Magical Transformations

Can anyone tell me what is going on which this place? Is it closing? I tried to call several times but the phone doesn’t work. I still have two vouchers to use, I hope Ahkeem contact me soon, either to do the service or refund me the money.
Ahkeem does an excellent work, that is the best massage that I really feel relax and help to ease my joins and muscles… I would give him 5 stars for his skill, but since the stop servicing without contact customers (hopefully only a telephone error) I would not be happy at all if I could not get my $ refund.

Very pretty & relaxing massage room. Nice music. Massage was mostly horrible — 80% of the time he was super rough (felt like I was being manhandled) & much of the time the speed of the strokes was way too fast. I would say about 20% of the time the work was fantastic. Also some strokes just felt weird and like they lacked technique. He did one stroke that literally felt like he was trying to give me (forgive me for the super racist term) an Indian burn. On my upper inner thighs. Yup. Oh and last but not least when he massaged my thighs & butt he folded the sheet over so that my butt cheek was completely exposed which made me very uncomfortable. Like really? So unnecessary. Wait — I almost forgot: At the beginning of the massage he massaged the side of my spine (ouch) and after leaving it felt like I had pulled a muscle. I’ve had many massages in different styles by multiple practitioners and this one was not good overall.

This experience was one that I will not forget and Ahkeem definitely knows what he is doing!
I just left his massage studio and had to get on Unilocal to post a review for him.
The aura in the massage area was very calming and soothing and matched how he worked the different areas of your body. His deep tissue skills were spot on for my athletic, tight and sore physique and by the time he was done the 60 minute session I felt he had worked out all my knots and I was feeling very flexible and limber again.
The work he did on my neck and head was some of the best work I’ve ever experienced… if not the best!
Would definitely recommend to a friend and come back for another session!

Unfortunately I bought a groupon before reading these reviews. However, I am so glad that I read the reviews before I got my massage so that I could decline the «chest massage» that was indeed offered to me and would have left me exposed and shocked about how to respond.
Despite Ahkeem’s protests otherwise, he DEFINITELY has long nails that I felt throughout the massage. I have had many, many massages and have never experienced finger nails scraping on my skin.
I appreciate that Ahkeem has a different perspective on the quality of his work from the people reviewing him, but given that my experience was VERY similar to other 1-​star reviews, I would advise people to use their best judgement from the given information.

I like Ahkeem, and I have gotten several good massages from him.
He has never started a session off with questions such as: «What kind of pressure would you like on a scale of 1 – 10?» or «Do you have any injuries that I should be aware of?» So, If you need to communicate something to him, start talking before he starts. He does listen well and will adjust to your needs.
Ahkeem’s studio is clean, comfortable, and professional.
Give him a try.

One of the best massages I have ever had! It was the perfect amount of pressure and a lot of the tension I had was worked out. I felt so relaxed after! I highly recommend Magical Transformations!

Akim is amazing. He helped me avoid surgery on my shoulder after I dislocated it…
I’m a doctor and I think his massages were the best medicine! I wish that I still lived in Oakland so I could see him regularly.

The deep tissue massages is very good. I feel relaxed weeks after the massage. After the massage session we always have a talk about what I can due everyday to help my back, and be more relaxed.

For the last several months I have been a regular client of Magical Transformation. As a Pilates’ studio owner and former professional dancer I have had my share of massages over the years. I can wholeheartedly state that Ahkeem is one of the best therapists I have experienced.
He is professional, thorough and intuitively addresses your body’s demands on that specific day. I find each session is exactly what I need. There are several reasons I feel compelled to write a recommendation. I will outline just a few.
The first being every session is a total body massage. It has been my experience that often therapists either do not judge their time appropriately or become too engrossed in a certain area of the body and run out of time. This is not the case with Ahkeem, every session he provides a full body massage.
Secondly, he has a keen sense to feel any specific points that might need special attention. As he is a professional with so many years experience his instinct and knowledge are readily apparent in every session.
I also really appreciate that he is completely punctual. I have a very tight schedule and being able to get in and out at the time set aside is incredibly important to me. We start on time and end on time.
Fourth point I would like to make is he is consistently good, a mark of a real professional. So many therapists I have experienced might be good one session and just OK the next. This is not at all the case with Ahkeem; he is every time at the top of his game.
Finally, you are capable of getting an appointment that is not 3 weeks or a month out. Knowing when your body needs a massage is a very spontaneous event. Having a therapist who can accommodate this and returns your call quickly is a huge plus to me.
In closing, I highly recommend Magical Transformation and feel Ahkeem is a consummate experienced massage therapist. We are lucky to have him in the Bay Area.

I had bought through Groupon and could not get them to return a call — FOR OVER A MONTH. Finally groupon contacted them and they said they would not extend the expiration date, which means they were going to wait out the time.
This place appears to be a rip off. DO NOT USE.

Overall great. I’d definitely go back.
I came out feeling both relaxed and invigorated, not like a zombie. Akheem (sp?) did not introduce himself, as the review below stated, but gosh girl, if you wanna have a chat, introduce yourself. Anyway when we did talk a little bit, he was very good-​natured and had a warm (self-​provoking) laugh. He seemed to mix a little bit of acupressure, Swedish, and even spinal care. As one final note, the office was not grimy at all like some one said below. It had soft music and fountains, very relaxing– not corporate. Again, re that review below, he told me he came upon massage through his woodworking. Maybe that is why his hands were rougher (in texture) than some (I didn’t feel any fingernails). However, these facts did not for a second change the excellence of my massage.

RUDE! BAD service!
I purchased a groupon for Magical Transformations and the masseuse was rude. My groupon was ending in a month, so I needed to schedule something immediately. The first time I called, there was no answer and had to leave a message. No response for 2 days. Then I called back a second time, again no answer. He finally returned my call after a third time in the evening (I called in the morning) to schedule an appointment. Without introducing himself, he immediately asked for groupon number versus my name, didn’t even say hello. I put me in such a bad mood and thought, may be he’s just tired from a full days work.
I had an emergency one day before my scheduled appointment and had to cancel. I left a message an apologized and had 3 weeks left to schedule something. Every week I called, no answer. Every message I left to schedule, no response. He was literally avoiding my call because he knew I would eat the groupon and he’d make his profit without needing to actually provide the service! AWEFUL person! AWEFUL manners! RUDE service!

If you are looking for a SPA experience, then go to a SPA and don’t take my much needed appointment at Magical Transformations.
But if you have pain from actually using your body, you will appreciate Akheem’s and Fred’s skills. It’s not a useless «fluff and fold,» it’s an actual massage. AKA: You will feel the massage, then you will feel better :)
People, if the massage is too hard (at any place you go), SAY SOMETHING. Nobody can read your mind!
I have to comment on the chest massage issue: Akheem is NOT grabbing your boob, dummy! (I’m pretty sure he’s not into that anyway.) You have muscles there which are connected to the rest of your muscular system. They are sometimes a necessary part of the massage, particularly when working on arms/​shoulders/​neck.
Also, while I agree that the hallway thru the building to the Magical Transformations suite is less than beautiful, it’s freshly painted and it’s not where the massage occurs. The massage space is clean, smells nice, has a trickling water fountain, green plants, warm colors, African art… c’mon. It’s plenty nice, especially since you are just going to close your eyes. I have experienced a massage with a large man (I am a young woman) in the other half of the space, but it wasn’t weird. There is a curtain between and both sides have their own entrance. It was more weird with the curtain open and the other table empty — the space wasn’t as cozy and intimate.
RECAP:
Real pain /​real need for a massage = go to Magical Transformations for healing
Bored and getting a massage for fun = try somewhere that’s more expensive because your money goes to the building and not massage skill.

OOOOO Boy. LOVED IT!!!
I do BodyWork and my Boday was aching and hurting like mad.
Someone purchased me this 90 minute deal from Amazon Local.
DEEP Tissue and he massaged everywhere except my interior places!!!
90 minutes of BLISS!!! Yes it was rough like a myofascial or rolfing session. HURT ME GOOD!!!
For me this is very important it is beyond frustrating to pay and receive a wimpy skittish massage in which the therapist is afraid of being sued or does not really like bodies and misses large swatches of muscles.
My thighs, abs, ribs and chest muscles require massaging too and no offense but Causain Massage Therapist avoid those areas as if they are diseased!!!
Asians will go there however their attitudes are hit and miss.
I had one other male CMT in Marin who went there and he charges $ 300 an hr I can’t afford to see him.
He has a super saver pack 4 90 minute sessions for $ 324. WINNING!!!
The Treatment Room is very nicely done and yes his working office is a mess.

I went to Magical Transformations because I bought the Groupon. Let me tell you, my massage was anything but a «magical experience». I’ve had a lot of massages and my motto has always been «a bad massage is still better than no massage.» This place has made me resign that motto. So yes, I guess in that regard, it was transformative.
Here are a few reasons why I would suggest you not visit magical transformations:
1) I showed up for my massage and the masseuse didn’t even introduce himself. He just immediately took me into the room massage room, it almost looked like he might live there. Awkward.
2) One word: NAILS. Yes, it’s true what the other reviewers have said, they are gross. Major faux pas for a massage therapist! Come on man! They must have covered that rule in school I would think.
3) He never talked to me before or during the massage to ask about pressure or how it was going. I repeatedly requested that he not do certain things but clearly he couldn’t understand me or just didn’t know how to change. I would not be surprised in the least if he didn’t have any professional training.
4) I have never once been asked if I wanted my stomach and/​or chest massaged. Stomach was odd so I immediately passed on that. Chest umm ok, but what I did NOT agree to was a BREAST massage. Awkward. Creepy. No thanks.
I would never return to Magical Transformations even if someone paid me. I would give this place zero stars if I could.

This place is a dump. I would never recommend this place to anyone! There’s only one person who works there and the space is super tiny. Anyone who has been to a spa or any other decently rated massage place would take a look at this place and PASS!
The massage therapist doesn’t trim his nails and uses very questionable massage techniques. He jerked me around like a rag doll and his massage motions were vigorous and rough. Please do yourself a favor and never go here!

Suffice it to say, the whole thing was a bit bungled.
Oh, do let me explain. Fred, my guy, I came upon, seated atop a milk crate-​lookin thing, waiting for me outside of the door, he apparently had been locked out of his own studio spa space. Took us a good 5 mi ites to get that issue all squared away. Interesting and unique start.
i was sick, stricken with a virulent rhinovirus that just would not leave well enough alone (that’s me, by the way). Malaise-​ridden, I found it an odd way to make first intro., and also as the environs for my very first DT massage.
The massage itself… without having any basis of comparison, save how my body was feeling with the oft-​pilates like movements and the pressure of the hands on me, supine and prone, I must say, nice. Very nice. excellent, moan-​worthy? Dunno. Methinks not, though ineffably I state this.
Felt like i was coming to a dilapidated, rickety, shady motel spot. Fred was very friendly and kind. Definitely accustomed to the routine of the body massage. Relieved no talking during session. Just being. how often does that happen?
Located in a Bohemian-​ish are of Berkeley. Lotta interesting eye candy and Ethiopian joints about!

I work as an ER nurse forty eight hours a week which is stressful. Akeem was recommended to me by a colleague that had one session with him after finding him on Unilocal.She and I are both traveling nurses and are not from the area. To add to my stressful job, I also enjoy running and weight training. Up until coming for a consult I was averaging 20 – 25 miles a week with weight training three days a week.
I managed to pull a muscle in my back which affected my hip and made running impossible. Along with that I suffered from severe upper back tightness, neck stiffness and headaches (I never get headaches). Additionally, I must add that up until this point i ignored the recommendation of my personal trainer and chiropractor, months prior to have a massage (I’m a bit of a stoic). When I arrived for my first appointment I was in severe pain as I still waited week before calling.
Not only did Akeem accommodate me by getting me in the very next day. He also stayed over later to provide a 90 minute massage instead of the 60 minute that was originally scheduled (yeah I was that bad). From the first time he laid his hands on me I knew I was dealing with a professional. I didn’t have to tell him where it hurt, he just knew. I felt immediate relief from my headache and neck stiffness after just this one session but the hip and back required more work. I purchased and scheduled four ninety minute sessions immediately.
The massage I was given was like no other I have experienced. Akeem utilizes various forms of massage and stretching to achieve the desired result. Once upon a time I received a massage once every week. I have traveled the world and have had massages performed In other countries. I’m not saying my prior experiences were bad or did not achieve results. I’m saying that I have many experiences to compare, and this man knows his stuff. I’d highly recommend Akeem to anyone seeking relief from stress and tension, to just having a relaxing treat.
I must admit I have never had a massage in a place with as tight quarters as this. There is literally a curtain separating two tables and there may be another customer receiving a massage at the same time as yours. I only had this happen once. It was awkward but a small price to pay for the quality of service I was receiving.

I went to Magical Transformations because I bought the 90-​minute massage Groupon that was recently available. When I arrived the owner greeted me and let me know they were running a few minutes behind which wasn’t a problem. Unfortunately the massage ahead of me continued to go late and as a result the owner reprimanded his assistant to «wrap it up» through the sliding door where he was massaging someone. I guess they had some miscommunication about how long the massage should be but it was unprofessional to make those comments in that tone while the assistant was actually doing a massage. When the assistant exited, the owner continued to reprimand him and they argued back in forth in front of me and within earshot of the woman who was finishing her session.
Once my session began, the assistant was pleasant and checked in about pressure, but he spent far too long massaging my back through the sheet without being careful about putting too much pressure on my spine. He then massaged my upper back for 20+ minutes without oil which was uncomfortable. His technique felt sporadic and untrained and of the 10+ massages I’ve had, this was by far the worst.
Finally, the most stressful part of this experience occurred when the woman receiving a massage by the owner on the other side of the partition requested that he not massage particular areas of her body in light of her stated preferences. He then refused to continue the session because she was «making too many demands.» From my perspective she had politely and directly requested him to adjust and as a client that was within her right. At that point they began to argue back and forth loudly for a while. Shortly thereafter I decided to end my session early because I wasn’t comfortable with the professionalism or boundaries of the owner.
To note, the woman complimented the owner on his technique so that part is consistent with other reviews but I think his professionalism and boundaries are lacking.

My roommate and I both bought the 60-​minute massage groupons and redeemed them today… it was fabulous! Firstly, I was slightly worried about getting a massage from a man but I felt completely comfortable and Akheem and his assistant Yousef were both incredibly nice and professional.
The massages were great and my tight shoulders and neck feel a lot better even just after one session. I’d definitely go back and would recommend this place to anyone!