Testimonials

12-2011  Kimberly

Thank You and Bless You!

Melinda,
I hope you had a relaxing, restorative, and productive Thanksgiving.  I look forward to seeing the decorations you put up.  I’m sorry it has taken me so long to get this to you.  Between my knee procedure, the medications I used for the pain, and the holiday, I’ve been totally thrown off.

But I do feel more like myself, and I am having (or am open to) more and more experiences that are sending me the message that it is time to heal myself.  As a result of our last session, I’ve felt more connected to the universe, the people around me, and my own body.  I’ve been breathing better and I feel more confident.  I also healed faster from my knee procedure this time than I ever have in the past, and I’m already going for 3 mile walks, which I usually can’t do until 3 weeks after the more minor procedure—and couldn’t do, due to my back, before I started working with you.

More good news: although the MRI shows that I have two torn discs, my discs are actually bulging less than they did at the time of my last MRI.  That is probably a combination of factors, both the prolotherapy I received to strengthen the surrounding ligaments, and the multi-dimensional alignment work we’ve been doing.

Thank you so much!
You are a blessing, and I owe Rahat big for introducing me to you.

Gratefully, Kimberly

11-30-2011

I cannot say enough about this salon. So happy to have purchased that Groupon.  Happy enough to keep coming back. You have to die for body scrubs! Facials that make you glow (I am not kidding) Different massages for so many different reasons you might need one. Now They Have Reflexology. Melinda is amazing. Her new therapist Catherine works alone & with Melinda. She is so comfortable to be with. I think her voice relaxes you as much as her technique. If you can combo them together Facial/Reflexology or Four Handed massage YOU WILL NOT be disappointed!

Airon M   7/2/2011 Alexandria

I first experienced Mon Sanctuaire through a Groupon, and chose to have the “mini massage” (the Groupon was for either a facial or mini massage).  I have had several massages in my life, but this was definitely unique.  First off, I came in severely stressed.  I was expecting a Swedish massage or something similar, but ended up getting something completely different (though I was pleasantly surprised).
As other reviewers have noted, Melinda uses a “hybrid” massage approach including cranial sacral (sp?) therapy.  My back and neck were extremely tight, and at first, I really questioned whether the technique Melinda was using would have any effect whatsoever.  It was more like gentle poking in different places (not unlike acupuncture).  At first, the places she poked were extremely painful; however, nearly as soon as she touched them, my body just “melted” into the pressure and the pain immediately subsided.  It was amazing.  By the time I left the session, I felt more relaxed than I had felt for weeks.  Melinda promised me that the treatment she had given me would “open” me up and release toxins.  Whatever she did, I was very surprised the next day when I felt sore (not unlike a good workout when you overwork a few areas), despite the fact that during the massage, I felt like she was being extremely gentle (it never felt like she was doing deep tissue massage).  At any rate, I came away feeling extremely relaxed and was sad to learn that I’d found this place right before moving away from the area.

Shelia S   6/19/2011 Herndon Va

I have been going to Mon Sanctuaire for over 8 months. Melinda is very good at what she does. She carries wonderful products and makes great recommendations of the product you should use. I ran into some friends last month that I had not seen for a year. They raved about how good my skin looks…if that is not a recommendation for going to see Melinda, I don’t know what is!  Her new location is wonderful.

Nicole
I went here with a Groupon – what a find! Melinda was so nice, and she is a real magic worker. I felt like a million dollars when I left, from a combination of the facial, the massage, and the overall relaxation! Never, ever, have I had such a great facial.

I struggle with rosacea, and the products she uses (esthederm) helped me so much – my skin is far less irritated now, which is awesome. Seriously, I’ve been to dermatologists who recommended pills that didn’t really work – but Melinda’s holistic approach made a huge difference immediately.

I thought I had clogged pores from heavy products, but it turns out what I was using wasn’t moisturizing my skin ENOUGH – who’d have thought? – and that’s where the problems came from. Melinda’s diagnosis was spot-on, and I’ve been able to use the products at home to keep up a much healthier regimen.
I’m really looking forward to going back – and can’t recommend Mon Sanctuaire highly enough!

Natalie
“I got a Signature Facial with Melinda at Mon Sanctuaire February 2, 2010 through a groupon offer.The experience was great! She was obviously highly skilled and had a lot of experience. My skin looked and felt great after words. She was very knowledgeable about the products she used and tailored them to meet my personal skin needs. The best part was the massage though! I felt like I was in heaven, she’s got very gifted hands.I received the services at a discount, but even at full price the facial is worth the price. I would recommend her services to friends.” Best, Natalie

Anonymous
I used a groupon to visit Mon Sanctuaire and have never been more pleased with a facial. I’ve been getting facials since I was 13 battling acne and Melinda really knows her stuff!

So often you get duped by the soft spoken skin care experts and the mood lighting and nature music, but Melinda was all business and a history of expertise. She was able to immediately address my problem areas, and make reasonable recommendations. No fancy machines, just her hands, it felt AMAZING! My facial included extractions, neck and shoulder massage, and a knowledgeable consultation. She completely changed my skin care regimen, eliminated the products that I didn’t need, or shouldn’t have been using, and one week later, my skin still feels tons better than it did before my visit to her!

Because it’s just her (and those wonderful hands), scheduling can be packed, but if you give yourself a couple weeks notice, she can certainly work you in. I had to reschedule at the last minute (DC traffic), and had no problems at all. I definitely recommend Melinda at Mon Sanctuaire if you’re ready to commit to long term skin care plan, or just for a mini-facial to jump start that fresh feeling.

Toijar R (New York)
Mon Sanctuaire offers bodywork tailored specifically to what’s ailing you. Rather than just providing individual modalities, you are given a healing session that encompasses Ms. Naff’s full range of experience and intuitive talent. The effects of her deep energy and massage work are still being incorporated into my body a week later. She is personable and down-to-earth, a real pleasure.

Mike C.
“Melinda has the gift. Her hands are like extensions of her heart and mind. She hates the term, but she’s a true “healer.” In my sessions with her she’s corrected (or guided my body) back to normal, from things like pain generated from too much stress, or too much weightlifting. Whatever your imbalance, her hands gently coax your body back to the place it’s supposed to be. Each session can be different, as well, depending on what ails you. She doesn’t go through a pre-determined routine. She tells you right up front on the phone, “I can’t tell you what’s wrong or what I’m going to do until I see ya.”
If you’ve got the time, I recommend doing 90 minute sessions. You won’t be sorry.

Ann (Alexandria, VA)
“My experience with Melinda was a life changing experience. It was a super relaxing first session, and I noticed immediate positive results physically and emotionally. I returned weekly and have sent my husband and children. Now I’ve decided that giving a gift certificate to Mon Sanctuaire is a perfect way to give gifts to family and friends. It’s a perfect birthday or holiday gift that would make a real difference in anyone’s life. She truly is a gifted person.”

La Saun ~ personal trainer
A true healer

“Melinda from Mon Sanctuaire is AMAZING!! She has an unbelievable gift in relieving pain and placing your body into the deepest state of relaxation. She knows how to treat the body and giving it what it needs to heal. I have referred many to Melinda at Le Sanctuaire. They always tell me thank you and can’t wait to go back. If you have pain any where or need some stress relief, Melinda will help you.!!! BTW- the facials are to die for!! Mon Sanctuaire uses French products that feel like wet silk, leaving your skin super soft!! ”

Ronne F, Rear Admiral, US Navy retired (San Diego CA)
“Craniosacral Therapy saved my life both physically and emotionally.

Melinda Naff is a miracle worker. I have been receiving treatments for about a year and a half.  When I discovered Melinda I had a carpal tunnel like problem with my left thumb that caused severe pain up my arm and rendered my left hand useless. I was about to schedule surgery to cut the sheath on my thumb to relieve the pain. At that time I also had severe pain in the ball of my left foot. I had taken cortisone shots, limped and heels were a thing of the past.

I was extremely stressed about my entire physical state. I first went to Melinda simply for a massage to help me relax. She did her magic and I left, not cured, but able to remove the brace from my hand and the pain was greatly reduced. Over about a six-month period she was able to heal the pain in my hand completely. I now have full use of my hand and arm.

Now that I could use crutches I scheduled surgery for my foot. I continued my work with Melinda and she focused on my legs and feet. I got almost immediate relief and could actually feel the calcium deposit breaking up in my foot. Today I can wear heels again. The pain does come back and I know that what I need to do is stretch out my muscles. I believe that my hand and my foot problems were due to stress and extremely tight muscles and blocked energy in my leg and knee. Melinda and Craniosacral Therapy released these blockages.

My life is active once again and I feel years younger. I am so very thankful that I discovered Melinda. Can’t even imagine what my life would be like if I had continued down the path of pain.”

Catherine B (Springfield, VA)
“I made an appointment to see Melinda for help with walking. A car accident resulted in my left knee being damaged & a heel spur on my right foot made leaning relying on the right leg for support wasn’t’ possible. The heel spur is gone & although surgery to help my knee wasn’t’ the success the Doctor predicted, seeing Melinda once a week helps me walk with a balance Physical Therapy WASN’T giving me.  Now I see her for ALL her services. The facials & body scrubs are to die for! It was always difficult for me to receive facials as my skin is very sensitive.My sisters & friends in NYC noticed how my complexion has improved, a complete 360’.”

Daiva B (Alexandria, VA)
“I have submitted myself to Melinda’s capable hands for several years now and find that her extraordinary ability to sense what your body (and spirit!) needs, and her ability to deliver her unique combination of massage and energy work, provide for a unique experience each time.  And so, each time, you leave renewed and refreshed with your body’s needs understood and taken care of. She is truly one of a kind and a treasure.”

KF (Alexandria, VA)
“Melinda is a master at her trade/art – she is able to detect what is going on in her client’s body and treat it accordingly. I would highly recommend a visit to Melinda!”

Elizabeth B, Non-profit consultant, mother of two, and small Cajun, with not enough muscle mass
“Most masseuses make you feel good for an hour, maybe three tops. But Melinda Naff is a ‘healer’ in the true sense of the word. Her unique combination of myofascial massage and craniosacral therapy goes far beyond being relaxing, and helps to heal injuries, strains and stresses that we all store in the body. She helped me tremendously with back-pain during a difficult twin pregnancy and with the physical challenges that came after — I’m at least two inches taller today because of Melinda!”

John G (Alexandria, VA)
“I want you all to know that Melinda Naff is a very experienced, intuitive massage therapist. I’m in construction and I pulled a muscle lifting a heavy object. I went to the doctor and he said my sciatic nerve was the problem and he gave me percocet and muscle relaxers. Wrong, three days later all goofy from the meds I could barely walk. So I was asking some of my friends if there was someone who could help me without taking meds, Melinda was the one.

I called her and set up an appointment, I told her my problem and that I was on meds. She told me to stop taking the pain killers so she could find the source from which the pain was coming. I booked an appointment with her, I could barely walk when I got there. Melinda said I looked like a cork screw, all twisted. I could barely get on the massage table, after 10 minutes not knowing me from Adam, she said that I was left handed, (which I am), and that I played golf, (which I do),she is very, very tuned in. For two and a half hours she worked on me and to be honest she was hurting me at times, but told me I have to do this to help you. About 30 minutes before I left I felt relief from the pain. I believe it was because of her persistent, intuitive, professional experience.

When I left I could walk normally and without significant pain. I followed up with more therapy from Melinda and a couple of visits to my Chiropractor. I told the Chiropractor that I was seeing a massage therapist and he said who ever worked on you did an excellent job.”