See us on LuckyMag.com

This week we're the featured location for Reflexology in Boston on Lucky magazine's website.

Queen for a Day

I've been invited by the South Elementary School Fundraising Committee to participate in their "Queen for a Day" fund raiser on March 30th here in Stoneham. The donations and proceeds from this event are going towards ArtQuest. Kim shares...

Art Quest is a unique educational program designed to develop thinking skills through observation of visual works of art. Art Quest integrates art history and art appreciation with class curriculum providing students with an opportunity to learn visually.

I will be providing sampler sessions of foot, hand and ear reflexology as well as foot reading demonstrations. If you are interested in attending or want information on this event please contact me and I'll put you in touch with Kim and the organizers.

New pictures of the office

I received a call from a magazine last week wanting pictures from the office for an upcoming online article on Reflexology and Reflexologists in the Boston area. With the help of a friend (thanks Kris!), I have some new pictures of the office to share!

This first image is taken from the front porch where our sign reads "Relax, Renew, Reflexology." I had the sign designed from one of the main images on the website - the one with the beautiful lotus flowers on it.

And the second image here is of the treatment room featuring me, reclining in the zero gravity chair. I don't know about you but when that chair is reclined I go into instant power nap mode! I moved the Sansevieria trifasciata, aka: Snake plant, into the treatment room from the waiting room and it looks really cozy in the corner by the radiator.

Reflexology for the Childbearing Year Workshops

On February 23rd I co-taught Reflexology for the Childbearing Years with Marionna Sabia at the Palmer Institute. The students were current Reflexology students or graduates of Reflexology courses looking to incorporate techniques and theories to work with clients from preconception through postpartum. Two of the students were pregnant so everyone in the class got a chance to feel and see the differences in the reproductive organ reflexes of:
- a pregnant foot
- a never-been-pregnant foot
- one or more pregnancies foot
- and even the areas reflecting the residual scar tissue from cesarean deliveries

Reflexology is so wonderful for women during this stage of their life. Though the studies, so far, have been few it is certainly showing the benefits range from ease of pregnancy symptoms, to improved chances of conception, to shorter labors and births, and a quicker recovery period after the baby is born.

I will be teaching a similar workshop at the Cortiva Institute in Watertown in September but this time it is geared towards birth professionals, couples and massage therapists. For details click here.

What's the difference between acupressure and reflexology?

In the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of Body Sense magazine I address this commonly asked question: What is the difference between acupressure and reflexology?

Marbelous Foot Soak

Treat your feet to this at-home foot soak! You'll
need...
a basin/tub large enough for both feet (plastic is
best)
a bag of marbles
Epsom salt or sea salt
2 hand towels
your favorite foot lotion

Place one of the hand towels on the floor in front of a chair. Place the basin or tub on top of the hand towel to help catch any splashes. Gently empty your bag of pre-washed marbles into the basin. You may wish to soak your marbles in warm water first so they won't cool your bath down too quickly. Add a couple tablespoons of Epsom salt or sea salt. Finish with warm water and start soaking. Let your feet explore the marbles at the bottom of the basin. Experiment adding a little pressure, or rolling the feet in different directions -- circular, back and forth. After your soak, dry your feet with the remaining hand towel and apply foot lotion.

Variations...
-Use small pebbles gathered from the beach instead of marbles.
-Add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil.
-Buy colored marbles and consider the healing properties of the colors on the reflexes of your feet.
-Add the marbles to your bathtub, fill with a few inches of water, sit on chairs next to the tub and share with a loved one (this is fun with grade-school children - picking up marbles with the toes and making an exercise out of it).

Using Feng Shui and Vastu Concepts in the New Office

I've had a very enjoyable time decorating the new office using Feng Shui and Vastu concepts. Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) is an ancient Chinese practice where spaces are arranged to achieve harmony with the elements (wood, metal, fire, water and earth).

Vastu, on the other hand, originates from ancient India and is considered one part of three sciences: Vastu, Ayurveda and Yoga (the latter being the most well-known) that comprise the mind-body-spirit equation and spiritual philosophy. According to author Kathleen Cox "Vastu is the first design science to use the human body as the guiding force in the creation of space. Vastu also understands that every design decision sets in motion a predictable consequence that is experienced by the human body. So once we know the predictable consequences, we eliminate the belief that there is mystery in design."

Next time you are in the office enjoy the aquarium in the corner of tranquility, or let yourself be drawn to the candelabra in the treatment room where the candles represent each of your energy centers, or chakras. I hope your experience at The Barefoot Dragonfly is one of peace, renewal, and comfort.