A Reflexology Spa Treatment to Boost Spiritual Health
Occasionally your client partners need a bit of special attention. Life events create a need for a spiritual affirmation. A Reflexology Spa Treatment for the Spirit can be just what is needed. This session honors the part of the body beyond the bones and muscles.
Begin this session plan by selecting the essential oil you’ll use. My preferred essential oils for a Spiritual Spa Session include:
bergamot
clary sage
frankincense
galbanum
juniper
lavender
Roman chamomile
Once the oil has been selected, you’ll be guided to choose the music. the decor. When you book this Spiritual appointment, discuss and choose the oil.
Whatever oil and music you choose, make your selections both powerful and healing. Have the music playing when your client partner enters your healing space.
For this spiritual session make your client partner comfortable on your healing table and then wash his/her feet using warm, wet towels. Once your client partner’s feet are washed, wrap them in warm dry towels.
Anoint your client partner with the selected essential oil. Apply several drops of the chosen oil to both your client partner’s hands. Encourage your client partner to rub his/her palms together and then wipe them over the face, head, halo, aura.
Move to your client partner’s head and bring in Reiki. Offer three Reiki holds to the head.
Now, move to your client partner’s feet. Anoint your client partner’s feet with a lotion to which you’ve added a small amount of the selected essential oil.
Now, offer five minutes of delicious warm ups to your client partner’s first foot. While you do this, leave the other foot wrapped in the warm towel.
Follow this with twenty minutes of specific reflexology offered to reflex points chosen to encourage spiritual therapy. Work the reflex points in the following order:
1. solar plexus
2. pituitary gland
3. pineal gland
4. thymus
5. adrenal glands
6. ovary/ testicle
7. heart
8. spine
9. intestines
10. Chakras
11. Now, finish this part of the session by returning to the solar plexus and liver.
Offer five minutes of warm downs as you complete the work on the first foot.
Now, cover the first foot with the warm towel and move to the other foot where you will offer five minutes of warm ups, and twenty minutes of spiritual focus on the second food.
Now, offer five minutes of gentle warm downs on the second foot as you complete the reflexology part of this session.
It is now time to offer three Reiki therapy holds to both feet and then close the Reiki part of the session.
This has been a deep session. Your client partner needs a few moments to return to “now”. Gently cover both feet with warm towels, leave him/her alone for a moment as you prepare a glass of water and offer it to your client partner.
Quietly visit with your client partner as you end the session. This may take a few extra moments for your client partner prepares to return to “now”.
Thank you for practicing reflexology and thank you for offering this spa session to your client partners.
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Thurman Greco
Art work created by Jennette Nearhood.
A Battle Front Reflexology Spa Treatment to Boost your Client Partner’s Good Health
Now is a good time to offer a Reflexology Spa Treatment to boost your client partner’s good health. People everywhere are fighting flu, colds, and other maladies as the body offers a battle for good health. This is also a time when people focus on the immune system because every pharmacy around has generously sized signs announcing flu shots.
For your client partner concerned about fighting viruses and infections, the Battle for Health Reflexology Spa Treatment is not a luxury. It’s more in the necessity category.
Begin your battle plan by selecting the essential oils you’ll use. My preferred essential oils for this Spa Treatment are:
clove
lemon
nutmeg
oregano
peppermint
tangerine
thyme
Your oil selection will guide you to which music to use and what decor to adopt.
My favorite oil in this selection is peppermint. But, since not everyone likes peppermint (or you may prefer another oil), select the oil based on your discussion with your client partner as you book the appointment.
Whichever oil you choose may inspire you to select a specific CD. If not, be guided by the reflex points you’ll be working in this session. You’re going to stimulate your client partner’s body to fight disease so being “battle ready” may be important.
When I offer a Battle for Health Spa Treatment, I’m motivated to offer peppermint oil and have a few peppermint plants in pots in the healing space. You may be motivated to do something completely different. There are no “wrongs” here.
Have your music section playing when your client partner enters your space.
You may want to wash your client partner’s feet as the first step in this session. Warm some moist cloths in the microwave and gently clean your client partner’s feet.
When your client partner is comfortably situated face up on your table or in your reflexology chair, anoint your him/her with the selected oil. Put a few drops of the essential oil in the palms. Have him/her rub the palms together and hold them over the face and take a few deep breaths. Then have your client partner rub the hands over his/her face and head.
Now, seat yourself at your client partner’s head. . Bring in the Reiki and offer three Reiki holds to the head.
Now, move down to your client partner’s feet. When you offer reflexology to the feet, you’ll add some carrier oil to the essential oil and use this blend throughout the session. You may be able to find a commercial lotion in the right blend which you like.
Selecting the first foot, offer five minutes of delicious warm ups. Follow this with five minutes of general reflexology to your client’s foot.
You now have your client partner’s first foot prepared and ready to receive the Spa Session on this foot. In this part of the session, you’ll stimulate the glandular parts of the body as you work the reflex areas listed below. You’ll encourage your client partner to fight disease.
Work the following reflexes for twenty minutes on the first foot. Offer this section in the following order.
1. Work the solar plexus to relax the body and establish a good breathing pattern.
2. Work the spleen reflex to stimulate it to perform its immune functions.
3. Work the liver reflex to filter wastes as it cleans the body of toxins.
4. Work the kidney reflex to stimulate blood cleansing.
5. Work the intestinal reflexes to move toxins out of the body.
6. Work the lymphatic system reflexes to build a defense system against illness
6. Repeat the work on the solar plexus to finish the immune system path.
After spending fifteen minutes working the above listed reflexes, spend five minutes offering general reflexology. Finish the work on the first foot with five more minutes of warm downs.
Now, move to the second foot and repeat the process. This means you’ll offer five minutes of warm ups, five minutes of general reflexology, fifteen minutes working the reflexes in the following pattern:
solar plexus
spleen
liver
kidneys
intestines
lymphatic system
solar plexus
Finally, offer five minutes of general reflexology and then five minutes of warm downs.
When this is completed, offer your client ten minutes of Reiki theraapy on the feet. It is now time to seal the Reiki therapy part of the spa session.
Let your client rest for a moment while you get a bottle of water or a cup of herbal tea for him/her.
Spend a couple of minutes with your client while s/he drinks the water and returns to “now”.
Thanks for reading this blog.
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Thurman Greco
Jennette Nearhood donated the art work for this article.
2.
The Fourth Chakra and Reflexology
The fourth Chakra reflex point is found on the ball of the foot. This is where we find the heart, lungs, breasts, thymus gland, shoulders.
Fourth Chakra issues include:
self esteem
personal power
intimacy
forgiveness
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO LEARN ABOUT FOURTH CHAKRA ISSUES WITHOUT QUESTIONING:
Are you able to express your emotions?
Do you need to protect yourself?
Do you have problems giving and receiving love?
Are you living a divided life?
Have you created a protective barrier around your heart?
Do you have trouble forgiving people?
Do you fear rejection?
Do you feel vulnerable?
Is it physically/emotionally painful to move forward in life?
Are you hiding your true self from others?
Grief is a fourth Chakra issue. We know as Reflexology for the Spirit practitioners that grief is housed in the ball of the foot – the heart – the lungs.
The fourth Chakra builds on the lower three Chakras as our thoughts and dreams take on language, expression. The fourth Chakra is where the moment of inspiration which took place in the first Chakra, now becomes entire paragraphs, both spoken and written.
The fourth Chakra links the spiritual and physical bodies as well as their issues. This is because the fourth Chakra is the our energetic center, working to fuse the physical and spiritual bodies.
When this happens, we are able to touch others as well as allowing them to touch our lives. The goal is unconditional love. A good way to get insight about unconditional love is to pay attention to cats and dogs, 2 creatures which practice unconditional love routinely.
Our heart Chakra pulls us into relationships involving
intimacy
risk
forgiveness
sensitivities
fear
grief.
Grief is an important fourth Chakra issue. Grief blocks fourth Chakra energy. Letting go of grief and wounding opens our hearts.
The state of the fourth Chakra is easily seen in one’s posture. People suffering with heart Chakra issues may be
round-shouldered
sunken-chested
stiff
rigid.
Unbalanced fourth Chakras can also been seen in people with heart and respiratory problems. Heart surgery can have a direct impact on the heart Chakra.
Meditations can be important. Meditations focusing on:
grief
heart opening
breathing
can help balance the fourth Chakra.
When you work with your client partner’s fourth Chakra, you offer the opportunity to help him/her release grief. It’s in the fourth Chakra that we find
an open heart,
the energy to give,
and a straighter body.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
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Thurman Greco
Photo donated by Jennette Nearhood.
The Fifth Chakra and Reflexology
The fifth Chakra reflex point is located on the necks of the toes on both feet. This is where the throat, thyroid, neck, mouth, jaw, ears, teeth, and gums are located.
Fifth Chakra issues include:
listening
communication
truth
self expression
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO LEARN ABOUT FIFTH CHAKRA ISSUES WITHOUT QUESTIONING:
Am I afraid to express my opinions?
Do I ever lie about issues?
Am I unable to express my creative potential?
Do I never let others express themselves?
Do I ever voice my opinions?
Do I hide my creative potential?
Am I afraid to step into my power?
Do I lack self confidence?
Am I afraid to fail?
Do I use my voice to hurt others?
Do I use my voice to help others?
Can I keep a promise?
Do I express myself honestly?
Do I gossip?
Do I get a lot of sore throats?
Am I sometimes unable to speak?
Do I cough a lot?
Do I have gum and teeth problems?
Am I psychic?
Communication is the focus of the fifth Chakra. Focusing on the fifth Chakra develops listening on different levels.
The fifth Chakra is located on the pathway between the heart (the fourth Chakra) and the mind (the seventh Chakra). The throat Chakra develops issues when a person can accept a truth or concept in the fourth Chakra (heart) but not in the seventh Chakra (mind).
I saw a lot of this happening after the tragedy of 9-11. Many of my client partners began to suffer with throat Chakra problems.
With a balanced fifth Chakra, we are able to listen in subtle ways that we were unaware of before. We can then become more aware of energetic surroundings. We are aware of the harmonic vibrations around us.
As with the other Chakras, Reflexology for the Spirit sessions offer homeostasis,, which is the balance of all body systems.
Reiki therapy sessions balance the Chakras This is important when working the fifth Chakra.
Cleanses remove emotional, mental, and physical toxins. As toxins leave the body, space is made for subtle communication to take place. Intuitive communication becomes easier.
Meditation can facilitate a balanced throat Chakra – especially if you can meditate in silence. So much of our lives are bombarded with sounds. Give yourself a few moments when you focus inward. Give yourself a few minutes without bombarding sound. Try to set aside a few minutes when you do not talk, listen to voices, or mix with people.
On another meditation, take yourself out to the edge of the edge of the heavens.
It’s easy to tell how centered the fifth Chakra is by observing a person’s neck. Is the person in pain?
If your neck is uncomfortable, rotate your head slowly in different directions.
When you work with your client partner’s fifth Chakra, you offer him/her the opportunity to find inner peace through deep listening. The fifth Chakra is based on vibrations. Helping your client partner become aware of these sounds can offer dramatic change to his/her life. This is how the answer to the age old question is found: “What is my truth?”
Thank you for reading this blog/book. I am now accepting reflexology students. Please email: reflexologyforthespirit@gmail.com for information. Thanks!
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Thurman Greco
Time-Out for Sharing then Moving on to the Chakras.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing with you. I’ve offered information in each post for you, in turn, to share with your client partners. I’m following the advice of my teacher and mentor Marge D’Urso who emphasized the many things we can all do in conjunction with reflexology to encourage homeostasis.
Not all of this information applies to all of your client partners.
Some people come to our tables in order to feel better. Others want us to help them take greater charge of their own health. Yet others simply want to hop on the table, receive their reflexology session, and go away blissed out. And, there’s nothing wrong with that.
One special group wants to add other things to their lives which will help them
feel better
look better
avoid chronic disease
live longer
enjoy better health.
By sharing this information slowly, in small increments, you can, along with your reflexology sessions, give your client partners an opportunity to completely change their lives for the better in a non threatening way.
These gradual changes when mixed with reflexology offer dramatic improvements over time. The idea is to be sharing opportunities for good health without complicating lifestyles any more than they already are. You’ll be leading your client partners to a a more healthy lifestyle. They can completely change their lives 1 step at a time.
Slowly
Easily
Comfortably
Not all client partners will adopt every suggestion offered. Some won’t choose any suggestions. Some will try everything suggested for a time. Then, they’ll drop the health step after a few weeks. There’s something here for everyone. We are all different. Our attitudes, ages, and lifestyles are all different.
What’s important is that you are gently, without pushing, sharing suggestions for a healthier lifestyle.
When your client partners are ready, they’ll have this knowledge to use in the way which works best for them.
I’m taking a break with this series of posts to offer you, the reflexologist, some more hands-on posts. Then, I’ll return to these wellness posts for awhile longer…until I feel you have something to offer most client partners over a period of a year or more. You want to be sharing something which a person may accept and live with for awhile before taking on another health giving change. It’s important to let an adopted change settle in so they become lifetime habits.
Beginning next week, I’ll offer posts about Chakras and the feet. We have reflex points for Chakras in our feet. I hope you find these articles interesting. I hope you can use this information in your work!
Thanks for reading this blog/book.
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Thurman Greco
Mental Fatigue – Do you need a fogbuster?
Mental Fatigue…ahhhhh. All of us suffer with this occasionally.
Fatigue, whether it be mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual, can be a strong indication of illness. So, if your brain is tired more often than you want, you won’t be playing hypochondriac if you schedule an appointment with your professional healthcare provider.
Many diseases list fatigue as the first symptom. Popular among those diseases is adrenal imbalance
cancer
diabetes
poor thyroid function
It can also just mean that we’re a little overdrawn in the energy department. I occasionally wake up feeling less mentally sharp than I want. When that happens, I reach for an essential oil. Popular essential oil fatigue busters include:
Basil
Black Pepper
Frankincense
Idaho Balsam Fir
Nutmeg
Pettigrain
Pine
Rosemary
Sage
Spearmint.
Each of these oils will “do the trick”. Place 4-6 drops of whichever oil you have on hand and/or prefer. Rub the palms of your hands together. Cup your nose and mouth with your oil-soaked hands and take several deep breaths. You should notice a difference.
When an essential oil fragrance is inhaled, the odor molecules travel up the nose and end up finally connecting to the brain. The result is that the connection affects the
heart rate
blood pressure
breathing
memory
stress levels
hormone balance.
The scent of the essential oil can bring up memories and emotions not only in this life but, I believe, in past lives as well. This offers a powerful form of therapy which, when combined with reflexology, promotes homeostasis.
Combining reflexology and essential oils can be beneficial to your client partners. If your client does not notice a fairly quick feeling of energy returning to the body, it’s time to refer him/her to a physician.
Photography by Renee Ruwe.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
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Thurman Greco
“Should I Accept Clients Who Smoke?”
What a question!
“Of course. Yes.”
“But, what if they smell of tobacco? I find it very offensive. And, besides, I don’t want my healing space reeking of smoke.”
Well, I stick to my guns here. Cigarette smoking is an addiction. It is a disease. You accept the client and offer assistance, support, guidance as s/he struggles to give up smoking.
Encourage the person to cut down on the number of cigarettes smoked in a day. If you can get him/her to cut back to 5 or fewer cigarettes a day, the final push will be very easy.
When people think of diseases smokers contract, they always come up with the same usual suspects:
lung cancer
throat cancer
COPD
Emphysema.
In reality, the diseases caused are many more and the health damage done is much greater.
Smoking and exposure to second hand smoke is really hard on the immune system. Smoking ages the body faster. This results in
wrinkled skin
clogged arteries
emphysema
cancer
impotence.
The most important reason for not smoking is what it does to the immune system. Smoking wrecks the immune system causing it to become overactive. And, the effects are often easily seen.
It’s not necessary to see a person smoking to know you’re looking at a smoker. It’s also not necessary to smell a smoker either.
The effects of smoking can be seen in the skin, hair, nails, eyes, posture.
The effects of smoking can be heard in the classic smoker’s cough.
You cannot help your client partner stop smoking. What you can do is help with the cravings and other discomfort while they go through the 5-6 week withdrawal process. Reflexology for the Spirit, Reiki therapy, and encouragement can go a long way to support during this time.
Help your client partner become dramatically healthier. Nicotine patches are available. CVS sells a smoking cessation program which helps.
After the 6-week period, you can help your client partner do a cleanse and you can offer support choosing a physical fitness program.
Thanks for reading this blog.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Tara Sanders: Healing, Yoga, and Reflexology
As reflexologists, we add new clients to our practice often. Healing, yoga, and reflexology are important here. Depending on your personality, or your practice, you may ask a few or many questions from them on the intake forms and in the initial interviews.
Trauma is one area of a person’s life which we rarely approach. It is just too hidden, too destructive.
This is wise. Trauma is a subject which our client partners need to bring up when the time is right for them to share. Because nothing is said doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen. It just means that the person isn’t comfortable discussing it.
Because, in reality, 1 woman in 4 has experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Personally, I question the 1-in-4 statistic. No woman reports domestic violence or sexual assault if she can possibly avoid it. Reporting is simply too painful.
When I first spoke with Tara Sanders, a Woodstock based yoga instructor and program director in the nonprofit Exhale to Inhale I was suddenly very alert. I realized that we, as reflexologists, need to be more sensitive to the secrets and hidden traumas of our client partners.
Exhale to Inhale yoga works to empower survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to heal through yoga. Exhale to Inhale yoga guides women through postures, breathing, meditation. Taught in trauma sensitive style, practitioners are enabled to ground themselves in
their bodies
their strength
their stillness.
As this happens, the women connect to themselves. They work toward empowerment and worthiness. This practice can be transformative for survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence when they shed the cloak of victimhood.
Healers, reflexologists, and body workers have long known that when a person is traumatized, the event is stored in the muscles.
We also know that reflexology sessions are given a boost when combined with other modalities such as yoga, meditation, breathing, Reiki therapy, and massage.
Tara teaches the classes without music. She does not touch the students to correct a posture. Lights remain on throughout the class. These sessions offer survivors an opportunity to reclaim their lives through the healing and grounding of yoga.
Tara uses the yoga classes to help her students feel safe, strong, in the present moment. As she teaches, she is a conduit for healing and healthful programs in our community. Reflexology for the Spirit practitioners are also conduits for healing as we work the reflex points to encourage homeostasis.
Exhale to Inhale is a New York-based nonprofit offering free weekly yoga classes to survivors of domestic and sexual assault. After June 20, Exhale to Inhale yoga classes will be taught free of charge to women in area shelters in Upstate New York.
Not everyone has a Tara Sanders available in the community. However, it’s possible to suggest reflexology sessions offered in tandem with yoga, meditation, breathing classes. Whether or not you are aware of your client partner’s experience with trauma or domestic violence is not important. What is important is that you invite your client partner to experience this boost to your modality. Think of healing, yoga, and reflexology as a package.
Hopefully one day soon, there will be more Tara Sanders yoga teachers in communities everywhere.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
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Jennette Nearhood provided the media.
Thurman Greco
5 Ways to Be Connected
The human immune system is a fast responder. It knows immediately when/if we are having emotional or spiritual problems. And, of course, this response affects our health.
If wellness is important to you…and I think it is because you’re a reflexologist, then one of the best things you can do is pamper your immune system. This works for your client partners also. No one is exempt on this.
This we know: there is a direct correlation between negative emotions, disease, and accelerated aging. Appreciation, sympathy, understanding are important to all of us.
Inner peace is important to being well – being grounded.
One thing in life which promotes inner peace and groundedness is an appreciation for nature and seeing the connection that all living beings share.
There are several ways to promote this connectedness:
WALK IN THE PARK. Actually, a “walk in the park” is the generic term for any activity which gets you positively involved with nature That can include biking, hiking, museum going, or anything else which makes you aware of how connected we all are.
GET A PET. This is a biggie if you can do it. Not everyone lives where pets are allowed. But, if you can…a dog or cat is awesome. Pets offer something which humans seem to be unable to offer: unconditional love.
A pet will:
improve your immune system function,
give you a more positive outlook on life,
lower your blood pressure
love you unconditionally.
What more can you ask for?
KEEP A JOURNAL. For some this can be a challenge. But, this journal is not for anyone but yourself. So, don’t worry about the spelling, punctuation, paragraphs, etc.
The purpose of your journal is to make a note of special moments which sustain you when you’re feeling low. Such moments include:
a cat’s purr
a baby’s smile
a smell of a flower
a compliment
a smile from a stranger
When you record them, you may notice that these special moments occur more often than you thought.
BREATHE. This is a biggie. Breathe in while while mentally repeating a positive phrase such as “I bring positive energy into my life.” Hold your breath for a moment and then exhale as you repeat “I radiate positive energy.” Consciously breathing for a couple of minutes each day can have a profound impact on your life.
Many people go through their whole lives not even thinking about how they breathe or what their breath does for them. Honor your breath.
INCORPORATE SURPRISE. Try to do something unexpected every day. Compliment a total stranger on a haircut or a jacket or something. It doesn’t matter what, really. Just say something complimentary to someone who is totally not expecting anything.
Leave a small token for someone who is not expecting anything…and keep it a secret if you can.
Offer to walk someone’s dog.
Say “Thank you.”
GET INVOLVED. This can mean walking a dog at the local pound or hosting a food drive for your local food pantry. There are many, many groups out there where people are working to make life better for us all. Volunteering is an extremely positive way to go through life.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
please refer this article to your preferred social media network.
don’t forget to join the email list.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Michele Garner donated the artwork for this post.
4 Things You Can Do To Breathe Properly
While it’s true that we don’t come into embodiment with a book of instructions, I wish we did at least show up knowing how to breathe.
Many of us breathe much too shallowly which keeps the body tight. Relaxation is difficult and body functions have a tendency to be stagnant. This makes all the little mundane things we do everyday much harder.
In the ideal situation, a person breathes slowly, deeply, consciously.
When you breathe slowly,
your mind relaxes,
your body purifies,
your energy level increases,
you maintain a sense of well-being.
When you breathe properly, you exercise your intuitive skills. Many people mistakenly believe they are not intuitive when, in fact, they are. The problem is they are breathing so shallowly that their body is too uptight to know when the intuitive sense is working.
If you feel you aren’t breathing properly, take yoga classes. Find a yoga teacher who will admit that s/he can teach proper breathing techniques.
OR
Take some breathing classes from a breath instructor if you can. That’ll only make you a better reflexology practitioner or client-partner.
OR
Singing classes may be an option for you as well.
OR
Set aside 2-3 minutes a day in which you simply breathe mindfully. To do this, begin by sitting comfortable in a quiet, safe place.
Focus on your breathing. It may help to close your eyes here for a couple of minutes.
Find a place on your body where you can actually feel yourself breathing. That may be your nose, your abdomen or your diaphragm.
Now – just pay attention to your own breathing and nothing else. Notice the quality of each breath, how your body moves, how it feels to breathe.
As you do this, you should begin to feel some burdens lifting and some stress melting.
Try doing this exercise daily for several weeks. This may be something you find yourself doing daily over a long period of time. Or, this may be something that eventually becomes a meditative exercise for you.
In the meantime, try to spend a few minutes each day consciously breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you do this, be aware of your abdominal muscles contracting as you inhale. As you exhale through your mouth, feel your abdomen softening, expanding.
Some behaviors indicate poor breathing habits:
yawning a lot during the day
taking a lot of deep breaths,
holding your breath mid-conversation,
poor posture
When this happens, you may not be getting enough carbon dioxide in your blood or not enough oxygen to your brain.
Notice your own breathing each day and observe how your client-partners breathe. Encourage better breathing habits for both you and your client-partners.
Guideline: Breathe slowly, deeply, consciously.
Thank you for reading this blog/book. I hope you will enjoy this next series of posts which make up the wellness part of the textbook.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco