This Friday, September 4, I’m doing something I’ve never done before.
I’m having an art show.
For the past couple of weeks, those of you who have come into That’s the Rub may have noticed some unfamiliar artwork in the boutique. You’ve been getting a little preview of Articles of Connection: Between Shadow and Light, the collection I’ll be showing at Gather during Gallery Walk this Friday from 5-8pm. (116 N. Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN 47404)
Today, I hung the show.
And then I sat on a couch across the room and stared at it.
There it was. Something that had existed inside me, then on canvases scattered around my studio and at community events, then in the boutique at That’s the Rub, was suddenly hanging together in a gallery.
I felt excited.
Terrified.
Proud.
Sad.
Exhausted.
And underneath all of it, very, very alive.
This collection is about connection- not the kind that requires everything to be neat or resolved, but the kind that lets us remain in relationship with ourselves while life is changing around us.
Which, as it turns out, is a pretty good description of bodywork too.
The Body Is Part of the Conversation
After all these years as a massage therapist, I still find it remarkable what can happen when we give the body our attention.
Massage can't make the hard things in our lives disappear.
It can't make decisions for us. It can't fix a relationship, change an economy, answer the email sitting in our inbox, or tell us exactly what comes next.
But bodywork can give us a place to stop bracing against all of it.
For an hour or two, we can put down some of what we've been carrying.
Breathing changes.
Muscles soften.
The nervous system gets different information.
And sometimes, underneath all that noise, we can hear ourselves again.
I've spent much of my career providing that space for other people. Tomorrow, I'm the one getting on the table, it’s been a minute… okay less than a month… but it feels like an eternity.
The timing couldn't be better.
Because this week has reminded me that strength isn't always about how much we can carry.
Sometimes strength is recognizing when we need somewhere to set it down.
Articles of Connection
That idea lives throughout this collection.
Connection doesn't require us to have everything figured out. It asks us to notice what is here.
The shadow and the light.
The fear and the excitement.
What we're holding onto and what might be asking to change.
The person we've been and the person who is still becoming.
Maybe that's why making art and doing bodywork have begun to feel less like separate parts of my life.
Both ask me to pay attention.
Both ask me to be present.
Both remind me that we don't always need to force an answer.
Sometimes we need enough quiet to notice what is already trying to emerge.
If you've seen pieces of this collection while visiting That’s the Rub, I'd love for you to come see what they have become together and say hello. And if you ask me for a card, you’ll get to choose your very own tiny piece of original art to take with you.
Come find me. Come see the work. Come stand in front of something for a minute and notice what happens.
And if your own body has been asking for a little less carrying and a little more listening, we have appointments available this week.
Just in case you need the reminder to connect to yourself.
For years, you've told us the scent of our space is part of the experience - that mid-century calm, the warmth, the way it feels to finally exhale.
Now you can take it with you.
We've partnered with Lakehouse Candle Company in Brown County to create an exclusive line that brings our vibe home. Three collections, each with a purpose:
The Rub - Our signature scent Library: Antique sandalwood that smells like worn leather, quiet afternoons, and rooms that have stories Bohemian Rose: Unexpected, a little moody, totally us
Intend - For when you need energy, motivation, creative spark Grapefruit & Mint: Bright and clean Ginger & Spice: Warm momentum Citrus Grove: Morning clarity
Presence - For grounding, meditation, the kind of calm you come here for Matcha & Bergamot: Soft focus Smoked Oud: Deep, earthy, centering
Every candle is hand-poured by Lakehouse Candle Company with 100% natural soy wax and clean fragrance oils - no phthalates, carcinogens, or the chemical garbage hiding in most candles. Just scent that does what it's supposed to do.
Pricing: Small tin: $10 Small glass: $20 Large glass: $25
Limited time: Buy a large candle, get a free eye mask while supplies last.
We’ve all seen the pattern here in Bloomington: February arrives, and the rush for generic, "fluffy" gifts begins. Whether you're a stressed entrepreneur, a busy Indiana University staff member, or a local athlete looking for recovery, you know the usual suspects: chocolates that disappear and flowers that wilt.
This year, break the cycle. Instead of a temporary gesture, give a gift that fundamentally changes how your partner feels.
Why Choose Therapeutic Results Over Pampering?
At That’s the Rub, located in the heart of Downtown Bloomington, we specialize in therapeutic outcomes. While a "spa day" has its place, we believe the greatest gift is physical wellness.
Our sessions are designed for long-term relief:
Chronic Tension Relief: Perfect for those spending long hours at a desk or in the lab.
Athletic Recovery: For the sporty IU students and local runners who need to get back in the game.
Clinical Excellence: Our advanced intake process ensures we understand your specific body goals.
Valentine’s Day Recovery Options
1. Digital Gift Certificates (Instant Delivery)
Perfect for the busy partner. You can purchase these online and have them delivered to an inbox immediately. If you’re strolling through the B-Line or visiting the Downtown Square, pop into our Body Boutique on North College Ave to pick up a physical certificate in person.
Our couples’ sessions are the most requested slots in Monroe County and require precise scheduling to maintain our clinical standards.
Call our Bloomington clinic at 812-333-3393 to secure your time.
Don’t Forget Your Own Recovery
Self-love is critical for staying active in the Bloomington community. While sorting out the perfect gift, ensure your own body is performing at its best. Hit the Big Friendly Booking Button below to get on the books for your next treatment plan.
Bloomington knows the difference between “that felt nice” and “that actually helped.”
For 15 years, That’s the Rub has focused on the second one: treatment-based massage therapy built around real bodies, real patterns, and real goals.
In a recent feature, Lisa Keplinger—National Board Certified (BCTMB) and Indiana Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)—described the philosophy simply: therapeutic massage is meant to do the body good. Not as a slogan. As a plan.
What “results-oriented” means at That’s the Rub
A results-oriented session isn’t about chasing pain around the table. It’s about connecting dots:
What your body is doing repeatedly (work, training, stress, old injuries, weird sleeping positions)
Where it’s compensating (the “why does this hurt when that is the problem?” effect)
What kind of work supports healing and movement over time
Lisa put it this way in the feature: the goal is tailored treatment plans and consistent care—showing up as a wellness partner, not a one-off appointment.
The Center + The Boutique (and why that matters)
That’s the Rub has two distinct yet equally important sides to what we do. Treatments happen in The Center—that’s where the hands-on work lives, where we assess what’s going on, make smart decisions, and put a plan in motion. Products live in The Boutique—curated tools, supports, and small upgrades that help your body keep the gains you just paid for.
And it’s not “retail for retail’s sake.” The point of both is the same: support what your body needs between sessions, not just during them.
Because the truth is, most of your life happens off the table. It happens at your desk, in your car, under a barbell, on your feet for eight hours, on the couch with your kid asleep on your shoulder, or in that one position you always end up sleeping in even though you swear you won’t. The Center helps change the pattern. The Boutique helps you hold the change—so your next session builds on progress instead of spending half the hour undoing the same old tension.
A quick self-check: when therapeutic massage is the right call
You’re a strong candidate for treatment-based massage if any of these sound familiar:
You feel “tight” in the same places no matter how much you stretch
Your range of motion is shrinking (or you’re guarding movement)
You’re dealing with recurring neck/shoulder/back/hip issues
Stress is showing up physically (jaw, traps, headaches, shallow breathing)
You want a plan—not a roulette wheel
Why Bloomington keeps coming back
The impact of massage doesn’t end when you stand up from the table. It follows you out the door like a quieter nervous system you didn’t know you were carrying around—shoulders sitting lower, breath dropping deeper, jaw unclenching on its own. The feature nails the real-world effect: people leave feeling lighter and more at ease—and that shift doesn’t stay politely contained in your muscles.
It leaks into everything.
You answer emails with less edge. You drive without white-knuckling the steering wheel. You pick your kid up and realize you didn’t brace first. You sleep longer before your brain starts its 3 a.m. meeting. You train better because your body can actually move the way it’s supposed to, not the way it’s been compensating. Your mood stops getting hijacked by a low-grade ache you’ve been calling “normal.”
That’s the sneaky magic of therapeutic bodywork: when the body calms down, the person comes back online.
Book a session (and tell us what you’re trying to change)
If you’re ready for massage therapy that’s built for progress, not just relief, book a session and bring your goal with you—pain reduction, mobility, recovery, or “I don’t even know, I just feel off.”
Bloom is a Bloomington culture and lifestyle magazine distributed widely around town and published bimonthly, which is why we were proud to be included.
FAQ about Therapeutic Massage
What’s the difference between therapeutic massage and relaxation massage?
Therapeutic massage is goal-driven: pain relief, movement, recovery, and pattern change over time. Relaxation massage prioritizes general comfort and stress downshifting (also valuable—just a different aim).
Do I need to know exactly what’s wrong before I book?
No. “Something feels off” is enough to start. A good session can help clarify patterns and next steps.
How often should I come in?
That depends on your goal and how long the issue has been around. Many people get the best results with consistency—especially early—then shift to maintenance.
Is deep tissue always necessary for results?
No. Results come from the right technique applied intelligently—not from maximum pressure. Deep work is a tool, not a personality.
A Community Wellness Event to Kick Off 2026 Strong
If your New Year’s resolutions include feeling better, moving better, or finally getting serious about your health, the New Year’s Resolution Health Fair is a smart place to start.
Hosted by Paragon Wellness Center, this free local wellness expo brings together a wide range of health-focused businesses and practitioners in one place, making it easy to explore your options, ask questions, and build a realistic plan for the year ahead.
Event Details at a Glance
The New Year’s Resolution Health Fair will take place on:
Saturday, January 10, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Warehouse 1525 South Rogers Street Bloomington, IN 47403
Admission is free and open to the public, making it accessible to anyone curious about improving their health in the new year.
What to Expect at the Health Fair
This is a hands-on, in-person event designed to help you explore wellness resources available right here in the Bloomington area.
Throughout the four-hour event, attendees can browse booths and tables featuring a diverse mix of health and wellness vendors, including:
Gyms and fitness providers
Massage therapists and bodyworkers
Chiropractors and physical therapists
Acupuncturists and herbalists
Functional and holistic health practitioners
Local farmers, ranchers, and apiarists
Insurers and wellness-focused service providers
In addition to vendor booths, the fair will include wellness talks, local food options, raffles and door prizes, and curated goodie bags. It’s designed to be informative without being overwhelming and welcoming whether you’re just starting out or refining an existing health routine.
A Practical Approach to New Year’s Wellness
Many people start January with big intentions but little guidance. The New Year’s Resolution Health Fair flips that script by offering face-to-face conversations with professionals who can help you make informed, sustainable choices.
Instead of guessing which gym, therapist, or wellness service might be right for you, you can meet providers directly, ask specific questions, and learn what each approach actually offers. That clarity alone can make the difference between resolutions that fade and changes that stick.
That’s the Rub & Wellness Through Art at the Fair
That’s the Rub Massage Therapy Center will be participating in the fair alongside Wellness Through Art, offering attendees a chance to learn more about results-oriented massage therapy and creative approaches to wellness.
Our team believes effective self-care should be practical, evidence-informed, and personalized. At the booth, you’ll be able to ask questions about therapeutic massage, injury prevention, stress management, and how massage fits into a broader wellness plan, without hype or pressure.
Wellness Through Art will also be on hand, sharing insights into how creative expression can support emotional health, stress regulation, and personal growth. Together, we’ll be focusing on tools people can actually use, not trends that look good on social media and disappear by February.
Vendors & Community Participation
Paragon Wellness Center welcomes a wide variety of wellness vendors to participate in the event. Past and current listings include energy workers, physical therapists, farmers and ranchers, apiarists, insurers, dispensaries, and more.
Businesses and practitioners interested in becoming a vendor can inquire by emailing [email protected].
The event is also listed on regional platforms such as Eventbrite and local tourism and community calendars, where attendees can find updates or additional details as the date approaches.
Why This Health Fair Matters
Bloomington has a strong, diverse wellness community, but it’s not always easy to see the full picture. The New Year’s Resolution Health Fair creates a single, accessible space to explore what’s available, connect with local experts, and make informed choices without sales pressure.
If your goal for 2026 is better health with fewer gimmicks and more clarity, this is an event worth putting on your calendar.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 10, 2026, and join us at The Warehouse for a practical, community-driven start to the new year.
