We often ask one another, "How are you today?" It's worth taking a moment to ask yourself this very question, and honoring what you discover. Do you feel a sense of heaviness or discomfort anywhere in your body? Is your mind occupied with recurring thoughts? A holistic approach to wellness instructs us to listen to the messages of imbalance, and respond constructively.
I can remember repeatedly stubbing my toe when I was a child. I'd first cringe with pain, then I'd slap a Band-Aid on it and get running again. I don't recall taking a moment to ask myself what this accident was telling me. Maybe the same cycle kept repeating because I just wasn't getting the message.
The body is like that. The information we need is right with us at all times, held and reflected by our bodies. Take a moment to notice those around you. Notice how body posture and movement reveal a life story.
Listening to messages
By listening and discerning the message of our own body, we gain access to awareness for improving our overall well-being. Do you use this awareness to make conscious choices to support your health?
Sometimes it is difficult to recognize what we see in ourselves, and it nearly always requires conscious effort to change course. Professionals in the holistic wellness field can help you to navigate as you strive to become aware, decipher and respond to your body's messages.
Simplicity is an essential requirement for most of us as we embrace something new - even when what we're reaching for is better health. Life is so busy - there are so many choices; time and/or money can feel like scarce resources. Our personal needs for wellness support rarely make it to the top of our to-do lists.
Because of all these diversions, it takes perseverance to develop a collection of practices that are life-enhancing. Fortunately, each successful discovery tends to inspire us to enjoy and expand the repertoire of healthy practices. As we feel better, the joys and challenges of life become more enjoyable.
Reflexology may be a good place to start exploring for health and inspiration. You may already have some curiosity about this practice, and the effects of a session will likely make an impression on you.
About those feet
When was the last time you gave your feet some attention? You have more than 7,000 nerve endings and a total of 26 bones in each foot. Our feet are designed to sense and respond to many textures and surfaces - to move and flex, yet they are typically boxed into shoes and travel only flat surfaces. Even the very fit and healthy tend to accumulate some stagnation in the feet, which is a drain on the entire system.
References to the benefits of reflexology can be found in sources such as "Molecules of Emotion" by Dr. Candice Pert; "The Cancer Prevention Book" by Dr. Rosey Daniel; and studies conducted at Michigan State University and elsewhere.
The effectiveness of reflexology is theorized as being due to stimulation (which supports the body to establish/sustain balance and optimal wellness) of the circulatory system, nervous system, lymphatic system and energetic/meridian system in conjunction with working the reflexes of the feet/hands. Likely, each of these factors contributes to the effectiveness of reflexology.
A reflexology session is a nice pause in the day. You need only remove your shoes/socks and relax into a reclining position. Per International Institute of Reflexology (IIR) practices, the reflexologist will mist your feet with an herbal cleanser and possibly apply cornstarch before beginning your session. Relaxation and reflex techniques are applied to your feet using only practitioner's hands.
Since the body is a unified system, areas of congestion in the feet correlate with similarly congested (and likely painful) areas along reflex zones in the body. Actions applied to the feet (or hands) stimulate the entire body. By reducing stress and tension in this manner, resources are unleashed for the body to perform maintenance and repair.
Overall, reflexology is also a health maintenance practice and supports the body's natural healing capacity. Healing capacity for acute conditions is often restored within one to three sessions. Chronic conditions or injuries may benefit from regular/extended attention.
Your body can do amazing things in life. Your health is one resource worth cultivating.
Julie Glassmoyer is a Kirkland resident and reflexologist practicing at Synergy Wellness Center. She may be reached at 425-445-7949.
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