Reflexology & Reiki
REFLEXOLOGY
What is it?
Reflexology is natural therapy that has been practiced
for thousands of years. Most ancient cultures have a tradition of working
on the feet in order to rebalance the body. Reflexology has been practiced
by the native people of North America, and the people of ancient Europe, China and India.
Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist who worked in the
1930s, is considered to be the founder of modern reflexology. She based her
findings on the work of two American medical doctors, Dr. Fitzgerald and
Dr. Riley. They discovered that there are zones which evenly cross the
body, and these referral areas are known as “reflex” points. It was Eunice
Ingham who mapped out the human body on the feet, based on the reflex
points.
What does it do?
By stimulating nerve endings, or reflexes, through
touch, reflexology aims to bring the body into balance. Reflexology
encourages the body to function better by improving blood circulation and
lymphatic drainage, stimulating the nerve pathways and relaxing the muscles
in the body. By rejuvenating the body organs, releasing muscular tension,
and helping with detoxification, reflexology encourages the body to
activate its own healing ability.
Reflexology is an outstanding therapy for promoting
overall relaxation. And, when the body relaxes, it can better deal with the
stresses we put on it every day. As many of our health problems can be
linked to stress, reflexology can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle
to promote better health.
Chronic conditions respond very well to reflexology.
Within the last 20 years, research studies have been done that prove the
effectiveness of reflexology in treating a wide variety of conditions. Reflexologists do not claim to cure conditions, so much
as to help symptoms become more manageable, lessen physical pain, and boost
the body’s self-healing powers.
Since reflexology treats the whole person, not the
symptoms of disease, most people benefit from treatment. The therapy brings
relief to a wide range of conditions, and is suitable for all ages.
What do I need to know?
Your comfort is the most important aspect of the
session. The reflexology treatment begins with a foot inspection, during
which imbalances in the feet are observed and recorded by the reflexologist. The treatment then follows. The reflexologist uses her hands to gently manipulate the
feet and relax the muscles.
The goal of the treatment is to address problem areas,
or areas of congestion, which may feel sensitive to the touch. For the most
part, the sensation is pleasant and soothing. Reflexology will relax you
while stimulating the body's own healing mechanisms.
Once your body is in-tune, it is wise to have regular treatments
in order to help maintain health and well-being. An increasing number of
people are using this safe, natural therapy as a way of relaxing, balancing
and harmonizing the body. An enjoyable addition to your
well-being.
REIKI
What is it?
The word Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a Japanese kanji
which means “universal life-force energy.” Reiki is a powerful and unique
system of hands on healing that unlocks the inner flow of ki (vital life force energy that flows through all
living things) within us. Reiki is thought to have originated as an ancient
Tibetan Buddhist practice that was discovered in the late 1800’s by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese
Buddhist. During the last day of his twenty-one day retreat of meditation,
prayers, chanting and fasting at Mount
Kurama
in Kyoto, Japan, Mr. Usui
experienced a very powerful, spiritual awakening. On the basis of his
lifelong spiritual journey and his more recent spiritual experience, he
developed “The Usui System of Natural Healing”
which eventually came to be known as Usui
Reiki. Intuitively, Mr. Usui knew that he could now heal others without
depleting his own energy and desired to share this powerful knowledge with
others. The last four years of his life were dedicated to teaching over
2000 students and training 16 teachers in hopes of making this simple
healing technique available to all people worldwide. This holistic,
energy-based modality helps enhance and accelerate the body’s innate
healing ability. It can be used to address the root cause of illness, as
well as its physical and emotional manifestations. Reiki is simple, safe, non-invasive and can be given to anyone, any place, any
time and in any situation. It is a
wonderful complement to all holistic therapies and allopathic medical
treatments. Reiki does not interfere
with, but may actually improve the results of other forms of healing, such
as surgery, pharmaceutical drugs or herbal supplements, and psychological
care.
<Reiki
Continued>
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