8 minute read
Fia Soul Wisdom-Holistic and Spiritual Wellness Enterprise.
Fia Soul Wisdom is a Holistic and Spiritual Wellness enterprise based in Stockholm, Sweden. The enterprise, which was established in 2018 as Fia Ayur Wisdom, offers a range of holistic wellness services, including inspired Ayurvedic massages, classic massages, Dynamic Reiki Crystal healing, Akashic records readings, and chakra healing with crystals.
At the helm of affairs of this one-woman enterprise is its founder Sofia Felicidade Rego. A native of the quaint village of Aldona, Sofia has been practising as a Holistic Adviser and Massage and Spiritual Therapist since 2005. Through the course of her career spanning nearly 20 years, she has worked as an assistant to an Ayurvedic Doctor, alongside a physiotherapist, in the spa industry, and also as an educator in childcare in Sweden. After experiencing a burnout and then realising that her true calling lay in holistic and spiritual practices, Sofia fully transitioned into the role of a Holistic Advisor in the year 2018.
Sofia’s dedication led her to work towards integrating inspired ayurvedic massage therapy into the Swedish healthcare system, specifically within the framework of wellness. This initiative aimed to contribute to the well-being of individuals working in the healthcare sector in Sweden. Simultaneously, she shared her 20 years of expertise as a Reiki healer, incorporating the chakra system, working with moonology and understanding the phases of the moon into her holistic approach. Her unique blend of experiences, including collaborations with physiotherapists as well as working as a spa therapist in several luxury hotels, enriched her skills as a holistic wellness practitioner.
In 2023, recognising the expansion of her services to encompass spiritual therapy and a personalised approach tailored to each client's needs, Sofia rebranded her enterprise as Fia Soul Wisdom. In a brief conversation with ItsGoa, Sofia shares insights into her life, her journey in the world of Ayurveda and holistic wellness, the various services provided by her enterprise and lots more.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I was born in Kuwait in 1986. I did my primary schooling over there at The Indian School, Salmiya. However, due to the outbreak of the Gulf War in 1990, I had to return to Goa along with my family. Here in Goa, I settled in my native village of Aldona and continued my schooling at. After completing high school, I pursued my higher secondary education at a college in Mapusa. There, I completed 12th grade with a focus on Vocational Accounting.
Driven by a strong passion to learn about the human body and massage therapy, I sought guidance from my grandmother, who consulted with an Ayurvedic doctor. Acting on the doctor's advice, I embarked on a journey to Pune University to enrol in a course on Ayurvedic massage therapy.
Give us a brief picture of your professional career after you completed your higher education.
After completing my education in Ayurvedic massage therapy in 2004, I sought additional training in Shirodhara treatment under the guidance of my Ayurvedic doctor-teacher. In 2005, I started working at his clinic which catered to clients from the Osho Ashram.
In mid-2005, I joined the prestigious Taj Blue Diamond Hotel in Pune and started working as a spa therapist. I continued working at the hotel till late 2006 after which I relocated to Bangalore and worked alongside several physiotherapists. During this period, I specialised in massage therapy for sports injuries and received training in microdermabrasion.
In 2008, with the assistance of my Goan friend, Russel, I ventured to Dubai, where I secured a position as a junior spa therapist at Park Hyatt Dubai. In 2010, I joined the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel in Dubai as a spa therapist. At this hotel, I received training on how to provide holistic treatments to clients using Espa products. In 2011, I was transferred to One&Only The Palm Hotel where I continued my work as a spa therapist.
In late 2012, I moved to Sweden. With the assistance of my friends, Pavel and Helena, I secured an interview at Select Collection, a luxury travel spa. This company, operating as a travel agency, collaborated with 500 hotels, and I became a part of their team.
My diverse experiences in different locations and roles deeply enriched my knowledge and skills as a provider of holistic wellness treatments. This journey ultimately contributed to the establishment and evolution of Fia Soul Wisdom.
What inspired you to start your enterprise?
My journey, which has been marked by challenges such as dyslexia and language barriers, played a pivotal role in inspiring me to embark on the entrepreneurial path I have taken. The struggle to find suitable employment in Sweden due to language constraints led to this pivotal decision –to start an enterprise that aligned with my skills and expertise.
Given the linguistic challenges I faced in finding a Swedish-speaking job and the scarcity of English speaking opportunities in Sweden, I made the courageous decision to establish my own enterprise. This decision not only provided a solution to my employment concerns but also allowed me to leverage my proficiency in English, catering to the diverse community of expatriates in Stockholm.
Recognising the abundance of expats and the willingness of the Swedish-speaking population to engage in English, I saw an opportunity to contribute to the healthcare system in Sweden. My expertise as a holistic massage therapist and spiritual healer strongly positioned me to offer valuable services in a multicultural and cosmopolitan city like Stockholm. Thus, Fia Soul Wisdom was born out of my determination to overcome obstacles, create opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of others.
What was the response from the public like when your enterprise just started?
The initial response to Fia Soul Wisdom was positive and encouraging, especially as I began offering on-site contracts with 25-minute classic Swedish massages. Despite the established norm, my unique approach to the classic Swedish massage, influenced by my Indian heritage and a wide range of skills, was well-received by the public. Clients appreciated and requested my distinct style, showcasing a preference for the personalised and culturally influenced treatments I provided. My approach resonated with my clients, and my ability to offer them a unique and customised experience contributed to the initial success of Fia Soul Wisdom. Such positive feedback likely played a crucial role in building my reputation and client base as I ventured into the early stages of my entrepreneurial journey.
Who are your major clients?
My major clients are individuals seeking a unique blend of holistic massage therapy and energy healing. Focusing on bridging classic massage therapy with energy healing techniques such as Reiki, crystal healing, and chakra healing, I have created a distinctive and personalised approach that resonates with my clientele. My sessions serve as workshops, where I not only provide therapeutic treatment but also educate my clients about their bodies. The emphasis on intuition and my diverse therapeutic experience contribute to the effectiveness of my sessions.
Returning clients appreciate my holistic approach, seeking not only relaxation but also insights into their bodies and minds. By incorporating Ayurvedic principles, I make them aware of how understanding one's body type influences the type of massage they receive. This integration of knowledge adds a unique dimension to my practice, allowing clients to sense energy movement during the sessions.
My commitment to working with regular clients, regardless of their prior knowledge of energy work, helps demystify spiritual therapy. By offering a hands-on experience, I enable clients to feel
the energy during the massage, allowing them to make informed decisions about their preferences. This approach aligns with my goal of promoting awareness and acceptance of energy work within the healthcare system in Sweden.
Furthermore, my engagement with the Swedish healthcare system, including the recognition of Reiki healing being beneficial to an individual's health, highlights the integration of alternative therapies into mainstream healthcare. This demonstrates my dedication to not only providing valuable services but also contributing to the broader acceptance and understanding of energy work in the healthcare landscape.
What are your future plans for your enterprise?
In the days ahead, I aspire to continue my work of channelling healing energy and providing spiritual messages to my cherished clients. Simultaneously, my vision extends to nurturing the growth of my enterprise. Through my side venture as a Holistic Concierge connector, I aim to create connections between therapists and clients worldwide, fostering a community bound by holistic well-being. I intend to embark on a harmonious path of healing and global connection towards healing the world.
Is there anything else you would like to mention about yourself and/or your enterprise?
I have mainly focused on in-person clients over the years and kept supporting clients in Sweden. However, my vision has always been to support souls online and now, I plan to do more online work. My objective is to expand my support to a wider audience, and what better way than starting with my home town, Goa.
For more information about Sofia Rego and the various holistic wellness treatments she offers at Fia Soul Wisdom, visit:
● Website: www.fiasoulwisdom.com
● Instagram: @fia_soulwisdom/ @holistic_concierge
● Youtube: Fia Soul Wisdom - Tools used as divination
● Facebook Business Profile: Sofia Rego
● Facebook Page: Holistic Concierge
