Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bail.
Lisa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been in the beauty wellness industry for 25 years. Today I own and operate a hair salon, have a boutique organic body care line that features single note essential oils and I am a Reflexologist based in Santa Monica. I have always been interested in “alternative ” care and green products. Both of my parents were physicians and they both had an experience to “old fashion” techniques of healing due to their age. They were sort of the crossover generation into today’s drug based medical culture. So I was exposed to both forms of treatment modalities.
Hairdressing is a fairly toxic field. So in my search for better products and ways to stay healthy, I became a Certified Aromatherapist ( I studied with one of America’s foremost authorities on aromatherapy Jeanne Rose). Several years ago I began creating a small product line of single note body care products. The profound effects of essential oils on their own are truly wonderful and vast. I had a sort of awakening some years ago that there had to be more in an arsenal to help people gain better health from just eo’s, which affect the central nervous system by encouraging homeostasis when used.
This then led me to Reflexology. It is the perfect compliment since it too affects the nervous system and encourages homeostasis. I originally studied with Bill Flocco who incorporates auricular therapy, this is what Chinese ear acupuncture and pressure are based on … the Chinese were not the first to work with ears. I now study with Dr. Manzanares who has been researching, remapping, and therapeutically using Reflexology along with his medical degree in his family practice in Spain.
So here I am providing head to toe services to create health and beauty
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think the biggest difficulties for both Aromatherapy and Reflexology are multiple and overlapping. There are vast misinformation and less than desirable products on the market with very little to no real understanding of how they are to be used. People don’t seek out truly reliable information/ training either.
As far as Reflexology the notion that it is a nice foot massage is untrue, Reflexology is not massaging at all. The reality that so many shops are advertising they do reflexology that doesn’t even have reflexology trained staff is disheartening. The pervasiveness of this negates the deep benefits that can come from Reflexology.
Additionally, there is a nonchalant attitude towards both disciplines that is troublesome. Let’s realize that:
1. Aromatherapy was used as preventative and medical practice prior to modern drug therapy.
2. Reflexology is only about 100 years old and the Chinese did not invent it, I was invented by 2 doctors, auricular therapy was invented by a neurologist ( as recognized by the world health organization) in the 40’s/50’s…
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Reflexology Santa Monica story. Tell us more about the business.
As a reflexologist, offer 2 forms of Reflexology, one addresses assisting pathologies to heal, Manzanares Method. The other is a general relaxing of the nervous system.
As an aromatherapist, I have created very specific blends to aid in bringing about balance to the central nervous system.
As a company what sets me apart is my dedication to the integrity of my chosen fields and seeking out the best teachers to learn from
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Hmmm… Luck I’m not sure, I opened my salon 6 months before the recession and it is thriving 9.5 years later, I have studied and become certified in two additional disciplines that, in this country, have a relatively small following or general clear understanding by the public. So I would say my luck may be that despite the odds I am successful with my businesses
Pricing:
- Intro feet, hands, and ears $100
- weekly feet, hands, and ears $125/ $500 per month
- Manzanares method (pathology specific) 1-month commitment 2 a week $1600.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 733 -B 10 th st Santa Monica 90402/ mobile service no added charge for select areas
- Website: www.reflexologysantamonica.com
- Phone: 323-428-8946
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: reflexology of California
- Yelp: reflexology Santa Monica
