How to make the most of your reflexology session

People find reflexology in their quest to solve various physical, emotional, and even social challenges. They begin coming for sessions regularly when they notice the subtle but powerful shifts that reflexology can set in motion. Deeper sleep, improved digestion, and the ability to conquer habits that feel good in a moment, but overall inhibit health and happiness. Things like consuming excess sugar or alcohol, journaling about the same thing over and over and never doing anything about it. Yes, reflexology can help with all of that, as well as your unique challenges and goals! Reflexology releases tension and nurtures the nervous, lymphatic, endocrine, muscular systems of the body, as well as moves stagnant energy from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridian Systems.

Here are some tips for making sure that you get the biggest bang for your buck with your foot reflexology sessions!

1.     Come with no judgement. It is normal to feel a little self-conscious when trying something for the first time. Let that small swell of anxiety go—it is worth it to arrive in the healing benefits that your session will bring about.

And I mean NO JUDGMENT. People often tell me that their feet are in “terrible shape”. I always reply, “Say something nice about your feet,” and they do! Our feet are incredible—we work them so hard, and if we are fortunate to have full and unfettered use of them, they take us everywhere we are ever to go!

You do not need a pedicure to come to reflexology. You do not need perfectly smooth heels. In fact, if you can hold off on your pedicure until after your first session, I can read a lot of helpful information in the surfaces of your feet and polish-free nails. This information will help me know your body better, and it will help me customize our work together.

2.     Be in the moment. This goes for our session, as well as in between sessions. Slow down when you interact with your feet. Wash them carefully, making your way slowly through the toes, and around and under the edges of the toenails. Breathe. The toes are your head and sinus reflexes. Slowing down as you touch these areas not only assures that you are cleaning them thoroughly, but they can help you feel less “in your head” or prone to perseverating about decisions or rerunning conversations and what you could have said or done. Let all that wash away!

3.     Commit to a detox. Reflexology is one of the most powerful modalities I’ve discovered for detoxification of the organs and tissues of the body. It can even detoxify your mind from unproductive thoughts and patterns that cause you to feel stuck and/or unseen in your world.

Allow the detox to happen, again washing away what doesn’t need to be there, this time from the inside out. You can do what you want, but it is recommended not to just jump right into a candy binge or two-margarita + Mexican meal soon after your session. Drink filtered water and eat clean veggies and protein. Be mindful about your use of screens and consumption of media and marketing messages. Quiet those things and breathe slowly as your body resets, wrapped in the support of our work together.

Allow yourself to continue to feel good for the days and weeks to come. Allow the good feelings to grow and generate more of what’s good—for yourself and all of those that you serve at home and in your community and work.

4.     Commit to yourself. Clients often ask, “how often should I have a session?” It depends on your goals, but generally I recommend this formula for anyone committed to material and energetic change: EACH WEEK, EXPERIENCE

·      some form of bodywork (reflexology, massage, acupuncture, etc.)

·      some form of self-care

·      some way of creating. A new recipe, a fresh playlist, artwork in any medium, archiving, gardening, a letter to someone you love, a mechanical accomplishment, creating an inviting space in a closet or garage—some way of generating something new with what you have and who you are! NOTE: creating is working with what you have, not buying something new as a way of self-soothing. Notice how this feels, and lean into any discomfort you have with the creative process. Be playful, curious, and open to learning new things about yourself!   

Some weeks you may not get to all three, and that’s not a worry. You might find a better formula for yourself. I want you to! Just have a plan and a way of bringing yourself back to it.

5.     Share reflexology with a friend or loved one! If you are having an incredible experience in your reflexology sessions, invite a friend to try it out. I am in the beginning stages of growing Dream Reflexology, and I love when my clients introduce me to people in their lives whom they know can benefit from all that reflexology can offer. It is a win-win-win, and I am ever in awe of my clients’ generosity and enthusiasm for all that we accomplish together.