environment for healing. He listens, really listens to your words and your body. His voice is calming, his energy is comforting, and his heart is genuine. My treatment plan includes yoga, massage, myofascial release, skin rolling and pain management. James has magic hands and is a gifted healer. He understands the relationship between body, mind and spirit. He is passionate about healing and living pain free. James is an amazing teacher. He is generous with knowledge and communicating his experiences. I can assist in my recovery in total confidence because of his guidance. No matter how intense my session is I leave feeling relaxed and satisfied. Peace of mind is priceless and having James as part of my recovery plan provides a stress free road ahead. I'm forever grateful.

James was fantastic! I recently had a baby and have had issues with my back and hips. James was able to mix traditional massage techniques as well as stretching and pressure points. I will be going back for sure! He was able to make me feel comfortable and relaxed as he worked though my body. Great energy and a great soul!

I am trying to book an hour but I can’t in person or email or phone

After years of struggling with chronic headaches, and trying countless therapies, I finally found my way to James -- and I'm so grateful that I did. James is an incredibly talented and deeply knowledgeable massage therapist, and has provided an entirely new framework for me to understand my pain and approach self-healing. For the first time in a long time, I feel significant improvement. What's more, I feel empowered by what I am learning. Highly recommended!

I’ve been seeing James for rheumatoid arthritis pain the past two months, and he has been extraordinarily effective. Yes, he’s expensive, but I have seen dramatic improvement in the way my body feels, and he has developed a targeted exercise program which allows me to continue to build strength and flexibility and to decrease joint pain. James is a caring, compassionate professional, extremely skilled at body work, and he's totally attuned to the person he's working with. I cannot recommend him highly enough. He’s simply phenomenal.

Absolutely amazing body worker! I came with a broken hand, which underwent full reconstructive surgery and caused not only a complete loss of mobility in my hand and wrist but also severe pain in my neck, back and shoulders. JR worked with me for several months and I now have almost complete mobility in my hand, my wrist is 100%, and the pain in my back and neck are no more. He taught me self-healing techniques, and built a treatment plan that I am able to use to heal myself between sessions and as frequently as I can find time for. His massage is not like anything I've ever experienced, it was more like a form of "non-invasive surgery" where he used his hands and my own body's strength to "undo" the scar tissue that had been causing me an inability to use my hand... his knowledge of movement and anatomy are inspiring! Very different than the excruciating physical therapy (that had sadly failed to resolve my issues), the experience of healing with JR was almost pain-free (keep in mind I was in agony before we met). James is a gifted and fantastic therapist and an true expert in his field. I am eternally grateful for having met and for our work together.

James was a life saver. As a professional dancer who recently moved to the city, I had been looking for someone to add to my team of specialists to keep my body in a good place. Every time I have called him with a crisis physically he has done his best to fit me in the day I call, and prioritizes my physical health. Not only is James dependable, he also works magic. I have come to him with several issues, and each time he has ensured I am walking out of the room feeling better. I have come to him with back issues, knee issues, pulled hamstrings, etc.. As a dancer, I am very particular with whom I work with and James is my go-to here in New York for sure!

I’m so incredibly grateful for James. I didn’t quite realize just how much pain I had been suffering until after our first session and I began to feel better. James provides so much more than massage, he is an incredibly gifted teacher. Even from our first conversation, I realized that he was someone truly special, when he said we would work together to “get ahead of the pain, rather than always chasing after it” and he has remained true to that promise ever since. He has taken the time to pass on his in depth knowledge of anatomy and muscle physiology so that I can learn how to get benefit beyond our sessions with the exercises and stretches that he teaches. He has also shown such incredible kindness and compassion, looking to connect on an emotional level to provide a comprehensive healing environment unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I’m confident that the profound changes I’ve begun to experience after a few sessions with James are only a signal of what to expect in the future.

Very good massage, just commute to this place for me is not preferable.

james was awesome! I went there in desperate need of shoulder work and he completely healed me in an hour!

James is one of the best, if not the best massage therapist and body worker I’ve ever met. While I was living in NYC, I was a regular client. James is intuitive and skilled. He doesn’t follow any manual, but rather customizes treatments to the clients need on the day. No session is the same. I was so inspired by James’ ability in bodywork that i asked him to give me some lessons. Once I moved to London, i went on to receive my license in sports massage therapy. I credit much of the foundational knowledge and the way that i approach massage to him. I would refer my nearest and dearest to this man as he has an innate gift.

I saw James last year for my debilitating sciatica pain. At my first appointment I was impressed by his incredible attentiveness and empathy. At every turn, he explained what he was doing and why. I soon discovered that his skills and knowledge were of equal proportions to his watchfulness. Trust is not an easy thing for me, especially when it comes to my body, but he quickly gained my confidence. He really cared about my situation and approached my problem holistically. He is a deep reservoir of knowledge, who understands the mind-body-nutritional connection. During our past year of working together I am on a much better path to long term health. My sciatica pain has been completely manageable for many months, and he is currently advising me on ways to strengthen my body so I can live a longer, happier, pain-free life. Simply put, James is one of those professionals that takes the guesswork out. He makes it easy, because all one has to do is listen.

The hands of a poet, the mind of a healer. I have sought the services of James for more than 9 years. Simply put, he is the best massage therapist I have ever met. I have only praise for his professionalism, his kindness in assessing the work to be done, his attentive touch, his overall manner during our sessions. It may be that James is also an accomplished musician: all I can say is that he made music of the knots, the stiffnesses, the tiredness on my bones. I wholeheartedly recommend James; he is worth every penny and your body will thank you for days afterward.

When NYC started opening up after COVID, I immediately wanted someone to help fix all the back pain I had. I been to numerous doctors over the years, and tried everything to get rid of the pain. Just one session with James has helped me tremendously. His office is a super safe environment and he takes serious precautions against COVID. Highly recommend James as he helped with your pain internally and externally.

James is hands down, the most talented and knowledgeable massage therapist I have ever seen. It took me a long time to find him, but I'm so glad I did! He is totally committed to his craft, and is constantly educating himself. When he told me once that he spent hours on the computer, on his own time, to research my condition so he could better help me, I was blown away. James is one of the sweetest, most caring, genuine individuals I have ever known, and he has helped me heal in ways that words simply wouldn't do justice to.