December Special Edition 2001
"Savvy firms are raking in the money with soothing products that cheer the nation's depressed citizens." Economically depressed Japanese are "flocking to massage and foot reflexology sessions. … Recession relief has turned out to be one of Japan's few growth industries." as noted in an article published from Times Asia. A chain of 12 reflexology salons called Queen's Way handles about 14,000 customers a month, says founder Keiko Fujita, while her reflexology school will graduate 2,000 students this yea." (Tanikawa, Miki, "Japan's Cuddly Cure," Time Asia, Vol. 154, No. 5, August 9, 1999)
• "Rising from the ashes of economic crisis, Japan Inc. is undergoing a renaissance" with women as corporate leaders. Among four entrepreneurs profiled, Keiko Fujita is noted for introducing reflexology to Japan in 1996. In all her Reflexology Association of Japan (RAJA) has 31 salons and annual sales of 3.7 billion yen. Following reflexology in training in England Keiko returned to Japan to found RAJA, the Maki Fujita Reflexology School, Retreat Minami-Aoyama and Queensway salons. "RAJA now offers a variety of options for graduates, who have the chance to work at one of the salons, go independent, work part time or volunteer. Fujita provides instruction and support for graduates considering each case. "Her aim is 100 salons by 2003 and overseas expansion." (Saito, Mayumi, "Women in the Lead," Tokyo Classified, Issue 394, October 12, 2001)
• The sales of rakes, a traditionally purchased to ensure good luck during a fall holiday in Japan have suffered from the on-going recession. "Tuesday marked the first of three rooster day' festivals this month - a chance for people to buy ornate rakes with which to rake in their fortunes and traditionally for Japan's media to take the pulse of the economy. … The more rakes sold, the worse the economy as it shows that people are desperate for better times. … But a brief survey by Reuters on Tuesday suggested that the lucky rake business is doing little better than the rest of the economy. … Not everyone is gloomy, though. One businesswoman standing proudly in front of a line of 24 rakes her company had just bought, said things had never been better Its product? Relaxation methods for stressed out people. 'Because of the high level of stress in today's society, we're doing very well,' she said adding that the chain of aromatherapy, reflexology and damask centres she works for has expanded from three outlets to 24 in the past 10 years."Grudingings, Stuart, "Recession-weary Japanese try to rake in good times," Reuters, Nov. 6, 2001)
• Additional reflexology "salons" popular with women in Tokyo include: Mammy's Touch, Dr. Foot, and Abish Reflexology Room. (http://www.metropolis.co.jp/HealthandBeautyarchive349/334/healthandbeautyinc.htm)
Reflexology is now found at diverse business establishments in England. It is offered at both Boots, the chemist (a drug store chain) and Y0! (a Japanese Beer Hall and Sake Cellar) in London.
• "Boots the chemist is to make aromatherapy and reflexology sessions as easy as picking up a prescription." Boots seeks to respond to consumer demand and to compete with American chain Wal-mart which has taken over competitor Asda. Boots' aim is to provide a different service rather than competing with Asda directly on price. "Boots dominates the health and beauty market with an estimated 29% share of the total toiletries, cosmetics and skincare market in Britain." (Jury, Louise, "Boots to offer alternative services in High Street stores, Independent Digital (UK) Ltd., August 6, 2000)
• The stress-busting treatments of aromatic hand massage, head and face massage and neck/shoulder massage are offered as free services to patrons of Yo!, a trendy bar. Owner Simon Woodroffe of Yo! got the idea for "table-top massage" from the in-flight service offered on Virgin airlines. Catherine Kemp of Back in Touch notes that hand massage is growing in popularity because, unlike foot massage, it is much more accessible, particularly as people have hang-ups about their fee. Hands have the same reflexology points as the feet - which correspond to the whole of the body and can be worked on in the same way as the feet. … People also love having their hands massaged - it releases endorphins and helps you to unwind - we're not a very touchy society generally." (Manson, Louise, "Up a bit, down a bit. Yo! That's it," Independent Digital (UK) Ltd., July 27, 1999)
A business necessity and one of the hallmarks of professional practice is the legal right to practice. Such a right has been problematic for reflexologists in recent years, culminating in 1998 when reflexologists in Florida and Tennessee were issued cease and desist orders. Reflexologists organized and became educated in the governmental processes. The results are now apparent. In the past twelve months, (1) North Carolina reflexologists have been excluded from massage regulation under Rules and Regulations of the state's Massage Board; (2) Texas reflexologists are no longer required to obtain massage registration; (3) New Mexico reflexologists have been exempted in law from massage regulation; (4) Tennessee reflexologists have been licensed as reflexologists; (5) Arizona reflexologists succeeded in being deleted from proposed massage regulation; (6) Iowa reflexologists have been dropped from the consideration of regulation by the Massage Board; and (7) Maryland reflexologists became exempted in law from massage regulation.
Maryland Following more than a year of efforts by members of the Maryland Reflexology Association and members of a coalition of other impacted practitioners, an exemption for reflexologists and other practitioners has been signed into law by Governor Glendenning. Senate Bill 194 had passed the Senate by a vote of 46 to 1 and the House of Delegates by a vote of 138 to 70. It states "Massage Therapy DOES NOT include the laying on of and consisting of pressure or movement on a full clothed individual to specifically effect the electromagnetic energy or energetic field of the human body."
My Reflexologist Says Feet Don't Lie by Kevin and Barbara Kunz is featured in January issue American Salon, the most popular magazine among cosmetologists and their customers.
My Reflexologist Says Feet Don't Lie by Kevin and Barbara Kunz is featured as the December book of the month at 74 Wild Oats stores.
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