An interview with Mr. Mirco Bassetta,
VAGHEGGI Global Training Director
The health industry keeps flourishing and people become more and more discerning with regard to wellness services. Traditional relaxing massages no longer meet their requirements. Modern spa guests seek treatments that are both innovative and able to offer holistic health benefits. As a result, Mirco Bassetta has pioneered the development of massage treatments that incorporate ancient health disciplines, such as combining the essence of the Five Elements from Oriental philosophy with Western techniques to develop a comprehensive massage system that addresses physical symptoms and achieves emotional healing.
As the training director of the world-renowned health and beauty brand VAGHEGGI, Mirco Bassetta visits different markets all over the world, exploring and researching the trends and consumer needs of different countries, effectively analyzing the spa environment, and developing and updating massage systems in real time to meet market demand. He has developed two famous massage systems – R.D.R Massage System and LIGNUM Massage System, which are widely applied in the global market. SpaChina interviewed Mirco Bassetta to hear him share his experience in massage system development and training, as well as his insights into the global wellness market.
Can you tell us about your journey in the spa and wellness industry? What inspired you to pursue this career path?
It was a path undertaken about 20 years ago when I started attending a vocational training institute in Alessandria in Italy. It was a passion that grew over time but that I always had and was passed on to me by my mom who has been in the wellness industry for over 40 years. During my studies, I started working in spas and resorts that allowed me to deal with a very demanding and constantly growing market.
At the age of 23, I was responsible for the wellness part of a wellness center that led me to discover new proposals and new markets so that I moved to Milan at the age of 26 where I began to deepen my studies in shiatsu and macrobiotics, a path that lasted 5 years. In the meantime I worked as a wellness manager in a beauty salon, but I felt that my path was elsewhere … I met up with Vagheggi, a leading company in the phytocosmetic sector, and my collaboration and my journey as a trainer began. I still continue to deepen and perfect new massage techniques, always trying to satisfy the market’s demand.
As someone with expertise in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Macrobiotics, how have these ancient practices influenced your work in developing modern spa treatments?
The study of traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu and Macrobiotics have helped me a lot in the development of various modern innovative techniques. The study of these ancient disciplines has allowed me to discover not only the physical aspect of things but above all the energetic aspect, helping me to have a more complete vision. Today it allows me to develop treatments and massages that aim not only to solve problems of an aesthetic nature but offering complete well-being at 360 degrees.
What are some of the most significant trends you’ve observed in the global spa and wellness industry recently? How do you see these trends evolving in the coming years?
The spa sector globally is constantly evolving. The reason is that each SPA has needs and skills based on the type of clientele. For example, a SPA in Mexico has different trends and requirements from a SPA in Turkey or China. What unites SPAs all over the world is certainly the search for new wellness techniques to fully satisfy the consumer.
The customer who goes to the SPA is a demanding customer, constantly looking for novelties that can satisfy not only the need for relaxation but also their curiosity. The most advanced centers are able to guarantee an optimal service to the consumer thanks to research and continuous training on market trends.
Trends are sometimes momentary, dictated by fashion, time and season, but there are pillar treatments in the world of wellness that will struggle to fade.
Personalization in spa treatments is becoming increasingly popular. How do you incorporate customization into the treatments and massage systems you develop?
Personalization of treatments is our main goal, this allows us to respond to all consumers needs. We are not talking about a standard treatment, but rather a tailored suit that is specifically worn for a special need.
In the development of new massage techniques, we try to respond to different physical characteristics. In the training courses, we invite the operator to empathize and listen to the customer’s needs. This is the true essence of massage.
You’ve developed the R.D.R. Massage and LIGNUM Massage, which are applied in many wellness resorts and spas. Could you share the philosophy behind these systems and how they meet the diverse needs of clients?
Both types of massage are inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine. The lignum massage, a technique that was used in ancient China but now lost, is a type of Columbian massage. The use of beech wood tools allow us to treat not only the aesthetic imperfections of the body, but induce the psychophysical rebalancing of the customer.
The main characteristic of the R.D.R. massage is manual movements that represent the energetic movement of the Five Elements (water, wood, fire, earth, metal). Each individual has an energetic sphere that encompasses all the elements, but these are not always in balance with each other. The massage aims to rebalance every single element, bringing benefits both physically and spiritually.
As the Global Training Director at VAGHEGGI, how do you ensure that your training programs stay relevant and effective in different markets around the world?
For VAGHEGGI, it is of fundamental importance that the programs are carried out in an optimal way to ensure effectiveness and benefit, so our training department is in close contact with all departments around the world. Depending on the type of market, training weeks are scheduled throughout the year both in our headquarters in Italy and in the markets that host us.
Can you describe the process of integrating the essence of the Five Elements from Oriental philosophy into your massage systems? How does this approach enhance the client’s spa experience?
In the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, one of the fundamental pillars is the Tao, the union of Yin and Yang, two complementary and opposite energies that create everything. The transformation of Yin into Yang and vice versa undergoes processes that are associated with energy movements that take up the elements present in nature (water, wood, fire, earth and metal).
In massage, each manual skill is associated with an element. For example, the water movement will suggest fluctuating techniques, the fire stimulating ones, the metal deep ones, etc…
This was created not only to instill well-being but to bring an energetic balance and restore harmony between the elements present in every living being. The client receiving the treatment will have an awareness of their body and their energetic consciousness.
What is your vision for the future of spa and wellness training? How do you plan to continue evolving your training business in this field?
There is no professionalism without training, and the world of SPA and Wellness requires training and knowledge to cope with an increasingly expert clientele in the sector. The future of this world will be based on continuous knowledge and continuous training. Like everyone, I will continue to deepen my studies in order to share my experience with the whole world.
With your extensive experience in different markets and cultures, what has been the most rewarding part of your career so far?
The most important gratification I have had in these years of work is being able to see, learn, compare, create and share with people from all over the world; approaching different markets, different nationalities and cultures fills my heart with joy and makes me look forward to always facing new challenges.
Wellness tourism is on the rise, especially in markets like China. How do you see this trend influencing the future of luxury spas and resort treatments?
In an absolutely positive way. After a long dark period, the moment of rebirth has finally arrived, and the whole world perceives it. Wellness tourism is constantly increasing and this is great for the Chinese market. There will be an increase in demand for wellness treatments in spas and resorts and at that point the market will have to be ready to deal with this demand. The advice I can give is to invest a lot in training and knowledge, only this will allow us to better face this precious period.