Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Reflexology Certification Programs and Workshops

Archives for 2018

Thank You

This year-end is even more jammed packed than usual for me, what with packing and moving on top of my weekly clinical practice, a rare December teaching engagement this last weekend, starting a state non-profit chapter of reflexologists, and my stepped up social calendar.

People assume that I’m stressed, but that’s not the case. When I examine why that it is, I find that my dedication to the following not only keeps me sane, but relaxed:

* limited intake of alcohol, caffeine and sweets

* 8 to 9 hours of sleep/night

* regular reflexology and massage sessions

* a nightly review of all that I am thankful for from that day

* lots of time with friends, sharing good food, silly memories and thoughtful conversation

I want to wish you all a blessed holiday, filled with good friends, loving family, delicious food, lots of rest and time to give thanks for the year just past.

Whether you are in a snow-covered landscape or basking on the beach, the meaning of this time of year is the same. Boots or flip-flops, it doesn’t matter – I know from experience having moved from the Canadian prairies to the Sunshine state years ago.

My appreciation and gratitude to all of you. You are the reason I do what I do.

Are Advanced Credentials Worth It?

“No matter how rigorous or extended, your initial training will only see you through the first five years. Then you will be doing one of two things: subsiding into a rut, or chafing at the bit to be able to do more. “ Thomas Myers

When I read Myers’ comments recently, I was reminded of the years following the completion of my initial reflexology training and later massage program. His statements echoed my experience, for sure. I felt like I had a strong foundation in both disciplines, but recognized that I lacked advanced information that would allow me to be more effective in helping people with very specific challenges. And, today when I read posts from fairly recent grads on various Facebook reflexology groups, my thoughts are confirmed. Most have no clue as to how to create a targeted session for the clients arriving with complicated and serious health concerns.

It’s why I’m a big advocate of advanced certifications, and why when I’m looking for a therapist, I look first to their training resume.

A Specialty Certification indicates, to me, the following:

* Expertise in the field; exceeding entry-level requirements

* Demonstration of proven critical thinking skills, deeper knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, indications and contraindications

* A serious commitment to contributing to the health and well-being of others

* An expanded ability to effectively treat those seeking help

I also agree with Til Luchau’s thoughts stated in a recent national bodywork magazine:

“People often pick careers in massage and bodywork because they require so little training. Although that means we start working and earning relatively quickly, it also means we rapidly get to the limits of our knowledge, abilities and earning power. It might also be part of why so many in our profession don’t last more than a couple of years. But it’s also an explanation for why those who do last, thrive and develop satisfying careers are so often voracious learners who see education as something that extends over their entire lives.”

I love being in classes with like-minded people intent on improving themselves and the lives of others. It’s inspiring to me and renews my interest in what I do. (In all honesty, I also love, that I get to be the student for a change; no responsibility!)

The advantages of investing in one’s career through advanced schooling are many. Here are some that come to my mind:

* your business will grow, both through word-of-mouth and professional referrals

* your practice will open up to new and varied clients, stimulating your intellect and calling on you to work outside your routine

* renewed motivation, enthusiasm and passion

* increased confidence

* professional respect

* self-fulfillment

* STAND OUT IN THE CROWD!

If you are thinking of tackling a certification program, there are important questions to ask when shopping around:

* Is the program content adequately described?

* What is the limit on the number of participants? The student/instructor ratio?

* Are learning outcomes stated? What you will be able to do with this additional knowledge?

* Are the number of learning objectives reasonable for the length and cost of the program? (A colleague just told me about seeing an ad for ‘a fully credited reflexology course online for only $19.99′. Buyer beware!)

* What are the instructor’s credentials?

If you are thinking that you would like to add reflexology to your skill set, I would be thrilled if you would take a look at the Academy’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification. The next program begins in April. Contact me if you don’t find answers to all your questions; I’m happy to chat.

Dream Big. Aim FAR.

According to the well-thought-of astrology site, Astro Butterfly, December is the best time to dream big and envision a new reality for yourself. The planets Jupiter and Neptune encourage us this month to envision something that doesn’t yet exist.

I had to smile when I read this in my Inbox yesterday. Why? Because four other reflexologists and I decided that was exactly what we would do. We would shoot for the stars and create a formal chapter of reflexologists for the state of Florida.

We announced the birth of the Florida Association of Reflexologists – FAR, for short – a few days ago. We plan to GO FAR, and we totally trust that the stars will guide us as we aim our intentions high.

Florida has been without a reflexology membership organization for many years now – and it’s time the Sunshine State got back in the game. Florida reflexologists deserve and need a strong support network! At the Reflexology Association of America conference in Chicago earlier this year, five of us got talking and decided to fill that void.

We invite all reflexologists and lovers of reflexology to GET INVOLVED! As a fledgling organization, we could use help in so many areas. Here’s how you can get involved right now:

★ Sign up to receive our periodic newsletters.

★ Follow us on Facebook. Chime in when you feel moved to do so.

★ Enter a logo design; win a free FAR membership until June 30, 2020 (that’s 18 months) and receive credit on FAR’s (soon-to-be) website as our Logo Designer. If not you, maybe you know a student who needs items for his or her portfolio? Just send the design as a JPEG file to yours truly by December 20.

You might include the shape of Florida; a graphic of feet, hands and/or ears; the letters FAR and/or ‘Florida Association of Reflexologists’.

Finalists will be sent out in an e-blast on December 27 to all FAR members to vote on. And yes, that means membership will open soon. Only members will get to vote, so make sure to stay informed (through the newsletter and Facebook) of when you can get an inaugural membership!

★ Build our website. If you have experience in developing on a WordPress platform and are interested in submitting a bid, please contact – guess who? I’ll send you the RFP.

And, I think this is the perfect segue into who the founding FAR board members are:

Karen Ball, President (Saint Augustine)
Julie Wesling, Vice-President (Saint Augustine)
Lorna Eaton, Treasurer (Miramar)
Gail Lanning, Secretary (Delray Beach)
diane Wedge, Director (Venice)

Please join us in our excitement as we support the wonderful healing art of reflexology and all the practitioners in Florida, the U.S.A. and the world!

Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification

Learn how to skillfully use reflexology for the purpose of deep relaxation and/or to support people facing health challenges that threaten the quality of their lives.

Embark on a new career focus or embellish an already existing healthcare practice. Learn how to combine reflexology with services you currently offer to produce noticeably longer-lasting benefits for your clients, and consequently a substantial increase in business for you. STAND OUT IN THE CROWD!

Graduates of the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification help individuals confront the most challenging aspects of their lives through skilled touch, loving respect and non-judgmental appreciation for the difficulties inherent in charting a path of recovery through the maze of conflicting information and personal beliefs that get in the way of living a healthy and happy life.

The program is taught in five 5-day modules. Attendance at all five modules in the same year is required.

2019 Program Dates:
April 4 through 8, 2019
May 30 through June 3, 2019
July 25 through 29, 2019
September 12 through 16, 2019
October 31 through November 4, 2019

Location: The Body Shop, Gainesville, Florida

Credits: 315 credit hours, including outside assignments.

Included in the cost of the program:

  • 250-page manual
  • Free listing on the Academy of Ancient Reflexology’s directory of certified reflexologists
  • One-year membership with the Reflexology Association of America and Florida Association of Reflexologists (for Florida residents)
  • Placement of research case study in national and international publications
  • Free on-going support during and following graduation.

 Curriculum Focus:

  • Location of reflex points in the hands and feet, and techniques and procedures to effectively palpate these reflexes on oneself and others
  • Physiological systems of the body, and the role reflexology plays in maintaining optimum functioning of these systems
  • Homeostatic imbalances that can occur in the human body and how to design a reflexology session to address those conditions
  • Uncovering your strongest appeal as a reflexologist, and developing successful, ethical marketing strategies to create a unique, viable healthcare business
  • Theories, benefits and research conclusions regarding reflexology

 Activities:

  • Operate professional reflexology clinics, utilizing health history and documentation charts designed for reflexology
  • Develop and implement two community outreach events, one on your own and one with your classmates
  • Prepare a research case study for national and international publication

Investment:$3079
Discounts and payment plans are available.

I keep the class size small so as to insure that I can give everyone lots of attention and supervision, and so that we can co-create an environment of safety and intimacy in which to learn, grow and have fun.

Enrollment is well under way, so ACT NOW to reserve your seat.

A certification program in any subject is a commitment of time and resources. Your choice is best determined by how you think and feel after some self-inquiry and careful research. Answer these questions for yourself. Determine if this program is right for you.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

It’s the Holiday Season in the good ‘ole US of A! The official start is tomorrow: Thanksgiving. I’m excited! I LOVE this time of year. Lots of socializing with friends, yummy food and exchanging of thoughtful gifts of appreciation.

Two of my friends and I start the season off every Thanksgiving morning with a ‘Walk of Gratitude’. We make our regular two-mile walk along the beach tossing out things we are grateful for the entire 45 minutes. It’s a great way to start the day and the season.

So, in keeping with the theme of gratitude, I would like to offer you an easy way to simplify your holiday shopping, as a way to express my gratitude and appreciation to you.

Order these beautiful gift cards for your friends and family at the tremendously low price of $30 for a 30-minute hand or foot reflexology session!

Give REFLEXOLOGY!
* the gift of health and relaxation
* the gift that keeps on giving
* the gift that fits perfectly into the new practice of giving ‘experiences’ rather
than ‘stuff’
* the gift they’ll be talking about for quite some time

I don’t usually give 30-minute sessions nor offer my work at such a considerable loss but decided to offer them for the low price of $30 because I realize that not everyone’s budget can include multiple gift cards for the regular $85 70-minute session.

Let me know how many gift cards you would like, and we’ll make arrangements for you or your recipients to receive.

LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN!

PS. Want to eliminate the stress of holiday shopping AND look like an angel to the people in your life? Buy a reflexology gift card for EVERYONE on your gift-buying list who lives in the Saint Augustine area! And your shopping is DONE!

Why Shoes Matter

If you are a subscriber to Massage Magazine, you will have read the article I wrote for the October issue on Foot Care for the Massage Therapist. As an additional bit of information, I also wrote an online article on Tips for Buying Shoes That Fit.

I was inspired to write that piece after I read that the two advancements in civilization that have contributed the most to our chronic physical pain are the chair and shoes.

Apparently, though, it is those evolutionary developments that have led to the chronic back and foot pain that society lives with now.

Since we are rapidly advancing toward covering as much of Earth in concrete and cement as we can, I don’t see the demise of shoes in the modern world any day soon—and that means we must take counteractive, preventative measures to keep our feet healthy and strong.

Read The Steps to Choosing the Right Shoe

Living Long And Living Well

Mallorca, Spain — Spain, Mallorca, Senior couple running along beach, smiling — Image by © Carlos Hernandez/Westend61/Corbis

Longevity does not occur because one has dodged every disease out there. A long life, lived well, is the result of a life lived with intention and consistent healthy habits. That is what arms the body with the defenses it needs to fight off unwanted disease; to recover faster and better.

Reasonable steps culled from studying long-living populations around the world and cutting-edge scientific research point to these seven habits as making the difference between a long life of suffering or a long life lived with vitality:

  1. Keep breathing! As the Chinese fortune cookie advises: ‘The secret to long life is to keep breathing’. Identify times in your day when you can consciously take three to five deep breaths. It’s that simple. Here are some ideas:

* first thing in the morning before getting out of bed

* in your car, whenever you are stopped at a red light

* standing in line at the grocery store

* before you start and end every reflexology session

* last thing in the evening before turning out the light

  1. Move. The ability to exercise remains the single most powerful predictor of longevity. Movement encompasses cardio activities, strength training and flexibility activities. Together they strengthen your bones, your muscles and your heart, teach balance and combat depression.
  1. Sun.15 minutes/day or 1000 IU of vitamin D. With the weakening of the ozone barrier that protects us from harmful rays, it’s best to avoid being out in the sun during the peak hours of 10 am to 2 pm. Try an early morning walk just after the sun has risen.
  1. FoodEat food that looks the same when you eat it as when it came out of the ground. Whole, unprocessed food. Avoid the ‘dirty dozen plus’, if you don’t buy organic; they’re heavily laden with pesticides. They are strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, tomatoes, celery, potatoes, sweet bell peppers, hot peppers, Make half your plate fruits and/or vegetables.
  1. Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity leads to systemic inflammation that leads to raised blood sugar, unhealthy LDL-cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, which all damage the lining of the arteries. Excess fat increases cancer risk, leads to joint pain, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and an early death.
  1. Sleep more than seven hours/night. Adequate sleep increases the growth hormone, a critical vitality booster. Regular patterns of four to five hours/night create a blood sugar level equal to that of someone above the legal level of alcohol, leading to impaired thinking and judgment, as well as other potential problems caused by a sugar imbalance.
  1. Purpose. Find a reason to get up every day. A reason to be here. You have one life; it makes sense to love living it.

Resources:
TimeYour Body– Dr. Mehmet Oz
The Blue Zones, The Science of Living Longer– National Geographic

Ditch The Deodorant

Did you know that your body has two different kinds of sweat glands? And that one of them excretes a very pungent odor and the other doesn’t?

It’s true.

When your body needs to cool down, the eccrine sweat glands turn on to produce a watery sweat that evaporates through your skin, cooling your internal temperature. This watery perspiration does not generally produce any odor.

However, if the apocrine sweat glands are turned on, your body releases an oily and rather pungent type of liquid. It’s this oily substance that has a strong, ripe, smelly odor.

So, what triggers the apocrine sweat glands to turn on?

In a word, STRESS.

When under stress (either real or perceived), the body’s autonomic nervous system will shift into the ‘flight or fight’ state. And that turns on the apocrine sweat glands.

To elicit the relaxation response and curtail the action of the apocrine glands, we can turn to two simple proven techniques:

* deep, conscious, controlled breathing

* reflexology. Reflexology is a master when it comes to relaxing. Add in a focus on the diaphragm reflex to aid the stress-busting benefits even more.

Who knows? With practice at relaxing, you may be able to ditch your underarm deodorant!

It Takes A Village

The author, Isabelle Allende, once said that “The end doesn’t justify the means; the end is decided by the means. If we’re petty and greedy and shallow and put our need to win ahead of our humanity, then nothing good will come of our careers.”

We need to support each other.

As bodyworkers, we need to stop thinking of other practitioners as competition; instead, to see ourselves as part of a community working to improve the health of our friends and neighbors. Only healthy minds and bodies can build strong, healthy communities. And, as the saying goes, “It takes a village.”

We’re all in this together, so let’s start working together. Let’s focus first on helping to improve the quality of our clients’ health, not our client base. Ultimately, that will build our clientele.

When I first graduated from the Florida School of Massage in 1989, many naysayers predicted that it was impossible to build a practice in Gainesville – there were just too many licensed therapists in a town that boasted one of the top two massage schools in the country.

I thought about that. There were a lot of therapists in the city, and, I thought, that meant the community was likely more educated about massage and bodywork than one that didn’t have many people practicing in it. Therefore, I decided that having a lot of therapists around could be an advantage – I wouldn’t be starting from scratch to explain the benefits of my work – I just had to demonstrate that I was the best person to turn to. It was up to me to rise to the top, to STAND OUT IN THE CROWD.

There were thousands of people living in Gainesville back then. They all had bodies and therefore, they all needed bodywork to stay healthy. That meant there was a very large pool of clients to share with other professionals. That was – and still is – my perspective. I have my specialty; others have different approaches, skills and trainings that might be better suited in certain situations. We are a citywide team.

When I started out in 1989 in Florida, I brought a specialty to my practice – my training and six-year expertise as a reflexologist. That allowed me to stand out. And allows me to continue to stand out. When people talk about reflexology, my name is the first one people think of.

Have you found your niche? What interests you enough to stay engaged, to keep delving deeper into understanding the body, to stand out as the ‘go-to’ person in your community?

If you think reflexology might be your pathway to success, please check out the information regarding next year’s certification program. Feel free to contact me for a personal consultation on whether reflexology and the Academy’s program are a good fit for you.

Others have helped me over the years, and I’d consider it a real privilege to help you.

Sweet Pee

Diabetes mellitus comes from two Greek word roots meaning “flowing through” and “sweetness”. People with diabetes experience frequent urination and their urine is loaded with sugar. In old days doctors would place a patient’s urine in an open bowl near a beehive. If the urine was high in sugar, the bees would swarm to it.

There are several types of diabetes; type 2 (DM2) is the most common, the most prevantable, and one that years ago presented only in mature adults. Unfortunately, we now see young children living with DM2.

Some Facts:

* There are an estimated 30.2 million adults 18 years or older – 9.4% of US population – living with diabetes in the US (2015)

* $245 billion is spent each year in direct and indirect expenses related to diabetes (2012)

* The average medical expenditure for people with diabetes is $13,700  per year. That’s 2.3 times higher than that for people without diabetes! (2012)

* Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the US. (2016)

* There are 90,000 people in the US currently on a waiting list for a new kidney (mostly due to diabetic complications).

* Diabetes causes more amputations than any other disease.

Risk Factors:

When we look at predisposing factors that contribute to the development of diabetes, we see a lot of imbalances that Americans commonly live with in our society that often result in other serious health conditions as well.

* Smoking

* Excessive weight and obesity

* Physical inactivity

* High blood pressure

* High cholesterol

* High blood glucose

How Does Diabetes Develop

The stomach and small intestine convert the food we eat into usable chemicals that nourish our cells, and glucose (a form of sugar) that fuels our body with energy. When the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood rises, a signal is sent to the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin unlocks the receptors on our cellular walls to allow glucose to enter. The insulin also brings blood glucose levels back into normal range. All good.

DM2 develops if the pancreas can’t make enough insulin to keep up with a constant influx of sugar into the system, or if the cell receptors stop working, or even worse, if both are not functioning.

With no access to sugar, cells must burn protein and fat for energy. The excess metabolic waste that is left behind by protein and fat metabolism is like dumping sand into the bloodstream. Unchecked, this will lead to atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup) leading to hypertension (high blood pressure), and eventually stroke or heart disease. The additional pressure put on the kidneys to clean the blood can result in renal failure.

So, what I shared above is the generally accepted theory in medicine of how diabetes develops. If you would like to hear a new and different perspective, especially regarding the relationship between obesity and diabetes, watch this TED-talk video from Dr. Peter Attia.

Treating Diabetes

DM2 is preventable and treatable. To reverse the early indications of DM2 developing, however, requires both a serious commitment to lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, stress management) and a partnership with a doctor trained in the area. Please do not ignore the early warning signs: frequent hunger, thirst and urination.

Reflexology and Diabetes

Both my own personal experience and controlled studies show that well-managed diabetes (diet, exercise, medication) responds very favorably to foot reflexology. I’ve included links at the bottom to three case studies completed by Academy grads that you will find interesting.

There are some important points to take into consideration when offering reflexology to diabetic clients:

* If fatty plaques from atherosclerosis accumulate in the legs, peripheral neuropathy may result. Reflexology is excellent for helping to manage peripheral neuropathy, but you must keep in mind that the client’s ability to sense pressure or temperature will be diminished. Watch your pressure and the temperature of the water if you do foot soaks  – your client’s ability to recognize discomfort may be off.

* Poor circulation damages the skin, especially in the feet. Sores take longer to heal. Ulcers and nerve damage can develop from chronic ischemia (reduced blood flow and delivery of oxygen to cells). Even minor injuries like blisters and ingrown toenails can become threatening if left to develop into an infectious situation. These skin conditions may also force someone to alter their stance and gait; balance then can become a challenge. Avoid all contact with skin ulcers. Insist that your client have them covered before arriving for a reflexology session. Strongly encourage clients with skin issues to see a professional – not to perform ‘self-surgery’.

* Blood sugar often drops during reflexology. Before beginning sessions with a diabetic client determine how she is prepared to respond in the event she feels dizzy and/or light-headed afterward. Many carry a quick-acting candy with them at all times.

* Although reflexology will bring blood sugar levels closer to a normal range, DO NOT advise clients to adjust their oral or injected medications! That could be life threatening! Although it is possible to get off diabetes medications, the process to do so takes months and is only accomplished with a determined commitment from the individual and strict monitoring by a medical doctor. Reflexology cannot cure diabetes. It can support and improve someone’s efforts to heal their endocrine system.

* Schedule sessions for the middle of your client’s insulin cycle; not right after they’ve taken insulin and not later when they’re getting hungry and blood sugar is dropping.

 

Diabetes and Foot Reflexology

Type 2 Diabetes and Reflexology

Reflexology for Peripheral Neuropathy

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2017. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services; 2017.
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics/statistics-report.html