ICR Awards 2017 - Jade Rocks

Thank you for your visit as always,

Birgit

A few mindful breaths can at times allow for more ease...

Have you tried Your Reflexology Break?

https://youtu.be/zj3bN85MJIE (with music) 

https://youtu.be/ht8IoKjKa3Y (no music) 

Have you tried the One Minute Reflexology for Animals? 

#icrpaws #reflexologytreatsareyum

http://ban-chi.net/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/ICR_Paws_2.71165536.pdf

Is the Term “Reflex” Integral to Reflexology?

Is the term reflex integral* to Reflexology?

Somewhere in the US, reflexologists are not allowed to use the word reflex.  I would  like to suggest to our community to draw the line here for possible future definitions and consider standing our ground.

What Reflexology is allowed to be “defined” as depends to a very large degree on what legislators are told by parties outside the field of reflexology (lobbyists) making sure reflexology does not infringe on their field, their lingo and it has gotten pretty weird for the lack of a better word.

Reflexology yes, but reflexes no? - So what is reflexology?

One of the words NOT to be used by reflexologists somewhere around the US is the word reflex, and that is why it is not part of the new RAA (Reflexology Association of America) definition.  I totally understand where RAA is coming from; RAA wants to cover all states because it represents all states.

Whomever this is coming from it seems like telling a surgeon not to use the word surgery or a pet groomer not to use the words grooming and pet, just saying.
So “neural pathways” it is according to the new RAA definition, which means that I personally will have to undo fifteen years of using the term "reflex" which may result in new neural pathways by calling the “lung reflex” “neural pathways to the lungs.”  Neural is very 21st century which is in a way good.  Or “reflection of the lung” will be another option as is “neural representation of the lungs”.  When we work on the feet because they are at one end of the body, it is really nerve endings that we hit which are nevertheless part of a pathway (see below definition).

So what is a definition for neural pathway? 
Neural pathway: noun
technical: a series of connected nerves along which electrical impulses travel in the body 

(“Neural pathway.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neural%20pathway. Accessed 25 November 2019)And here is the Reflexology Association of America’s current definition of Reflexology:Reflexology, an integrative health practice, maps a reflection of the body predominately on the feet, hands and outer ears. It uses unique manual techniques to deliver pressure to neural pathways assisting the body to function optimally. (2019)”*
Nostalgically, I dug out my old NYSRA (stress) foot for this post which by the way says: “Reflexology..... promoting wellness” that lingo still works.  

Double Handed no Pressure Hand Reflexology

A few weeks ago, waiting for dinner to arrive at one of our favorite Middle Eastern restaurants, Regal received a hand reflexology session from me.

On the way there I told him about an upcoming event and wanted to show him something and get feedback.  It also can not hurt to rebalance the body to prepare for dinner.

He was game for the following which was new to him:
- double handed hand reflexology, meaning I was working mostly on both hands at the same time (mostly it's one hand at a time) aside from doing some relaxation techniques.
- no pressure at all hand reflexology (often it's either gentle, medium, deep pressure).  I personally do not use deep pressure.  

Reflexology in NYS - Please Sign the International MoveonPetition

Following another trip to Albany to educate legislators, my buddy Petra in a New York minute, created an international moveon petition.

Please, sign

Letter of Support for NYSRA/Reflexology in NY State

Richard P. Brown, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University supports regulation of reflexology in New York State as it is the case in nearly 30 US States.

Many thanks to Dr. Brown for joining the efforts of New York State Reflexology Association (NYSRA) and thank you, Dr. Gerbarg and Jose Mestre for forwarding the letter.  Note, because the letter was forwarded by email, the signature is missing.  If you question the authenticity of the letter, please feel free to contact the author of this blog. 

Dr. Brown and integrative professionals like him have the wisdom and Western education to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and holistic disciplines.  His support is greatly appreciated. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you,
an appreciative NYSRA member (since 2007).

IN MEMORIAM EVA - YCT Client, YCT Volunteer and Artist

The collage; Mowgli in the background

Eva (fictional name) was a YCT volunteer, YCT client, and artist .

We became friendly the first time we met.  I went to one of her openings and was in one of her workshops.  She was a visual artist and writer.  All of us had such a good time working on our collages.  Eva liked my piece and said I had to frame it.  She said it more than once.  I still have not done it, but I will.  She set the date for a second work shop, then there was an email from her.  She had to cancel but did not offer an explanation which I thought was unusual.  I asked why she canceled.  She had received another cancer diagnosis and was to start treatments shortly.

IN MEMORIAM ANNA (Year of the Frog)

Anna's cranes

Last summer I found myself in the hospice section at Beth Israel.  One of my YCT clients was there.  To protect her privacy I am calling her Anna.  Anna and I had become friendly and I had worked with her a couple of times outside of YCT Foundation (YCT).  She loved reflexology and acupuncture and felt very comfortable with me, she said.   

At the hospital I found out from her brother that she had been battling cancer for fifteen years.  Fifteen years.  I had no idea.  Only a year earlier she invited me to see her perform at a community center.  She had so much grace, she moved so effortlessly.  I enjoyed watching her.  Leading up to the performance she told me how busy she was with dance rehearsals. 

Runners' Feet Love DESSERTS: Women's Health Magazine Loves Reflexology

Self Care on the run: Walking through quiet Hells Kitchen (Clinton), I decided to do some chakra balancing by using the biya sounds on my way to Pier 84 at 6am on a recent Sunday; preparing myself for a Reflexology event for runners. Chakra balancing has become one of my self care staples, hey I get to use my singing voice! 

bija sounds for chakra balancing on the right 

Despite only four+ hours of sleep, I was feeling pretty good.  More grounding, however, could not hurt, never does!  I could even blast the bijas - the young clubbers leaving after hours clubs on the Far West Side coming toward me I was sure would not mind or perhaps not even notice.  I love early mornings!  I added a Root Chakra chant.

Stress leading up to event: I was relieved - my arm and wrist had felt off the day before.  Too many challenges related to my computer had followed troubles with our cable signal that lasted nearly three weeks.  Trying to save my fried (the fan was broken) "vintage" MacBook entailed a couple of bike rides along always busy 9th Avenue, and always very congested 8th Avenue.