The Hands Behind the Work

Melani Hrastić

Massage Therapist & Founder

Hi, there, I’m Mel — the heart and hands behind Dusha Massage. I am a massage therapist, yoga teacher, retreat manager, and a humbe student of life first. Beyond titles and roles, I am guided by presence, curiosity, and the desire to create spaces where people can reconnect with themselves and their own natural wisdom.

I began practicing yoga as a teenager, drawn to strength in movement, yet completely captivated by the subtle, invisible power that flows behind it. By the age of fifteen, I somehow knew what my life would be about — teaching yoga and offering healing through touch. That quiet inner voice became my compass, guiding me through the choices and twists of life. Yoga has saved me countless times and continues to hold all the corners of my life together.

In my early twenties, I embarked on my first teacher training, and soon after, organically opened a large yoga and massage studio. By twenty-five, I was called to the US to continue my education — I packed my bags, left, and never looked back. Massages became my sacred space, the place where I learn the most about presence, about the wisdom of the body, and about the subtle, transformative art of healing.

For many years, I have traveled, studied, and learned across the globe, seeking insight into how people honor life, movement, and the cycles of the body and mind. Every journey, every teacher, every community has shaped my understanding of healing and connection. A few years ago, after a family tragedy, I returned to Croatia. Creating Dusha Massage — working with people, being in service, and creating spaces of care — saved me all over again and brought me fully home to my path.

I am madly in love with working with the body, with people, and healing modalities. Every session, every class, every curated experience I offer comes from the heart, from a place of personal Dharma and strong presence.
I live for long, loud laughs, quiet reflection, and the subtle, magical moments of deep human connection.

 

Education & Training

Mel’s path has always been one of devotion, curiosity, and wholehearted practice. A yoga teacher, massage therapist, and movement guide, she has spent over a decade immersing herself in the study of the body, the breath, and the subtle energies that connect us.

Her training spans many traditions and modalities. She has studied yoga extensively through Janet Stone Yoga School and Spanda Yoga Institute, dedicating hundreds of hours to practice, retreats, and teacher trainings that deepened her understanding of alignment, flow, and presence. Massage therapy has been her sacred laboratory — from Thai massage and deep tissue to acupressure, trigger point therapy, abdominal detox (Chi Nei Tsang), and intuitive healing.

Her movement practice is enriched by Budokon, a fusion of calisthenics, martial arts, meditation, yoga, and mobility, studied with Cameron & Melayne Shayne, offering a way to move with strength, awareness, and grace. She also explores energetic healing, bringing subtle body awareness and harmony into every session, class, and curated experience.

For Melani, education is a living, evolving practice. Every journey, every teacher, and every study informs her work, creating a path that is both professional and profoundly heart-centered — guiding those she works with toward balance, presence, and restoration.

Ways to Work Together

 

  • Yoga Retreats & Workshops – Teach private and group yoga classes, guiding movement, meditation, and breathwork in nurturing, mindful spaces.
  • Massage Therapy – Offer healing touch on-site or in-studio to restore balance and calm the nervous system.

     

  • Curated Experiences – Craft wellness moments tailored to hotels, events, or private gatherings.

     

  • Retreat & Event Support – Help plan, host, and manage retreats or events with wholehearted attention.

     

  • Global Collaborations – Open to soulful projects and wellness partnerships worldwide.

 

Let’s Share Space!