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Originally from southern Italy, Ben Pianese has spent over half his life in London and abroad. As a highly skilled multi-therapist based in Central London, he has worked since 1997 in locations such as Marylebone (Harley Street), Covent Garden, and Angel, Islington. Since founding Massaggi in 2008/2009, he has provided authentic Thai massage, deep tissue massage, bioenergetic therapy, postural correction, and integrated recovery treatments in central London.
The Early Foundations: From Technical Mastery to the Army
Q: Would you share the foundations of your journey and what shaped you before becoming a leading massage therapist in Central London?
Since the age of eleven, starting in the late 1980s, I spent my summers learning through hands-on work, assisting my cousin in his mechanic shop and later progressing into physical trades as a builder, plasterer, and electrician through the early 1990s. After graduating high school in the mid-1990s, I earned a five-year diploma as an Electrical and Electronic Technician. I completed one year of service in the Italian army before moving to London in 1997.
Even then, I instinctively recognised the power of touch. My friends and I regularly exchanged back and shoulder massages after long days of work, a simple practice that brought relief and a strong sense of well-being.
London 1997: A Multicultural Catalyst in Soho
Q: What brought you to London, and how did your early years in the city influence your path toward therapeutic excellence?
I moved to London in 1997 and started working in the demanding world of catering as a chef on Greek Street, Soho. By 1998, I was working at restaurants in Covent Garden. In 1999, I became manager of an energetic multicultural bar and restaurant on Oxford Street called Break for the Border.
In this dynamic environment, a colleague studying Shiatsu gave me a treatment that changed my perspective. The massage induced a deep meditative state, leaving me physically balanced and mentally clear. Our team of 20 adopted regular back and shoulder massages, which contributed to the venue’s success as one of central London’s most popular locations.
The Turning Point: Injury, Recovery, and the Call to Therapy
Q: You often speak about a “dark night of the soul” involving a spinal injury. How did this crisis lead to your expertise in chronic pain relief?
In 1999, I suffered a serious fall on ice, resulting in severe back and knee injuries. After a knee arthroscopy and unsuccessful chiropractic treatment, I was left unable to walk properly for years. Conventional Physiotherapy offered no lasting relief, and my mental health deteriorated to the point where I nearly lost hope.
A referral to a stress project on Holloway Road led me to the School of Five Element Acupuncture in Camden.
While still on crutches, I enrolled in a Thai massage course near Highbury & Islington. From the first day, the techniques felt deeply familiar. My instructor, Joanna Ryne (Head of City Lit in Covent Garden), recognised my natural touch and encouraged me to study Anatomy, Physiology, and Professional Body Massage. That experience became the foundation of my expertise in chronic pain relief and holistic recovery.
Pioneering Bioenergetic Medicine and Digital Wellness
Q: How did you integrate alternative energy work and digital innovation into the Massaggi brand?
Before widespread internet access, I became an avid researcher, frequently visiting Neal’s Yard Remedies and Mystery in Covent Garden. I discovered Bioplasmic Manipulation with Michael Cohen, a form of energy medicine. This work with the bioenergetic field achieved what years of surgery could not: my chronic pain vanished. Resolving my remaining knee pain heightened my sensitivity to people and environments. I also completed Reiki training and became a Reiki Master, though bioenergetic work proved most effective for me.
By 2001, I was practising part-time with The Healing Tent, supporting Islington Council events and the London Marathon. In the mid-2000s (around 2004-2006), I gained further experience at Aquaterra in Covent Garden (now Better Gym), working alongside an Osteopath, at the modern urban spa Kimantra in Camden Passage near Angel Station, and later at Aveda Spa in Covent Garden.
Establishing a Professional Presence
Q: When did you establish your own professional presence, and what drove your early adoption of digital strategies?
I launched my first website in 2006 under the name Earth Remedies, making it one of the earliest professional massage therapist sites in the UK. To ensure quality, I studied SEO, backlinks, and Google updates using platforms such as Moz and Search Engine Land, positioning Massaggi as a pioneer in Google Local SEO. In late 2008, early 2009, I created Massaggi, establishing a modern, professional identity distinct from typical spa websites.
After launching Massaggi in late 2008/early 2009, demand grew rapidly. From 2009 onward, I expanded into multiple therapy room locations, including Upper Street in Islington, Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden, and Marylebone. I built a team of eight massage therapists (including an Osteopath and a therapist qualified in Sports Medicine) and continued home and hotel visits. I have maintained a strong Google Local presence and authentic reviews since 2009.
The Asiatic Legacy and Global Education
Q: You have a deep connection with the Asiatic Thai Massage brand. How does your experience in Thailand influence your London clinics?
I have been a regular client at Kobkun Thai Therapy on 93 Upper Street since 2009. In 2021, the owners asked me to help modernise their brand. I renamed it Asiatic, which means “people from Asia” in Latin. I created a space that feels both cosy and professional, reflecting the spirit of Angel Islington. I also designed a warm, modern look for the Asiatic Thai Massage in Angel and Highbury. Today, Asiatic at 93 and 262 Upper Street stands as a testament to authentic Thai Yoga Massage and modern recovery.
Exploring the World: A Journey Through Asia
Q: You have travelled extensively in Thailand. How has that global experience shaped your practice in London?
I have visited Thailand over twenty times and consider it my second home. I have studied at schools such as Loi Kro in Chiang Mai and Wat Pho. I am a frequent visitor to the world’s most elite massage spas in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, China, Miami, and Vietnam. These experiences continually deepen my understanding of authentic Thai massage and holistic techniques, which I bring to my clients in Central London.
The Modern Practitioner’s Vision
Q: As an expert in the “Magrin Method” and a trusted name in Central London, what is your current philosophy on healing?
As a coach, I work on my own mental integration using the Magrin Method, emotional, and energetic self first, so that I may help others. I still maintain a private practice in Covent Garden and Marylebone, seeing clients who have trusted me since 2007. Because I am often booked months in advance, I refer my community to Asiatic for high-quality Thai Massage. We are currently expanding, bringing the Asiatic vision to a third branch in Central London near Covent Garden.
Q: As a practitioner who continues to invest in his own well-being, where do you receive treatment, and what is your personal philosophy?
I continue to receive regular Thai massage at Asiatic in Angel and Highbury, as well as acupuncture and Bowen Therapy. I also work with my friend Tao Chi Kai and actively explore different approaches to maintain balance across mental, emotional, and energetic levels. My philosophy is simple: I work deeply on myself first, so I can truly help others, not just offer theory.
Q: Many clients ask about mindfulness and inner work. Do you believe in meditation, and how does it shape your daily life?
Yes, I hold meditation in high regard. However, I believe its truest form is not limited to a cushion or quiet room. It is a continuous state of presence and awareness in every waking moment, which I call living awareness.
Living awareness is the art of remaining fully present with whatever arises, whether each breath, sensation, or engagement, without drifting into memory or anticipation.
When the mind slips into the past or rushes toward the future, or when we chase positive thinking or repeat affirmations, we live in the reality of illusion. In my life and as a therapist, I strive for this living awareness. It makes each touch more intuitive and each session more profound, allowing genuine healing to progress naturally for my clients and me.
Q: What is your perspective on the law of attraction and manifestation?
I do not follow the conventional idea of the law of attraction. Instead, I believe we already possess what we truly desire. The key is to discover the right practice, implement it in your life every single moment of your day for a few years, and feel refined as you gently remove your own limitations. Once those barriers dissolve, what we seek appears quickly and clearly.
Q: What qualities do you most value in people, and what tends to move you away from certain individuals or environments?
I am drawn to authenticity and uniqueness. I distance myself from anything or anyone lacking sincerity or originality. At my core, I value honesty, love, and the nourishment of good, healthy food.
Q: What would you like future clients to know about the standard of care they can expect from you?
With over 25 years of dedicated practice, I uphold the highest professional standards. Every treatment is delivered with full presence, clinical accuracy, and sincere care. I continue to invest in ongoing training and personal development so each client receives not only technical excellence but also a safe, trustworthy, and deeply restorative experience. This commitment is why many clients, some since 2007, return regularly and refer friends and family.
Q: How can people contact you, and what do you do in your free time?
I maintain a private practice in Covent Garden, Marylebone, and Westminster, where I see long-term clients, some of whom I have seen since 2007. As my schedule is often booked months in advance, I refer new clients to trusted therapists at Asiatic Thai Massage. I also offer online coaching through the Magrin Method, helping individuals release blockages and achieve their goals.
In my free time, I study, travel, and explore new healing modalities. I strive to deepen the legacy of touch that began in southern Italy and now serves Central London.
Final Thoughts
In an industry that is constantly changing, Ben’s 25-year legacy provides a depth of clinical experience—from the traditional schools of Thailand to the medical hub of Harley Street—that creates an intuitive mastery rarely found in modern practice.
What Clients Say
“Ben’s touch is unlike any experience I’ve experienced in 15 years of receiving massage. After one session with him, my chronic shoulder tension simply melted away. He is the only therapist I trust with my body.” — Sarah T. Marylebone (client since 2012)
“Working with Ben constitutes a masterclass in presence. His combination of deep tissue and Thai massage completely reset my posture and energy after years of desk work. I leave every session feeling taller and calmer.”— James R. Covent Garden (client since 2009)
“From the first session, I felt completely safe and cared for. Ben’s intuitive approach and living awareness make his treatments profoundly healing. I’ve referred my entire family to him.” — Elena M. Angel Islington (client since 2008)
Ben Pianese has been a cornerstone of the London wellness community since 2001. His 25-year career is defined by a unique synthesis of Bioenergetic medicine and traditional Thai mastery. James L. Weightmatters
