I lost my cell phone a few days ago. Actually, I didn’t lose it; I left it at my friend’s in Montreal, and discovered I had no phone just as I was about to cross the border into the United States. My first thought was to call my friend to alert him I was on my way back – and then realized that, of course, I couldn’t do that – I didn’t have a phone or his phone number! Then I started thinking about all that I couldn’t do without my phone, and how reliant my life had become on that smart little item. It was scary.
Later – back on the road, headed south again, cell phone safely in my purse now – I started to think about what life would be like without hands. (Believe me, I don’t know where that thought came from either.) Can you imagine your life without your hands? A life where you couldn’t caress a loved one, pet your cat, play the guitar, type on your computer, thread a needle, put an earring in your ear, chop veggies. The list goes on and on and on.
Our hands are amazing structures, capable of infinite skill and adaptation. They are the preeminent instrument of the artist in all departments – and we take them for granted. In our day-to-day lives we use our hands to “grab hold of life” or to push away that which we do not want. Relaxed, flexible and strong hands make it easier to reach out and grasp what life has to offer, or create a boundary between ourselves and the parts of the world from which we wish to keep distance.
Fortunately, most of us are blessed to have hands. Some people, however, have reduced, and sometimes no, use of their hands. These folks sadly experience the limitations and dependence on others, not to mention pain, which result from arthritis, overuse, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injuries, breaks, etc.
As I type this article, I give thanks for my hands, and remind myself of the importance of taking care of them. To stretch and strengthen the muscles of the hands and forearms, to keep the skin clean, moisturized and especially relaxed and pain-free.
Reflexology for the Hands is a two-day workshop that teaches you how to give one of the safest and most nurturing sessions you can offer your family, clients and yourself. We also practice self-care techniques that you can easily teach others. We soak, exfoliate, moisturize and just plain love-up our precious hands. All those wonderful experiences, in addition to the full-body benefits of an intentional hand reflexology protocol. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Plan to join us. Your hands will never feel so good.
Orlando, Florida – October 13 & 14
Gainesville, Florida – November 17 & 18
It was a an awakening for me to fully grasp the value of my hands. I had always taken my hands for granted. My awakening came while studying hand reflexology at the School of Ancient Reflexology a couple of years ago. Having been involved in several different occupations, sports, crafts and hobbies over the course of my life, it was easy to understand how valuable my hands have been. I also came to realize the wear and tear, and sometimes downright abuse, that my hands have been through. And after not a whole lot of reflection about the value of my hands to me, as a reflexologist, I was struck with the realization that I would have to take much better care of my hands going forward.
I now wear protection (gloves) for my hands when I am engaged in “rough” work in the yard or around my house. I also use lotion on my hands to keep them soft and supple. And of course I pay close attention to my nails, keeping them trim and clean.
Being in this field of bodywork, it may be easy for me to recognize to value of my hands, but I think most people are like I was before starting in this profession…they simply take their hands for granted. And in today’s world with the use of keyboards almost mandatory, most people are putting their hands to work much more than before.
If people only knew the deep relaxation that comes from a good hand reflexology session, hand reflexology practitioners would have waiting lists. After receiving my first hand session I was sold on the value of doing handwork, and today I have clients who ask for regular hand sessions. One way to get the word out is to become convinced of the value of a hand reflexology session, and there is no better way than to attend a hand reflexology class.