The Temple Foot Sanctuary

How The Temple Foot Sanctuary Was Born

Julie Fischer, Founder

Julie is the founder of the Temple Foot Sanctuary... the innovator of the entire concept. The core idea evolved throughout a decade-long stretch working for a dynamic duo of highly-respected acupuncturists. There, she learned the incredible advantages of foot soaking, using freshly-grown plants and herbs and the healing benefits of clay, salts and essential oils to help gently detox and moisturize the body. "Most people are surprised to learn that the largest pores in our body are in our feet..." says Julie " ...making this medium IDEAL for delivering crucial benefits we all need." As the idea marinated over the years, she increasingly delved into the combination of the ideal delivery- the soak itself- and the mix of ingredients to maximize benefits.

Her dear sister Kim adds: "A tasty soup is only warm water if you remove the ingredients that give it flavors, aroma and thus the benefits of enjoying it. So foot soak ingredients- the recipe if you will- is as fundamental to the idea as quality ingredients in a delicious soup."

Julie delved into deeper research of absorption through soaks and what exactly would constitute the most ideal ingredients to put into these 'soups.' The Internet was certainly a friend when it came to vast amounts of research on the matter AND the direct interaction with work colleagues focused most fundamentally on making people FEEL better was an immense help too. This percolating idea was bubbling... reinforced by information discoveries, research findings and holistic healing expertise. But was there some kind of business in it all???

AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

As they tend to do, years pass. A wintertime getaway to the Asheville area had both sisters and some friends facing the challenges of snow and cold while hiking to try to see every bit of the splendor... but all that wearing them down. "I was feeling tired and worn out. I didn't have too many more steps in me." says Julie, "But then we came upon a spa that offered foot soaks. What??? Really??? I simply HAD to try it while my sister and friends did some holiday shopping."

"And so I did... and WOW! The experience was so special to me that I actually cried during the soak... REAL TEARS! Have you ever experienced something so amazing it brings you to literal tears?" 🤯

"Perhaps it was that I had been thinking about the concept for so long, wondering if it could be a business? Perhaps it was all of the knowledge that now filled my brain on what should be in the recipes: what does a body most want & need? Maybe it was just a woman with tired legs, achy feet, fairly worn from the many tasks of those days, etc, all culminating HERE... sitting in a comfy chair with my tired feet in a bowl of warm, cozy water to which the spa had added a variety of ingredients to make it an aromatic 'soup.' Tears of JOY!"

"And... EUREKA! Long-term imagination became reality. Tears and bliss. Tears and pleasure. All the worries in the world seemed to fade away. It's a good thing the ducts were flowing because entrepreneurial fires flared up blazing HOT: I knew something similar to this ABSOLUTELY HAD to be offered back home in Florida. While I think I could have stayed in THAT spa chair for the rest of my life, 'all good things...' seems to always apply."

"When it was finished, I paid their fee. It did not seem like the price was high enough to fit the experience, the benefits, etc. Not even close. It was one of those rare times when the bargain seems just tooooooooo good that you almost can't accept it. But since their system couldn't process more than the flat fee, I tipped them more than it cost. They seemed a bit surprised that 'the crazy, crying lady' did that, but it was beyond worth every penny to me! Now I'm not any kind of extravagant spender in general... but THIS was THAT good."

THE FLINTSTONE METHOD

"When I rejoined Kim and our friends, it was as if all the pains from the hiking we'd done had washed away. I felt so light on my feet I had to check several times to be sure I was still actually touching mother Earth instead of hovering above it. I recalled a classic cartoon favorite I watched as a kid- The Flintstones- and episodes where Fred was bowling. If you don't recall it, YouTube can show you his- what I'll now call- twinkletoes technique. That was me- sans bowling ball- for the rest of that day and night."

"I recall telling my sister she should tie a line between us in case I might float away like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloon on the lam. This led to LOTS of discussion about the experience... which moved the three of them to put my gushing praise to the test the very next day. Of course, I had to go again too. I could not get back in that chair fast enough."

"And soon it was a total of 40 twinkletoes barely making contact with Asheville streets for the rest of the day. There was snow and slush and dirty salt everywhere. The crowd was cold and roamed about with weary faces. And here were four Florida women- we HAD to be visibly glowing- floating around with smiles that must have reached beyond the physical capabilities of our faces. It was like a mini-fountain of youth story: briefly dip into magical waters and come out feeling young again, recharged and reinvigorated."

"It was more than about feet & legs... it reached right into the core... our souls... and delivered something everyone needs: renewal. While I held in the tears of joy THIS time, it was just as (overly) satisfying as the day before. Obviously, you most notice the physical sensation of getting off the parts of our bodies that carries our entire weight all day, every day... and yet tends to get the least amount of care & attention. But..."

"The pores let some of the elixir IN... and the whole body rejoices when 'fed a good soup' made of nourishing ingredients. Needless to say: I... WAS... HOOKED! Kim and our friends too."

THE CATALYST

"And then we all flew back to South Florida. Surely, there is something similar down in the bigger city of West Palm? No? OK, I'm willing to drive all the way to the major metro of Ft. Lauderdale/Miami for this bit of heaven again. Nope. No such service there either. Searches far and wide revealed the scarcity of it... which is ironic given the long history of soak rituals. In fact, the nearest spa I could find was back in the place I had just vacationed." 😱

"So right then and there I could have decided to MOVE to North Carolina... or finally do something about that long-marinating idea here in our tropical paradise. I was confident I had even more to offer because it had already owned over 10 years of my thoughts. And I had the crucial, additional layer of the science side of it from all that collaboration with health & wellness experts."

So Julie did a very uncommon thing that in hindsight seemed both obvious and 'MUST do': she actually created a new business from scratch. What about it made her believe it would be the big success it has become?

Julie: "I thought people in South Florida would relish it because...

• Of our own, first-hand- experience back in NC. Our ankles were sore, feet tired and we were exhausted. But after that short soak ritual(s), we were re-energized, felt dramatically better and were completely ready for our next adventure.
• Friends & family in Florida were ALWAYS talking about the need to unwind, relax, de-stress, de-toxify and recharge. This can help with ALL of that!
• When I looked into the very long history of it, I discovered it was a treasured experience for many centuries... yet almost forgotten in modern times. It probably predates the discovery of the wheel and yet it seems to have gotten misplaced during the last century or so. Countless generations BEFORE us could NOT be wrong!
• And the beautiful science of it- the healing power of copper and how select ingredients in soak recipes could combine to actually help clients be so much better- PROVES the benefit goes beyond only 'feels.'"

"In ALL of that- and more- I knew it was a joyful service Floridians would L❤️VE. And they HAVE- again & again- since 2018. I've seen our clients brought to tears just like I was. We've had many local athletes of all of the major sports- including spring training baseball pros- come in with sprains and other game pains and leave feeling much more ready to play their best in the very next game. We've watched weary legs barely drag worn-down bodies into the spa, soak for about 45 minutes and then almost float out again. At times, I've given serious thought to removing a high ceiling fan... just in case." 😉

COME SEE- NO- FEEL FOR YOURSELF!

"Kim and I want everyone- woman, man and child- to enjoy this magical experience. People should know that we all need self care and love to stay healthy and to thrive at our very best in this crazy-busy, chaotic world."

What are some of the standout advantages to this service? How did Julie & Kim build upon that northern experience?

"For just a few biggies, we:

• grow many of the herbs, plants and flowers used in our recipes ourselves so we can offer the best quality and freshness each & every time.
• paid the premium for real copper bowls because the science of the many supporting benefits of copper significantly adds to the overall outcome of the experience. Plastic or ceramic bowls would cost soooooo much less, but all the benefits of copper ions don't flow from plastic or ceramic.
• had to offer the cushiest of seating.
• wanted the environment to be ideal, calming, zen to the max.
• mixed the very best recipes, grounded in both feelings and science."

"We offer a brief time to 'turn off a demanding world' and enrich self... so no cell phones, no email, no electronics, etc... just PEACE & SOOTHING QUIET in which you can drift away and literally levitate within your own, calmed mind."

"If you try it ONE time, you will be dazzled- just like we were- at what such a seemingly-simple experience can do for mind, body & soul. Be like my sister and friends that day in Asheville. Put this gush to your own test. But know this: you might need to bring a few heavy bowling balls or similar to reinforce gravity afterwards... or maybe some twine to hand to a well-grounded friend." 😉

Like many thousands of clients to date, we hope to delight you soon. Come and let our little experience soothe a weary soul (and sole)!