Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Professional Therapeutic Reflexology

Sick and Tired of Headaches?

So, let’s get this straight – a headache is not a disease. It is the loud, persistent and painful voice of a body living with chronic stress, toxic blood, physiological imbalances and/or trauma.

It turns out that there are many bodies crying out for help in the United States:

  • 45 million Americans experience chronic headaches.[i]
  • Nearly 90% of the population experiences occasional headache pain.[ii]
  • People seeking treatment for headache pain account for 8 million consultations with physicians annually.[iii]
  • Migraine headaches alone account for an estimated 157 million days lost from work.[iv]

I was shocked when I first learned the above headache stats, and decided that I wanted to reach out to people in my community who were sick and tired of living with headaches, and who preferred to do something other than take drugs that were only masking their pain. In other words, people who were ready to take charge.

I decided to create a class that could help headache sufferers in my town identify what triggered their headaches (from a list of over 60 possible causes) and what type of headache they suffered from. Without this knowledge, it is very difficult for someone to make lifestyle changes that will bring about lasting results and/or for a therapist to design a targeted session of reflexology and massage protocols that can provide relief.

After having taught two of these community-based classes, I realized that I could actually help more people if I made the material available to licensed bodyworkers, who could in turn provide hands-on therapy, one-on-one coaching and/or lead small classes themselves in their own communities. Thus was born the 1-day, Say Goodbye to Headaches continuing education class.

Cephalgia

Cephalgia (a headache) is defined as pain in the head and/or neck, and is classified as either episodic or chronic. Episodic headaches are triggered by a specific episode of stress; chronic headaches are frequent or even daily, associated with ongoing stress.

Headaches are categorized according to their symptoms, the area of the head that is afflicted, the frequency and intensity of the episode. The International Headache Society lists 200 causes of headaches. They separate the causes into three main categories: Primary, Secondary and Cranial Neuralgia/Primary Facial Pain/Other.

The United States National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (part of the National Institutes of Health) simplifies the IHS list into Primary and Secondary headaches, incorporating the neuralgia and facial headaches into one or the other two (mostly Primary). To make matters worse, many people experience more than one type of headache.

Primary Headache Pain

Primary headache disorders are said to occur independently, in that they result from changes in blood vessels, nerves and muscles, not as a secondary response to disease or injury. The most familiar primary headaches are associated with stress: migraine, cluster, and tension. A rebound or MOH (Medication Overuse Headache) is considered primary. Massage therapy and reflexology are very effective approaches to stress-related headaches, because they help restore optimal circulation and relax both muscular and nervous tissue.

Secondary Headache Pain

Secondary headaches are actually symptoms of underlying disorders or diseases, such as high blood pressure, injury, dental infections, earaches, sinus infections, psychiatric problems, chronic constipation, hormonal imbalance etc. Pain is the body’s way of communicating that something needs attention. This is the area in which reflexology can be very helpful, since reflexology works to support the health and functionality of the body’s organs and systems.

Cranial Neuralgia/Primary Facial Pain/Other

The causes of these headaches are many times idiopathic and affect the nerves that enervate the face and head. The trigeminal nerve (CN-V) and the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN-XII) are often implicated. Neuralgia is nerve pain occurring without stimulation of the nociceptors (pain receptor cells). A cold temperature stimulus (such as eating ice cream or being in an extremely cold environment) can act as a trigger.

Transform Lives – Transform Your Practice

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 in Gainesville, Florida on Saturday, May 10th for Say Goodbye to Headaches. In addition to designing individualized hands-on session protocols utilizing reflexology, massage, hydro and aromatherapy, you will leave with the materials and skills needed to coach one-on-one or offer small classes in your community to those people who are sick and tired of living with headaches

[i] RealAge.com 2012

 

[ii] RealAge.com 2012

 

[iii] RealAge.com 2012

 

[iv] RealAge.com 2012

 

 

Easing Respiratory Allergy Symptoms Naturally

It seems to me that more and more people I run into – adults and children alike – are fighting allergic reactions to pollen. When you realize that the amount of pollen is accountably higher now than it was ten years ago, it comes as no surprise.

According to sources, there are two main reasons for the rise in pollen counts in the air:

1. The first is climate change. Rising global temperatures and humidity levels result in earlier tree, grass and weed pollination that lasts longer into the year. As CO2 levels increase, plants produce more pollen too – three to four times more. (Allergists think the pollen itself may actually be more potent.)

2. Pollen is a fine powdery substance, typically yellow, discharged from the male part of flowering plants. In other words, pollen is the sperm of the plant. Those granular particles are looking for female trees and in the absence of such partners (Many US cities plant fewer female plants in public places now because their flowers and seeds are “messier” to manage.), they well, settle for the human nose.

Here’s what happens when those determined pollen particles find their way into your nostrils.

A grain of pollen looks something like a spiny sea urchin. Imagine this prickly invader entering your nasal passages and latching onto the soft mucous membranes that line the bronchial and nasal passages. These tissue membranes contain immune cells loaded with histamines and when an allergen trigger, such as pollen, barges in, the immune cells release histamine to help the body get rid of the intruder by initiating sneezing, watery eyes and itching.

Most allergy medications attempt to treat the symptoms your body initiates to get rid of the allergen, which makes no sense. Afterall, your body is doing what it needs to do to rid you of the pollen. Shoring up the immune system and reducing your exposure to pollen before your body goes into self-defense mode makes far more sense. Here are some proven ways to nip things in the bud, as they say; i.e. create an unwelcome environment for pollen in your life:

Neti Pots. Nasal flushing has been in practice for thousands of years for a reason. It works. Neti pots, small vessels shaped like Aladdin’s lamp, are inexpensive and come with simple instructions. This is a wonderful practice to begin and end the day with and only takes minutes. It’s also a must-do if you feel a cold coming on. The mild saline solution rids the nasal passage of unwanted particles before they can work their way into the tissue. Some people report that it also reduces snoring!

Aromatherapy. Put a couple of drops of Eucalyptus oil in a small dish of steaming hot water. Hang your head over the bowl, place a towel over the back of your head to create a tent, close your eyes and gently breathe in the healing qualities of this oil until you feel your sinuses begin to drip. Do a few times throughout the day. It’s effective and easy.

Alternate nostril breathing. Cover your right nostril and inhale though your left nostril for a count of five. Hold for a count of five. Then cover your left nostril and exhale through your right nostril for a count of five. Inhale through your right nostril and hold for five.. Cover your right nostril and exhale through your left. Do four more rounds. This helps ease symptoms.

Yoga. Downward-facing dog is a position that will help relieve stuffiness and drain trapped mucus from your nasal passage. Here’s an abbreviated way to perform this classic posture: Get on “all fours”, with hands positioned directly beneath your shoulders. Raise your bottom straight up into the air as you straighten both your arms and legs. You will resemble an inverted “V”. Press your hands and feet firmly into the floor as you push your buttocks up into the air. Inhale and exhale for a count of five; repeat four more times. Walk your hands in close to your feet (It’s okay to slightly bend your knees, if necessary.) and slowly return to standing.

Reflexology is a very effective way to clear sinus congestion. If you feel your sinuses congested or swollen, either visit a qualified reflexologist for relief or work your own sinus points. The sinus points are located on the pads of all of the toes and fingers. Breathe into points that feel sensitive until you feel a change in the level of sensation. If you want to learn a very specific and effective technique to work the sinus reflexes (along with lots of other techniques),consider attending one of four foundational reflexology courses coming up soon. They are open to both licensed practitioners and lay people wanting to learn how to support their own health or that of their family.

(foot) Reflexology – June 29 & 30, 2013 – Maitland (Orlando), Florida

– July 13 & 14, 2013 – Tallhassee, Florida

– August 17 & 18, 2013 – Orlando, Florida

Reflexology for the Hands – July 27 & 28, 2013 – Gainesville, Florida

Spices. Add enough horseradish, chili peppers, cayenne, wasabi or hot mustard to your food to cause your nasal passages to temporarily decongest.

Herbs. Freeze-dried stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and butterbur (Petasites hybridus) are natural antihistamines, without the side effects of dry mouth and drowsiness. A Swiss study, published in the British Journal of Medicine, found that butterbur was as effective as the drug cetirizine, the active ingredient in Zyrtec.

Laundry. Dry all your laundry indoors during the pollen season, to stop it from collecting pollen. Remove your outdoor clothes when you arrive home, since they will be coated with pollen. Wash bedding often.

Indoor/Outdoor Pets can be a source of pollen as it sticks to animal fur. Avoid petting them a lot. Wear a mask to thoroughly brush them before they enter the house.

Air quality. Keep windows closed. Run the air conditioner to remove excess humidity. No fans; air currents stir up pollen from the floor and furnishings. Use high-quality filters in your AC system and change out monthly or more often, if necessary. Invest in a vacuum cleaner that keeps allergen particles in; vacuum frequently.

Outdoor time. Limit being outside during the times of day that pollen is highest: between 5am and 10am, and dusk. Particularly, avoid exercising outdoors when the pollen count is high.

Face and hair. Wash your face and blow your nose often throughout the day. Wash your hair before retiring if you’ve been outside during the day.

Vaseline. Some folks report that smearing a little Vaseline just inside each nostril helps. If you breathe only through the nose, much of the pollen will stick to the Vaseline.

Spirit Medicine Spritz

In a previous post, I wrote about the birth of this formula and my recent personal use of.

ROSE HYDROSOL (Rosa damascena)

The radiant Heart, the early Christian heart symbol is representative of faith, hope and love.  These are the qualities that rose oil seeks to restore.

Rose is known as the “Queen of Flowers”. Rose hydrosol (Rosewater) is one of the gentlest tonics for the heart and a traditional symbol of God’s love for the world and its inhabitants. The compassion of the flower petals (of which 4000 are needed to extract one pound of essential oil) is revealed through its amazing ability to heal emotional wounds. Rose brings a sweet, gentle comfort to an injured heart, allowing for self-love and self-nurturing. Rose can touch the deepest despair, restoring the trust that makes it possible to love again. Rose alleviates anxiety that is caused by fear, including the fear of losing control. It helps the heart to reabsorb the mind.

The vibration of the rose petal is higher than that of the human heart’s.

FRANKINCENSE HYDROSOL

Please read the qualities of Frankincense in the previous post, Spirit Medicine Body Oil.

MYRRH HYDROSOL

Please read the qualities of Myrrh in the previous post, Spirit Medicine Body Oil.

FORMULA (all ingredients GC/MS tested and organic)

4 oz. spray bottle

2&1/2 oz. distilled H2O

1 T. Frankincense hydrosol

1 T. Myrrh hydrosol

1 T. Rose hydrosol 

 

Spirit Medicine Body Oil

In the previous post, I wrote about the birth of this formula and my recent personal use of.

CEDARWOOD (Juniperus virginiana)

The Nordic peoples used cedar as incense to invoke Wotan, the one-eyed god of storm, magic and harvest. Wotan calls up strength from deep inside to help us weather difficult and turbulent circumstances.

The word cedrus originates from an Arabic word meaning “power”.  Cedarwood oil thus is known as a fortifying and strengthening essential oil, one that gives us the will to hold firm in the face of crisis. It steadies the conscious mind and helps us to resist powerful emotions that threaten to undermine our spiritual certainty. Cedarwood oil bolsters the transforming power of the will so as to convert fear into wisdom.

FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterri)

Frankincense was employed in the worship of the Egyptian sun god Ra, a primordial symbol for whom was the Utchat, or “All-seeing” – the sacred eye that burned with judgment.  Frankincense oil rekindles the inner light of the mind.

Considered by many as the most important aromatic incense ingredient since history began, Frankincense was prominent in the ritual religious life of the ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman civilizations.  The oil is steam-distilled from the gum resin that results from the “wounding” of the olibanum tree.

Frankincense’s most important sphere of influence is with the nervous system.  Its ability to relax and uplift are unsurpassed. It smoothes the flow of stagnant chi and is said to “deepen the breath”. It calms and centers an unfocused mind, bringing deep clarification. Frankincense is an ideal aid to meditation, contemplation and prayer – it ceases mental chatter and stills the mind.  Facilitating a state of single-pointed concentration, it allows the spirit to soar.  Frankincense contains the power to focus our spiritual consciousness and imbue a potential for transcendent awareness. This oil helps us to forego troubling thoughts of regret and break free of our attachment to the mundane past. It promotes the cultivation of insight and spiritual discipline through the union of the ego and transpersonal self.

Frankincense oil is concerned with the transformation of the Self from an amorphous state of spiritual consciousness into a crystallized one.

MYRRH (Commiphora myrrha)

The effect of myrrh oil reaches far into the psyche, and can help us to both transcend and transform aspects of material existence. It heightens our awareness of the Self, which, to the ancient Egyptians, was depicted as the bird-like Ba-soul, formless and free.

The resinous Myrrh gum has played a role in religious and medical life for almost four millennia. Said to have come from the tears of Horus, the Egyptian falcon-headed sun god, Myrrh oil is considered a revered aromatic that both honors the dead and dying and assists in the elevation of consciousness of those in transition.

Myrrh’s effect on the nervous system is that of calming and soothing. It instills deep tranquility and grounding of the mind. It is a principal oil indicated for over thinking, worry and mental distraction.

On the spirit, Myrrh’s effect is one of inner stillness and peace; awareness freed from the restless and mundane. Vulnerary in nature, Myrrh helps to close the wounds of loss and rejection, sorrow and grief, and invoke the power of solitude.

This ancient esoteric plant oil unites the spiritual and the physical. By building a bridge between Heaven and Earth, it strengthens the link between our crown and base chakras.

Neroli (Citrus aurantium)

The medieval alchemical symbol “to amalgamate” signifies Neroli’s emotionally unifying and harmonizing effects.

Neroli is extracted from the fragrant flowers of the bitter orange tree (also known as the sour or Seville orange tree). Its delicately rich, floral sweetness is both soothing and euphoric, at the same time that its bitter note is grounding.

Since its introduction in Italy in the 17th century, Neroli has been recognized as an effective tonic for the nervous system. It relaxes the nerves and uplifts the spirit. As an all-round regulator of the nervous system, Neroli oil helps to ease mental and emotional tension, depression and anxiety.

Neroli is one of the best essential oils to calm and stabilize the heart and mind. It is particularly good for agitated conditions of the heart.

Neroli’s ability to reunite the solar and lunar (conscious and unconscious) makes it a valuable oil when there are unresolved, unexpressed painful emotions.  Neroli helps to re-establish the link between a disconnected body and mind, allowing denied emotions manifesting as physical pain and spasm to gently release. Neroli, therefore, instills the individual with renewed hope and joy.

(SWEET) ORANGE (Citrus sinensis)

Oranges have long been used as ritual gifts to bestow happiness and prosperity.

From an energetic perspective, the principal value of sweet orange oil lies in its ability to unblock and circulate stagnant chi. Its relaxing and uplifting qualities help to relieve tension and frustration. Its warm, sunny, sweet aroma conveys joy and positivity.  Sweet orange helps us to take an easy-going, more relaxed approach to life.

SPIKENARD (Nardostachys jatamansi)

The Amida Buddha has been a popular object of devotion since the 5th century.  A symbol of spiritual peace and compassion, his benevolent power to restore faith and tranquility echoes the qualities of spikenard oil.

Spikenard’s association, (like Frankincense and Myrrh) with Jesus highlights its age-old mystical significance as a precious aromatic medicinal and ritual oil.

Spikenard calms and regulates the heart, stabilizes the mind and settles the emotions. Its energetic and psychological effects pertain mainly to the mind and soul. Its calming effect helps to soothe the deepest forms of spiritual anxiety and can instill a profound sense of peace. The bittersweet pungency of Spikenard releases obstruction to the flow of chi, freeing the ethereal soul.  It works to replace despondency, bitterness and resentment with acceptance and compassion.  Spikenard relates to the eternal part of us that exists beyond the flux of illusion and suffering. This warming oil is perfectly indicated for the spiritual seeker struggling to find a stable ground of faith. It allows one to surrender, and awards the power of devotion to one’s path.

FORMULA  (all ingredients GC/MS tested and organic)

1 oz. organic jojoba oil

Myrrh – 2 drops

Neroli – 2 drops

Cedarwood – 1 drop

Frankincense – 1 drop

(Sweet) Orange – 1 drop

Spikenard – 1 drop

 

Spirit Medicine

A few years ago I was asked to create an aromatherapy product for a group who actively supported people who desired to transcend during their dying process. I was honored to contribute to this worthy endeavor and excited about the opportunity to just “live with” the energetic qualities of certain essential oils.

I had the opportunity the last few days to use these products with a friend who peacefully passed this morning after a long bout with cancer. Perhaps as a tribute to her and the inspiration she was in my life, I feel moved to share my thought-process in creating these two products. I’ll also share the formulas, along with my blessing to use.

My intention for both these products was to uplift and provide support for the individual’s transcendence. I was not looking to target any individual system of the body nor address any physical ailments. In every sense, my choice of oils and their route of application were guided by my understanding of essential oils as “messengers of energy and consciousness.” [i]

The first product was a massage oil, for which I chose jojoba as the base. I chose organic jojoba for its purity, subtle aroma and molecular approximation to the skin’s natural sebum. Since it is highly moisturizing, I thought it would be a good choice for the elderly and/or bed-ridden. The fact that it does not go rancid was a plus.

The second product was a spritz that could be sprayed around the client’s head. The base for this was distilled water.

I chose skin and inhalation routes because both applications allowed direct access to the circulatory system, thereby reaching every inch of the body.  Since the nasal cavity lacks a stratum corneum (the top protective layer of the skin), absorption is rapid. Absorption through the skin, by way of a massage, is slower. I liked that the products would provide both immediate and slower-acting absorption rates.

I took into consideration a balance between top, middle and base notes, with a result of two top, one middle and four base in all.

I also wanted the rhizome, wood, resin, flower and fruit parts of plants to be representative in the blends. A rhizome is present to support the person in time of fear and instability, and offer strength, balance and connection in a time of big change. The wood offers core support and centeredness; conducts energy and pushes one to go deeper. The resins, of which there are two, have been used traditionally to support inner reflection and meditation; to offer protection and heal wounds. The fruit uplifts, cleanses emotions, clears energy, protects and brings light to the heart and mind. The two flowers are calming and soothing to the mind, and offer emotional support. They encourage love and forgiveness. I thought that all of the above qualities would be useful at the time of one’s passing.

In addition to selecting oils according to their psychological and spiritual properties, I also created the massage oil to include all of the Five Elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. The Five Elements is one of the two main pillars of eastern medicine and is most simply described as the phases or movement of energy, each of which either supports (creates) or controls the process.

My friend was unresponsive the last few days, resting peacefully, thanks to the loving attention of Community Hospice of NE Florida’s caregivers, so I have no tangible way of knowing if the oils and my contact with her feet eased her passage. I trust that they did though, as I know they soothed my loss.

Formulas shared in next two posts.

 

[i] Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit; p.7; Gabriel Mojay.

Creating Loyalty: Adding Value to a Client’s Experience

Let’s face it; you’d have to have your head in the sand not to recognize that people are more selective these days about how they spend their hard-earned money. In today’s market, even healthcare practitioners must compete for their client’s attention and loyalty. With just a little effort and forethought, you can stand out in the crowd.

A keynote speaker at a spa convention I attended many years ago said something that has always stuck in my mind. He said, “Give your clients a WOW! experience; not just the service they paid for and expect.”

There are lots of ways to deliver a WOW! experience. The ideas that I’ve used over the years seem to fall into two basic categories:

Show Appreciation

Here are some simple ways:

  • As she leaves, hand a client a gift certificate that she can use as she wishes, either for herself or for someone special in her life. (Most people will give it away, allowing you the opportunity to turn someone new onto the benefits of reflexology.)
  • Work your way down your client list and write one thank you note weekly. Do this the old-fashioned way; hand-write on an attractive card and let the postal system deliver. Remember to be specific as to why you feel blessed that this person is in your life.
  • Mail gift certificates to your clients (current and lapsed) the month before their birthdays. Invite them to redeem anytime during their birthday month. Make sure to state how much you appreciate them and their business.
  • When your client goes to pay you for the day’s session, tell them excitedly that they are your 100th appointment (pick a number) of the year/month/week, and that they get that session for FREE! This is the ultimate WOW! experience. Believe me, that client will tell all her friends about you.
  • Offer to host a 2-hour private class (at no cost) for your client and her friends on foot or hand care – in the comfort of her home. Teach them how to use the basic thumb-walking technique of reflexology on themselves.
  • Create a goodie bag of Epsom salts blended with a high quality essential oil and carrier, body scrubber of some sort and a small pretty bottle or jar of the lubricant you use during your sessions – give them away randomly as gifts. Don’t just wait until the end-of-year holidays. Do it “just because”. The surprise element and thoughtfulness far outweigh the small cost of these items.
  • Mail your client an article on something you know interests them. It could be the latest information on a health issue they’re dealing with or some other unrelated subject.

Add-Ons

Before beginning the session, surprise your client. Verbally state how much you appreciate his or her loyalty and as a way to express your gratitude you would like to add something extra special to that day’s session. Here are some examples:

  • Wrap your client’s hands in warm, soothing paraffin before a hand reflexology session, or while receiving foot reflexology. No charge.
  •  If you don’t already do this as standard procedure, begin your foot reflexology session with a soothing soak of Epsom salts and pure essential oils. Use a scrubbie glove to exfoliate. Water not only cleanses; it hydrates and offers a comforting segue from the outer world to the inner.
  •  Place well-wrapped heat packs on your client’s abdomen during your reflexology session. A warm pack on the tummy is divine.
  •  Create a custom-blended lubricant specific to your client’s health needs. Clients really appreciate this and often want to purchase extra to take home with them. Essential oils are absorbed through the feet, delivering the health benefits of the essential oils to the entire body. To learn how to incorporate oils into your foot and hand sessions, the therapeutic properties of essential oils, routes of application, proper dilution and safety guidelines, please join me for a fun and informative one-day hands-on journey into the realm of pure essential oils.
  • Weave stone therapy into your foot or hand reflexology sessions. Adding stones to a reflexology session invites the recipient into such a deep experience of themselves it almost defies definition. A real WOW! experience. In the Reflexology Rocks! class, attendees learn how to safely use hot and cold stones (basalt, marble and soapstone), utilize Himalayan salt crystals to reduce the effects of harmful electro-magnetic frequencies and are introduced to the benefit and placement of quartz crystal stones to balance the seven primary chakras.

Although my clients have been thrilled over the year with their WOW! experiences, I have to admit that I actually feel like I get the bigger WOW! My heart just swells when offering these simple gifts. Try it for yourself.

Reflexology and Essential Oils: The Perfect Marriage: Web listing.  Facebook Events listing.

Reflexology Rocks!: Web listing. Facebook Events listing.

Essential Oils and Pregnancy – Yes or No?

A conversation yesterday with a close friend regarding essential oil safety during pregnancy helped me see how much misinformation is out there. I decided that you might benefit from knowing how the word “contraindication” became associated with pregnancy (and other conditions) and aromatherapy.

Early research regarding the therapeutic use of plant essences was carried out in France, a country in which aromatherapy is a regulated practice. A medical license is required in France to prescribe, dispense and use aromatherapy, because oils are introduced orally, vaginally and rectally. Studies were conducted by introducing the oils into the internal environment of the body, not from external application. It was this protocol that produced the results that classified some essential oils as contraindicated for certain conditions.

Those initial studies determined that essential oils should not be administered orally during any stage of a pregnancy (unless under the supervision of a qualified medical doctor trained in aromatherapy and with great caution), due to the small molecular size of oils allowing for passage of the oils across the placenta and the blood-brain barrier of the fetus. Rectal and vaginal administration is also discouraged, since these routes can deliver at least as much oil to the fetus as can oral administration.

In North America, we limit our professional use of essential oils to inhalation and external applications, so things are a little different here. (Oral delivery of essential oils would fall under the license of practicing medicine.) Topical delivery (as in massage lotions and creams) should be kept to a 1% or 2% dilution: 5 to 8 drops/oz of carrier or 10 to 12 drops/oz. Keep in mind also, that only a very few essential oils should be applied directly to the skin; most should be mixed in a carrier oil, lotion, cream or butter, so as to avoid potentially serious skin irritations.

Below is a list of essential oils that should be avoided during pregnancy. There are a few others that I have not listed, since they are rather unfamiliar oils. To see the full list and read more about essential oil safety with pregnancy and other conditions, please refer to Essential Oil Safety – A Guide for Health Care Professionals, a definitive book written by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs. This book is a must if you want to add aromatherapy to your reflexology or massage business.

Avoid Altogether:

Basil, birch, camphor, cinnamon bark, elecampane, ho leaf, hyssop, parsley leaf, pennyroyal, sage, sassafras, tansy, tarragon, thuja, verbena, wintergreen, wormwood.

Safe to Use (1% or 2% dilution – external application only)

Cardamon, chamomile (German and Roman), clary sage, coriander seed, fennel, geranium, ginger, lavender, lavandin, mace, neroli, nutmeg, palmarosa, patchouli, petitgrain, rose, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, spike lavender, star anise, yarrow.

I hope this article clears up yet another myth regarding pregnancy. If you are interested in learning about the properties of some common essential oils, safety guidelines and how to make your own products, please refer to yesterday’s post, A Surprise Offer, for a last-minute class, with a one-time-only, very low price.

 

A Surprise Offer!

I received a phone call yesterday from a woman from Arkansans, who will be in St. Augustine next week visiting family. She really wants to do a training with me – anything. I’m flattered and want to make it work for her. Of course, it’s cost-prohibitive to do a private class, so I came up with an idea.

I negotiated a lower rate with one of my venues for next Saturday – June 9 and can offer a reduced price of $90 to anyone who would like to attend the 1-day Reflexology and Essential Oils – The Perfect Marriage class.

You don’t have to be a bodyworker to attend. Although we will discuss specific conditions that reflexologists might be presented with, some past attendees have chosen to make products for massage clients or just for themselves. You can read a description of the class here.

I need at least 5 others to sign up in order to make it work, and must have commitments by Wednesday. It’s a good deal – I have never discounted my classes – so, give me a call if you are interested. 904/553.4067

Sole Salvation

We all know that lubricants moisturize, soothe and seal tissue. Do you know that they can also “feed” your feet with beneficial nutrients? We’ll look at three common ones here: an oil, a butter and an ester.

Castor Oil:

Castor is a pure vegetable oil obtained from the seed of the castor plant, and in its natural state is a pale yellow liquid with a mild odor (as opposed to the adulterated, “stripped-clean” white version often found in drugstores).

Castor has long been recognized for its ability to soothe dry, cracked tissue. A high preponderance of ricinoleic acid (a powerful anti-inflammatory) makes it a perfect remedy for red, itchy feet and undecylenic acid, another active ingredient in castor oil, is widely acknowledged as an effective anti-fungal treatment. Last, but not least, castor oil has been proven to have analgesic (pain-reducing) effects, according to a study published in the Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery.

Jojoba

Although often referred to as an oil, jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) is actually a liquid ester wax derived from the seed of the Simmondsia chinensi plant. What makes jojoba particularly sweet to work with is the fact that its molecular structure closely resembles that of the body’s own sebaceous secretions and therefore absorbs easily into the skin. It contains high amounts of the alpha, delta and gamma tocopherols, natural forms of the anti-oxidant Vitamin E. It is non-allergenic and non-comedogenic (does not clog pores), and because it contains no fragile triglycerides, which easily break down and oxidize, jojoba does not go rancid or stain linens. I love it.

Shea Butter

This luscious butter – another of my faves – is cold-processed from the seed of the karite tree (Butyrospermum parkii). In addition to being a great moisturizer, one attribute for which it is highly reputed is that of soothing conditions of heat in the tissue, such as eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, dermatitis and burns (including sun-damaged skin). The list of benefits of this traditional African-derived butter is a lengthy one.

Pure shea butter is pale yellow in color. Beware of white shea butters; they have been treated with hexane (a toxic solvent) to remove both color and the butter’s natural nutty scent. Shelf life is a minimum of one year.

Quality

If you add up the number of times in a day that you put lotions and creams on your hands – you will realize the importance of using chemical-free products. Always purchase organic. You’re worth it.

If you add essential oils to your carrier, choose GC/MS tested oils so you know what you’re getting. Choose oils specific to whatever condition is being presented and you will have a doubly powerful adjunct to your hands-on work.

What do you massage into your clients’ feet at the end of a reflexology session?

Reflexology Rocks!

I clearly remember the first time that I experienced a Stone Therapy session. Back then, there was so much buzz about adding hot and cold stones to a bodywork session, I admit to a lot of skepticism. I decided to try it out anyway. And am I glad I did! The experience I had changed my relationship with myself.

I immediately began to seek out a qualified and experienced teacher, so that I could provide my clients with a similar experience. After hearing the same unbelievable feedback from my massage clients, I began to wonder what it would be like to incorporate stonework into an already deeply relaxing reflexology session. Well, the rest is history. Although it’s been a couple of years since I taught Reflexology Rocks!, I feel moved to do so again.

Stones are part of the earth element; they help us to reconnect with the earth’s grounding, stable force. Used as an extension of one’s own hands, hot and cold mineral stones enhance and often elevate a client’s experience of reflexology to one of almost primordial sacredness. (I didn’t make that up! Those are words I often heard from many nearly speechless clients.)

Rooted in the ancient Tibetan and Native American traditions, Stone Therapy seduces the mind/body to surrender all traces of mental and muscular tension – a logical adjunct to reflexology, don’t you think?

Chilled stones calm and cool inflammatory conditions while heated stones lull the recipient into a deep experience of themselves that almost defies definition. Together hot and cold stones provide a vascular workout for the entire body, both stimulating and relaxing the circulatory system at the same time. As contradictory as this may sound, it is this unique interplay of heat and cold that deeply relaxes and re-energizes a tired body. Homeostasis and balance restored: the prime intention of a reflexology session, right?

I invite you to join our small group on Saturday, November 12 in St. Augustine, Florida from 10am to 2pm, where you will learn how to safely incorporate aromatherapy and hot and cold stones into a hand or foot reflexology session. Stones and all related equipment will be provided in class; resources to purchase your own tools and accessories will be made available. Read more here.

Consider making a weekend of it. Participate in the Reflexology and Essential Oils – The Perfect Marriage class on Friday, November 11. Read how you can take advantage of a one-time only reduced fee.