1.        Why did you choose to come to Canada?

I wanted to experience life and work abroad using a working holiday visa. I thought that it would be the last for me to apply for the working holiday visa because of my age. Various information collected resulted in Canada being the final choice.

2.        What made you choose to work as a shiatsu therapist?

I acquired Ryoujyutu licence in 2001 in Japan, and I worked as a massage therapist. I thought that it would be great if I could get a job in Canada similar to my previous job. I didn’t think it would be easy to get a job I want. Fortunately, I found an advertisement for shiatsu therapists, and I can’t forget the moment when I applied for Japan Shiatsu Clinic. I was really excited as if I already got the job.

After the staff training was done, I took the chair-shiatsu certificate course and in the meantime, I started working as a shiatsu therapist. Even though I have experience as a massage therapist, I was nervous to give a shiatsu treatment to my clients because shiatsu therapy was a new area for me. However, with the help of other shiatsu therapists, and things that I had learned from the course, I now give shiatsu treatments with confidence.

3.        Why did you take the spa-shiatsu certificate course?

On my second year in Canada, I was thinking of my career when I go back to Japan, and I thought that I need to expand my skills to be successful as a shiatsu therapist. The spa-shiatsu certificate course is very interesting and it offers many curriculums as an alternative therapy such as reflexology, aromatherapy theory and massage, Thai massage, hot stone massage, facial massage, and moreover, we can improve shiatsu therapy techniques. Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy also offers Co-op Bursary Plans and scholarships. It was fulfilling as a student and also as a shiatsu therapist working for my career.

4.        What is the most memorable thing in your student life?

As one of the clinical practices, we must complete 175 whole-body treatments for which take 75 to 90 minutes each. It teaches us not only shiatsu techniques but also how to make client records, and organize the time line for each stage of shiatsu treatment. At the beginning of this practice, I was confused with the 175 whole-body treatments because I didn’t understand the purpose to keep practicing whole-body treatments over and over. Through the practice and theories, I finally found the answer: It is most important to read the patient’s body, which is never the same in their shapes and ages. Through practicing on 175 clients, I gain my experience. When I knew what the purpose for the practice is, what I should do became clear as a Shiatsu Therapist.

5.        How was your work environment?

I can honestly say that it was the best environment I had ever had. I had nice people working with me and it was very multicultural. As a Shiatsu Therapist, it was an excellent job to share the happiness with my clients. I couldn’t make a conversation with my clients in English when I started the job; however, through the work experience, I am able to communicate with my clients without hesitation now. It was a great job in many ways.

6.        Please tell us your vision of the future.

My eternal goal is to help my clients be happy through Shiatsu Treatment.

7.        Any final messages?

These past 2 years have passed so quickly that I cherished the great time spent with everybody at Japan Shiatsu Clinic. I am thankful for everything and I believe each smile we make will spread the knowledge of Shiatsu in the future.