Does hair have energies?

Have you ever felt the urge to chop off your locks after a breakup, as if getting rid of the old and welcoming the new?

That's the magic of an energizing haircut! But what does "energizing haircut" even mean? And what's the deal with an eco hairdresser?

Isn't it wild how nowadays, everything's about being eco-friendly and a bit quirky? Imagine this: I mention i'm an eco hairdresser, and first reaction from people is laughter and raised eyebrows. But hold up, let me explain. Being an eco hairdresser means saying goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to all-natural biodegradable products like plant-based tints and herbs plus organic-certified hair care products. Suddenly laughter turns into genuine interest.

So, let's talk about it! Could a holistic approach to hairdressing be the secret ingredient behind that refreshing haircut we all crave? 🌿💇‍♀️

Then what means holistic?

Holisitic refers to wholeness and comes from the Greek word "holos" meaning whole, complete or perfect. In holistic encounters with individuals, the world and the person are treated as a unified whole. The human body, emotions and thinking also form a unified indivisible whole.

In holistic customer service the encounter with the customer also forms a whole. The environment in which the haircut is been done, usually eco-hairsalon, spiritual presence, professionalism and tools together form a whole along with the customer's desires, expectations, health condition and the current state of their hair. Attention must be paid to all of these aspects in holistic customer service.

A holistic eco-hairdresser deals with much more than just hair. They commit to meeting their clients as individuals, considering factors such as lifestyle, emotions, culture, and experiences.

A good hairdresser observes the client from the moment they enter the salon. Monitoring the client and sensing their emotional states. Much can be inferred from the client's behavior. Services also vary depending on the client. Before starting holistic hair treatments, clients are interviewed. Usually offered cup of tea to make them feel more relaxed.

It is important to gather information about the client's well-being and the factors affecting them at that moment. It is good to know if the client has been ill or are on medication.

A holistic service provider never doubts or belittles the client's feelings but understands that we are all wholes influenced by many factors.

After energy haircut, hair usually behaves better - it can even be said that the hair becomes cooperative. Straight hair becomes more flexible and easier to manage, while curly locks may even curl more.

HISTORY

Kerstin Strömberg of Herbian Ltd. is a pioneer of ecological hair care in Sweden.

She intuitively developed holistic hair cutting, which she began calling energy cutting from the beginning of 1990.

Kerstin started the first training for eco-hairdressers in Sweden in 1999. Mona Mether hairdresser from Finland went to study in Herbal 2002 and after that started the education in Finland.

Linda Deslauriers https://haarexpertin.de/linda/ Hold a workshop on balancing hair cutting in Finland in July 2011.

Her teacher American William Mercury Yount, was a pioneer of holistic hair care. Yount developed balancing hair cutting, which is based on spiritual geometry, craniosacral therapy, Chinese medicine, and subtle awareness of the body. Nowadays, it is possible to train as a certified Hair Balancing hairdresser through Hairgarden.

Kerstin Strömberg and William Mercury Yount have never met each other, but their cutting techniques - Kerstin Strömberg's energy cutting and William Mercury Yount's balancing hair cutting - share many common features.

I've studied the energizing hair cut technique with Mona Mether in Finland, and that's the one I can tell you about.

An energy haircut is a holistic cutting technique aimed at finding the perfect balance between inner and outer beauty.

Hair cutting takes place in a peaceful, harmonious and beautiful environment. The hairdresser and the client do not talk to each other during the cutting process. If the client wishes, calm and relaxing music can be played. Cutting does not happen in front of a mirror, instead the mirror is used only at the end of the cutting process when showing the result to the client. The intention is to focus on the gravity, movement, texture, growth direction, and energy flow of the hair in relation to the client's figure to achieve harmony between inner and outer beauty.

The cutting process begins with a relaxing, harmonious massage, which also initiates the body's cleansing process. By massaging the upper back, shoulders, neckline, head and face the entire body can be treated through reflections.

The actual cutting technique is precise and technically clean. The inner and outer circular lines are connected to each other. Only scissors are used as a tool because a knife opens the hair too much, creating a larger wound and allowing energy to leak out.

The comb is Yin feminine energy which lifts and the scissors are Yang, masculine energy which physically removes the old.

It is important that the hair is combed extensively throughout the cutting process as this helps to remove toxins released during the massage, which eventually are completely removed due to the cutting. Since cutting takes place in silence the event is meditative.

Combing also brings emotions to the surface, so the client's experience is both physical, psychological and emotional.

The aim is not to manipulate the hair but to accentuate its inherent strength.

Cutting is a process and typically the hair begins to cooperate and work after the third cut.

Scissors are sharp tools and should be handled with respect in close proximity to another person's body. It is also important that the hairdresser believes in what they are doing, cuts the hair with love gives themselves permission to enjoy the process and allows energy to flow freely in their body. The goal is not to perform but to cooperate.

To be present in the moment, listen intuitively and let the "cutting dance" guide. When the cut is complete the client has received a holistic treatment for both body and soul, where internal and external beauty merge. The hairdresser themselves can also benefit from the process.

This text is copied and translated from the book, Natural beauty and ecological haircare. practicum 2017 https://www.booky.fi/tuote/feeja_haarmann/luonnollista_kauneutta_ekologista_hiustenhoitoa_kirja_luonnonmukaisesta/6002525

Practicum , Helsinki. That was the place where I studied to be an eco-hairdresser in 2019.

The eco-hairdressing training is intended for already graduated hairdressers and the duration of the training is 800 hours.

When I was starting my course, I thought I could probably skip that energy haircut part. One reason was that I thought with my experience, I know very well how to cut hair. Second doubt was, who is saying that my haircut is not an energy haircut already?

Well, probably my haircuts were having nice energies even before. Still learning a new way of cutting, learning to do a 15-20 minute Indian head massage with oil while having the client sitting in the chair not in the washing basement. Learning to add aromatherapic element to a cutting process,while choosing the oil and adding few drops of eteric oils lining the clients current mood. All that was something I never used to do before as a hairdresser.

After the first experience, I really loved that service. I found the meaning of cutting hair again. It felt that I had gotten closer to the essence of the magical process that handcraft can be. It reminded me the process when I was at art school in Mexico City studying stone sculpture. First I observe the raw piece, shapes start becoming visible, then I touch the surface , while i start modelling, the texture of piece modifies. Texture is the one leading to what form the sculpture will settle. Texture also guides the amount of light each side will reflect. I felt that the whole quiet process of energetic haircut woke my senses to understand that same in hair cutting process. Also combing the hair until it was drying made big difference in cutting process. It was surprising to see how each hair texture came out more clear. Like some turned to be very straight and shiny and some naturally turn to be more wavy. Like marking out its own will.

Thanks for this energetic hair service knowledge. I fell in love again with hair cutting and I knew after 20 years of experience, I still have a lot to discover in this profession.

My own experience.

I have done many hundreds energy haircuts to others, but having my own hair cut that way only twice. First time was very memorable experience. During the cut I felt that my body was twisting. I could feel one point that was not correct. I was telling the stylist please check right corner I feel there is something that is not in balance.

That time I really felt how the hair can balance my body.When the stylist fix that corner my body went straight again. Still the feeling of pain was there and I told the stylist to work more on that part. Very important point is to listen what your body tells you.

Few times it has happened that client tells me, that they feel in one point that there is something out of balance.

When I'm doing the hair cut for others one indicator during the process is feeling the warmth of the head going to the hair and areas that are more cold usually needs still more work.

Now living in Germany, I've discovered some hairdressers who specialize in Hair Balancing cuts. They may have studied with Linda Deslaurier. I've reached out to a few as I am in need of a haircut now, but I haven't found a suitable appointment yet. I plan to write about the experience afterward. Perhaps I'll be fortunate enough to meet Linda, one of the pioneers in the field of hair balancing.

During my career as a hairdresser, I've witnessed numerous individuals entering the salon during transitional phases in their lives, eager to shed the past and embrace a fresh start. It's as if they're shedding layers, symbolizing a release of old energy. So, the next time you're getting your hair cut, embrace the significance it holds in this cycle of renewal and transformation.

"Brush away the past, redefine with the cut and revive your soul"

-Miila