Archives for 2019

Feb 20 2019

Stress, Depression, Sleep And Your Skin

Stress wears on you – you’d have to be living under a rock not to know that. But, are you aware of how chronic stress, depression and lack of sleep affect your skin?

Intense or chronic stress increases the production of cortisol, which decreases the skin’s ability to repair itself.

Stress causes you to tense your facial muscles, often without realizing it. Those repeated frowns and grimaces ultimately will leave their mark in the form of permanent lines.

Here are a couple of easy counteractive measures:

– Reduce stress and anxiety by exercising.

– Include gentle instructions to consciously breath when giving reflexology sessions. That will drive more oxygen to the skin cells for healing. If you notice clients with taut facial muscles, give some attention to the reflexes of the jaw and temple.

Depression is associated with a decrease in growth-hormone synthesis, which inhibits the ability of the skin to repair itself at night.

Here are a couple of counteractive measures:

– Seek out professional help to resolve the causes of your depression; keep a referral list in your office to share with clients wishing to work through their mental health issues.

– Regular exercise – proven to help defeat depression.

– Reflexology is a wonderful antidote to depression. It allows people to feel themselves in a whole, relaxed state; the way one should feel; the way we were born to be.

Lack of sleep. Without enough deep sleep, the skin can’t properly undo daily damage. Sleep deprivation puts the body into stress mode, causing more cortisol to be produced. And that takes us right back to the top of this article!

Here are a few preventive measures:

– Get more sleep – turn off all electronic devices at least ½ hour before going to bed. Do not read with a Kindle.

– Improve your sleep hygiene. Remove all electronics from your bedroom; sleep in a very dark room; drop the room temperature to 68 or 69 degrees.

– Sleep on your back – a “smooshed” face looks creased.

– Try a short hot tub soak – 10 minutes – before heading to bed. Add some relaxing essential oils to the bath water, or spritz them on your pillowcase.

– Work on your own reflexes before going to sleep. Focus on the central nervous system, diaphragm and solar plexus reflexes to promote sleep, reduce stress and combat depression. Add in the lymphatic and liver reflexes to help with skin health.

The above is useful information to share with clients. Please feel free to print out and distribute or re-write in your own words. Clients really appreciate educational tips.

Feb 13 2019

The Gift

People often tell me that I have an amazing gift.

I’m always a little baffled when I hear that. Not to sound self-deprecating, but what does that mean? What do these well-intentioned folk mean by ‘gift’? A special talent? Something that was bestowed upon me by some greater power? Something I was born with?

Or is it something that I cultivated?

I wasn’t born a reflexologist, and neither was I born an inspiring teacher.

I cultivated skills to be able to do what I do. And, these skills were acquired later in my life.

I didn’t have a clue in my earlier years what I ‘wanted to be when I grew up’. I just kind of followed my nose and did whatever interested me. That road eventually led me to formalized trainings in subjects such as herbology, nutrition, meditation, aromatherapy, personal growth, massage therapy and yes, reflexology.

The one thing I did know at a very early age was that I wasn’t cut out to be a school teacher (boring), bank teller (hate math) or nurse (fainted at the sight of blood). And those were the only job opportunities placed in front of me! That was it!

I knew that I didn’t want a job that just paid me. I wanted to derive meaning from my work and I wanted to look forward to getting up every morning to do that work. I wanted to contribute something of value.

Does this sound like you? Do you yearn for more than just work? Do you want what you do to matter? And to be rewarded monetarily for your time and skill?

Well, you can have that. No matter how young or old you are, how healthy or unhealthy, how confident or not so confident. If you hold a sincere desire to heal yourself and through that process to touch the lives of as many other people as possible to help them improve the quality of their lives, then you can fashion a life for yourself that matters.

I know you can – because I did!

My real passion is to inspire others on their chosen path of self-inquiry. And yes, I realize that path may not be a career as a practicing reflexologist.

Participation in the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification may turn you in another direction. That’s fine with me. And that’s because the mission of the Academy of Ancient Reflexology is to create an environment in which people learn how they can improve first the quality of their own lives – and then others – through the vehicles of reflexology, aromatherapy, service and self-awareness – or – perhaps not.

The 2019 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification starts April 4 in Gainesville, Florida. Join me for a comprehensive course like nothing you have experienced before.

Jan 30 2019

The Sky Is NOT The Limit!

I hear lots of people say that 2019 is going to be an amazing year. I know that must feel like a beacon of hope for a lot of people; 2018 was a tough one for many.

But, how do we know that this year will be better? Is it possible to foretell what sort of year is ahead?

Sometimes, I like to look at the astrological events going on that might impact our experiences here on Earth. I don’t claim to understand it all, but I like balancing the mundane earthly events that we give so much credence to with the heavenly influences of the surrounding universe. I like to believe that there is more going on than what I can see; that there are forces greater than my own at work. It gives me a broader perspective.

So, if this interests you at all, here’s what I understand about the year ahead:

* The most beneficial of all the planetary transits in 2019 is Jupiter in Sagittarius. That’s because…

* Professional astrologers call Jupiter ‘the great benefic’; meaning it is the most beneficial planet in our solar system. And because…

* Jupiter’s home is Sagittarius, and when a planet is in its home sign we get the best that planet can offer.

That tells me that there is no better time than this year to turn dreams into reality. The entire Universe is behind me. I know from my past that my dreams – the repetitive thoughts that will not give up residence in my brain – are what steer me to live a life of purpose; give me a reason to get out of bed each morning (even on these cold mornings!). I also know equally well that ignoring my dreams and aspirations is what alienates me from myself, leading to all sorts of unwanted feelings and outcomes.

And I suspect I’m not alone in this.

Jupiter helps us to be more in sync with the opportunities that surround us. And, if you have found it difficult to notice the opportunities that align with your purpose, never fear. Sagittarius is here!

You’ve probably seen images of Sagittarius, the archer. Depicted as half horse, half man, he lives in unity with both his animal and divine natures.

Sagittarius aims far, farther than the stars his arrow points to.

Sagittarius is here to inform us that the sky is not the limit!

Sagittarius reminds us that possibility lies beyond what we can see; that we can achieve anything if the target is aligned with integrity and our life’s purpose. Those feelings of excitement that fire deep within us when we identify a goal are Sag’s way of reminding us that we can do more; that there is a reason for our existence on this planet. I think it is our responsibility to move forward on our dreams – the world needs what each of us is uniquely here to offer.

Stay excited people!

Make 2019 the year that you seek meaning and purpose. It may be for the first time in your life or maybe you’re at a threshold where it’s time to write a new chapter in the book of your life. Whatever – just do it!

The universe rearranges itself to accommodate your picture of reality. It’s the physical law of action and reaction. So, shoot higher than you’ve ever imagined possible.

If it is your dream to help people improve the quality of their lives – as well as your own – take advantage of this opportunity:

Take a short quiz and see if reflexology might just be your path, as it was mine. If you decide not, then keep your eyes open – Jupiter will deliver!

Jan 23 2019

Transform Lives – Transform Your Practice

The statistics in the USA regarding the prevalence of chronic headaches within the adult population are staggering and relatively unchanged over the last 20 years.

* One in six Americans report living with chronic severe headaches. [i]

* Severe headaches constitute the fourth reason for visits to hospital Emergency Departments. [ii]

* Depending on which report you read, 16.6% to 22.7% of the US population reported migraine or severe headaches in the last 3 months of 2011. [iii]

In the most recent study I could find on migraines and severe headaches (2018), I read the following conclusion:

“Severe headache and migraine remain important public health problems that are more common and burdensome for women, particularly women of childbearing age, and other historically disadvantaged segments of the population.” [iv]

If you would like to learn how to transform the lives of people living with head pain and transform a sluggish practice into a thriving, focused business, please join me for an upcoming Say Goodbye to Headaches workshop.

In addition to designing individualized hands-on session protocols utilizing reflexology, hydro and aromatherapy, you will leave with the materials and skills needed to classify headaches, coach one-on-one or offer small classes in your community to those people who are sick and tired of living with headaches.

Continuing Education – 2019 Lineup

Dive into continuing education. I just did. I spent last weekend with a gifted teacher who inspired me to no end.

Get excited about what you are learning. Tap into and express your gratitude for the privilege of learning. Many in this world are not afforded that opportunity.

Share that excitement and your new skills with clients. Grow your business.

Here is the Academy’s line-up for trainings this year:

Tired of Living With Painful Feet?
January 19th 1 to 3pm
Saint Augustine, Florida
* a free community class for people who wish to learn what they can do to relieve their chronic foot pain
Register: https://bit.ly/2FbqZX7

All the following workshops provide continuing education credits for the American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB), the Reflexology Association of Canada (RAC), the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), the Florida Board of Massage Therapy, and the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy.

Visit this link for details and to register for any of the following.

Say Goodbye to Headaches
February 23^rd9am to 6pm
Atlanta, Georgia

Reflexology: Massage Therapy’s Secret Weapon
March 10^th9am to 6pm
Gainesville, Florida

Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification
begins April 4
Gainesville, Florida

Traditional Thai Reflexology
April 26^thto 28^th9am to 5pm
Killington, Vermont

(foot) Reflexology
May 4^th& 5^th9am to 6pm
Winter Park (Orlando), Florida

(foot) Reflexology
May 18^th& 19^th9am to 6pm
Lake City, Florida

Traditional Thai Reflexology
June 16^thto 18^th9am to 5pm
Vaudreuil-Dorion (Montreal), Quebec

How to Relieve Chronic Foot Pain
June 22^nd& 23^rd9am to 6pm
Indianapolis, Indiana

Traditional Thai Reflexology
June 28^thto 30^th9am to 5pm
Gainesville, Florida

Reflexology: Massage Therapy’s Secret Weapon
August 18^th9am to 6pm
Gainesville, Florida

(foot) Reflexology
August 24^th& 25^th9am to 6pm
Winter Park (Orlando), Florida

Here’s the link for all the above workshops.

Jenny and I hope to see your shining face at one of these events!

Jan 09 2019

Happiness Is Reflexology

Thousands of people will attest to the fact that reflexology feels good, but what exactly is going on in the body to elicit those comments?

It turns out that the human body is blessed with the ability to create its own feel-good, happiness hormones!And that tells us that a blissful existence is the natural state with which we were all blessed.

It is also true that we live in a world that often short-circuits our natural biology, producing stress neurochemicals instead to help us respond to the daily pace of our modern lives.

DOSE

There are four primary categories of hormones produced in the brain that cause that good feeling we all crave. They can be referred to by the acronym DOSE (dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins), and it turns out that reflexology and certain other forms of bodywork set in motion the production of these happy drugs.

So, let’s get familiar with those drugs!

Dopamine: The Pleasure-Reward Neurotransmitter

Dopamine is a chemical messenger secreted in anticipationof a reward. It drives our motivation to take action towards something we want.

Try sending an email or text reminder prior to your clients’ appointments to help fuel that surge of dopamine. Suggest they get a head start on feeling relaxed and rejuvenated by imagining, as they are driving to their appointment, how good they will soon feel when on your table receiving reflexology.

If the session produces noticeable results, remind the client to make note of their reduced headache, anxiety level, or whatever the complaint was as they drive home. That will stimulate the release of even more feel-good dopamine.

Oxytocin: The Hug Hormone

Research has shown that touch stimulates oxytocin release, reduces cardiovascular stress and improves immune function. Some of those same studies have also indicated that bodywork intent on relaxing(such as reflexology) enhances oxytocin release more than vigorous, deep-tissue forms of bodywork.

So, as you wrap your hands around your clients’ hands and/or feet, you might want to acknowledge that you are literally offering a loving oxytocin-charged hug! And, if it feels appropriate to you, perhaps you might want to offer a post-session hug to stimulate an even greater feel-good buzz before they leave your office.

Serotonin: The Happy Hormone

Serotonin, another mood-boosting neurotransmitter, influences the production of that feel-good hormone dopamine. Coincidentally, one of the most effective ways of increasing serotonin is through bodywork. (The other two natural ways are exercise and social bonding.)

How often have you smiled to yourself when you witness a client fall asleep on your table? You can thank serotonin and reflexology for that snoring. Your touch just increased the production of serotonin, a key contributor to sleep.

Endorphins: The Painkillers

The endorphins are the body’s version of morphine and codeine. They are released when we encounter real or perceived pain, threat or other stressful situations. They work alongside serotonin to help alleviate anxiety and depression.

Researchers have discovered that slow, sustained, deep bodywork best stimulates the release of endorphins in the body. That discovery confirms to me the importance of offering a thumb-walknot a thumb-racein my reflexology sessions, and to make firm deliberate contact with ‘each step’.

Feel-good chemicals, such as dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins, motivate people to take steps toward what’s good for their survival. They entice people to return to your table for more, and that’s good, because… regular reflexology can tilt the balance from stress towards relaxation and healing.