How do you deal with your complexes?
Kaori:It's true that some people say, "I can't go until I lose weight." The gym should be a chance to change your body or something, but the idea that you can't go until you've changed because you feel embarrassed is a bit off.
Chiyono:That's right. I don't make lingerie to show off your perfect body, but rather to help you love your body as it is now, to feel more grateful for it, and to take care of it. I want people to embrace and cherish themselves as they are now.
Kaori:Whether good or bad, you are unique at that time. Women especially have menstruation, and in parallel with the cycle of their physical condition, various flows such as their work and lifestyle come on top of it. In such a fluctuating day-to-day life, it is important to know how to accept yourself as you are. In that sense, I think that a unique item like Chiyono Anne's lingerie can act as a talisman. It is always closest to your body, and only a limited number of people with a personal relationship can see it. That's why I think it's so wonderful to wear something that makes you think, "This is what I'm going to do today."
Chiyono: Thank you! By the way, do you have any complexes about yourself?
Kaori:In my case, it's my height. I played basketball up until college, and if you're over 170cm, you're seen as a big guy off the court. My clothes didn't fit me at all, and I used to intentionally slacken my posture to make myself look shorter. Also, I had a really toned butt from playing basketball, and it didn't bother me overseas, but in Japan, I felt like it was weirdly noticeable, and I was conflicted because I thought a smaller butt would be prettier.
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Whether good times or bad, you are unique at that time.
It is important to know how to accept your existence as you are"
The two people's method for "positive thinking"
Chiyono: When did your way of thinking start to change?
Kaori:It's probably been about the last two or three years. Before that, I would often try to understand what others thought of me and what they wanted, but when COVID-19 came and everything stopped, I had to change, and as a result, I feel like my awareness has changed too.
Chiyono:In my case, when I find myself thinking that I wish I was more like this, I make a list of the things I've been able to do because of this body to bring my attention back to myself. I've become conscious of being grateful for my current situation, but at the same time telling myself that I'm still incomplete, and turning it into motivation to say, "I couldn't do this this year, but I'll definitely do it next year."
Kaori:That list is wonderful.
Chiyono:I also try to focus on what I can do thanks to this body, not on its shape but on its functions. It doesn't have to be something amazing. I think it helps me a lot to remember the basic things, like how I can move freely every day, work, and eat delicious food thanks to this body.
Kaori:People tend to focus on what they couldn't do, but it's very important to look at what you can do now. I feel like many women check themselves negatively, saying things like, "I'm no good here, I'm no good there," or "I'm inferior to that person," so it's definitely a good idea to make a positive checklist. I think that ultimately it will lead to accepting yourself.
Chiyono:Kaori, if you come across someone close to you or a customer who is struggling, how do you deal with them?
Kaori:I try to guess how a customer is feeling today by the atmosphere when they come in. For example, when you're irritated, your heart rate goes up. In those cases, rather than encouraging them with movements that will increase their heart rate, I create a menu with simple movements and training that requires them to breathe slowly to calm them down. Conversely, for those who are feeling down, I first do training that will increase their breathing to burn off energy, and then I tell them that it's okay to let it out if they can. In this way, I feel like I'm following the balance between the mind and body. How about you, Chiyono?
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When you find yourself thinking, "I wish I was like this,"
In order to bring your awareness back to yourself, make a list of all the things you have been able to do in this body up until now."
Chiyono:In my case, I first try to think of ways to do fittings. Some people write that they are not confident about their bodies before making a reservation, so in those cases I move the mirror a little further away and measure their dimensions quickly and accurately. From there, I immediately move on to talking about the design, and in order to help them forget about inferiority complexes and embarrassment and expand their dreams in a positive way, I ask them in depth questions about their favorite colors and how they want to feel when wearing it. Rather than focusing on the shape and size of their body, I value how they feel when wearing it. For example, since Chiyono Anne's products are mainly made of silk, I try to focus on the positive aspects such as the comfort of having your skin wrapped in silk, the feeling that it fits your body properly, the careful support of your bust, and the unique overall comfort. It would be great if you could let go of your complexes and negative thoughts about your body and think that it is "fun" to talk about yourself as you are and what kind of lingerie you want. All that's left is to work hard to make the product exactly as you want it to be.
Kaori:It's very important to be sympathetic to the other person's image. Many people focus on their weight as the purpose of going to the gym, but I try to ask them about the image they have when they reach their target weight. I listen to whether they can become that image if they achieve their target weight, and what they want to do when they become that image, and then I think about the best menu each time. I face customers one-on-one, but it's the customers themselves who actually do it. In the extreme, we can't do anything. For example, we are like a car navigation system. If you enter your destination, we can suggest several routes, whether it's the local or the highway, but sometimes people who choose the highway don't get it right and change their route to the local roads, and some people can get there smoothly, but some people drive in the wrong direction or stall and wait for the JAF. Anyway, I think it's all about thinking about what's best for each day and making suggestions. Also, it's difficult to spend every day at 100 points, so if you work hard for about five days, you should eat what you like and spend two days doing what you like. It's very important to know what makes your body happy. There are many supplements, but if you detox once, your body will be cleansed. The first step in supporting a child is to subtract rather than add, and to get rid of what is unnecessary before adding what is truly necessary.
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It is important to know what makes your body happy.
Very important"
Chiyono:It's reliable. That's what it means to listen to your body. Instead of just putting in things that are considered good, think about what you really need. However, it takes a lot of courage and confidence to make that decision, so it's also connected to self-love. Among my customers, there are quite a few who worry about the change in the shape of their breasts after giving birth and breastfeeding, or the area around their stomach after giving birth, but I think that such changes are not something to be ashamed of at all, and that it's not a "bad" look or shape, and that it's natural that they will change from their previous self because they have become a mother. Because children grow thanks to those breasts, I think they are truly precious. Of course, if you want, you can put in wires to push up or correct them, but rather than just correcting them and making them "beautiful," I try to make positive use of the fact that I have these breasts, and correct their shape as a finishing touch at the very end, because the current state is beautiful in the flow of a woman's life. I hope that it will be a time to return to yourself, and that it will be an opportunity to start a new self-love from there, or an opportunity to find a new self or the person you want to be. From the moment you come across your favorite colors and fabrics and think together about the design that will make your dreams come true, to the moment you wear the completed lingerie, it's an exciting experience. As the years go by, you can have it repaired if necessary and use it with care. I hope that these experiences will become like a talisman that shines brightly in your life, and that even when you become a grandmother, you can pick it up and remember "This is what I was like back then."
Kaori:In that sense, these bespoke items that allow you to mark each stage of your life are great because they mark who you are now and remind you of what you were like at that time by wearing them.
Chiyono:Although Kaori and I each have different approaches to interacting with customers, I feel we have a lot in common in that we build relationships that are like one-on-one life partners.
Kaori:Many of my customers remain beautiful without ever forgetting their femininity, and I think this lingerie is one of the elements that makes them beautiful. Even if they have a boyish appearance, they choose feminine underwear that others can't see. It's the only part of them that can't be seen from the outside, so they can be the most honest with themselves. I think that because it's something that's so close to them, many people stay in contact with us for a long time.
Kaori's Hint:
Quick Training to build a body that looks good in lingerie
Hint ① Under Band Training
Chiyono:Finally, I would like to ask you to share some exercises that our readers can easily do at home. A common problem with customers is that the underside of a bra needs to be tight enough to support the breasts, but if it is too tight, it digs into the flesh at the sides and creates a gap. Are there any exercises that can easily tone up the back and sides?
Kaori:For a simple one, reach your hands back and twist your thumbs outward from the base of your shoulders. Then bring them back and twist them again. If you do this while pulling your arms back as far as possible, you will also pull your upper arms, which will make your chest feel open. After doing this a few times, your shoulders will naturally drop.
Chiyono:It also helps correct slouching. Your neck will look slimmer and your bust will be in a better position.
Kaori:Then, just stretch your back. Stretch your arms straight up and then drop them straight to the side. They will fall smoothly. I think it will look nice if your shoulder blades are open.
Hint ② Hip Training
Chiyono:Another problem is around the hips. If the position of the pelvis is misaligned and the stomach sticks out, it can be difficult to maintain a beautiful shape of the hips. Is there a reset technique that can lift the hips by returning the pelvis to the correct position?
Kaori:If you often sit at a desk, the area around the base of your legs is often stiff. In that case, I recommend putting one foot on a chair, placing your weight on your front leg, and stretching it out. Be aware of stretching the base of your thigh. For advanced users, it is more effective to bend the leg stretched out behind you and pull it towards your back.
