Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Reflexology Certification Programs and Workshops

Planning the Future; Letting Go

I have two big announcements to make today.

#1  We have just selected and published the dates for the 2021 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification in Saint Augustine, Florida. I have booked the same lovely new Marriott Courtyard at the beach as we had planned on holding the program this year. I am completely confident that by April of next year, our ‘new normal’ will have solidified into a working model in which we can safely gather, learn together and have fun. I sincerely hope you will join us because what I am about to say right now does not come easy. However, here goes:

 #2  After months and months of deep thought and self-examination, I have decided to end my career as a reflexology educator to professional practitioners. I will teach next year, and perhaps in 2022, and then close it down. This is a big step to share publicly what has been on my mind for a while now; hitting ‘Publish’ makes my decision real and somewhat scary.

I have taught reflexology for 35 years, so it is a big part of who I am and how people know me. I will write more on this later but suffice it to say if you have ever wanted to learn how to be a skilled and highly qualified reflexologist with a strong foundation on how to build your business so that you will stand out in the crowd, ACT NOW. Because of what I imagine will be limitations regarding the number of people that can safely gather together, the class size will be small.

Do Adults Need Touch?

Much has been written about the importance of touch in childhood development.[i],[ii],[iii] but, what about adults? Turns out our need for touch does not diminish as we age. We unconsciously reach out to shake the hand of someone we’ve just met, greet people we know and love with a smile and a hug, hold hands with people we love, and offer loving touch to someone in pain.

Well, at least we used to.

Now, the idea of getting close puts us on alert; dredges up primordial fear and even anxiety in some. What to do then during these times? Here are some simple suggestions you can incorporate into your lives and share with clients that you are maintaining contact with:

* Stimulate your own touch receptors by massaging a luscious warmed oil all over your body before taking a hot shower or bath. In Ayurvedic medicine, self-massage is called Abhyanga and is credited with stimulating circulation and helping to eliminate toxins. Traditional oils of choice are sesame and coconut but use what you have.

Put a little oil into a glass container and then warm in a pot of water. Start with your feet, circle the ankle joints and then continue up the legs with long strokes. Do the same with the arms. Massage the oil into your abdomen in a clockwise direction as you look down at your own stomach. Finish with long strokes across your upper chest and gentle strokes on the face (avoid the eyes). Don’t use too much oil. Some will be absorbed into your skin; the rest will be washed off in the shower.

Try it for a change on the weekend and see what you think. Take your time and really feel your touch.

* Give yourself a hand or foot reflexology session. Do it mindfully, not as something to do with your hands while watching an adrenaline-pumping television drama. Refer back to the short video on March 25’s blog for a simple reflexology procedure you can do on yourself that will help support your immune system right now.

* If you live with furry friends, love ‘em up a lot! They will go mad and so will you.

* And remember to move your body to help release more endorphins, our body’s ‘feel-good’ hormones. Blast a favorite piece of music and dance! Take a walk around your neighborhood – I bet you usually just drive out of it every day and likely miss a lot of what’s there.

I continue to think of you often and send healthy ‘vibes’ your way. I’m starting to think of how I can give back when all this isolation has passed – that gets me excited! I’m looking forward to a rekindled business model later in the year.

 

[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2865952/

[ii] http://www.changingminds.org/explanations/needs/touch.htm

[iii] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201310/loving-touch-is-key-healthy-brain-development

Feed Your Second Brain Wisely

If your thoughts these days are those of dread, fear and hopelessness, you’re not alone.

Many people are feeling the effects of uncertainty and prolonged stay-at-home orders. One thing you may be noticing is that your digestive system is not functioning as it usually does. Stomach aches, constipation, diarrhea, and unusual reactions to certain foods are common complaints when people are living under stressful times.

Researchers have discovered why this is so – and that’s good news. Armed with information, you can do something to restore a smooth operation within your body’s core.

Science has a better understanding now of the relationship between the stomach and the brain than it did 100 years ago. The gut is now acknowledged as the body’s ‘second brain’. It turns out there is an equal number of neurotransmitters lining the gut as are found in the brain!  One hundred million to be exact! These transmitters provide a two-way avenue of communication between the brain and stomach, with the brain communicating as much to the gut as does the stomach to the brain.

What that means is that your stomach is responding directly to your thoughts and to the hormones released as a result of those thoughts.

Perhaps now, more than ever, it is paramount to get a handle on any negative repetitive thoughts that circulate in your head.

I decided the moment I sheltered-in-place not to let the stressful events around me threaten my comfort and my life. I took steps to keep tension at bay.

Here are some ways in which I manage my monkey mind:

* I start each day with a meditation. Before eating, checking emails or social media. First thing.

I recently completed the free 21-day meditation on Finding Hope in Uncertain Times that Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra offered, and was delighted to learn today that they have extended this spot-on series to May 15. I have sat in on many of their mediation series and think this is one of the best. I got so much out of it the first time that I started round two today. It’s a great way to set the tone for the day. They each share something very inspirational and hopeful for a few minutes and then you meditate. Total time is 20 minutes.

* Then I move. I have learned that if I don’t do this early in the day, it rarely happens. And movement is one of the best ways to relax a stressed-out nervous system and energize your spirit. The more you can get your heart rate up, the better; but even a slow stretching or yoga routine done to quiet music will help a lot. Or do both!

* Do nothing but eat. Eating while watching the news or scrolling through your newsfeed will heighten your sense of dread, release more cortisol into your system and shut down your digestive processes. Eat slowly, paying attention to how everything tastes and feels in your mouth. Avoid drinking liquids while you eat (dilutes your stomach’s hydrochloric acid). Oh, and never eat when you’re upset. As you heal your gut, you will find that your thoughts are lighter and more positive.

* Create some structure in your day. (I just revealed mine above: meditate, exercise, eat.) The brain likes structure. The experience of familiarity provides a sense of security and safety.

* Spend some time outdoors. Breathe in the air and feast your eyes on the greenery surrounding you.

* Limit the amount of time you allocate to watching newscasts and scrolling through social media. I am working towards just once a day. Things don’t change so much or so quickly that you have to be glued to these platforms all day. Never engage in these before eating either or before going to bed. Believe me, your digestive system will be very happy if you fill most of your day with happier, more positive stories of what is going on in the world. And there are plenty.

* Work on your digestive reflexes before you eat and/or before going to bed. On your feet, they are located in the arches; on your hands, the palms. Thumb-walk and spend a little time holding places that have more sensation than the rest; breathe slowly and rhythmically a few times.

* In addition to the above, think about what relaxes you and changes your mindset when you’re caught in a negative loop. Creating art? Getting lost in a novel? Laughing through a comedy movie? Tackling a tough Sudoku or crossword puzzle? How about starting a small garden? Here’s a foolproof way to grow your own food, if, like me, your thumb is barely a mint green!

Make your mental health your priority – please.

Feel free to share this if you have clients suffering from gut pain and disfunction right now.

An Amazing Life – The Road Taken

I’m sure you’ve heard this before: Follow your passion.

Well, I don’t buy into that statement.

My passion is not “out there” to be followed like some puppy chasing a ball.

My passion is inside me. And it’s something that developed from following my curiosity. I wasn’t born with the many passions that propel me through my day; they matured by my paying attention to what interested me and then checking those interests out.

It wasn’t always that way for me, however.

Years ago, when people would ask me what my passion was, I felt like a failure. I didn’t have one! I mean, where does one find passion? Are we playing a game of hide and seek here? Is it available on Amazon? I do have Prime, you know!

Here’s where curiosity took me:

🌹My love of scents and where they took me in my head – and why I liked some brands of a particular aroma and not others – intrigued me enough to sign up for a free introductory class in aromatherapy offered when I was a massage student 31 years ago.

🦶🏼My curiosity (and skepticism) about how contact with the feet could affect stress levels and health motivated me back in 1983 to enroll in the Reflexology Association of Canada’s foot reflexology certification program.

❓My interest in the role belief systems play in our ability to experience a happy and prosperous life propelled me to take a weekend course entitled Happiness is a Choice, offered by the eminent Option Institute.

Did I know where those initial steps would lead? Nope.

Did I have a plan in mind to create what’s turned out to be an amazing life for myself? Heck, no!

I was just following a tickle I felt inside; something that had grabbed my attention.

And guess what! Each of those initial steps left me wanting more!

I picked up a couple of books on aromatherapy and read like crazy. That sparked more curiosity and more questions. Decided it was time to spend face-time (the real face time) with someone who knew something about the topic. I took a weekend workshop with Christina Polnyj at Essential Education International, and that did it. Signed up to take certification training in a chemistry-based program, offered by Andrea Butje at Aromahead Institute of Essential Oils Studies. (I loved feeling like the mad scientist while learning how to formulate blends for specific needs!)

Once I finished my reflexology training, I was, to say the least, fired up! I was eager to see how people other than my classmates would respond to the work. I started offering sessions to friends in exchange for their services and taking note of how their emotional, mental and physical lives were changed. And that’s when my curiosity turned into a passion! I just had to offer it to everyone I could in my hometown of Toronto! A business was born!

After the 2-day workshop in belief systems, I felt like an addict – I had to have more! I was mesmerized and loved my teacher. I took another weekend course and then took the plunge to explore all my beliefs in an 8-week residential program that changed my life. That experience formed the foundation upon which I have built my entire life and business.

Every one of these actions was triggered by my curiosity. Following what interested me is what developed the passions that inspire and drive me still today. I didn’t follow my passion; I followed my nose. My curiosity lit the match that sparked the fire that I bring to my work and life.

So, what are you curious about? What gets you thinking “Hmmmm” every time you see or hear something? What will you explore in 2020?

If you have even an inkling of curiosity about reflexology, I urge you to join me for a 2-day introduction in Reflexology for the Hands on May 16 and 17 in Gainesville, Florida.

You’ll either feel inspired afterward or not. But, you’ll know if this is a path to meander for a while longer. You’ll either feel it or not.

If curiosity has already kicked you down this road, and you’re ready to discover where a comprehensive training in hand and foot reflexology might lead you, well, what are you waiting for? Jump in!

Read about this year’s Therapeutic Hand and Foot Reflexology Professional Certification. The program starts on April 4, so don’t waste any time!

Who knows – your curiosity may explode into a passion! And God knows, the world needs more passionate, compassionate people right now with a burning desire to contribute something of value!

What’s Eating You?

Believe it or not, the first piece of research linking stress with digestion was recorded in 1883! The study revealed that the digestive system is much more than a ‘cement mixer’ and ‘delivery truck’. Results showed that our daily food includes emotions and all of life’s experiences, not just edible substances. Everything we take in is ultimately broken down and ‘judged’ by our digestive systems.

And why is a healthy digestive system important? All organs and systems of the body rely on the health of the digestive tract. Without REAL food (not food-like substances) to sustain them, the cells – and ultimately, the organs and glands – are unable to function. It’s that simple.

Importantly, today’s scientists have also discovered that 75% of the cells necessary for the immune system to function effectively are connected to the gastrointestinal tract! And that means a high-functioning digestive system is key to health and quality of life.

Join Marian Thompson, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and me to learn simple ways to reduce the impact of stress on your digestive system. Discover how easy it can be to make wise food choices in the care of your digestive system, and practice simple reflexology techniques to relax and support smooth operation of your ‘second brain’.

This is a free class offered on Thursday, February 6 from 1 to 3 pm. No reservations; first come – first served.

St. Johns County Public Library
Anastasia Island Branch
124 Seagrove Main Street
Saint Augustine Beach, FL 32080

 

A Scary Experience

My hands are essential to all aspects of my life, and I put at the top of that list, my ability to make a living. So, developing hand pain that made it difficult to exert any effort without extreme discomfort and weakness was not good news!

About three weeks ago, I started to feel fairly constant pain on the dorsal side of my left wrist and hand and a little on the lateral side as well. Now, before you go ahead and say it’s because of 37 years of performing reflexology (and 14 actively practicing massage also), let me say this:

I am uber careful about body mechanics and ergonomics when working (and am always ‘on’ my students about this, too). Although I use both hands – thumbs and fingers equally, I am right-hand dominant.

I started on a serious self-care routine of almost constant massage and reflexology of the hand in question, paraffin treatments, massaging and stretching the muscles of the forearm, applying a CBD lotion a few times/day, and of course, resting it as much as I could. (In all honesty, I didn’t have much choice on that last one.)

Nothing was really making much of a difference though.

At my bi-weekly scheduled reflexology session about 10 days ago, I requested a paraffin treatment and hand reflexology. I also mentioned to my reflexologist, Julie Wesling, that I had noticed that my hand did not feel any better in the morning after a long night’s rest. In fact, I thought it felt worse. We both wondered if I was somehow placing my hand in an awkward position while asleep.

Julie suggested I try a wrist brace and I am sooo glad I followed her suggestion!

First off, it was not uncomfortable to sleep with. I don’t know that I was even aware of it once I fell asleep.

The first morning, I thought it felt a little better, but questioned whether I was just wishing that to be so. The second morning, there was no doubt. And the third; even better. It probably only took four or five nights of sleeping with an inexpensive drugstore wrist brace to bring my hand back to full pain-free function.

That experience reminded me of how fortunate I am to have chosen a path of bodywork for my life. I am so grateful for the fact that I have a good grasp of anatomy and kinesiology, and know so many self-care techniques to try before turning over the welfare of my body to an allopathic approach.

I think acting quickly also contributed to my speedy recovery. Waiting to see what happens might have developed into something far more serious requiring an invasive procedure to right.

Holiday Gratitudes

The holiday season officially starts tomorrow in the United States. For me, that’s Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice and Christmas. I’m excited! I LOVE this time of year. Lots of socializing with friends, yummy food and exchanging thoughtful expressions of appreciation.

Me

Annually, I mark the beginning of the season with a two-mile Gratitude Walk along Saint Augustine Beach with two of my Amigas. This year, one is going to be out of town, so we are adapting. Two of us will walk and take turns sharing things for which we are grateful. We will also take turns reading from a list supplied by our missing friend. It’s a great way to start the day and the season.

This year, I have even more for which to be grateful. After three years of dreamin’ and schemin’, including 10 months of being homeless (but not on the street, don’t worry!), and six months of designing and building, I have moved into my forever home! And, I love my new home!

As I write this, I sit amid chaos, but enjoying the energy of what I have manifested – with the help of many, many people, who extended generosity, hospitality, advice, and encouragement!

You

As a way to express my gratitude and appreciation to you, I wish to repeat the same gift idea that so many took advantage of last year.

With this solution, you will simplify your holiday to-do list, eliminate the stress of holiday shopping AND look like an angel to the people in your life. Buy everyone in the Saint Augustine vicinity a reflexology gift card! And ta-da! YOUR SHOPPING IS DONE!

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

Give REFLEXOLOGY!

* the gift of health and relaxation

* the gift that fits perfectly into the sensible practice of giving ‘experiences’ rather than ‘stuff’

* the gift that keeps on giving

* the gift they’ll be talking about for quite some time

Although I don’t usually give 30-minute sessions, I am offering them for the low price of $30 because I realize that not everyone’s budget can include multiple gift cards for the regular $85 70-minute session.

Let me know how many gift cards you would like, and we’ll determine the fastest way to get them to you.

LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN!

Have A Body? Then You NEED Bodywork!

Many people believe that the only time to visit a reflexologist is if you have foot (or hand) pain. That is so far from the truth!

If you have a body, then you need bodywork! It’s that simple.

Yes, reflexology can help with foot pain, but you are missing out from improved wellness, if that is all you think reflexology is good for.

Slaying a Dragon

 When I attended massage school, we all operated under the assumption that it was our mechanical manipulation of the soft tissue that relaxed the muscles we were working on. However, the latest research indicates that not to be true. It turns out that it is contact with the nerves that relays messages to the brain that then sends back signals to the muscles to ‘let go’ or ‘hang on’. The brain is what relaxes the muscles, not the massage techniques!

Which is one reason I love reflexology. There is no ‘middleman’. No matter the complaint, we talk directly to the brain for assistance and support. And get it!

The most important thing we can all do for our health in this wild and crazy world we live in is to reduce the negative effect of unwanted chaos and stress on our bodies and minds. Quite often it is our response to daily stressors that is what creates muscle tension, pain and substandard organ functioning. Making relaxation the first line of attack against the stressors life throws at us makes it possible to live a healthy life. Relaxation is the basis of health.

What To Do

 There is a lot you can do. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Remove or reduce the number of stressors you have in your life.

* Cut out activities that add to the stress in your life. Choose only activities that bring you joy and do not rob you of necessary ‘downtime’.

* Consider carefully with whom you spend your time. Choose friends that are positive, supportive and do not regularly seduce you into unhealthy activities.

* Get adequate sleep. With the right amount of sleep under your belt you will be less likely to respond to challenging events in a way that elevates the stress hormones in your body. Being well rested makes it possible to ‘go with the flow’.

2. Learn to say “No.” I used to be guilty of this one. Someone would mention something coming up that sounded like fun, or asked if I would help out with something (that I valued), and I would immediately say, “Yes!” Later, I would feel stressed by yet one more commitment I had made. Now, I stop and think about whether or not I realistically have the time to devote to it.

3. Incorporate stress-reduction techniques on a regular basis.
There are so many to choose from. The most important thing though is to just do something!

* Meditation. Even 5 minutes will help you to learn to still your mind and slow down your responses to external events.

* Take time in nature. Just be in nature though; not on your phone while in nature.

* Yoga or Tai chi. Not only are you moving your body, working on balance, and practicing intentional breathing, these two activities are fantastic at reducing stress.

* A luxurious bath. Dim the lights. Even put on some relaxing music, if you want. Lock the door and do not emerge until you have soaked for 20 minutes and then lovingly anointed your body with a body butter or cream.

* Structure regular bodywork into your life. If you are one of the people who think you don’t need reflexology because your feet or hands don’t hurt, I invite you to run an experiment: Schedule a monthly session and see how you feel in three months. Together, we can set a goal and then support your body to reach it.

P.S. The added benefit of regular reflexology is the support it gives to all the internal systems. Poor digestion and/or elimination, sleep issues, chronic headaches, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances – all these, and more,

So, that is why you need reflexology on a regular basis, not just when your feet or hands hurt!

Explaining Reflexology

I wrote the following to enclose with gift cards people purchase. I figured that some people receiving the gift certificates might not know what reflexology is and therefore hesitate to redeem their amazing gift. And that’s not good!

Please feel free to use what I wrote. 

REFLEXOLOGY

For thousands of years, cultures all over the world have known how to positively influence the body’s complex physiology through the feet and hands. The earliest record of therapy on the feet and hands was documented in the form of hieroglyphics in the Physician’s Tomb at Saqqara, Egypt during the early Sixth Dynasty (about 2300 BCE).

In the modern day, the intentional, therapeutic touch of the feet and hands is known as Reflexology.

Today, 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. It is commonly used to relax and support people facing challenges that threaten the quality of their lives.

Reflexology has grown over the centuries into a protocol of unique manual techniques 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.

People choose reflexology when they are experiencing:

  • high levels of stress, resulting in sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, etc.
  • pain in the feet and/or hands from overuse, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, excessive text messaging, injuries, gout, etc.
  • less than optimal functioning of a body system, manifesting as respiratory allergies, digestive problems, headaches, diabetes, reproductive issues, dementia, weight gain, ADHD, cancer, etc.

Although hundreds of case reports and research studies have been and continue to be executed proving the efficacy of reflexology, the proof is really ‘in the pudding.’ Try it for yourself. Whether you choose to receive reflexology because your feet and/or hands hurt or to enjoy an increase in well-being of your overall health, I think that you will find reflexology a great way to relax, rejuvenate and restore.

Digestion And The Emotions

In 1883, Dr. William Beaumont published the first piece of research on the connection between stress and digestion. The subject was a man who had been shot in the abdomen.

The article I read stated that although the man’s gunshot wound had healed, his abdomen had not yet closed up. Dr. Beaumont fed the patient directly through his abdominal opening and then observed the process of digestion.

One thing he noticed, in addition to the process of breaking down food, was the effect of the subject’s emotions on his digestive system. When the patient was angry, the lining of his stomach turned very red; when he was frightened, it turned a blanched shade. In those instances, his digestive system did less than an adequate job of metabolizing and assimilating the nutritional substances fed him.

Dr. Beaumont’s study revealed how our daily food includes all of life’s experiences, not just edible substances. The digestive system judges whether our intake, in all its forms, is acceptable, comfortable and usable.

Think about all the common expressions in the English language that pair digestion with emotions:

▪ He has so much gall.

▪ You give me a stomachache.

▪ What’s eating you?

▪ I’m starving.

▪ I’m dying of thirst.

▪ She’s a pain in the gut.

▪ Everything I eat goes to my hips.

▪ I’m so fat.

▪ I can’t seem to gain/lose weight.

▪ She’s hungry for knowledge.

▪ It’s just easier to swallow my emotions.

Perhaps we should pay attention to the messages we are giving our digestive system.

Perhaps we shouldn’t eat when we’re upset or anxious.

Perhaps the practice of holding hands and bowing our heads to say a prayer of gratitude before we eat also serves the purpose of settling us into our bodies and the present moment; calming our minds and our gut.

When training to teach reflexology, I made it a point to learn a lot about the digestive system – in fact, it was one of the two systems I taught as part of the evaluation process I went through. As a young person, I did not have the best elimination and I wanted to understand why and to correct it.

It was my own personal interest in how what we take into our bodies in all forms affects our digestive system, and ultimately our entire health that led to my discovery of how powerful reflexology is in supporting proper functioning of this system. I always pay close attention to these reflexes when giving a session.

If you would like to learn how to relax and calm the digestive system and help it to do its job better, consider joining us for an upcoming workshop! Click here to see what is scheduled.