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Archives for December 2010

Dec 23 2010

Peacocks and Christmas Trees

There is a serendipitous story to the predominant presence of peacocks on my website and advertising materials. As a light-hearted way to end the year, I thought you might like to know that story, and to see a picture of a magnificent peacock Christmas tree, sent to me by one of my Thai reflexology graduates. In the meantime, I wish you all a holiday filled with joy, peace, beauty and wonder.

A number of years ago, while talking to my then current class of reflexology certification students at the Florida School of Massage, I became aware that everyone’s eyes were more focused behind me than on me, presumably at something beyond the glass doors at my back. I looked over my right shoulder to see a peacock and peahen standing on the other side of the French doors peering in (or at least it looked like they were).

The male immediately started his eerie screeching. It was soon apparent that I could not speak over this determined bird, and one of the participants offered to go outside and “have a word” with this gorgeous male. I don’t know what Luke said, but the peacock stopped screeching and actually left, not to be seen again until Sunday evening when I was packing up to leave. (More on that later.)

The female, on the other hand, spent the entire day outside that glass door, and for the most part, at the window watching me. (I admit that she was probably admiring her own reflection in the glass, but I prefer to think that she was interested in reflexology!). When we would take breaks the students would wander outside under the canopy roof and the peahen would just hang out with them, even when a few sat to eat their lunch. On Sunday morning when we returned, she was still standing at the glass doors, as if waiting for us. It was so delightful. I loved having her as part of the group.

On Sunday, one of the other participants (now my teaching assistant), Jen, brought in a copy of the book Animal-Speak to share what the book had to say about peacocks. I could barely believe my ears!

The book explained that the two most outstanding features of the peacock are its gorgeous plumage and its raucous call. (Nothing new there.) The author went on to relate a story that tied this magnificent bird’s vocal expression to the appearance of his feet. The author stated that the peacock is known to have ugly feet, and the story goes that he screeches every time he catches sight of his own feet!

“Wait a minute”, I said, and immediately jumped up to check it out. I peered through the glass at the peahen’s feet and then softly proclaimed to her that I thought she had lovely feet. Throughout the day I took every opportunity to remind her of that.

With a sly smile, Jen continued reading the book’s claim that if the peacock showed up in your life, you should study foot Reflexology! I could barely believe what I had just heard (in fact, I accused Jen of making it up!).

Although I had yet to formally announce it, I had decided to move the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification training to St. Augustine beginning the next year (2005). With Jen’s words, visions of blue-green iridescent peacock feathers appeared in my head. I immediately saw a brand new brochure and website adorned with beautiful, bright peacock plumes. I felt affirmed in my decision to move the training to the beach.

A perfect end to that weekend and this story: when I drove my car under the canopy roof to pack up after class on Sunday, the male peacock returned to join the female in saying good-bye. They both stood right beside the trunk of my car and just watched me load up and drive away. And to this day, whenever I am teaching reflexology at the Florida School of Massage (only reflexology; no other subject), the peacocks show up in numbers to peer through the glass doors as we exchange foot reflexology sessions.

If you’re interested, you can read more about peacocks, a magnificent creature once believed to be the figment of overactive imaginations!

And here’s the picture of the peacock Christmas tree at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina:

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: General · Tagged: Certification

Dec 16 2010

Choosing the Right Program

I’m thinking of registering for a reflexology training soon, and was thinking about the thought process I go through in choosing classes for myself.

I’m very selective when it comes to spending my precious time and money  – and I suspect you are, too. In the area of education, I expect my money’s worth; I want to leave the class feeling personally enriched and armed with information and skills I can incorporate immediately into my life. I want to be in the presence of instructors who, not only know their “stuff”, but also know how to “teach”; how to get the information across clearly, and inspire and empower those of us looking to them for guidance.

That led me to think about conversations that typically occur when people call to inquire about the Academy’s certification training. I realize that in calling you want to get a sense of me as much as you want to know what you can expect from the program. Naturally, you want to know if we’re “on the same page”, if you’ll feel welcomed and accepted. You want to know if the material will meet your goals, and if the program format matches your learning style, and if you’ll know how to introduce your new skills and knowledge to your community once the training is over.

I want you to make the right decision for yourself, so call with your questions and concerns. Before you pick up the phone, you may want to read a short questionnaire I created to help people determine whether or not the Academy’s program is right for them. Your answers to the questions will go a long way towards informing you whether you are in the right place or not. (My phone number is 904/553.4067 EST.)

The 2011 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Professional Reflexology Certification begins February10th.

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Foot Reflexology, Hand Reflexology · Tagged: Certification

Dec 08 2010

Reflexology Rugs

That’s what past students in the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification program named these fun and hugely successful creations of theirs.

Reflexology Rugs are short “run-ways” that bare-footed (or socked) clients walk before a foot reflexology session. Easily constructed with items of varying textures, they provide a stimulating sensory experience to prepare the body for focused reflexology care.

Here’s how they’re made and what they look like when completed:

1. Purchase heavy-duty canvas about 18” wide and as long as you care to make your “run-way”. My students chose 6 feet. (Marine stores cover a wide selection of colors and thicknesses.)

2. Scour the dollar stores, toy stores, craft stores and landscaping nurseries to pick up various appliqués. Use your imagination! Some items you might consider: colored marbles (flat on one side for gluing, rounded on the other for walking), flat river rocks (no sharp points!), packing materials, ropes, pot & pan “scrubbies”, rug scraps. Choose a variety of textures including soft, firm and scratchy. Awaken those senses!

3. Purchase a reliable adhesive. We used Weldbond Universal Adhesive that I purchase from monstermosaics.com. Weldbond is non-toxic, free of fumes and cleans up fast. It’s a wonderful, reasonably priced craft glue that dispenses easily and dries clear and fast. (You can find it in some hardware stores, as well.)

4. Lay out your appliqués in some sort of creative design. Start and end with softer surfaces. Test it out before gluing. Walking the mat should feel invigorating and stimulating, not painful.

My students laid out their reflexology rugs so as to lead their clients directly to their massage table. It was beautiful to see! Clients removed their shoes upon entering the clinic room and walked barefoot to a tub of warm water infused with pure botanical oils in which to enjoy a luxurious soak before their reflexology session. Guests really appreciated and enjoyed their own individual “red carpet” and the clinic looked so special.

Have you ever made a Reflexology Rug? If you have, please share with us what items and textures you used.

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: General · Tagged: Foot reflexology

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