Spa Reflexologist Interview

Career Spotlight - Spa Reflexologist

Reflexologists encourage balance and healing in the body by applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands and ears. When working in a spa setting, reflexologists often incorporate additional services for a more luxurious experience. These may include soaking, wrapping, scrubbing, heating, toweling, aromatherapy or color therapy. There may also be soothing nature or instrumental sounds to enhance the relaxing, spa experience.

"Certain people are just drawn to the complexity and challenge involved with reflexology," says spa reflexology teacher Lisa Chan. "It is fun to work with products, make products, perform spa rituals and evolve with your practice. You need to bring a sense of theater, meaning and awe to work."

Choosing a Career in Spa Reflexology

There is a growing demand for skilled reflexologists in the spa industry. Spas are expanding in every direction with medical spas, romantic spas, beauty spas, health spas, eco spas, etc. Whether you prefer to concentrate on health issues with a more clinical approach or you prefer to indulge your clients with pampering treatments, a career in spa reflexology is limited only by your imagination.

Danielle Quintanar has been licensed as a manicurist for 17 years. "I had an interest in reflexology for a quite a few years," she explains. "It's natural, because I'm working on hands and feet. Part of our service is massage, and I've always wanted to do more."

Danielle now offers deeply relaxing and pampering reflexology sessions at her Hand 'n' Sole Nail Boutique in Pasadena, California. Lisa calls Danielle her favorite spa reflexologist. "She's at the top of her field right now. I love her spa boutique, her artistry and her vision."

Where to Work

"In the big spas," Lisa explains, "you have the superior setting, the people who schedule and train you, and a time clock to live by. They don't tend to pay as much as having your own spa, but you don't have to worry about booking."

Although working for themselves is the long-term goal for many people, it's a good idea to work in a spa at first to get experience and learn more about the industry. Danielle learned a lot working in fast-paced salons but now appreciates the flexibility of owning her own nail boutique. She can work part time, set her own schedule and be choosy about her clients.

A Typical Day

Danielle usually starts work around 10:00 a.m. and takes clients until 6:00 p.m. or 7:00pm. She tries to limit her schedule to four days a week, but sometimes this makes for even longer days.

She works by appointment only. She offers pedicures and manicures as well as reflexology, but she hopes to eventually transition all her business to reflexology. "It's not a little nail shop," Danielle says of her business. "It's more of an experience. It's really the relaxation and pampering that I'm offering."

Danielle offers 30- and 50-minute reflexology sessions. She explains to people that reflexology does not need to be painful to be effective, especially if they've had a previous experience with a more aggressive treatment style.

"I always let them know that sometimes the most nurturing touch can be the most profound. This is a completely different experience. Most of them doze off. They say, 'Wow, I feel like I had a whole body massage.' They're surprised. They don't anticipate getting that much relaxation and benefit."

Spa Reflexologist Career Challenges

Danielle began working for herself four years ago. She says it can be difficult to strike a balance between being a giver and being an entrepreneur, especially when you're trying to "walk the talk" by taking good care of yourself.

"If I wanted to book every hour on the hour, I could be busy five days a week," she says. "I book myself a bigger gap than most businesspeople would say is profitable, but I need it. You need to stretch, stand up."

Lisa says that physical strain is a serious issue for reflexologists working in spas, where they may see many clients in a single day with very few breaks.

"Unless they get rock solid training," says Lisa, "they will start complaining about their hands. A three- or six-hour reflexology intro in massage school is not enough to do it professionally all day long. This is where your good posture, leverage and technique are everything."

Spa Reflexologist Career Rewards

As a spa reflexology teacher and practitioner, whose knowledge of healing extends into many other fields—from craniosacral therapy to dream coaching and now acupuncture—Lisa appreciates the opportunity to bring a sense of nurturing and balance to people's lives.

"In this crazy busy world, that is a treasure," she says. "I love creating sacred space and holding it. I love seeing people melt into themselves right before my eyes."

Danielle experiences similar rewards in her spa reflexology career. "It's my therapy when I go into work," she confesses. "I like making people feel good. If someone leaves relaxed and talking a little slower, then I'm happy."

Standards and Demand

Although modern reflexology developed 80 years ago, and the roots of the practice may go far deeper, the field is still gaining a foothold in modern awareness. Many states do not have laws for the practice of reflexology, and many reflexologists must practice under a massage, cosmetologist or nail technician license.

Because the field is not fully established yet, some spas are taking shortcuts to meet the growing demand for spa reflexologists. Danielle tells of one large spa that showed a nail technician a video of a reflexology session. They simply told her to learn it and do it.

While you may not need to complete an entire reflexology certification program to practice effectively, adequate training is important for the field and for your personal well-being. You can develop serious hand and back problems by practicing with poor technique. "Nothing substitutes for good training and supervision when you are getting started," Lisa cautions.

Danielle offers a final piece of advice for future spa reflexologists. "It's therapy for you too. It's such a relaxing environment. Keep your eyes open, because it’s so soothing, you may want to fall asleep!" The environment is ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation but you have to center yourself and focus on giving the treatment to become a successful reflexologist.

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• Find the Field that Fits
• Paying for Massage & Beauty School

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