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Archives for February 2013

Feb 18 2013

An Artist’s Experience of Reflexology

Most people recognize reflexology as an enjoyable way in which to improve physical health. I’d like to relate the experience of one graduate of the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification; an artist and massage therapist who was pleasantly surprised to discover that reflexology delivered much more than physical relief for her. The comments below were submitted as part of her overall feedback of the program (published with her consent).

“As a massage therapist, I am always looking for ways to enrich my client’s therapeutic experience. I knew reflexology would be a valuable addition to my practice since a major roadblock to healing is often a client’s inability to let go of tension. With these ideas in mind, I decided to enroll in Karen Ball’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification training. The following paragraphs describe my experience receiving my session from Karen during that training.

I had been under a lot of stress in my life and had been experiencing visual migraines: brilliant, multihued bands of color flashing at my periphery, especially when rotating my head quickly. I wondered how or if reflexology would affect this.

As the session unfolded, the deep relaxation became a portal into an even deeper state approaching the hypnagogic experience. The hypnagogic state is a deep transitional state between sleeping and wakefulness, often accompanied by vivid, dreamlike imagery. For a visual artist, hypnagogic imagery is a rich source of inspiration and a way of communicating with the deepest expressions of the psyche.

My consciousness began to weave into unconsciousness as Karen worked on my left foot. When she moved to my right, I noticed that my toes were especially sensitive. That’s the last thing I remember before dissolving into the psyche’s gallery of liquid imagery. There, I drifted onto that dusky limbic edge where the veils between consciousness and unconsciousness are thinnest.”

In the next couple of paragraphs (omitted here) she described – and later painted! – the visual images she experienced during this session. She concludes with…

“As the session neared completion, my experience was accompanied by a sensation of fizzing, carbonated energy bubbles cleansing the dorsal areas of my feet. This sensation channeled upward through my legs and had an integrating effect on the total body. The level of relaxation was deeply profound. I “awoke” from the session feeling rested and rejuvenated.

The meaning of these images is both profound and illusive to me. They reflect a visual/kinesthetic language that is not easily transcribed into words. An artist doesn’t make these images meaningful, they come imbued with meaning. They have a cellular motility like a vitally morphing liquid screen. When fishing in this deep pond of the psyche, one discovers an experience that is both releasing and inspiring. I discovered that reflexology is one door to this healing experience.

Oh, and no more migraines!”

The 2013 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification begins March 21st.

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

Feb 12 2013

Obstacle or Opportunity?

If you were to ask me what is the question I am most often asked regarding certification in reflexology, I would have to say that my response to that question is sometimes viewed as the biggest obstacle to working as a reflexologist. It needn’t be.

The issue has to do with the legalities surrounding the professional practice of reflexology in the United States. In this context, the word “professional” refers to anyone who accepts compensation for his or her work. “Compensation” is defined to include cash, barter, trade, tithe, love offering, donations; i.e. something with monetary value.

Many US states require professionals to hold a state-issued license before accepting any form of compensation for their services. Some jurisdictions exempt reflexology from any licensing laws; some license reflexology as a separate practice. Some allow an individual with a cosmetology license to offer reflexology as part of those services. Since states have different (or no) laws governing the professional practice of reflexology, it is always in your best interest to familiarize yourself with the requirements of your state if you are thinking of practicing reflexology. You don’t want someone from your state Attorney General’s office knocking on your door!

In Florida, where I live and offer the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification, a license is required. One of the government’s primary mandates is to protect the public; therefore, the state tests anyone whose services involve touching the human body (healthcare practitioners, cosmetologists, morticians, etc.) to determine if the applicant’s knowledge and skill level is such to safely operate a business; i.e. to do no harm. The preferred license to practice reflexology in Florida is a massage therapy license.

Florida does allow someone with a cosmetology or nail tech license to offer reflexology. These practitioners are allowed to do that because the scope of their license includes massage of the hands and feet. It’s important to note that in these situations, reflexology can only be offered in conjunction with the nail tech services, not as a stand-alone service. For that, a massage therapy license is required.

The above information – my answer to this frequently asked question – can feel like an obstacle to some people who want to practice just reflexology. I can understand that, and I can add, from personal experience, that certifications in more than one area can work to one’s advantage. Employers love it when they see multiple skills on a resume. The more education you have, the more attractive you are to clients and to a business looking to hire.

I practiced reflexology in Toronto, Ontario without a provincial license. (Canada does not require licensing for reflexology.) When I moved to Florida, I was required to obtain a massage therapy license before I could hang my shingle. Attending the Florida School of Massage was one of the best decisions of my life; both in terms of the knowledge I acquired and the personal growth experience. Without a doubt, everything I learned in my massage and hydrotherapy training supported, and continues to support my reflexology practice.

Some people choose to complete massage training first and then take the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification as advanced training. An equal number do it the other way around, choosing to ease into the field of bodywork by first completing reflexology training (less time commitment, money and complexity). Either way is fine.

Like the local woman who called last week (and the inspiration for this article): someone retired from an unrelated career, but with a lifelong interest in reflexology. Rather than see the requirement for licensure as an obstacle, she got excited. Like me, she has most times been a little less than satisfied with the massage aspect of pedicures, and immediately saw the niche she could create for herself as the nail tech that includes reflexology. Yes! Sign me up! I’ll be her first regular client!

The 2013 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification begins March 21st. Join us!

The Reflexology Association of America posts the most current list of laws for each state on its site.

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

Feb 06 2013

Have Tub Will Travel

A challenge to anyone traveling by air to a reflexology training is packing a foot tub. Kind of impossible to squeeze a Rubbermaid-like dishpan or enamel pot into one’s luggage! An ingenious Canadian woman arrived at one of my workshops – on a motorcycle – with a wonderful solution to the problem.

An avid outdoors woman, she had discovered that the inflatable tub she used to wash her dishes and clothes when camping did double duty as a pedi-bathtub to soak her tired feet after hiking. Deflated, it folded down to a very small and manageable article to pack.

After quite a bit of research I discovered that not only are these items available from beauty supply stores and camping/outdoor equipment websites, but also from trusty ole Amazon. Starting as low as $5, they’re certainly an inexpensive fix, even if traveling by car. Here’s the link.

 

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

Feb 04 2013

Plantar Fasciitis and Adolescents

Some of my fellow reflexologists and I are noticing more and more young people showing up with plantar fasciitis. Used to be it hit people 45 years and older, then spiraled down to those in their 20’s; now we’re seeing 10 and 11 years olds complaining. That concerns me. Unless something is done now, while their feet are still forming, they are looking forward to an adulthood of pain and suffering.

Makes me wonder about the amount of time those children are spending on their feet, and the pounding they are obviously enduring. Are they “on their feet too much”? Are their bodies exhibiting an unconscious resistance to performing all the time? I sometimes think there is great pressure on children to show up and compete as accomplished “stars”, whether it be on the dance floor, American Idol, the tennis court or latest app start-up. Whatever happened to just being a kid? to just playing?

Two targeted workshops on a successful treatment strategy for Plantar Fasciitis coming up soon. I hope you will join us and learn how to help this growing population. The training is open to reflexologists and massage therapists.

March 2 & 3 ~ Orange Park (Jacksonville), Florida

May 11 & 12 ~ Gainesville, Florida

 

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

Feb 03 2013

Cha Yen

I have three Thai Foot Reflexology workshops coming up this spring – with a little treat promised for all who attend. I’ve been tweaking a recipe I have had for awhile for cha yen, the very popular chilled tea that Thais love to drink.

Thais generally take their tea “on the go”, drinking from a small plastic bag with a straw sticking out. The Thai tea typically sold in restaurants and from street vendors and market stalls unfortunately has eroded in quality to not much more than an artificially flavored and colored weak version of its original delicious self. I am happy to report that I have created a healthy, organic, refreshing cha yen that I am excited to share with everyone who attends. Participants will leave with the recipe also. Yummmm.

February 23 & 24 ~ Gainesville, Florida

April 20 & 21 ~ Saint Augustine, Florida

June 15 & 16 ~ Orange Park (Jacksonville), Florida

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Thai Foot Reflexology · Tagged: Thai reflexology

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