So I decided to take a class on reflexology earlier this month.  It was close to home, not too expensive and is something that has intrigued me for a while. 
Let me tell you, it was not what I expected, but oh so amazing when we came out the other side.  There were 28 of us in the class, I expected under 10. I didn't expect to feel such an awesome relaxation from such a simple massage.  And I was surprised to find out exactly how to perform reflexology, since apparently the little bit that I had been forced to do as part of some protocol massages was performed very wrong-sorry about that, but maybe they should have got me some instruction prior to telling me to do it.  That is all in the past and a very different story.
What is reflexology you may ask?  Well, it is a whole body approach to wellness that is mainly focused on manipulations of the feet, but can include the hands and ears as well. There are reflex points in your feet (hands and ears also) that correspond to different parts of your body and different organs as well.  By manipulating these points, we can bring about a sense of well being and possibly positively affect your whole body. As an example, one of my classmates had been experiencing insomnia for weeks upon starting the class.  She was so tired.  After our first day of class, when we did our first reflexology session, we adjourned and went to our respective places.  The next morning, she reported having gone back to her hotel and sleeping.  Not just a cat nap. But all night long.  She felt amazing. That day, we did another session of reflexology, and again adjourned.  Again, she came back having slept the whole night through.  Maybe it wasn't the reflexology that did it, but I'm not going to argue.  It was awesome.  Lots of people reported having similar uplifting experiences.
So the reflexology style I studied is called Integrative Reflexology. It integrates four different theories to come up with one approach for treating the body.  There are other approaches out there, so one session of reflexology with me may not feel the same as with someone else. And some practitioners will find the reflex points slightly different than others. It is ok.  It is an intuitive treatment, much the same as massage is intuitive. No sessions will be exactly the same, because we as people are not exactly the same. That's what makes this fun.
I was so amazed at the deepest levels of relaxation I achieved during my reflexology sessions.  Especially as I tend to have ticklish feet.  The fact that I could just fall into an almost trance while receiving the treatment, practically asleep and not even notice the touch.  Just the peace.  And good intention.  And I felt the same when I was giving a session. It wasn't an intense concentration to ensure I was on the proper points, because I could find them intuitively.  It is amazing.  
I hope everyone would love to try a session.  You will be amazed!

Well, this is embarrassing! I had written up a great blog (I thought) about the harm we are doing to our body's by sitting all day. IT was here, I swear it was. But now it isn't! SO, today 5/3/16, I go back to my original thoughts to share with you.

​The increased risk of death by just sitting for 4 hours a day is huge.  Along with the myriad of other health problems that come along with it. Mayo clinic has some great information on the danger to yourself if you sit for extended periods.  Sitting for less than 2 hours a day improves your life in so many ways.
So you may wonder, especially if you are tied to a computer all day, how am I supposed to not sit for so long.  I will recommend a standing desk.  If you can't get one, make your current one into a standing desk.  Get a crate and move your monitor and keyboard up.  Look up desktop ergonomics to see how you should be looking at your computer to maximize your health. If you just can not get a standing desk, try to stand up as much as possible. Talking on the phone, stand up. Eating lunch. Stand up.  Better yet, move, move, move.  You burn more calories (and who doesn't need to do that) just by standing, now maximize that by getting a move on it.  Park further away, don't troll the parking lot waiting for the front row spot.  Walk. And one of my favorites, get a furry friend.  Not only are they great on your blood pressure, they are great motivators to get out and exercise.  A well exercised Dog will definitely be a happier dog.  And no one is happier to see you at the end of the day than your dog! Soon, your body will start to respond to your increased activity by feeling better and demanding more time.  That horrible pain in your shoulders will diminish and life will be good again.  MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!

    I suffered a shoulder injury in my previous job that resulted in my decision to leave a job I did not enjoy and did not see a future for myself in.  I made a good income at this job, but I was not fulfilled in this occupation.  I enrolled in massage school and gave my notice to my employer.  It is a decision that I do not regret.  You must first fulfill your own needs.  My family can pay our bills, eat healthy food, take care of ourselves and enjoy a little bit of fun with a lesser income from my new career, but the QUALITY OF OUR LIFE is so much better. 
    I love learning about the human body and how it works best.  This career allows me to gain more insight into healthier living and to share my knowledge and skills to help others feel better also.  The fact that I am required to reeducate myself to maintain my license as a Massage Therapist is not an obstacle, it is an opportunity to make myself better for myself and my clients.  Working in a massage spa, I had the pleasure of working with an awesome Esthetician and realize how much fun she had and I loved looking into her bag of tools (and creams and serums and cleansers and so much more) and wishing I knew what to do with them. So I decided to expand my knowledge base and study esthetics also.  I learned so much about the skin and caring for it. 
    This is such a great field to be in.  It is scientific, which the academic in my loves.  It is caring, which the empath is me cares about.  It is fun, which all of me loves.  And I get to meet people from all walks of life and learn their stories and experiences.  I enjoy sharing my knowledge with my clients.  And now I am going to try to share my knowledge through a new to me format, this blog. 
Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think, or if there are topics you would like a discussion on.