Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Professional Therapeutic Reflexology

Start the Year Out With A Plan!

20172016 has just about come to an end, folks. Looking back, are you pleased with the number of people you have been able to connect with and help with reflexology?

For those who are less than satisfied with the size of their clientele base, I’d like to suggest an easy way to spread your name in the community by reaching out to targeted populations. With a little pre-planning and implementation your response to the question above can be quite different at the end of 2017.

In the United States – and likely also in Canada – every month in the calendar year is marked to bring awareness to some group or organization. Many of these lend themselves well to a connection with reflexology.

I’ve compiled a monthly list for you and how you might reach out to these people with your message. Create a campaign for the whole year, or just pick the ones that speak to you. Your offers should reach people the last two weeks of the month prior to the event month. You can offer an extra 15 minutes to the session, or a one-time fee reduction (always time-limited to the month), or whatever other bonus that fits. I’ve made some suggestions below.

Use your blog, social media pages and/or newsletters to let people know what you’re up to. Incorporate testimonials.

January – Thyroid Disease Awareness. Write a blog or publish a post on your social media page about thyroid disease and how supportive reflexology is to the health of the entire endocrine system. Of course, focus your session on the endocrine system.

February – No surprise that this month is Heart Disease Awareness Month. Again a short piece on the effects of stress on the heart and how reflexology is a fabulous way to relax and reduce stress. If you want to get even more specific, February 5 is National Wear Red Day recognizing women’s heart disease. (Remember to wear red on that day!)

March – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month and Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Check your local listings to see if there is a support group for these health conditions in your community. Offer to come give a short talk and teach folks how to give themselves a little reflexology. Do your research about these health situations so that you can speak confidently about them and how reflexology might help support someone living with one of these conditions. If you have a client with one of these conditions, ask if s/he would accompany you and speak about his/her experience with reflexology. Offer a reduced introductory price for sessions. For CFS, give an overall general session; for MS, focus on the central nervous system reflexes. I’d make contact now, if this one interests you; these groups often plan their speakers well in advance.

April – Lots this month to choose from: Parkinson’s Disease, Autism, STRESS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and National Library Week (11th -17th). A few ideas: Give a talk at a Parkinson’s or Irritable Bowel Syndrome support group; offer reduced sessions to caregivers of children with Autism; offer a special to your local library staff. And stress, well that’s a no-brainer with reflexology. Write it up; let people know how well reflexology is able to reduce stress. Invite them in – guarantee they’ll feel more relaxed – no risk to them.

May – National High Blood Pressure Education Month, Better Sleep Month, Breath Easy Month and National Digestive Diseases Awareness Month. These are all naturals when it comes to reflexology.

Partner with a meditation teacher to give a short class to people with HBP; talk about reflexology’s ability to relax and teach them how to thumb-walk on their own feet and hands.

Share reflexology’s history of helping to relax the digestive system to ensue smoother operation of that critical system. Teach them how to work on themselves. Offer discounted sessions; focus on digestive, solar plexus, diaphragm and Vagus nerve reflexes.

For the millions of people who have trouble sleeping, offer sessions focused on the nervous and endocrine reflexes. Research some information for them on ways to change their sleep habits and give a pretty handout.

Breathe Easy: focus on respiratory, solar plexus and brain reflexes.

June – National Headache Awareness Week (1-7), National Men’s Health Week (14-20), National Cancer Survivors Day (6th). Chronic headaches debilitate thousands of people on this continent. If you’ve taken my Say Goodbye to Headaches class you’ll know how to help people determine the cause of their headaches; offer sessions focused on the cause, not just the symptoms.

This might be a good time to reach out to the men in your community. Did you know that men are much more loyal than women when it comes to service providers? When they find the service and provider they like, they stick with it. Men are becoming more aware of the importance of self-care too, so this is a good time to invite them in.

Stage a day for cancer survivors. Invite other practitioners in your community to participate. A group that sells and makes smoothies; massage therapist to give chair neck and shoulder massage; aromatherapy talk and samples; and of course reflexology. Celebrate with these brave folks!

 

That’s a good start. In the New Year, I’ll post the July to December events, so you can plan those out. I hope you find this useful.

How To Talk To Clients About Reflexology

IMG_0211Eleanor Miles, a student in this year’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification, wrote an informative document to share with her massage clients intended to answer their questions and peak their interest in trying a reflexology session. She has graciously allowed me to share it with you.

Reflexology – What Is It?

Reflexology is a protocol of manual techniques, such as thumb and finger walking, hook and backup and rotating-on-a-point, applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands. These techniques stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems, supporting the body’s efforts to function optimally.

The effectiveness of reflexology is recognized worldwide by various national health institutions, and the public at large, as a distinct complementary practice within the holistic health field.

What does that mean? It means I will apply manual pressure to points in the feet and hands which correspond to the entire body.

It also means that reflexology is different from massage. It’s actually closer to acupuncture. There are massage therapists advertising reflexology which turns out to be just some extra attention to massaging the feet. There is nothing wrong with extra attention to the feet. It feels lovely, but it does not address the specific reflex areas.

An actual reflexology treatment involves using the thumbs and fingers to walk the entire surface of the foot or hand. When the therapist feels congestion or the client reports sensation, that area or point is worked more specifically with deeper pressure. Also, points will be worked that correspond to individual organs or areas that were identified by the client as needing attention.

Does a reflexologist diagnose disease? No. Congestion may indicate that a body part is stressed. If this seems to support symptoms you have been experiencing, I will encourage you to see your doctor. If not, it may just show some temporary stress in the system.

Does a reflexologist treat disease? Again, no. The point work stimulates the nervous system and supports the body’s efforts to function well. I believe that deep relaxation is where healing happens, and reflexology facilitates deep relaxation.

During my student clinic experiences, my five classmates and I set up in one big room. I worked with five clients over two days and audible snoring happened with all five. When we were practicing on each other that session, I was so relaxed that I snored. I took a little bit of teasing over being the “snoring queen”!

Does reflexology hurt? There is disagreement among practitioners. I have heard of clients who were told the treatment had to hurt to be effective. I do not believe this. More pressure does not mean more healing. Yes, there may be tender spots and point work may feel intense. If it does not feel good to you, always speak up and a good therapist will adjust the pressure.

How does reflexology work? There are several theories: that it affects energy such as Chi, that the rest, repair and awareness provided during a treatment stimulate healing, or that the physical point work affects nerves and chemicals directing the body’s workings. There is no scientific evidence of how reflexology works.

But let me be very clear – there is ample scientific proof showing that reflexology does work. There are hundreds of scientifically performed studies available online showing a measurable change in disease conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s or sinus issues.

Will you like reflexology? Try it! If you don’t like having your feet touched, consider having your hands worked.

I believe that health can always be improved. Our job is to support our body as it does its work. We do this by getting medical attention when needed, and providing the nourishment and rest our body needs. Reflexology will help you rest and heal.

Reflexology is NOT Massage!

What tickled me most about writing this article was that the idea came from the editor of Massage Magazine and a well-respected massage therapist in this country. They both felt it was time that massage therapists stop passing off foot massages as reflexology; that reflexology be respected. The article appears in Massage Magazine’s November issue. Enjoy!

Foot Massage is NOT Reflexology – Respect Specialization

foot reflex 2

It’s frustrating to spend good money for something and be handed something else instead. In the U.S., that is too often what happens to people who request a reflexology session from someone other than a certified reflexologist.

Consider this situation experienced by massage business educator and author, and Alliance for Massage Therapy Education President Cherie Sohnen-Moe earlier this year, when she and her sister headed out to celebrate Cherie’s birthday at a well-known spa: Cherie chose, as one of her services, a foot reflexology session, a service described in the spa menu—as it is described in many spa menus—as specialized pressure techniques applied to specific wellness-related reflex points on the feet to release blocked energy, relieve stress and boost circulation.

“Unfortunately, that was not what I received,” said Cherie. “I got a foot rub. Granted, it was a very nice, relaxing treatment, but it was not a reflexology session.

“I know what reflexology is,” she added. “I kept waiting for the therapist to actually do reflexology, but it never occurred. I asked the therapist a couple of questions and it became very clear that she wasn’t a trained reflexologist.”

Cherie added, “I did mention my displeasure on the survey form. I received a voice message from the manager that he wanted to discuss this with me. I called back the next day and was left on hold for more than six minutes. I [also] emailed him, but he never followed up.

“Needless to say, I will never return to that spa, and I’ve told all of my friends and family not to go there,” she said.

An increasing number of spas and massage therapists are offering foot massage that they call reflexology. Where did this confusion between a foot massage and reflexology originate? I suspect partly with fashioning text to license massage therapy.

Licensing
In the U.S., four states—New Hampshire, North Dakota, Tennessee and Washington—have separate regulations for massage and reflexology. Thirty-three states exempt reflexology from their massage regulations.

Five states—Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Vermont and Wyoming—do not have a massage law. Reflexology is also unregulated in those states.

Four states, plus Washington, D.C., require a massage therapy license in order to practice reflexology. The problem with this is very few massage schools afford more than a passing glance at reflexology training.

Typically, what happens is a massage instructor—not a qualified reflexology instructor—explains the general theories behind reflexology and points out the general location of reflexes on a large wall chart, with instructions to press on those points if the client has health issues with that organ or gland. That is analogous to asking a sports medicine practitioner to teach cranialsacral massage.

With no training in reflexology, yet armed with a license that allows them to practice the discipline, it is no surprise that most massage therapists in those states head out knowing nothing about reflexology, yet believe they are able to offer it; or practice with an inaccurate impression that it is simply the application of pressure, during a massage, on sensitive points in the feet.

The lack of congruency across the country has arisen, in part, because of the broad definition of massage within various state laws. In some fashion or another, most states define massage as the manipulation of the soft tissue—muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments—of the human body. Because any hands-on application to the body will result in manipulating, or feeling or moving a body part, it is easy to see why reflexology has been lumped in with massage—particularly if the people lobbying for massage licensing have no formal understanding of reflexology.

According to massage educator Rick Rosen, in his white paper On Becoming a Profession: The Challenges and Choices that will Determine Our Future (April 2008; www.massagemag.com/onbecoming), the then-more-than-25 state massage laws passed since 1990 were almost all a result of government relations efforts conducted by individual state chapters of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

As Rosen explained, each of those AMTA chapters are allowed autonomy in their legislative efforts, and although acting on behalf of the entire field, AMTA members do not represent all of the massage therapists in any given state.

That small representation of massage therapists, armed with their own individual biases and preferences, and sometimes possessing little or no experience with the complex world of government lobbying, has been responsible for the all-inclusive licensing laws that included reflexology and other bodywork therapies under the large umbrella of massage.

Responsibility must also lie with the reflexology community, which has, up until this point, left its practitioners to define reflexology as they wish.

Reflexology Defined
This past summer, the three arms of reflexology in the U.S.: the American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB: www.arcb.net), the nonprofit, independent testing agency; the Reflexology Association of America (RAA; www.reflexology-usa.org), the national membership organization; and the National Council for Reflexology Educators (NCRE: www.reflexedu.org), the voice and resource center for reflexology educators, agreed on one definition to describe the practice:

foot reflexReflexology is a protocol of manual techniques, such as thumb- and finger-walking, hook and backup and rotating-on-a-point, applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands. These techniques stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems, supporting the body’s efforts to function optimally.

 The effectiveness of reflexology is recognized worldwide by various national health institutions and the public at large as a distinct complementary practice within the holistic health field.

This definition serves to clarify the differences in technique between reflexology and massage, and clearly states how reflexology differs in its intent from massage therapy, a practice that manipulates soft tissue with the intent to relax muscles. This distinction is crucial for states pursuing reflexology licensure separate from massage.

Similarities & Differences
As noted in an article I wrote for MASSAGE Magazine’s futureLMT (www.massagemag.com/massage-therapy-school) publication in May 2012, “People seek out reflexology for different and the same reasons they seek out massage. Both improve circulation of the blood and lymph and enhance the recipient’s quality of life.

“Western massage techniques are designed to relax tension within the soft tissue, with the goal of restoring the health of the anatomy,” I wrote. “The intent may be to diminish pain, improve posture and/or structural function and/or produce physical, emotional and mental relaxation.

“Although the benefits of reflexology include relaxation of mind and musculature, the primary intent is to support the health of the body’s internal systems,” I wrote. “Reflexology typically focuses on reflexes corresponding to stressed organs and glands, not the connective tissue elements of the body part being worked.”

Reflexology uses unique manual techniques quite different from massage, and has a long history distinct from massage, as outlined in the books Reflexology: Art, Science and History and Eunice Ingham: A Biography, both written by reflexologist Christine Issel, who is also legislative consultant for RAA and ARCB. In addition, reflexology is recognized by the National Institutes of Health, and hundreds of studies worldwide have brought evidence to its effectiveness in improving the quality of life for people in times of challenging health situations.

Qualifications
Training in reflexology ranges from one-day introductions to full certification, depending on the individual’s level of interest and how he or she plans to incorporate reflexology into a practice.

Of course, a one-day introduction does not provide training sufficient to offer reflexology in a massage practice. It can, however, inform the participant of the basics of reflexology and help him or her decide whether or not to pursue more complete education.

The majority of certified reflexologists offer strictly reflexology to their clients; perhaps augmented with hydrotherapy and aromatherapy. They create reflexology-based practices that safely help people of all ages restore homeostasis, optimize physiological functions and address system imbalances and weaknesses.

Some massage therapists, such as Florida-based Shea de Oliviero, have discovered that beginning a massage session with reflexology helps relax muscle tension and calm the nervous system enough that the massage portion of the session is easier on their hands and far more effective.

“I love what I am learning,” de Oliviero said. “I absolutely love it. I have used the relaxation techniques and the musculoskeletal protocol on about 20 people since last week, and the results are inarguable.

“The majority of my clients are regulars, so I am very familiar with their tissue in various stages and during various parts of a massage,” she continued, “and when I worked their hands and feet first, wow, the rest of the tissue became butter, just as inviting and easy to work with as ever.”

Credentialing
The member association, RAA, representing state affiliates and individuals in the U.S., welcomes practitioners with all levels of training.

Professional-level members must provide proof of at least 300 hours of foot or hand reflexology education (the national standard), 160 of which must have been accrued in a live classroom setting with an instructor. Although membership renewal does not require continuing education, most members have gone on to study various advanced protocols involving the feet, hands, outer ears and face from nationally and internationally recognized educators.

Practitioners with less than the Professional level of education are welcomed as Associate Practitioners. Reflexology students, reflexology schools and supporters also enjoy Associate memberships, including discounted admission fees to RAA’s biennial conference.

Through ARCB, eligible applicants can sit to take board examinations in foot and/or hand reflexology. Successful applicants will have passed a 300-question, psychometrically valid test; submitted 90 documented session forms; and passed a hands-on practical exam to earn the designation of National Board Certified Reflexologist (NBCR). Continued status requires 24 hours of approved continuing education biennially.

The Public is Aware
Despite the trend of foot massage being passed off as reflexology, the public is becoming more aware of reflexology and the training qualifications of certified reflexologists. Although there aren’t statistics to support this statement, I have been hired numerous times by high-end spas to teach their massage staff how to give a true reflexology session. They have told me this training is needed because reflexology is on the menu; their staff isn’t trained; and their informed clientele are complaining loudly that they are paying extra to receive reflexology and being given a glorified foot massage.

Also, when I teach two-day workshops, participants tell me they had a two-hour explanation of reflexology in their massage program but have been offering “reflexology” to clients who request it.

“Without separate reflexology laws setting educational standards with legal oversight, and because without proper training there is little or no expense involved, reflexology continues to grow as an add-on service in both the massage and beauty/nail salons and spas to increase income,” explained Issel.

Protect Scope of Practice
Spas and massage therapists will not be able to pass off foot massages for reflexology much longer, if they want to retain their credibility in the community.

Just as reflexologists don’t claim to be doing massage, massage therapists and spas should not claim to be offering reflexology when it’s really foot massage. It serves neither group to misrepresent their qualifications or mislead the public as to what various services are.

A foot massage is a lovely service, and so is reflexology—but they are not the same. Just as massage practitioners’ scope of practice should be—and must be, in most places by law—not infringed upon, trained reflexologists should be afforded the respect that comes from earning specialty certification.

The world needs more reflexologists. If you want to offer this specialty, contact one of the organizations mentioned in this article, or an experienced continuing education provider, and begin your journey into this rewarding and beneficial specialization.

A BIG Step for Reflexology

Big StepFor the first time in the history of reflexology in the United States, the three national associations have agreed to a definition of reflexology that can be used by everyone nationally.

Leaders of the American Reflexology Certification Board (the testing arm of the profession), the National Council for Reflexology Educators (the educating arm) and the Reflexology Association of America (the membership arm) spent the last few months shaping a definition that would clearly explain what reflexology does and how it differs from massage therapy. The explanation leaves room for the scope of practice to include forms of reflexology not recognized by everyone at this point, but practiced by some reflexologists in the country.

Having this one definition supports the reflexology community’s efforts to gain better recognition for reflexology as a legitimate stand-alone practice in the public’s eyes and those of state and national agencies involved with licensure and healthcare.

So, here it is:

“Reflexology is a protocol of manual techniques, such as thumb and finger-walking, hook and backup and rotating-on-a-point, applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands. These techniques stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems, supporting the body’s efforts to function optimally.

The effectiveness of reflexology is recognized worldwide by various national health institutions and the public at large as a distinct complementary practice within the holistic health field.”

I invite and strongly encourage all reflexologists, no matter your level of education, to incorporate the new definition on your websites and in all marketing materials. It will take all our efforts and cooperation – not just the national associations – to advance the field of reflexology to professional status in this country.

Join the movement!

 

Building a Powerful Practice

bookAre you struggling to build a viable practice? Don’t know where or how to start? You might find some applicable direction from a book I just read.

The book is called Building a Powerful Practice and it’s written by celebrated reflexologist, Deborah H. Flanagan. Deborah has been a guest speaker on reflexology on the Dr. Oz Show and has been featured in O, the Oprah Magazine. She has built a successful business on her own terms, utilizing both the heart and brains of smart marketing. She shares generously and in simple terms how you too can build a successful practice.

Here’s what I like about this book (in no particular order):

1. It’s short. Only 130 pages. It won’t take you forever to read!

2. Written with candor, transparency and compassion. Deborah does not present herself or her strategy as the only path to success; she shares her experience – her successes and failures – and offers what she’s learned as a guide that you can tweak for your situation.

3. There are 22 chapters breaking down all the various components of creating a successful business. Short concise chapters with no-nonsense advice on such subjects as:
– finding clients in person and online
– defining and reaching your niche
– heart-centered marketing
– staying organized – the necessary administrative end of things
– budgeting
– avoiding burnout
– building confidence
– being true to yourself

4. Suggested action steps for each subject area.

The book includes the perspectives of a number of other wellness practitioners on each of the subjects addressed. I really thought this was a very valuable addition to the book; most business or marketing trainings present only the opinion of one person – the author.

As a bonus, Deborah gives you access to a Business Starter Kit, which includes templates for building an email list, keeping track of income and expenses (including taxes), sample intake forms and gift certificates.

Available on Amazon if you’re interested. (FYI, I received nothing for writing this review; in fact, it will come as a surprise to Deborah should she read it!)

These Predictions Work for Me!

PredictionA magazine that I find inspiring is Fast Company. It’s a progressive magazine that focuses on people and businesses that are changing our future by busting through traditional thinking models with creative innovations in technology, leadership and design.

A few months ago, FC made some predictions, two of which stood out to me because of their impact on those of us whose business is therapeutic touch.

Prediction #1: Mission Will Trump Money

For decades, economists have promoted financial incentives as what drives business; statements such as, What’s measured is what matters; Competition breeds excellence; You get what you pay for. As logical as those tenants may once have been, it turns out they’re not working for us anymore! No kidding.

Real-world studies show that having a purpose associated with work produces better performance than pure financial reward. These studies revealed that the next generation of workers expects to be engaged in their jobs for more reasons than just financial. (I’d argue that some of us in this generation already expect that.)

I’m happy to say that mission has always trumped when it’s come to how I spend my days. I may not be rich (monetarily), but I am living a life with purpose and one that brings me joy.

Prediction #2: Human Empathy Will Be Central

As computer learning and artificial intelligence insinuate themselves more deeply into our lives, the need for human-to-human, face-to-face contact grows.

The studies showed that listening with the intent to understand and responding with empathy are moving from the counselor’s couch to business offices.

No matter what our line of work is – whether selling real estate, repairing automobile damages or giving reflexology sessions – we can all stand to listen and respond with more sensitivity.

Business is recognizing that the one arena that will never be usurped by technology is human-to-human communication.

And that, my friends, is good news for those of us working within the healing art of touch. More and more, our work is crucial to balance the high-tech world we live in. Time to step up to the plate and give the world your all! Let people know the important role you and reflexology can play in their lives.

Why I Love To Get Up Every Morning

ikigaiIkigai is a Japanese concept meaning “a reason for being”. According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai. It’s why you were put here on earth; your raison d’être; your purpose in life; why you get up every morning.

It is said that finding one’s ikigai often requires a lengthy self-examination. And I can attest to that, because I have only just discovered – or rather, recognized – what my true purpose is in this lifetime. (Yeah, maybe I’m a slow learner!)

I have practiced and taught reflexology for 30+ years, and have loved every minute of it. I feel blessed to have played some small part in helping others to feel better. That work has rewarded me financially and in the nontangible ways that have built a life of meaning, fulfillment and happiness.

But that, it turns out, is not my ikigai.

My true ikigai is to inspire others to recognize their value and gifts, and to give them the tools to express themselves in a way that brings joy into their lives and makes it possible for them to create a successful life on their own terms. If I can inspire someone to his or her greatness, I have served well.

It really has been a lengthy search for me to discover that. A search that I have enjoyed and have never been able to define until last month, when some specific writing assignments given to me in a course I was taking slowly unraveled the truth – MY truth.

My truth – my passion – is to inspire others on their chosen path of self-inquiry. I believe very strongly that from that path of self-discovery will arise strength, confidence and a life worth living.

I also believe that the more empowered, confident and happy people are, the more creative the ideas and innovations that are birthed. An army of inspired possibility-seekers is what will save this planet.

Therefore, 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.

No matter where you are in your life – whether you want to embark on a new adventure or enhance an existing wellness-based practice – you can create a viable business for yourself doing what you like to do that also serves other people. I know you can, because I did.

You don’t need a University degree (I don’t have one.) and you don’t need thousands and thousands of dollars to do it (I didn’t have that kind of money.)

All you need is a heart, your hands and a desire. A desire to make a difference – to change the world – one sole at a time.

I can provide the rest. I know I can because I’ve been doing it for years.

I can teach you the hands-on skills, powerful communication skills and proven business strategies based on integrity that will provide you a life and livelihood that you will be excited to get up every morning to face.

Would you like to work the hours you set in an environment that you create? You can. Like me, you can love “going to work”. (Frankly, for me, there is barely a separation between ‘work’ and ‘play’.)

When I have been asked what I would do if I suddenly came into possession of millions of dollars, I honestly must say, “Nothing much different than what I’m doing now.”

I LOVE what I do; how I spend my days – and the icing (chocolate, of course) on the cake: people pay me to do it!

So, here are FIVE REASONS why I want to connect with more people and share what I know and love:

1. It pains me to see people who are unfulfilled, whose lives either bore or disappoint them, who believe they have no value, who have barely scratched the surface of their potential.

I want people to realize their value, to feel good about themselves and what they have to offer; to feel successful (however you define that), and feel empowered.

That’s what it really all comes down to for me. I want people to feel their own personal power, and then to go out and share their talents with a world so desperately in need right now.

I know it’s possible for all of us because I did it for myself. Believe me, I was not born with this level of confidence and fire in me.

I can help you uncover your spark, just as others showed me the way. My purpose here on earth is to inspire others to be the best they can be.

2. For years I have read people far more educated than me state “The number one priority needing fixing to save the world is….”.

I’ve watched myself sitting on the fence about this, incapable of choosing just one, so have made small contributions to a number of deserving organizations over the years. All the issues seem equally important – environment, inequality, violence, justice, population growth, healthcare, water quality – the list never ends.

I have always believed though that, as one of the fortunate ones, it is my obligation to give back. I want to give back.

Maybe it’s the growing examples of terrorism we are experiencing now that has finally led me to land on one that has the ability to grow people capable of making sound decisions regarding all the rest: EDUCATION.

I could go on and on about this topic, but won’t right now, other than to say that, as a white female born in the western world, I have been given opportunities that are denied half the population in many parts of the world.

My declared intention is to contribute to the education and empowerment of the 60 million girls around the globe who are denied the basic right of safe access to education.

Beginning this year, the Academy of Ancient Reflexology will donate 10% of its income to the Malala Fund  to help all young women find their voices and contribute to a more sustainable, healthy future for us all.

3. I truly believe that relaxation is the basis of health (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual), and I don’t know anything that helps the body and mind to relax more than reflexology. I doubt that anyone would argue with me when I say we all could do with a little more relaxation in our lives!

4. Reflexology is easy to do and to learn. It not only relaxes the body’s muscles, but also supports every single operating system in your body to function more optimally. What an amazing gift to be able to give your family, friends and the people in your community who are struggling with their health. Do you know people with digestive issues? Respiratory allergies? On blood pressure meds? Battling thyroid imbalances? Reflexology can support those struggling systems.

5. And finally, I am 66 years old. I’ve been practicing and teaching reflexology for half of my life. It’s time for me to pass the torch!

 I created the Therapeutic Hand and Foot Reflexology Professional Certification program in the mid-1990’s. It’s based on the values and intentions of much of what I’ve shared here, so it’s probably not for everyone.

If you are searching for a path to a new business venture or a way to differentiate yourself from other wellness-based practitioners, I suggest you first take this short quiz to determine if the Academy’s program is right for you.

 

 

The Day My Life Fell Apart

Yellow Brick RoadI was in my 20’s and having the time of my life.

I was the national publicity manager for a major conglomerate of recording companies in Canada. Big salary, an unlimited expense budget, a fast sports car paid for by the company, and a hard-working, loyal and fun staff.

I got to fly all over the country, collaborate with interesting, talented people, chauffeur around amazing, fascinating celebrities in cocktail-loaded black limousines, was given box seats at any concert or event I wanted to attend anywhere in the country, owned a record collection large enough to stock my own store, and… blah, blah, blah. You get it. It was quite the life for this small-town prairie girl.

Until I got fired.

I had made a recommendation to the Director of Marketing that we combine my department with another, because of the overlap in our areas of responsibilities. He thought it was a good idea.

However….. unbeknownst to me, the manager of that other department was having an affair with the Director of Marketing! Guess who got booted to the curb!

Along with that dismissal came a lot of closed doors. Without that fancy title in front of my name, access to a lot of what I had enjoyed the last few years disappeared. Poof! People with whom I had interacted – no longer interested in my calls. It was all humiliating, embarrassing, depressing and surreal. I felt like I had been punched in the gut.

I also really got how I had let my position and lifestyle define who I was. Big lesson there.

One morning, I decided it was time I answered the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

And that is when my life changed. That is when a setback turned into the biggest opportunity of my life.

I looked at what interested me, other than music. Like a knock on the top of my head, I suddenly realized how much of my spare time was spent studying and exploring what I will call, in the broadest sense of the word, human potentiality.

I didn’t know much more than that, but I did know that I wanted to contribute something that would improve the quality of people’s lives – as they defined it. I wanted my presence here on earth to make a difference. I wanted to give back, not just take and take.

I saw that everything I was paying attention to had to do with natural health and self-improvement.

So, I decided owning a health food store might be a good idea, so got myself a job in one. It didn’t take me long to realize I didn’t like retail much. However, that store allowed me access to a large library of books on subjects I was intrigued by; one by one I took them all home and devoured their contents.

A passion started to percolate inside me. I started to feel like I just might have put myself on the right path, even if owning a retail operation was not quite it.

And then I discovered the reflexology books. Now, that really interested me – particularly because I couldn’t really figure out from the books how to do it! It wasn’t cerebral or academic, like most of the other topics I was exploring. It had to do with health, but it was accessed in a way that was foreign to me – through the body; specifically intentional touch of the body. I was intrigued, to say the least.

As providence would have it, a regular customer of the store’s walked in one day and told me that the Reflexology Association of Canada was starting one of their training programs. He thought I should take it. I did too. So I did.

And that is how a rocky path turned into the yellow brick road. It was 1983.

Being fired turned out to be a blessing. It gave me an opportunity, early in life, to set my priorities straight and embark in a direction that has proven to provide me a wonderful, independent life that fulfills my purpose and feels successful, on my terms.

I still get to spend my time with “stars” – only now they are my students and clients. And I get to do something I love to do: sit with others and share knowledge and experience that feels meaningful, and most importantly, to inspire others to feel their own internal spark and put a match to it!

I have never thought of a setback in the same way again (and believe me, there have been many others along the way.) Setbacks, disappointments and “failures” have all morphed into stepping-stones to the next great adventure.

God knows where I would be now if that woman hadn’t seduced our boss!

How About You?

Do you believe you were put here for a reason other than (or more than) what you are doing now?

Do you want to tap into ways you can help people feel better in their bodies? Take back control of their health? (And maybe yours?)

Do you want to lead an independent, financially-secure life on your terms?

Yeah? Me too.

I decided way back that I never wanted a repeat performance of what happened so many years ago. I knew that I never wanted to put myself in a position ever again where my livelihood and employment were under someone else’s control.

That is why I created the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification program, a 315-hour credit program that prepares compassionate people to build the business and life that they want.

That program serves as the vehicle for me to share 33 years of practicing and 30 years of teaching reflexology; and ways to build a successful life and business based on integrity, meaning and compassion. My enthusiasm for what I do is infectious; I know I can inspire and ignite a fire in others – people tell me so all the time!!

If you’re interested, take a look at this video I did for the Florida School of Massage (where I teach an Introduction to Hand & Foot Reflexology). It’s sort of a Reflexology 101 explanation and demonstration that has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.

Why Learn Reflexology?

poster & pointer
poster & pointer

In case you’ve ever wondered why someone would spend his or her hard-earned money and valuable time learning how to offer reflexology, here’s what I uncovered by interviewing about 20 grads of the Academy’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification:

~ Massage therapists branch out for two reasons: to STAND OUT IN THE CROWD and to extend their careers. All were either struggling to define and grow their businesses over the scores of other massage therapists in their communities, and/or were concerned about their body’s ability to continue offering massage for many years to come.

~ Everyone else who was engaged in some other form of work, hated it. They did not feel personally fulfilled, and wanted to do something that would serve people more directly, especially in the realm of improved health.

And here’s a sampling of what some individuals did with their reflexology training:

~ One woman combined reflexology with crystal healing, so as to ground people in the physical body at the same time that she was addressing the energetic one.

~ A massage therapist who focuses on injury remediation discovered that her therapy was easier on her body and more efficacious for the client if she gave a 30-minute reflexology session before massaging the ailing body part. Smart woman.

~ A dedicated daughter spending more and more time with her aging mother found herself in great demand to give other residents of the community reflexology sessions as well. A new career was born!

~ A podologist (licensed footcare specialist) and nail tech added reflexology to his services so that his work would not just address the health of the feet, but the rest of the body as well. That’s the ultimate in my books: reflexology and a pedicure! Sign me up!

~ A resident of a popular vacation destination saw a business opportunity when she witnessed tourists complaining of aching feet from sightseeing all day. She plans to set up shop in a strategically located storefront to offer tourists relief from those hot, burning feet. Now, that’s a winner!

~ One grad, who also excels at teaching and coaching, convinced a integrative wellness company to let her teach their staff massage therapists reflexology to give to their clients dealing with chronic pain. How cool is that?

~ A massage therapist, whose husband preferred that she only give full body massage to women, plans to expand her clientele base (and earn more money) by offering reflexology to both men and women.

~ A manual lymphatic drainage specialist wanted another way to help people with chronic lymph conditions. Reflexology was the perfect match; another way to move excess lymph out of the cells.

If you’re a certified reflexologist, how are you sharing your gift with the world?

Completion, Certification and Licensing

licensingI receive numerous phone calls and communications from people who mistakenly use words like “certification” and “licensing” when stating what they are looking for from one of my trainings. So, I thought I would explain the differences between a certificate of completion, a certificate of competency and a license.

Certification is not a legal designation. It is an acknowledgement of knowledge and/or skill issued by a teaching organization or a non-governmental testing association (like the American Reflexology Certification Board or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork). Certification does not give you the legal authority to conduct business (ie. be compensated for your work).

A school can issue two different kinds of certificates:

~ A certificate of completion indicating that the individual was present for the hours stated and participated in all activities to the best of their ability. No testing of knowledge or skills is required. These are the certificates that the Academy gives for one or two-day workshops.

~ A certificate of competency is given at the completion of a lengthier training once all assignments and tests have been successfully completed. A certificate of competency is generally awarded for specialized programs such as reflexology, massage, aromatherapy, etc. by the school or non-governmental testing association. It basically attests that the individual is competent enough to provide the service without causing harm to the client/customer. The curriculums are comprehensive, and require hundreds of hours of training. The Academy awards such a certificate for its annual 315-hour Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification.

A license is a permit to work legally in a jurisdiction, often following testing and proof of competency from a recognized school. A license is issued by authorities to allow an activity that would otherwise be illegal to practice. A licensing requirement also provides the issuing authority the administrative control to set conditions and limitations that would serve to protect the public.

While I’m at it, I’ll define compensation. Many people are under the erroneous impression that they can practice reflexology (in a jurisdiction that requires a license) as long as they don’t accept money for the service. Compensation is defined much more broadly than that. Compensation also includes barter, tithe, trade, donation, “love offering”, and anything else that you walk away with in exchange for your service.

Please note that neither the licensing agencies or the taxation arms of governments take kindly to someone practicing illegally.

I hope that clears up some confusion for people thinking of entering the manual therapies field.