TANA

 

 

During the 1960's pictographs of reflexology being practised on a daily basis were found on the walls of an Egyptian pharoahs tomb - dating back to approximately 2,500BC.  In spite of reflexology having been an established healing art for centuries throughout China, Japan and Egypt - it had, for the most part, been long forgotten and only began to re-surface during the 1960's, when a whole new generation rediscovered it's benefits and considered it to be an important contributor to the vast spectrum of natural therapies healing arts on offer. As a result, the popularity of reflexology gained momentum cumulatively up until the mid 90's when its popularity dwindled with Australia's change to a more conservative federal government. However, I believe, reflexology will become a highly respected natural therapy once more - when it's true value and benefits for nurturing wellbeing are fully understood and appreciated.

 

Before I continue, let me add the following precautionary note:

Always consult a medical practitioner when you experience any form of pain that causes you to be concerned about your wellbeing. A medical opinion and diagnosis - along with a natural therapy practitioner's assssment if desired -  will put things into perspective and give you a choice as to how you proceed in regard to a diverse range of treatment options. We are very fortunate in the modern era to have various healing options and treatments available, the full span of which include both natural therapies and conventional medicine. It is a blessing to be well informed and to be able to make an informed choice about one's treatment options. Ultimately, it is the individual who has the responsibility and right to choose what one feels is right for them.

 

 

 

 

My personal discovery of reflexology began as a teenager when I began carrying a wallet sized reflexology foot and hand chart in my handbag. Frequently, I would ponder the tiny anatomical images of various organs and skeletal structures as related to our hands and feet - wondering if this really could be a possible and effective pathway to therapeutic healing. Many years later, I discovered how truly effective reflexology can be when I visited a professional reflexologist for the first time, in the United States, over three decades ago. A business associate recommended I make an appointment to visit her Reflexologist to alleviate ongoing pain I was experiencing from my previous spinal injuries. Being in recovery mode from those prior spinal injuries and sleeping on soft mattresses whilst travelling had inevitably exacerbated my back pain. Impressed from the outset with reflexology treatment, I took the opportunity to attend weekly reflexology sessions for the next six weeks, paying close attention to any progress I experienced. Specifically, pertaining to the alleviation of my back pain and easier yoga workouts, which were both on my wish-list. And both of which had noticeably improved!

Surprisingly, my energy levels had also increased. Thankfully, my friends endorsement of the reflexologist I consulted with was a gift I shall always be thankful for. 

 

Upon our return to Australia I purchased some books about reflexology, feeling seriously inspired by what I had learned from my new friend in Daytona Beach, and began to work on my feet daily. A decade later, my back pain had dissipated completely and I was able to introduce dynamic dance type yoga routines to rock music, such as Fleetwood Mac, for my advanced yoga student classes at North Sydney Leisure Centre. Simultaneously, I conducted full day weekend Hatha yoga and reflexology workshops and seminars at McMahons Point Community Centre on Sydneys lower north shore, and began bringing reflexology into my combined yoga and holistic reflexology work. By then, I had discovered a new way to apply the principles of reflexology to the whole body, working along the entire length of the meridians from the feet to the head. My clinical and yoga teaching conceptual work had now taken my natural therapies approach in a whole new direction that was very exciting to share with others who fully appreciated what this meant for those looking for a natural, effective pick-me-up!

 

Having said that, Reflexology by itself won't solve all health problems because the human body is a multi-facted system that requires a lateral approach to healing - employing nutrition, regular exercise, good posture etc, but regular reflexology will certainly contribute to your welbeing in a substantial way. Especially if you can practise consciously walking while fully flexing the arches of both feet. Let me explain. Reflexology works most effectively at first base, by stimulating the body's energy systems via the nerve endings in one's two feet. There are thirty six thousand nerve endings in each foot. When the arch of the foot is fully flexed during movement, the nerve endings and the entire nervous system are stimulated. This flexing foot action involves being mindful about how you walk; making sure the arch of the foot is fully flexed all the way to the ball of the foot as the back foot leaves the ground to take each new step.

 

The philosophy of reflexolgy is that the two feet and hands mirror the whole body and it's major systems; the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems. For example, the head correlates with the toes. The whole length of the feet correspond to the entire length of the spine and skeletal system, including all the organs, glands and muscles. The buttocks or lower spine relate to the heel sections of both feet. The left half of the body is reflected in the left foot and the right half of the body is reflected in the right foot. There is a corresponding pressure point in the feet and hands for every single part and function of the human anatomy. Thus, in the hands of an experienced/intuitive practitioner, or a committed learner, it is possible to understand what the feet are saying about the general state of an individual's wellbeing and the energy systems involved, including the specific pressure points that require reflexology.

 

Even though reflexology acknowledges the head, hands and feet equally in importance, the feet are especially significant because they support every movement and via. gravity bond us to the surface of the earth. Not least, our two feet do the arduous work of facilitating our movement from one point to another, throughout each and every day. Cumulatively moving, in the average person, nine tons of body weight on an average day. It is vital, therefore, to take good care of our feet and legs in order to remain, well, flexible and mobile. 

 

Several factors are very important when we consider the feet from a reflexology point of view -

 

1. The way in which we walk

2. The surfaces we walk on

3. The design of our footwear and the materials employed in the manufacturing process

4. The importance of acknowledging the degree of inertia or tension in the feet as demonstrated by pain, swelling and/or discomfort.  

5. The importance of appropriate foot care, foot massage and foot baths.

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