What was your reaction for the second prize * of the "best hands of France"?
I did not expect this price at all and I am very proud of it. It was a big challenge for me because of the barrier of French that is not my mother tongue, but I was very encouraged by my colleagues from Mandarin Oriental who supported me a lot!
How was the contest?
We begin by presenting ourselves before a jury. We say where we work and in which category of massage we are specialized, then we do our massage, each with our model, all together for 30 minutes with an imposed protocol.
What is your background ?
I come from Japan where I studied English literature at university. But at 20 my father became ill, and this was for me a trigger to change direction. I wanted to do a job related to well-being or I can harmonize my being and share this expertise. I trained in a Japanese spa specializing in aromatherapy, thalassotherapy and massage.
This quest for well-being has been passed on to you by your parents?
Well-being by massage is part of the culture in Japan ... In family, but even between friends, one communicates by touching himself by the massage if one is tired or if one needs energy. In France you make kisses that is unthinkable in Japan! (Laughs). It is common to get a massage of the hands and feet, myself when I was little I walked on the back of my father to massage!
Did you create your own protocol at Mandarin Oriental?
Yes, my massage protocol is largely inspired by Reiki, a Japanese method that involves connecting to the patient's energy through the laying on of hands, but also through meditation, before starting the massage. This helps to untie the energy nodes. But above all, the key to massage is to personalize it according to the needs and desires of the person. If it is a little closed, I do a breathing exercise to find his rhythm and I focus my attention on it.
What touched you the most in the reactions of people you massage?
All comments make me happy but I remember that of a client who considered me a "caregiver" and treat with massage is the heart of my approach.
How do you maintain your fitness?
Of course I practice Reiki, and therefore treat me with the good energies used with my hands that I attach to my body. Otherwise I practice yoga , meditation and stretching at home. When I can I go to the seaside in Biarritz to surf because I have a deep need of nature.
How do you see yourself in 10 years?
Maybe in a place that belongs to me, I would like to do a care outside, in osmosis with nature. I miss the campaign a lot, I need to touch nature to rebalance myself.
* Competition of the "best hands of France", with the Energy Wellness Massage Prize: Yuki Inotsume of the Mandarin Oriental Spa received the second prize behind the first prize of Peggy Garstka of the Spa Jules César in Arles.
