The Massage Garage

04/04/2026

April 4 – The Levator Scapulae

Neck stiffness when turning your head may come from the levator scapulae—learn why it tightens and how to work with it. April at The Massage Garage is about understanding the why behind restriction—not just chasing the feeling.

Today: the levator scapulae.

This muscle runs from the upper cervical spine (C1–C4) down to the top inner corner of your shoulder blade. Its job is simple: assist in elevating the scapula and helping rotate and stabilize your neck.

But functionally, it does much more.

The levator scapulae becomes active when you’re:
• Holding your head forward (computer, phone)
• Stabilizing your gaze
• Carrying stress or responsibility
• Guarding after strain or discomfort

Over time, it can create that familiar feeling:
“I can’t quite turn my head fully.”

Not because it’s “short”—
but because it’s protecting and stabilizing.

Stretching often irritates it because the nervous system isn’t ready to let go.

Daily Action:
Gently look down toward your armpit.
Pause there. No pulling.

Take a slow breath in.
Then exhale and allow the weight of your head to be supported.

No stretch. Just awareness of how the muscle responds.

"Give your body the tuneup it deserves!"

Warmly,
Gary

The Massage Garage
415.845.7143
1801 Bush Street, Suite 131A
San Francisco, CA 94109
https://themassagegarage.net
gary@themassagegarage.net

04/03/2026

Enjoyed a lovely Passover Seder!

04/03/2026

Friends, Family & Clients,
I’m incredibly grateful to share that because of your support, I’ve advanced to the second round of the Entrepreneur of Impact competition—coming in #5 out of 20 in the first round.

Thank you. Truly.

Your votes, encouragement, and belief in what I do at The Massage Garage mean more than I can say. Helping people get out of pain and better understand their bodies is what drives me every day, and you’ve helped move that mission forward.

Now we’re into Round 2, where they’ll narrow it down to the Top 15—and there are 6 days left.

If you’re willing, I’d deeply appreciate your continued support. You can cast one free vote each day, and every vote makes a real difference.

Vote here:
https://entrepreneurofimpact.org/2026/gary-mendelson

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

With gratitude,
Gary Mendelson Varela

https://themassagegarage.net

One visionary will take home $25,000, appear in an Entrepreneur Magazine advertorial, and receive a one-on-one mentoring session with Daymond John.

04/01/2026

Friends, Family & Clients,

I want to take a moment to thank you—truly. So many of you have supported me along this journey, and it means more than I can put into words.

Helping people get out of pain isn’t just what I do—it’s what drives me. Every session, every conversation, every small breakthrough reinforces why I chose this path. At The Massage Garage, it’s never just about relief—it’s about helping people understand their bodies and feel more at home in them.

I’m currently competing in the Entrepreneur of Impact competition, and tomorrow, April 2nd, is the final day of this first round. If I advance, there are two more levels through May.

If you’re willing, I would greatly appreciate your continued support. You can cast one free vote each day, and every single one truly makes a difference.

Vote here:
https://entrepreneurofimpact.org/2026/gary-mendelson

Thank you for being part of this journey—whether through your votes, your referrals, or simply your belief in what I do.

With gratitude,
Gary

One visionary will take home $25,000, appear in an Entrepreneur Magazine advertorial, and receive a one-on-one mentoring session with Daymond John.

04/01/2026

Rabbit! Rabbit!
April1

April at The Massage Garage is all about bringing awareness to what’s often overlooked.

Each day this month, I’ll be sharing a short, focused look at a specific muscle in the body—not just what it does, but how it behaves when it’s under stress, overworked, or protecting you.

Because most pain patterns aren’t random.

They are responses.

We’ll explore areas that are commonly missed—deep stabilizers, breathing muscles, jaw tension, hip patterns—and start asking better questions:

What if the source of your discomfort isn’t where you feel it?
What if your body isn’t tight… but protective?

As we move through April, a month that represents transition and renewal—from the stillness of winter into more movement and possibility—there’s an opportunity to reset how you relate to your body.

Whether you’re celebrating Passover, Easter, or simply the shift into spring, this is a time to reconnect, realign, and move forward with more awareness.

Also, a quick update:

Our newly redesigned website is now live.

It’s built to make booking easier and to better reflect the work we do here. As with any transition, there may be a few bumps along the way, so I truly appreciate your patience and feedback as we continue refining the experience.

This month isn’t about doing more.

It’s about understanding more.

And when you understand your body better, you can finally give it the tune-up it deserves.

“Give your body the tune-up it deserves.”

Warmly,
Gary

The Massage Garage
415.845.7143
1801 Bush Street, Suite 131A
San Francisco, CA 94109
https://themassagegarage.net
gary@themassagegarage.net

03/31/2026

March 31

March wasn’t about pushing harder.

It was about transitioning wisely.

From winter protection…
To spring possibility.

You’ve spent this month introducing small, consistent signals of safety, movement, and awareness.

That’s how real change begins.

✨ Daily Action:
Step outside.
Notice the light.
Notice your body.

As we move into April, you may notice our newly updated website has a fresh look and expanded features, making it easier to learn more and book your tune-up directly online. As we transition, your feedback is truly appreciated—it helps us continue to create a smoother, more supportive experience for you.

If you’re ready to continue building comfort, mobility, and clarity this spring, I’m here when you’re ready.

“Give your body the tune-up it deserves.”

With light,
Gary

The Massage Garage
415.845.7143
1801 Bush Street, Suite 131A
San Francisco, CA 94109
https://themassagegarage.net
gary@themassagegarage.net

03/30/2026

March 30

As the month comes to a close, integration becomes important.

The nervous system doesn’t just need new inputs—it needs repetition to make them familiar.

Simple practices, done consistently, become lasting changes.

✨ Daily Action:

Take 5 slow breaths before your first task today.

Start from regulation.

“Give your body the tune-up it deserves.”

With light,
Gary

The Massage Garage
415.845.7143
1801 Bush Street, Suite 131A
San Francisco, CA 94109
https://themassagegarage.net
https://themassagegarage.janeapp.com
gary@themassagegarage.net

03/29/2026

Celebrate Progress

March 29

Progress often goes unnoticed because the body adapts gradually.

What once felt difficult becomes normal.
What once felt tight becomes manageable.

Taking a moment to acknowledge change helps reinforce it.

✨ Daily Action:

Name one win from this month.

Recognition strengthens results.

“Give your body the tune-up it deserves.”

With light,
Gary

The Massage Garage
415.845.7143
1801 Bush Street, Suite 131A
San Francisco, CA 94109
https://themassagegarage.net
gary@themassagegarage.net

03/29/2026

Celebrate Progress

March 29

Progress often goes unnoticed because the body adapts gradually.

What once felt difficult becomes normal.
What once felt tight becomes manageable.

Taking a moment to acknowledge change helps reinforce it.

✨ Daily Action:

Name one win from this month.

Recognition strengthens results.

“Give your body the tune-up it deserves.”

With light,
Gary

The Massage Garage
415.845.7143
1801 Bush Street, Suite 131A
San Francisco, CA 94109
https://themassagegarage.net
https://themassagegarage.janeapp.com
gary@themassagegarage.net

03/28/2026

Energizing Vs. Depleting

March 28

Not all activity is equal.

Some actions restore energy.
Others drain it.

Learning to recognize the difference helps you make choices that support your body rather than override it.

Energy is a valuable signal.

✨ Daily Action:

Do one activity today that genuinely energizes you.

Follow what restores you.

“Give your body the tune-up it deserves.”

With energy,
Gary

The Massage Garage
415.845.7143
1801 Bush Street, Suite 131A
San Francisco, CA 94109
https://themassagegarage.net
https://themassagegarage.janeapp.com
gary@themassagegarage.net

03/27/2026

March 27

The body rarely shifts from tension to ease all at once.

Instead, it happens in increments.

Five percent less tension. Five percent more mobility. Five percent easier breathing.

These small reductions are how the nervous system updates safely.

✨ Daily Action:

Ask yourself:
What feels 5% easier today?

That’s progress.

“Give your body the tune-up it deserves.”

Warm regards
Gary

The Massage Garage
415.845.7143
1801 Bush Street, Suite 131A
San Francisco, CA 94109
https://themassagegarage.net
https://themassagegarage.janeapp.com
gary@themassagegarage.net

03/26/2026

Friends & Family,

Many of you know this, but it’s worth saying out loud—helping people get out of pain isn’t just what I do… it’s what drives me.

My journey into neuromuscular therapy and health education has been anything but linear. It’s been built through years of learning, listening, and working hands-on with people who are dealing with real, often persistent pain. What I’ve come to understand is this: the body isn’t broken—it’s protective. And when you know how to work with it instead of against it, meaningful change can happen.

Through my work at The Massage Garage, I’ve had the privilege of helping people move better, breathe easier, and feel more at home in their bodies. That’s what fuels me every day—not just relieving symptoms, but educating and empowering people so they understand their bodies in a new way.

Now, I’ve been given an opportunity to take this mission even further.

A client has entered me into the Entrepreneur of Impact competition, which supports purpose-driven entrepreneurs making a difference in their communities.

If I’m able to move forward, it would help amplify this work and reach more people who need it.

If you feel called to support me, I would truly appreciate your vote:
https://entrepreneurofimpact.org/2026/gary-mendelson

No pressure at all—just gratitude for being part of my journey, whether through encouragement, referrals, or simply believing in what I do.

With appreciation,
Gary

One visionary will take home $25,000, appear in an Entrepreneur Magazine advertorial, and receive a one-on-one mentoring session with Daymond John.