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Two ways to achieve the same goal: increasing awareness among aestheticians of Dr. Hauschka treatments. Claudia Bezold-Ferrari has trained aestheticians all over the world in the art of lymphatic stimulation, among other things. Barbara Becheru works strategically on updating tried-and-tested methods to meet modern needs.
Photo: WALA
Claudia Bezold-Ferrari
For me, what makes a Dr. Hauschka treatment so special is the rhythm and the long, flowing movements. I have been working with Dr. Hauschka for 45 years and, up until 2023, trained our aestheticians in Germany and all over the world. I had the same experience everywhere I went: if I am conscious of my actions during a treatment, I can feel the effect my external movements are having within the person I am treating. The best endorsement of my work is when I see a client looking radiant as they leave the room. In that moment, their inner beauty is visible externally – just as Elisabeth Sigmund always said.
Barbara Becheru
For me, the rhythm in the treatment also means that something is in motion – like a play between closeness and distance. Of course, we are physically very close during the entire treatment, but we always have to respect the client’s personal space.
Claudia Bezold-Ferrari
Yes, that’s right. I primarily taught the technique during training sessions. This type of lymphatic stimulation in particular is unique to Dr. Hauschka – you won’t find it anywhere else. I have given training sessions in 35 countries, and experience has taught me that I need to pay attention to different things in Asia than in Spain, for example. It is a question of how I use my hands and brushes to make sure that everyone achieves the same goal, which is these rhythmic, flowing movements.
That’s why one of the most important lessons for those attending my training sessions was not only to master the hand movements, but also to be touched themselves. Being so mindful is a completely new experience for many people, but for aestheticians, this mindfulness is especially important. Every treatment is as individual as the person on the bed in front of me, even if technically I am doing the same thing.
Barbara Becheru
Indeed. How a treatment is received not only varies from person to person, but external circumstances can also play a role. For instance, a friend of mine who I often treat is very stressed and finds it difficult to relax in the morning because she has the whole day ahead of her. In the evening, she can let it all go.
Claudia Bezold-Ferrari
It can also be difficult for people from certain cultures to touch or be touched. In some parts of Asia, for example, where people don’t hug or shake hands, or where relaxation is almost always preceded by pain. After my training there I was almost put on a pedestal because this closeness, this touch was a completely new experience for the people there.
Barbara Becheru
I imagine you travelled to all four corners of the globe over the decades and took the idea that Elisabeth Sigmund brought to WALA out into the whole world. It is impressive that we have been providing training since the 1970s. Of course, there have been changes and developments over time, but we have always remained true to our core principles. For example, the fact that every facial treatment begins with a foot bath.
Claudia Bezold-Ferrari
It is important that we preserve our identity. In spite of individual characteristics, a Dr. Hauschka treatment should be recognisable all over the world.
Barbara Becheru
Our signature is still the two-hour Classic Facial Treatment according to Elisabeth Sigmund. It’s great that more treatments have been added, which also have Dr. Hauschka elements and are recognisable as Dr. Hauschka treatments. The Reviving Eye Treatment, for example, which I find really exciting, only takes 15 minutes but still impressively demonstrates what it’s all about: gentle, rhythmic movements that stimulate the lymphatic flow, promote relaxation and leave you bright-eyed.
Claudia Bezold-Ferrari
Yes, it is moving forward; the treatments are still absolutely relevant today. I saw the Classic Facial Treatment according to Elisabeth Sigmund being offered as part of a treatment for burnout at a rehab clinic in Sweden. After all, it gives the peace that many people are looking for because they have lost their rhythm, both personally and professionally. The flowing movements help them to recentre themselves.
Barbara Becheru
You have treated so many people. Can you describe the effect that the treatment has on people? Apart from the fact that the appearance of the skin changes, do you think something is also happening on the inside?
Claudia Bezold-Ferrari
That’s an interesting question. Some time ago, we surveyed trainers and aestheticians to find out how people feel after a treatment. What did we find out? People continue to feel the invigorating sensation on their skin for days after a Classic Facial Treatment according to Elisabeth Sigmund – they feel like they have just left the beauty salon. The inner feeling also has a lasting effect. The time dedicated only to themselves affects people at the deepest level. And you can also see that in their faces when they get up.
Barbara Becheru
Feeling themselves, that’s what it is. It’s really simple, but in the modern world, taking this step to find yourself is the real challenge.
Claudia Bezold-Ferrari
I hear that a lot, and I think that is also what a trainer does when they teach Dr. Hauschka’s treatment method. They don’t just talk about the content or technique, they also strongly emphasise the human factor. Our feelings and experiences are closely related to our expression – and how we present ourselves.
TEXT: Nadja Reibel