Dear readers,
Have you ever wondered who is behind these golden hands that make you feel so much good? We’re talking of course about the massage therapists, also known as spa practitioners who bring you happiness when you spend a moment of well-being at a spa.
Since its creation, How To Spa has been collaborating with the experts in this field, and it is with pleasure that we present to you an interview with Aurélie, a massage therapist at the Chi-Le Spa at the Parisian Shangri-La hotel.
Hello Aurélie, and thank you for your welcome.
You are currently a massage therapist at the Shangri-La Spa. How did you end up in such a beautiful setting?
With passion, patience, and the good fortune of having previously worked with Ms. Colette Audebert. She once again placed her trust in me by inviting me to join her team at Le Chi, Le Spa, and giving me the opportunity to work at the most romantic hotel in the capital.
Pouvez-vous nous en dire un peu plus sur votre parcours ?
When I was 15, I caught the bug of wanting to bring well-being to others, in my own small way.
In 9th grade, I told my mom, “I want to be a cosmetologist.” She looked at me a little strangely, thinking it was just a phase that would pass with my teenage rebellion.
It has been sixteen years since then, you had to have an excellent application to get into a beauty school. So I repeated my 9th-grade year, so that I could be accepted a year later into the only school of aesthetics in Southern Brittany. But at the last minute, I decided not to go, preferring to start a new school year at a high school with a general curriculum and enroll in the program STT with the “Commercial Action and Communication” track.
Trois ans plus tard, le bac en poche, je rentre à l’école IFOM à Nantes pour 1 an en classe préparatoire au BTS esthétique-cosmétique. Après obtention de mon CAP esthétique-cosmétique, je n’ai pas poursuivi le cursus BTS, car je voulais “MASSER”!!
Ten years ago, the state-recognized CQP Spa Practitioner certification didn’t exist yet. A vocational high school diploma was an option, but it wasn’t right for me. So I found the “Body and Spa” program at the Chantal Le Cozic School in Rennes. This program introduced me to massages and rituals from around the world, as well as to what a spa is and helped me understand this multisensory environment.
This profession offers so many of opportunities thatI wanted to dive right in and experience every aspect of it. So, I worked as a beautician and a beauty consultant at a beauty salon specializing in beauty and perfume salon, or even a brand ambassador for select perfume brands.
I worked as a spa practitioner on a seasonal basis for Cinq Mondes and Clarins. The off-season allowed me to travel and to train in other techniques, such as for example a trip to Bali where I was able to learn the traditional Balinese massage.
I also had the chance to conduct some awareness-raising wellness -well-being among young teenage girls with visual impairments who are visually impaired.
I have been working as a spa therapist in Paris since 2014. I started out at The Peninsula Paris Spa, where I worked for three years and was fortunate enough to also serve as a hands-on trainer, and for the past six months I have been working at Chi, the spa at the Shangri-La Paris Hotel.
Having met many massage therapists, I’ve always been deeply moved by the passion with which they practice their craft. They all share the same goal: to help people feel better. I imagine it’s the same for you. What do you enjoy most about your job?
Yes, that’s right—I love taking care of people. What I enjoy most about my job as a spa therapist is knowing that I’m giving my clients that little extra something that will make their day better—so that they leave feeling much better than when they arrived. This involves wellness and massage, but also conversation. I listen to them without judging them, and I do my best to offer advice so they feel relaxed after their treatment. I enjoy connecting and sharing with my clients. I have a lot of kindness and love to give.
A massage is very demanding, both physically and mentally. We often hear that during a massage session, a genuine exchange of energy takes place, and that it all comes down to the practitioner’s intention. How do you ensure that every client gets the best possible experience throughout your day?
There really is a genuine exchange of energy taking place. With some clients, even before giving them a massage—just as they walk through the door of the treatment room—you can already tell whether it’s going to be pure bliss or, quite the opposite, an energetic nightmare!!
To ensure every client gets the best experience, I never give the same massage twice. I never get bored, even if the appointment schedule lists the same massage. I often tell my clients, “This is your massage. Even though I’m the one giving it, it’s YOURS.” It’s essential to ask our clients about their preferences or how they’d like to feel after their massage. It’s up to me to adapt. So I vary the techniques and movements, or adjust the pressure, while staying true to the original concept of the massage.
On a side note: I give massages without shoes on to feel more grounded. After a massage, I wash not only my hands but also my entire forearm up to the elbow with lukewarm or cool water. I also wear an amber stone that protects me and absorbs negative energy.
At the beginning of a massage, I ask the client to take three deep breaths because that allows me to breathe deeply with them. That way, I remember to breathe while I’m massaging—to really breathe. In fact, massage therapists too often hold their breath while massaging, and I still do that sometimes.
After a massage, while waiting for the client to leave the treatment room, I do a few stretches for my back and arms.
Finally, while it’s not always possible, it’s a good idea to air out the treatment room to refresh the air, clear away any lingering energy, and be ready to start another massage as if the first one hadn’t happened yet.
Throughout your career, you’ve developed in-depth expertise not only in the skin’s cosmetic needs but also in the healthy lifestyle necessary for everyday well-being. Do you have any tips and tricks to share with our readers? Whether it’s a daily routine, a wellness idea, or a great tip.
Breathe!! This has been a real eye-opener for me since I started working in Paris. I didn’t know how to breathe properly. It was a physical therapist—who also has a degree in Chinese medicine—who made me aware of this. Breathing correctly helps reduce stress and anxiety. I also recommend the “RespiRelax+” app, which I use myself. I make it a point to do this every night so I can reconnect with myself. My mantra: our bodies aren’t meant to suffer!
I’m also mindful of what I eat, because what we put into our bodies can affect us both inside and out. These days, it’s hard to know what’s actually good for us on our plates… That’s why I use the “Yuka” app, which “scans” your food to help you eat better and make the right choices.
Finally, I’ve recently become interested in “Face Mapping,” which helps identify the causes of skin imbalances: poor diet, smoking, stress, pollution… I could talk about this passionately for hours! Why not come see me at the spa for a consultation? Otherwise, you can check out Pinterest and find facial “maps” to get started. From now on, whenever you have a pimple, redness, or any kind of skin imbalance, you’ll have a better understanding of why 🙂
What kind of massage would you recommend to our readers?
Facial massage. This small area alone contains about twenty muscles (face and neck). The face is constantly under tension and is the part of our body that is in constant contact with the outside world. Many meridians pass through, begin, or end on the face and skull. This area is therefore connected to the rest of your body and to nearly all your organs. The face also needs to be relaxed, stimulated, and oxygenated. In fact, nine out of ten clients let go and relax during a facial massage. You’ve got to try it right away!
What are your future plans?
At age 30, I went back to school in October. I’m in a work-study program at the Shangri-La Paris Spa and attending the Catherine Sertin School. Next April, I’ll take my Spa Practitioner VAE exam, and in October, I’ll earn my Spa Manager diploma.
My goal is to become an Assistant Spa Manager, then a Spa Manager, and eventually a teacher so I can share all my passion and knowledge about this wonderful profession and all its possibilities with future spa practitioners.
I’d also like to improve my English even more and take up yoga someday…
A big thank you, Aurélie, for this warm interview. We wish you all the best for the future!
Have a wonderful day, everyone!
