FAQ’s
General
What is SOS?
On the whole, we are a wellness space for the modern being. A place that encourages rest and relaxation through our communal bathhouse and massage studio.
On the ground level is our bathhouse, which hosts a heated mineral pool, cold plunge, Finnish sauna and Hammam (aka steam room). Upstairs is our massage studio and relaxation lounge, where we offer both remedial, relaxation and pregnancy massages and various enhancements onto the massages for those who want a little more.
What are your opening hours?
Our reception is open:
Monday: 10.00a m to 9.45pm
Tuesday to Sunday: 7:00am to 9:45pm
We keep our hours up-to-date on Google.
What’s your contact information?
You can give us a call on 03 9917 5412, or email us at bookings@sos-senseofself.com
If you are needing to get in touch to cancel or reschedule your booking then please contact us via email.
Our address is 30-32 Easey Street, Collingwood.
Do you have parking?
We wish! There is no designated parking at Sense Of Self, however there is free street parking in Collingwood and Fitzroy, metered parking on Smith St, and the ALDI/Wilson's Car Park just around the corner. We do recommend if you're driving to consider that looking for a spot might take a bit of time, so please factor this in when planning your travel.
How do I get there?
If you are wanting to catch public transport, you can take the number 86 tram to Keele St/Smith St. Then head down Easey street and look out for us. If you are driving/walking/riding then you can find us on Google Maps.
Our address is 30-32 Easey Street, Collingwood.
What is your code of conduct?
Just like how we have a no BS approach to wellness, we also have a no BS policy when it comes to discrimination against any one or any body. We are an inclusive space and we respect all bodies, shapes, sizes, colours, gender expressions, and abilities. So showing up for an appointment here, we take it means you have agreed to respecting all bodies and the people in them. Any patron or employee found to be impinging this requirement either verbally or physically, will be asked to vacate the premises immediately.
To this effect, all visitors and staff must respect people's pronouns and never presume an individual's gender. It goes without saying that we do not touch anyone without their express permission. All staff and clients are governed by these terms at Sense of Self.
We have a zero-tolerance policy for any funny business. If you are caught engaging in any acts of a sexual nature whilst at SOS, you will be escorted out immediately and it will be considered a strict ban from entering our premiss again.
Can children attend SOS?
Kids must be 12 years of age or over to use the bathhouse. Any minor (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by a guardian at all times. All guardians are required to pay for bathhouse entry and are responsible for children in their care at all times. If you are 18 years of age, you are free to enter solo.
Can I work with SOS?
Yes, we are always looking for new amazing people to join our team! We have rolling applications open for the massage team or floor staff, which means you can apply anytime and when we are hiring we go ahead and contact people.
Check out the link for more info and we’d love to hear from you!
What is your shipping and returns policy?
Check out the link for more info https://sos-senseofself.com/shipping-returns
Accessibility
Are the facilities accessible?
The bathhouse, downstairs massage room and courtyard areas have been purpose-built on the ground floor and designed with accessibility in mind. This includes the installation of a pool hoist, an accessible bathroom, extra circulation space, and provision for a chair in the sauna and steam room.
In terms of specifics; our pool is half in-ground and half-out of ground to give optionality. We have both a Pelican pool hoist (the company notes the weight limit at 150kg), and space to get a chair to the pool edge. The pool edge is 54cm, and the top of the pool edge/the coping is 53cm. We also have an aquatic wheelchair that is safe to use in the sauna and steam room, as the metal on standard chairs gets very hot.
The cold plunge is inaccessible unfortunately because we weren't able to build it in-ground, however, we have a rain shower (hot or cold) between the hot pool and the sauna, which is great for refreshing between hot activities.
Our massage studio is accessble via stairs (no lift sorry) but we do have a massage room on the ground floor too, so please reach out if you would like to be downstairs.
The Sense Of Self team are customer service staff, so while they are exceptional at making sure guests have a great experience, they are not trained in manual handling or specialised care and as such they are not equipped to be operating and facilitating movement in and out of the pool using the Pelican pool hoist. What our team are able to do is ensure that the above mentioned accessibility equipment is available, serviced, and operational for guests to use with the help of their own qualified companion. Qualified companions get free access to the bathhouse and we encourage anyone requiring assistance in the facility to reach out to us directly (hello@sos-senseofself.com) so we can ensure you and your companion have all of the information they need to have a smooth experience.
Can I bring my companion?
Yes, you can! Companions get free access. If you are confident in navigating the space solo and don't require specific assistance you are more than welcome to come on your own. If you would like to book in for accessible bathing or massage please email us at bookings@sos-senseofself.com. The reason we’d like to hear from you is so we can ensure the facility is staffed with the right people to give an exceptional experience.
Bookings
Do you take walk-in's?
No, the bathhouse and massage studio require booking in advance.
How do I make a booking for the bathhouse?
The easiest and fastest way is to do it via our online booking system. You can book up to 5 (the maximum group size in the bathhouse- see below as to why) people online at a time by simply updating the quantity accordingly.
You can also add robe and towel hire ($15) if you’d like to, or you can bring your own. If you forget to bring your own, then you can always hire a robe and towel on arrival.
How do I book a massage and/or a massage with bathing?
Jump on to our schedule and lock it in! There is an option to add bathing to your massage when booking. If you can't find a date, we encourage you to check in again soon or join our waitlist
How do I book with a gift voucher?
If you have a massage gift voucher and would like to make a massage booking, please book through our online schedule or put in a booking request.
If you are submitting a booking request form then please include your voucher code so the team can apply it to your booking.
If you want to use multiple voucher codes on one booking then please send us an email with your voucher codes to bookings@sos-senseofself.com and the team will do it manually for you.
How can I make a group booking?
In the bathhouse, we strictly cap group bookings to 5 in any one 2hr period. The reason we restrict the group size to 5 is for the enjoyment of everyone in the space- we have found that groups larger than this impacts the experience of other people there. If you want to book for more people in the bathhouse, private event might be the thing for you. See below for more information about this.
Our group bookings for massage is limited to 4, please fill out the booking request form and the bookings team will get back to you. Our group bookings are our most popular so it is best to book in advance.
Can I put myself on a waitlist?
If you would like to be notified about day-of availability for massages then please join our waitlist.
If there is availability on the dates you have signed up for, we will send out an email with a link for you to book in.
We don't hold a waitlist for bathhouse bookings. Our bookings are live online even when someone cancels or reschedules, you see what we see, so please keep an eye out online if you can't find a spot that suits.
Do you take deposits?
No, for bathhouse and massage bookings, we ask for upfront payment when booking in.
Which concession cards to you take?
We only take a valid government Healthcare cards for bathing only.
How can I reschedule my booking?
You can reschedule your appointment anytime up to 48 hrs before your appointment start time. You can do this through your original confirmation email by following the link at the bottom, or by getting in touch with us via email.
How do I cancel my booking?
You can cancel your booking anytime up to 24 hrs before the start time of your booking by scrolling to the bottom of your confirmation email and clicking the change/cancel button.
If you miss the cancellation period (see cancellation policy below) then please send us an email to let us know via bookings@sos-senseofself.com, or just reply to your confirmation email. We will send you a text and an email booking reminder 72 hrs before your appointment so you can’t miss the cancellation window.
What is your cancellation/reschedule policy?
All the details on our cancellation/reschedule policy and upfront payments can be seen here .
Do you provide refunds or credit for cancelled appointments?
If you cancel your booking within 24 hrs and have paid for your booking we will provide a refund to the card used to make the bookings. If you have a voucher when your booking is cancelled it will automatically be reinstated and you can rebook again when you are ready. We do not convert any monies paid to a credit/voucher for another time
Bathhouse
What’s in the bathhouse?
The bathhouse facilities include a large magnesium infused bath (39℃), cold plunge (10℃-12℃), Finnish sauna (82℃), Hammam (aka steam room, 46℃). There is also a relaxation lounge with some water, tea and snacks so plenty of space to take your time and relax. We also have a retail space in the reception foyer.
How long is a bathing session?
One session is 2 hours. This time includes the time you need in the changing room on your way in and out.
What do I do in the bathhouse?
Pretty much, just do what feels right for you and your body.
But if you want some guidance in terms of where to start we recommend (after showering) to start in the big pool, then the sauna, rinse off and then hop into the cold plunge. Rotate around like this a few times then make your way to the Hammam to soak in stillness. In the Hammam, we love to have a cold shower (there is a shower in there) when we start to feel the heat.
This is just a light guide as we don’t like to be too prescriptive, but if you’d like some additional guidance please ask our staff on arrival. And no matter what you do, be sure to listen to your body, stay hydrated and take in some fresh air in the lounge when needed.
Can I use the bathhouse if I am pregnant?
Unfortunately, no because all the facilities are well above body temperature. The common advice around pregnancy and extreme temperatures like those of hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunges is that it should be avoided.
Some studies suggest exposure to these temperatures may increase the risk for neural tube defects, miscarriage and brain and spinal cord abnormalities, so for this reason we can’t allow pregnant women to bathe at any stage of their pregnancy.
To check out further advice about Pregnancy, Exercise and Swimming, head over to betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Can I bring my phone or camera into the bathhouse?
We are strictly a NO phones or camera space in the bathhouse facility. The only place that photos are allowed is in reception and our massage studio. We are super strict on our no phone and camera policy because it is both a breach of privacy and has a negative impact on other people using the space.
We have coded lockers so you can pop your phone in there (on silent!) and enjoy the digital detox!
How many people are there in the bathhouse at a time?
We take a maximum of 24 people in the space at the same time, so there is plenty of space to enjoy the facilities.
Can we come and bathe as a group?
In the bathhouse we strictly cap group bookings to 5 in any one 2hr period. The reason we restrict the group size to 5 is for the enjoyment of everyone in the space- we have found that groups larger than this impacts the experience of other people there.
We take customer experience very seriously, so this is a hard and fast rule. If you book more than 5 people across multiple time slots we will have to reschedule some of them as this breaches our maximum group size policy in any one 2hr period.
Booking out the bathhouse privately is the best option for larger groups- send us an email to bookings@sos-senseofself.com for pricing.
Can I hire the bathhouse for a private event?
Yes you can! A private event means you will have the whole space for yourself for two hours and we have allocated times during the weekend and week for this. You can bring a group upto 32 people in the space and we will liaise with you regarding the specifics of your event. This is not to be booked for any commerical events.
Please fill in this form and we will send you pricing and other info for your private bathing experience.
What should I bring to my session?
If you haven't hired a robe and towel bundle ($15), so don't forget to bring those, plus your bathers, some thongs/slides (you can come bare foot), a water bottle and something analog if you want to (eg a book!). If you don't have a robe not to worry, we suggest you bring 2 towels instead, one to use in the space and one to use when you are drying off before leaving. All other amenities (soap, shampoo, hair dryer etc.) are available in the facility.
Do I need to bring slides?
You are welcome to attend barefoot, as the tiles are slip-rated. Otherwise you can bring thongs/slides to use in the space.
Do you have lockers?
Yes, we have free lockers in the space for you to keep your belongings in.
When is the quietest time to come to Sense of Self?
If you are looking for a non chatter time in the space, our quiet mornings are on on weekday mornings, from 7am-12pm.
What are quiet mornings?
Quiet mornings means Sense Of Self is a non-talking space on weekday mornings, from 7am-12pm.
Can children use the bathhouse?
Children must be 12 years of age or over to use the bathhouse. Any minor (under age of 18) must be accompanied by a guardian at all times, and all guardians are required to pay for bathhouse entry and are responsible for children in their care at all times.
Do you still do NUDE sessions?
We have decided to stop our nude nights. There had been an increasing number of inappropriate enquiries regarding our Nude Nights. We take safety very (very!) seriously here so, for us even the possibility of people coming to the space with untoward intention is risk enough to make us stop and take stead, which is exactly what we are doing.
Massage
What type of massages do you offer?
We offer relaxation, remedial and pregnancy massages, for either 60 or 90 minutes.
The relaxation massage speaks for itself - it is a relaxing treatment that follows traditional Swedish Massage techniques.
The remedial massage at Sense of Self is also very relaxing but for those who are looking to address a specific pain point or claim it with a private health fund.
The pregnancy massage at Sense Of Self is a side-line (ie. you lay on your side) sequence specific to the pregnant body. Please note that The Expectant is a specialised 60 min massage sequence which can't be shortened- if you'd like to customise your Expectant massage please book a 90 minute treatment.
How does the in-room customisation work?
We have three options for how you use your 60 or 90 minute treatment time on the table. Please note that this is not extra time (or money), just how you use your time.
You first select the treatment type you would like and it's duration. Then, you can choose between three options:
- Straight up massage
- 30 min Gua Sha facial
- 30 min The Ends
If you choose the straight up massage option, the entire duration of your treatment time is dedicated to the massage of choice. If you choose to customise your treatment with a 30 minute inclusion, then the massage component of your treatment time is the balance. For example, if you choose a 60 minute treatment and customise it with a 30 minute facial, then you will have 30 minutes of massage and 30 minutes of facial.
How much massage time will I get if I book a 60 minute treatment, but choose one of the customisations?
If you choose to customise your 60 minute treatment you will get 30 minutes of dedicated massage time (and 30 minutes of whatever option you choose) and you can chat to your therapist about where to focus that time.
Can I book a longer massage than 90min?
No, unfortunately you can not, 90min is our longest treatment. You can lengthen your time at Sense Of Self by adding bathing to your booking though!
I have a gift card for a package (eg. Lux Touch/All in), what do I do?
These packages are no longer on the menu. Not to worry though because we have the same amazing treatments, just packaged in a different way. Your voucher value is (of course) applicable to our new menu and can be used toward any service (bathing or massage) at Sense Of Self. You can either book via the link on your online voucher, or submit a booking request form and we’ll help you out.
Can I have a massage if I am pregnant?
Yes! The Expectant, our signature pregnancy massage, is a pre and post-natal relaxation massage for anyone beyond their first trimester.
Massages are not recommended for women in their first trimester, so we ask you to wait until you’ve passed that milestone.
Can I claim my remedial massage?
Yes! Just let reception know your health provider before or after your massage and they will write up a receipt and send you it via email, for you to submit through your health fund. Unfortunately, we are unable to process any claims for HCF or Doctor's health. We do not provide receipts when a massage has been partly or fully paid with a voucher. If you are injured at work and your claim is accepted, our remedial massage may fall under Workcover.
Do you offer couple massages?
Each of our massage rooms are single use, but we can book you in so both of you have the massage at the same time. You can then hang out together after in the lounge or even bathe together.
Can I have a massage and bathe?
Of course, when booking there is an option to add bathing to your treatment ($65). Do not worry if you forget to add it when booking you can contact us at anytime to add on.
Should I have my massage before or after bathing?
By default we pop you into the bathhouse after your massage and we do think it is the smoothest option. But please contact us prior to your appointment if you want to bathe for the 2 hours before, it really depends on what you would prefer!
Can I request the gender of my massage therapist?
Sense of self is an all gendered space and therefore we have a gender diverse team of massage therapists, but if you have a strong preference for a particular gendered therapist you will need to email to let us know.
You can do so by replying to your confirmation email once you have made a booking, or by letting us know in the booking request form.
Can I book a specific therapist?
If you want to book with a specific therapist, please let us know well in advance and we’ll do our best to accommodate that!
What should I wear to my massage?
Really anything goes, it is up to you and comfort is always key. Your therapists will guide you on what to wear while you are on the massage table.
When should I arrive for my appointment?
Good question! Please arrive 15 min before your start time just to give yourself time and not feel rushed before your treatment.
Vouchers
What’s the difference between digital cards and physical cards?
Not a great deal! The physical cards are made with love in Brunswick East by Hungry Workshop. They are a great option if you are meeting the person in real life or want to post it off yourself! However, the PDF gift card is also an easy option, especially to email off to someone on the day you would like them to receive it.
How do I purchase a gift voucher online?
Head to the gift section on the website, select the amount you want, put in your details (not the recipients unless you want to send it directly to them), and we will send you the email with a blank PDF copy of the voucher. It will not have your on it, it will just have the code on the voucher that you can print off or email. You can access the PDF under the link in the receipt that says ‘view pdf’.
How long are the vouchers valid for?
Our vouchers are valid for 3 years, which means there is plenty of time for them to be redeemed.!
What can I use a voucher for?
All of our dollar value vouchers can be used across all Sense Of Self services (bathing and massage) along with our retail space in store. And the vouchers work a bit like a credit - you can use the code as many times as you need up until the value is all used up!
The bathhouse passess can only be used on the days they have been allocated, for example weekday or weekend passes and can not be changed. The bathpasses can not be converted to a massage treatments.
Can I use my voucher more than once?
Yes! You can use it until you run out of credit on it. Feel free to give us a call if you want to check on the remaining balance!
Can I get a refund for my voucher?
Due to the nature of gift vouchers and the gift giving, these vouchers are non-refundable.
How can I get a physical voucher?
Our staff in reception will give you your physical voucher. You can purchase a physical voucher anytime during business hours. If you have purchased a voucher online and wish to make it a physical one you can also stop by reception within opening hours and we’ll write one out for you.
Unfortunately, we are not set up to be able to send vouchers by post.
Can I organise a custom amount for a gift voucher?
Our vouchers come in $25 increments starting at $50 and can be used across all Sense of Self services and in store retail. This gives maximum flexibility to the person receiving the gift to choose how they spend their Sense of Self dollars. Our vouchers are valid for 3 years, which means there is plenty of time for them to be redeemed.
Can I buy bulk purchases for my workplace?
You most certainly can! If you are looking to buy multiple vouchers please get in touch with us via workplace wellness form and we will get in touch with you.