Profile

When Sage owner Susan Stratton began her private Park Slope massage practice in the eighties, she simply put flyers in a local health-food store and waited for the phone to ring. Now that Fifth Avenue's check-cashing stops and bulletproof bodegas are being nudged out by boutiques and wellness centers, she runs a modest but elegant spa from a former shotgun apartment in a brick row building typical to the area. The galley kitchen is hidden behind lots of raw silk, serious soundproofing blocks out all but the most piercing car alarms, and touches like grass-colored walls and natural-fiber lounge chairs create a look that's both minimalist and thoughtful. (Blessed with the type of karma that can only befall spa owners, Stratton and her husband live in the unit upstairs.) Biodynamic Weleda facials are on the menu, but many clients just stick to the skillful, sleep-inducing massages done with house-blended organic oils. In addition to the basic offerings, the rubdown list includes myofascial release, a neck massage paired with a hot pack for sinus relief, and foot reflexology that's followed by a vigorous exfoliation and moisturizing. — Lexi Dwyer

Though it's not required by state law, Stratton, who's become known in the area for her expertise with the expectant, allows only therapists with prenatal certification to work on pregnant women.