Reflexology

Welcome to Monday morning; it’s lovely and bright but not sure for how long.  Seems we get a little taste and then it’s taken away again.  However, I’m sure we will all soon be feeling that warmth on our skin, the glow in the cheeks and the feeling of well-being once the sun does start to shine.  But all of these beautiful feelings can be achieved from receiving holistic therapies, they all have a place and all come under one umbrella, we treat the mind, body and spirit.

A Brief History
Healing by touch is as old as mankind, requiring insight, intuition and specialized skills and techniques.  Many of the touch therapies are based on the theory that for good health within the body, the energies must flow creating a good environment and balancing on all levels.  Given this good environment the body has the ability to heal itself!

Reflexology can be traced back generations.  In Egypt its origins can be seen in a frieze at the tomb of Ankhm’ahor.  The tomb in Saqqara is known as the “Physicians’ Tomb” owing to the many marvellous scenes found on its walls.  From ancient illustrations we know that the early Chinese, Japanese, Indians and Russians worked on the feet to promote good health.  Many of these same techniques have been developed into a modern method called reflexology.

Developed in the early years of the twentieth century into the reflexology we practise today.  Ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr William Fitzgerald, studied and developed Zone Therapy.  As he studied his patients he discovered that parts of the body corresponded to other parts.  Using pressure in one area could cause an anaesthetic effect on another part.  To convince others of this theory, he used a dramatic demonstration of applying pressure to a point in the hand and then sticking a pin into the corresponding area on a volunteer’s face, without causing pain.

Around the 1930s a physiotherapist called Eunice Ingham also studied the theory used in the zone therapy.  She discovered that the feet where more responsive and, by using alternating pressure on various points, pain relief and the therapeutic effect was greater than using the zone therapy.  Hence, reflexology was born.  Eunice Ingham has written Stories the Feet Can Tell and Stories the Feet Have Told, both of which are worth reading!  Doreen Bailey, a student of Eunice Ingham, studied and trained in America and brought reflexology to Britain in 1966.

There are many schools of reflexology and new thoughts and techniques are being discovered and taught all the time - the years ahead are looking promising for reflexology.

The Many Benefits of Reflexology
Reflexology has many benefits, it is a subject we could talk about forever!  I have been a reflexologist for many years and I have discovered many ways it has helped my clients and on many levels.  We must also remember that this beautiful therapy is totally holistic, balancing the mind, body and spirit.  I am sure I will discover much more on my journey and I am looking forward to sharing some of it with you.

Reflexology totally reduces stress!  We live with stress every day of our lives, to a larger or smaller degree, and this is neither good or bad as we all need a degree of stress to function.  It is a problem, however, when the stress becomes too great and the body’s systems are affected allowing disease and illness to creep in.  It has been estimated that over 75% of all illness are stress related.

Reflexology cleanses the body, balances the systems, revitalizes energy, nurtures relationships, eases pain, improves the circulation and lymphatic flow, stimulates and soothes the nervous system, balances the endocrine system, improves the immune system, sleep patterns change and improve and natural endorphins are released to give that feel good factor.  All-in-all it is beneficial to all systems of the body.

We are running a course on 1st and 2nd June - if you are interested please give us a call, email or contact on Facebook.  The course fee is £350 and carries 46 CPD points.  You will need to complete 20 cases studies.

Learning the art of this beautiful treatment will never fail to amaze you, after all we are amazing people!!

For further details on this and other courses see our website

www.comocentreforenlightenment.com

Hope to see you all soon
Love and Reiki blessings 

Gill

Brrrrr it’s a chilly day again.  I have picked up someone’s cold and feeling a little sorry for myself.  With that thought it brings me to beautiful Hopi Ear Candling, taking the pressure and strain from my head, throat and ears - what a wonderful soothing treatment.  Well I better tell you more!!

HOPI EAR CANDLING

This is an ancient and natural therapy handed down by many civilisations.  It is believed that the Ancient Greeks used ear candles, initially for cleansing, purifying and healing on a spiritual basis, but much later on a purely physical basis.  The practice reached the modern world via Native American Hopi Indians of North Arizona.  Ear candles were used traditionally by Shamen healers.  Ancient wall paintings show their importance in initiation rituals and healing ceremonies of the tribe.  The candles are still made today on the basis of the old traditional formula originating from the Hopi Indians.

Hopi Ear Candling can help relieve the symptoms of headaches and migraine, hay fever, colds, sore throats, tinnitus, rhinitis, glue ear, sinusitis, balance problems, swimmers ear, ear itching, pre- and post-flying, catarrh, compacted ear wax.  Calming and relaxing - so wonderful for stress.

Some Ear Conditions

As our ears are connected to the nose and throat, Hopi ear candles can be helpful with the relief of many of the symptoms we encounter with these organs.

Below are some examples of ear conditions:

Sinusitis – is an inflammation of the sinuses.  Acute symptoms are conditions which develop and subside quickly.  Chronic symptoms are long term conditions.  Generally the most common ailment associated with sinusitis is the common cold. Others symptoms can develop such as headache, pain, pressure especially when bending or lying down and the area can be very tender.

Otitis Media -  this is more common in children and is a collection of fluid in the middle ear, also known as “Glue Ear”.  The ear fills with sticky fluid and this causes hearing impairment in children under the age of eight.  If this tube becomes blocked, generally through infection, the middle ear will fill up with fluid causing chronic Otitis Media.  The insertion of grommets will allow the circulation of air.  Grommets will fall out of their own accord, after which a monthly treatment would be very beneficial.

Hay Fever and Rhinitis – these are allergies and cause inflammation to the membrane lining of the nose and throat.  These conditions generally occur in the spring and summer, however some allergies are associated with other conditions such as asthma.  Generally the symptoms are running eyes, blocked nose, itching eyes, headaches and sneezing.

Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) – ringing, buzzing or other sounds can be heard in one ear or both.  Hopi ear candles help relax the client but can also temporarily change the noise, which is quiet welcoming.

Tension Headaches -  Hopi can help this condition as tension headaches are generally associated with stress.  The gentle and calming influence of the treatment will prove very beneficial.

Blockage of Wax – this condition causes a feeling of fullness in the ear and can cause irritation.  Ear wax is produced by the glands in the ear canal to protect against foreign objects and to keep the area clean and moist.  Regular treatments will help prevent a build-up of wax.  People who work in noisy environments, or wear ear plugs, will find wax builds up quicker than normal.

Principles of Ear Candling

Ear Candling in a non-invasive treatment.  The treatment begins by applying pressure points to the face, without the use of oil.  This starts the procedure of relaxation and stimulation to the sinuses. 

The client lies on their side.  The candle will be lit and placed gently into the auditory canal, causing a seal.  As the treatment begins the client may experience crackling or hissing noises as the candle starts to burn down.  This generally takes about ten minutes for each ear.  The experience is so relaxing that the client often drifts off to sleep.

As the candles burn they cause a suction effect, like a chimney, simulating a gentle massage to the ear drum.  A feeling of warmth is sometimes felt, soothing and relaxing the area.  The last part of the candle helps balance the fluid of the inner ear.

Once the candles have been removed the client lies on their back and a relaxing facial massage is applied.  This aids deeper relaxation and helps to clear the sinuses. Pressure point work and drainage stimulates the circulation which helps blood flow in and out of the area and assists with lymphatic drainage.

More pressure points and drainage moves are applied with the use of oil.  If preferred, a gentle head massage can be performed to finish the treatment.

This treatment is totally holistic, working on the physical and spiritual levels, clearing negative energies and so leaving the client feeling refreshed, renewed, energised and clear of the cotton wool feeling in the head.

Well I must get cracking and have a beautiful treatment. 

As a therapist why not add it to your list of therapies, the course is over one and half days, carries 17 CPD points, includes 12 case studies for completion and the cost is just £150.

For further details on this and other courses see our website at Como.

Hope to see you all again soon,
Love and Reiki blessings

Gill 

Aromatherapy

Here we are again, what a beautiful morning, clear and crisp - I do love mornings like this.  I can hear you all saying "it’s cold and where is the sunshine and warmth?", but I’m sure it will come.  The flowers will start to poke their heads out to feel the warmth on their tiny faces.  I often look deep into the face of a flower - you can see their faces like little people smiling back at you, especially pansies with their beautiful colours.  Well who wouldn’t smile back if you really did stop for a moment to look - but really look!

This brings me to the aroma of flowers and plants, which I feel we sometimes take for granted.  When was the last time you stopped to smell a flower or a plant?  I love the smell of honeysuckle on a warm summer evening.  We have had one in the garden for many years it always brings a smile to my face.  The dear memories I hold of summer evenings and my children when they were younger. 

Smell plays an important role in our lives, it unlocks memories of happy or sad times.  We should fill our lives with the aromas we love, uplifting, rejuvenating, relaxing.

Aromatherapy is a beautiful therapy to have and to learn.  Essential oils can be used in many different ways but combined with a beautiful massage - well what more can I say!!!!

At Como we offer you training in Aromatherapy Massage, together with other ways to use the beautiful oils.  The course is over four and half days, you will need to complete 20 case studies, the cost is £350 and is accredited by The Guild of Holistic Therapies and carries 60 CPD points.

So, what are you waiting for?  Call us, Facebook us, Twitter us, come and see us - were always happy to chat.  

In fact, we have an Open Morning at Como this coming Saturday, 6^th April, from 10am till 1pm.  Do join us, we would love to see you there.

For further details on this and other courses see our website

www.comocentreforenlightenment.com

Bless you all, take care and I hope to see some new faces soon.

Love and Reiki blessings

Gill