more about chiaki…

Born and raised in:
Kyoto, Japan

Place of residence:
Kyoto, Japan → Osaka, Japan → Kamloops, BC, Canada → Kelowna, BC, Canada → Banff, AB, Canada → Mount Robson, AB, Canada → Kyoto, Japan → London, England → Kent, England → Singapore → Regina, SK, Canada (currently residing)

Currently:
Living a relaxed life in Saskatchewan, Canada, surrounded by gorgeous nature and wonderful family and friends.

Family: Husband, two sons, and a bulldog♂ (full of males!)

Likes:
Gardening, playing the piano, walking the dog on sunny days, doing DIY projects with my spouse, sushi, soup udon, studying about health and beauty themes, karaoke.

Things I dislike:
Liver (food), disagreement, chatting and listening behind someone else's back, bossy people, speaking in front of huge groups of people, earthquakes, and snakes.

My Story:
I was born in September 1972 into a family of five, including my parents and two older brothers. Being the youngest daughter, I enjoyed a childhood filled with love from my parents and brothers. Looking back, I feel a special bond with my father, who, in my earliest memories, would carry me around—even to his work place when I was about 3 years old!

I grew raised in a little mountain village in Kyoto since I was four years old. I attended an elementary school with barely 200 students.

I was the tallest child in the class from kindergarten till I graduated from elementary school. But I was shy and quiet, always hiding behind my mother.

I wasn't a really girly girl. I frequently had my hair cut short and favoured wearing blue. I had a Barbie doll, but I preferred to use my dad's home improvement equipment to play.

At age 6, I began taking piano lessons because I like playing music. I played the French horn in the brass band throughout elementary and high school as well.

I played basketball in junior high school, but in three years we only had one victory! Maybe I wasn't that athletic.

I've been strong in English reading and writing since junior high school. In fact, I was among the top students in the prefecture during high school mock exams, bringing joy to both my parents and myself.

Afterward, as my interest in English deepened, I enrolled in a foreign language college in Osaka, Japan.

During my freshman year of college, I took on a part-time job as a server at a sushi restaurant. It marked the first time I genuinely enjoyed working alongside peers from my generation. I made close friendships during college as well, a time that must have been the peak of my youth! Even today, three decades later, we still reunite whenever I visit Japan. The incredible friends I've made are indeed a precious blessing.

After completing college, I took on the role of an accounting clerk for an international trading company in the city of Osaka. This marked the beginning of my ten-year accounting career. Given my comfort with steady, meticulous tasks, I felt that accounting was the perfect career choice for me at that time.

I started to feel a sense of inadequacy at the company as my English speaking abilities fell short. This experience taught me that, while I excelled in reading and writing, conversational English posed a　challenge. Additionally, the ease with which every colleague spoke English highlighted my own language limitations.

I carried this feeling with me for the entire four years I worked at the company and made the decision to study in Canada to improve my English and experience life outside of Japan. It was in 1997.

Prior to enrolling in the tourism course at Okanagan University College in Kelowna, I initially took an ESL course at The University College of the Cariboo (now Thompson Rivers University) in Kamloops, British Columbia. While staying with a host family, I overheard toddlers and teenagers speaking English throughout the house. I remember feeling incredibly excited and thinking, "Wow, it's like being in a Hollywood movie!"
Here, I connected with classmates and friends from all around the world. If I had stayed in Japan, I would never have had the opportunity to meet these people. This experience was truly priceless for me!

After finishing the programs, I took a summer job at a guest ranch near Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. My parents were taken aback by how much I had changed from my shy and quiet nature. I met great people from all over the world there, and it was like a dream come true.

After coming back to Japan, I worked at a number of positions that allowed me to use my English to its fullest, met my spouse, and got married.

Due to my husband's higher education and employment after our marriage, I spent 10 years in England and 6 months in Singapore, all of which were amazing experiences. Through my employment and the schools where my kids attended, I was able to meet many kind people. I also went through a challenging time while dealing with a serious illness, but I am grateful to think that these events have shaped who I am now.

Q: Why did I begin this work? Why do I keep going?

In my younger years, I enjoyed excellent health. However, as I entered my late twenties, I began to face a gradual onset of gynecological issues, with endometriosis taking the forefront. During that period, I often adopted a night owl lifestyle, lived independently, and didn't maintain the best dietary habits. Reflecting on it now, I realize I might not have taken the best care of myself back then.

It started with endometriosis, and later, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

The fight against illness was tough and painful, but it completely changed how I see life. It's the reason I'm here today, in a different and better place.

I find joy in the clear skies and the warmth of the sun. Grateful that every member of my family is healthy. Happiness, for me, lies in the simplicity of life. It's in these small, everyday moments that I discover true delight.

After 15 years, I find myself genuinely grateful to the sickness and my own body. It made me recognize that I had been pushing myself too hard, neglecting both my body and mind. Now, I am truly thankful for my health, my wonderful family and friends, and everything and everyone that surrounds me.

Over the past decade of my cancer follow-up, I've incorporated several habits to support my well-being. This involves making mindful choices about what I eat, engaging in regular exercise, and ensuring I get quality sleep. These three principles now form the foundation of my healthy lifestyle.

In 2020, I volunteered as a test subject for a friend who was studying Western Reflexology. Experiencing how the sole is connected to the entire body was truly eye-opening!

The concept of Eastern Reflexology, rooted in the idea of enhancing the body from its core to prevent illness, particularly caught my attention. Incorporating this into my nightly routine, I found relief, and after just three months, I could manage without painkillers.

This realization motivated me to undertake a year-long study in Foot Reflexology under the guidance of Calynda Triffo (Reflexology Association of Canada) in Regina, SK, starting in September 2021. I proudly earned my certification as a therapist in 2022.

Following an extensive program at the RWO-SHR Method School in Tokyo, Japan, I achieved the title of a certified Professional RWO-SHR Health Method (Eastern Reflexology) Master in October 2022.

Taking another step in my journey, I became a Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist (RCRT) in 2023 under the Reflexology Association of Canada.

Why did I start this journey? Why do I keep going? If you ask me, I'll tell you—it's because our feet are incredible, and reflexology is truly fascinating!

Q: How do you approach welcoming and interacting with clients?

I always look forward to connecting with my clients, especially when it comes to understanding more about them through their feet. It's like having two conversations at once!

Even when clients don't share much verbally, their feet tell a fascinating story. I enjoy discovering the unique insights they offer during our sessions. Women experience shifts in both physical and mental well-being at different life stages—puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, menopause, post-menopause, and beyond. I want to be a support system for these women, helping them enhance both their physical and mental health. I truly believe in the positive journey that lies ahead for each of them.

Q: What are your hopes for your clients and your future role?

I hope my clients experience more joyful moments, regain the ability to do things they once found challenging due to health concerns, and discover fulfillment in their lives. It would make me really happy if my reflexology treatments played a part in contributing to their brighter future.

At RWO-SHR Health Method, we believe in taking charge of our own health rather than solely relying on medical professionals and therapists. Looking ahead, my aim is to encourage more people to see foot care as a form of self-care and highlight its positive impact on overall well-being.