WHAT IS MELA?

I love that you asked!

MELA is a Maltese word that shows up in almost every conversation, kind of like how we in Michigan toss around “ope” or "um" without even thinking.

On the surface, it means something like “so,” but its real meaning shifts with tone, timing, and the vibe of the moment.

That’s exactly how I feel about massage. Technique is important, but the intention behind it matter just as much if not more. Just like MELA, touch can’t be pinned down to one definition, it’s fluid, intuitive and deeply human.

At MELA, the goal is simple but powerful: when we say “Goodbye, see you soon,” I want you feeling more at home in your body than when we first said Hello.

Hi, I'm Nate Bou, LMT

Born and raised in Michigan, I graduated from Irene’s Myomassology Institute in March 2020 right before the world took a collective deep breath (and then held it for a while).

Before massage, I spent years in consumer

lending and administrative roles, and let’s just

say... I. Was. Not. Feeling it. At all. It turns out that chasing quotas and drowning in emails wasn’t exactly my idea of a fulfilling life.Shocking, I know.

Of course, I could have just worked on finding fulfillment outside of work, but that realization came after years of therapy and an uncountable number of half-gallons of ice cream. (No regrets.)

So, I made a deal with myself: commit to something new, stick with it for five years, and if it wasn’t for me, move on. Well… that was five years ago, and here we are.

Through my experiences working with people, I’ve learned that intention transcends technique. Sure, massage is about muscles, but it’s also about connection, care, and giving you permission to just chill out. My goal at MELA is to help you feel better in your body, because when you feel good, everything else just flows a little easier.

Hope to see you soon!

Nate