ELENA IVANOVA: THE ULTIMATE MASSAGE EXPERIENCE

Good massage is one of the best ways to improve the condition of our body, mind and soul. The services at Mieli Massage Sofia go beyond this. Created and managed by experienced massage therapist Elena Ivanova, the studio offers selected procedures and therapies, which work so well that they have a strong following among Bulgarians and foreigners in the capital.

Mieli enjoys a remarkable reputation among expats and foreign tourists in Bulgaria; its Tripadvisor rate is consistently high. What is the formula for this success?

There are many reasons why Mieli is the first choice of all these people. We maintain a high level of professional competency and we constantly learn new techniques and skills. All of our massage therapists are fluent in English, and some of them speak other languages as well. Clients feel cosy at our place. We greet them with a smile in a warm and cosy studio. When they arrive tired or anxious we manage to restore their energy so that they leave Mieli recovered, calmer and smiling. Clients often seek us after a long flight, when their feet hurt after vigorous sightseeing, trekking or skiing, or when they are jetlagged. We know perfectly well how to remove fatigue, pain, stress and pressure. Our booking system is quick and user friendly, the languages a therapist speaks are clearly labelled. We can also accommodate a friend group of up to 3 people simultaneously, after booking in advance, of course. Our location is easy to find, with convenient parking spaces.

On what principle have you selected the massage types and techniques offered at Mieli?

We, at Mieli Massage Sofia, focus on offering easy and convenient choices. Our services are in four major categories: Mieli massage, face treatments, spa rituals, body shapе and my author's Elena's signature massage.

The clients choose what they need, and if they have opted for our Mieli massage, they can choose a 60, 90 or 120 minute session.

Each therapy or procedure is performed by a trained team member, we all do what we are best at.

In my author's massage, I use and combine fire therapy, bamboo and hot stone massage, special stretches and different skills and techniques that I have learnt and continue to learn from internationally reputed massage therapists. Clients often say that they have never experienced anything like that.

The Mieli massage and the rest of procedures are also personalised according to the client and their current state. This is what our clients like most. Our regulars often ask how we are capable of making massages different every time.

How do you decide what type of massage the client needs?

You have to ask the right questions to decide what the client needs and why they have sought us. It is important to observe how they move, is there some pain, stress, or fatigue. We also have to know what the clients will do after the session. If they are going to a meeting, we have to keep the hair clean and to preserve the hairstyle. If they are going to work or study, we make a more energising massage, and if they are going to rest, the massage is relaxing and calming. Our experienced therapists will ask for all the information they need to decide which techniques to use and how much pressure to apply to offer the best massage for the moment. Then, they will keep quiet to maximise the therapy's effect. Throughout the session we follow the client's body and reactions to be sure that we do what is best for them.

What type of massage would you recommend after a stressful business day?

At the end of a busy day the massage should be calming, with smooth and rhythmic movements to relax not only the muscles, but also the neural system, to reduce the stress and the pressure, and to prepare the body for a tranquil sleep. Many people visit us before making an important decision or when they want to get a large amount of information in their heads in order. After the session they often say that the massage has helped them to see everything more clearly.

The massage could be relaxing with moderate pressure or deep tissue one. What we are going to choose again depends on the client's preferences. The team of Mieli Massage Sofia is trained in special techniques to simultaneously remove the pain and calm the stress.

What exactly is Mieli massage?

When I established Mieli Massage Sofia 7 years ago, I decided that its name will become a symbol of high professionalism and personal approach towards clients. Translated from Finnish, Mieli means mind, heart, mood, soul, spirit. Mieli massage comes from the heart and gives wisdom to the mind, harmony to the soul, freedom to the spirit, and a sunny mood. Mieli massage is a holistic concept for the client's wellbeing.

Many people give Mieli massages as a gift to their loved ones and friends. This is something truly special, different and original – a gift of time, the most valuable resource today. The time to relax and recreate.

In massage the physical action is combined with psychology. What is the most important thing a massage therapist should know and do to be of maximum help to their clients?

We are aware of the psychosomatic connections between feelings and emotions and physical pain, and by working on the body we can improve the patient's emotional condition. For example, when one is burdened with tasks their shoulders hurt. When one is sad, their lungs get sick. Fear provokes kidney problems. These are just a couple of examples of how emotions and body pain are connected.

However, our rule number one is: do not harm neither with action, nor with words. We are massage therapists, not physicians or psychologists. It is great when we can help people to be healthier and calmer, but it is not our job to make diagnoses, to give psychological advice and to burden the clients with even more stress.

Sofia, 2 Sofiyski Geroy St, Forum Hotel

phone: +359 897 330 130

mielimassage.studio