San Maximum: The Power of a Good Massage

By Jourdan Bazley
Blog Content Contributor

A good masseuse is hard to find. Particularly because a massage is not just a well oiled set of hands, but an experience that takes you to a new place. New to the wonderful city of San Marcos is Sobar, a massage studio opened by owner Liz Urbizu with the pure intention to use the power of healing and relaxation, through massage. Sobar moved into the neighborhood in mid-January, and is making its way to the public. Imagine lying down in a quiet room infused with relaxing smells and dim lit vibes while you release stress toxins and gather good energy. Sounds like an amazing Friday night activity, rather than the regular shopping spree or night on the town that may ring in at about the same price. Massage therapy helps to relieve stress and tension, while taking away pains in muscle tissue. Maybe a good massage is an investment that you should consider making.

Sobar (sew-barrr) is a Spanish word which the meaning has to do with healing through a rough massage style in order to relieve pain in the body. Liz Urbizu, the owner of the new massage stuido, specializes in Sobar as well as more common forms of massage, and as a Virgo shares, “it is just in my nature to want to give people a good experience. It gives me joy to make people happy.”

As a San Marcos native, Urbizu is hoping to reach out to the community to gather pieces of art to hang and showcase throughout her studio, which would welcome Texas State students in the process. “Really what I am trying to find is students that want to sell and display their art here; I also hope to eventually have art shows.” With the range of services from yoga classes by greatly qualified teachers, a tea room and art shows, Ubrizu also opens her studio up to students and locals to have poetry nights on the stage stationed in the front of the studio. “I really want people to know that there is a place like this,” Urbizu said. “Sometimes you just need to get away. I want people to know that they can come here. If it is going to help them be somebody and their voice be heard and their art be shown, I’m all about it.” 

The massage studio is not just going to be your regular day spa. Urbizu has put extra thought and time into making a visit to the studio one that can bring elongated relaxation. When you walk into the space, a calming smell gathers under your nose that puts your body’s jitters at ease. With curtains covering the window, blocking out the outside world and mood lighting, the colors are welcoming and create a state of security and easy vibes. Just inside the main entrance is a tearoom, which will feature actual tealeaves for people to enjoy. The tearoom is a special feature that Urbizu says is provided to give “a minute to unwind or just catch up.” Urbizu shares, “I just want for someone to feel okay about relaxing and just enjoying an hour and a half of their time, rather than just an hour and out the door. I want someone to feel comfortable, and not just like they are in a business.”

Alongside Urbizu’s attention to the people that enter her studio, is her detail in insuring that her staff is fit for the location. Urbizu explains that integrity is important to have within her staff saying, “when you’re rushed, your energy is flustered, and you’re not in the right state. Energy is passed, so in order to give somebody the best of you, you need time to relax. I want people like me, who will give it all up just to help other people.” She explains the importance of working with her staff in order to insure that they have the time to regroup in order to give their best. She shares, “I am not trying to be rich off of people; I am going to pay them accordingly. That gives people the integrity they need. That is how you give integrity.”

For most college students, massage therapy is an underestimated investment, and slips under the rug. Students should try stepping back to think about the pointless things that we spend money. In my opinion, investing in yourself and your health is never a waste and good massage is a great way to do that. Visiting this super chill massage studio would be the perfect addition to your San Marcos experience. 

Sobar is located at 120 W Hopkins St #100, San Marcos, TX 78666.

Featured image by Shalnora Woods.