Massaging Out the Stresses of the Week

Sitting behind the wheel in stalled traffic on your daily commute, then at your desk for hours throughout the week can stiffen your back. Carrying a toddler around and doing back-breaking yard work also tightens muscles. One option for recovery is Mother Terra Massage, a new business that recently opened above Soup Thyme in the building at 450 Monroe Turnpike.

Mother Terra is owned and operated by husband and wife Terri and Gersain Munoz of Trumbull.

"If you wake up with a kink in your neck, you can't function. We can help you with that," Terri said.

Gersain added, "We can soften the tissues to enable movements."

Terri said Mother Terra Massage is strictly a massage parlor offering deep tissue, hot stone, Swedish and Thai massages. She said Thai massage is like yoga.

"They call it a lazy man's yoga," she said. "I use my feet on them."

Mother Terra also offers aroma therapy.

Terri said the darkened lighting and music make for a relaxing atmosphere. "A lot of people fall asleep," she added.

A Marine Town in N.C.

Terri and Gersain lived in Norwalk before moving to North Carolina after Gersain joined the Marines.

"I had a massage business in North Carolina with a friend," Terri said. "All of our clients were Marines and their wives. The whole town was 25 and younger."

Terri said she feels she relates better to the clients she now serves in Monroe.

Terri and Gersain got married in North Carolina, before moving back to Connecticut two years ago.

Terri, who had learned the art of massage in North Carolina, worked at spas in Darien and Wilton before deciding to start her own business again.

"I missed having a say in everything," she said. "It's different when you work for someone else."

Gersain plans to take an active role in the couple's new business venture. 

"I'm going to massage school at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in Westport now," he said.

Mother Terra Massage is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and appointments may be made by visiting its website MotherTerraMassage.com or by calling 203-923-3697.