The First Step in a Reflexology Session – Part 1
Say “hello” with a welcoming smile and offer a safe, nurturing atmosphere which encourages the opportunity for deep relaxation and healing.
Use essential oils to enhance the aroma of the room. You may use a diffuser. Or, if you don’t have one, put a few drops of an oil on a rug or on the towel you are going to use on your client’s feet. You may decide to use just one oil always or to vary your oils with the client who is coming for a session. I know one reflexologist who uses two oils exclusively: Lavender for her female clients and Valor for her male clients.
As a person walks into your healing space, notice posture, ease of movement, gait, whether or not shoulders or hips match from one side to the other, etc.
Offer a place to leave the coat, parcels, umbrella, etc., and a place to sit down to remove shoes, (do not remove the socks yet).
Escort your client to your healing chair or table and help him/her get comfortable.
Verbal communication skills are important here, especially with a first visit. Nonverbal behavior is important also. If the person is from another culture, every effort should be made to know what is appropriate for him/her and respect the cultural, ethical, spiritual, and language differences.
If the person is new, introduce yourself by your full name and let the client decide how to address you. Always address the client formally until you have been given permission to do otherwise.
Find out what s/he thinks about his/her health problems.
Attitudes toward different health situations change from culture to culture and these differences will affect how you approach the Reflexology for the Spirit session.
Always respect a person’s values, beliefs, practices, and attitudes even if you don’t agree with them.
If family members come along, respect that in some cultures health is a family matter, not an individual situation.
If the person doesn’t show trust, do what you can to earn it, but don’t be surprised if it never develops.
Offer the client partner a drop or two of essential oil at this time. Sometimes it’s appropriate to anoint your client partner with 8-10 drops. There are many oils available. Offer 2-3 by showing them the label on the bottle and let the person choose the word most attractive to him/her.
That’s always the oil that’s accepted. Place a couple of drops of the chosen oil in the palm of one of your client partner’s hands. Instruct the person to rub the palms together and then breathe in the aroma. Wait a moment while s/he adjusts to the impact that the oil is having. Suggest s/he may want to rub his/her palms over the face, head, hair, halo, etc.
Sit at your client partner’s feet facing the plantar (bottom) portion of the feet and begin the healing process.
This subject will continue with the next post. I hope you found this information helpful. Please leave your comments or questions below and check out our other posts.
There were actually three collaborators on this book. Michele Garner was a major contributor to this post.
Peace and food for all
Thurman Greco
Woodstock, NY
