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. We maintain a high level of professional competency and we constantly learn new techniques. All of our therapists are fluent in English, and some speak other languages as well. We greet clients with a smile in a warm and cosy studio. When they arrive tired or anxious we restore their energy so that they leave recovered and smiling. Our booking system is quick and user friendly, and the languages a therapist speaks are clearly labelled. We can also accommodate a group of up to 3 people simultaneously.

On what principle have you selected the massage types? – We focus on offering easy and convenient choices. Our services are in four major categories: Mieli massage, face treatments, spa rituals, body shape, and my author's signature. If a client opts for our Mieli massage, they can choose a 60, 90 or 120 minute session.

In my author's massage I combine fire therapy, bamboo and hot stone massage, special stretches and different techniques learnt from internationally reputed therapists. Clients often say they have never experienced anything like it. The Mieli massage and the other procedures are also personalised to the client and their current state.

What exactly is Mieli massage? – When I established Mieli Massage Sofia 7 years ago, I decided its name would become a symbol of high professionalism and a personal approach. In 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. It is a holistic concept for the client's wellbeing.

In massage the physical action is combined with psychology. – We are aware of the psychosomatic connections between emotions and physical pain, and by working on the body we can improve the emotional condition. But rule number one is: do no harm, neither with action nor with words. We are massage therapists, not physicians or psychologists.