Tara Sanders: Healing, Yoga, and Reflexology
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.
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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.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Michele Garner donated the artwork for this post.
Sleep…Blessed Sleep
People seek out reflexologists when they have sleep issues. And, visiting a reflexologist regularly to encourage quality sleep is a good thing to do. Very few people receiving regular Reflexology for the Spirit sessions have problems sleeping.
Regular sessions encourage homeostasis. It’s impossible to achieve homeostasis and have sleep issues at the same time.
Your body systems know immediately if you are sleeping properly. This is the rule:
The better you sleep, the better your immune system functions.
Your immune system needs to be calm and relaxed to function properly. This won’t happen if you’re not sleeping properly. Your immune system needs your body to receive not only enough sleep but the quality must be good as well.
Your body repairs itself as you sleep. Your immune system maintains itself. In order for this to happen, stress levels must be turned down. This happens during sleep.
Except when it doesn’t. There are sleep situations where the stress levels are not diminished. Examples include insomnia and sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder. One symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. Snoring can, in some instances, be dangerous because if it is untreated, it can activate the immune system.
Insomnia is also a threat to a healthy immune system. Insomnia has several different causes. Insomnia is created when people burn the candle at both ends. Anxiety and/or depression also cause mood disorders in addition to insomnia.
Good quality sleep:
promotes a healthy immune system.
encourages overall good health.
helps slow down aging.
People sleeping well also look better. Several things can be done to promote healthy sleep habits:
Establish a bedtime and stick to it. Go to bed at the same time every night.
Create a peaceful sleep environment without
noise
light
television
computer
phones.
Make sure your bed has a
restful mattress
soft sheets
cozy blankets
comfortable pillows.
Establish a sleep ritual which prepares your body, your brain, and your immune system for a good night’s sleep. Adopt sleep-encouraging techniques such as meditation or self Reiki therapy.
If you have a partner, taking a few reflexology lessons can be a real boost to healthy sleep for you both. You can then offer a reflexology exchange in the evenings before you sleep.
Self Reiki is a wonderful sleeping potion. Easy to learn and use, it encourages sleep.
Use essential oils to encourage sleep. Put a few drops of a favorite oil on a tissue and place it inside your pillowcase or in a pocket.
And, finally, don’t become obsessive about sleep. Sleep will come. You can learn to sleep.
Lotus Heart Healing with Tom Rigler
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Thurman Greco
Renee Ruwe offered the photo used into today’s post.
Guided Meditation – An Angel Brings Forgiveness
Begin this guided meditation by putting on some soft music.
Now, get in a comfortable place. Sit in a comfortable chair, or lay face up on a sofa or sit back in a recliner. The important thing here is comfort.
Begin this meditation by breathing slowly. Breathe in relaxation as you take deep breaths. Breathe out stress, negativity.
Allow yourself to sigh, and yawn. Stretch if you feel like it.
Pay attention to your body. Feel your body relax as you breathe in fresh, cleansing air.
Feel your body let go of negativity as you exhale. Releasing negativity allows your body to feel a little lighter. It allows you to relax even more.
Every breath allows you to become more relaxed and to let go of the buildup of negativity. You begin to feel the warmth of comfort and safety.
As your breathing continues, you find yourself in a meadow…a meadow created just for you. Your breathing allows you to relax even more in the warmth of the sun. Your breathing allows you to become one with the meadow. You become aware of the sights, sounds, fragrances, wildlife, of the meadow.
This meadow offers you peace. This meadow offers you an opportunity to let go of negativity.
You look around and see an angel. This angel stands beside you in a beautiful clearing with butterflies, flowers, birds, grasses, trees.
As you see this angel, you realize that now is a time for you to give up past negativity. This is an opportunity for you to let go of feelings of negativity, being stuck, inferiority, shame, confusion, disappointment.
You turn to the angel.
You see you are being given an opportunity to travel down the different paths of your life.
You are being given an opportunity to safely explore lessons learned through past experiences.
You are being given an opportunity to acknowledge that you no longer need to hold onto negativity, disappointment.
With the angel beside you, you feel empowered – safe.
With the angel beside you, you are ready to offer forgiveness as you grow beyond this negativity that has been holding you back.
With the angel beside you, you are in a space where your heart can open and receive positive energy in the place that once held negativity.
With the angel beside you, you are able to spontaneously accept giving up negativity of all kinds. This negativity is replaced by forgiveness not only for other persons and events but also for yourself.
With the angel beside you, you are instantly moving forward in life as you embrace new energy and a new life force.
With the angel beside you, you know all is forgiven…forever.
You turn to the angel and look deeply at this glorious being shrouded in green who has accompanied you on this journey. As you examine this angel deeply, you know you have received an incredible gift…the gift of forgiveness.
You thank the angel for such a generous, life changing gift.
Now you return to the room knowing that the angel in green is waiting for you any time you want to journey down the path of forgiveness again.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
A Heart Message Meditation From an Angel
Begin this meditation as you make yourself comfortable, either sitting in a comfortable position or lying in a comfortable place.
Turn on some soft, soothing music.
Focus on your breathing now. As you inhale, breathe relaxation in through your nose. Visualize a happy and expanded heart. Inhale through your nose.
Exhale through your mouth as you breathe out stress and anxiety.
Inhale relaxation through your nose as you visualize your heart in unconditional love. Breathe in.
Exhale through your mouth as you release disappointment. Breathe out.
As you relax even more – breathe in relaxation through your nose, focusing on joy and happiness.
Breathe out heaviness and stagnation through your mouth as you exhale.
As you breathe in relaxation through your nose, listen to your heart.
Now, breathe out anger and bitterness as you exhale through your mouth.
You are calm and centered now. You look around you and notice your surroundings have changed. You find yourself sitting on a bench in a quiet meadow. You realize this whole area is enfolded and surrounded by a rose colored light.
You look around and see an angel on the bench beside you. This angel is dressed in rose colored garments. You pause and take notice of exactly how the angel looks as well as how everything around you appears.
You know immediately that this angel is with you to help you listen to your heart’s wisdom and guidance.
You sit by this angel for a moment as you ask the angel to help you heal and regenerate your heart.
You also ask the angel to listen with you to your heart’s healing wisdom and guidance.
The two of you together listen to your heart’s message. You take the time to receive this message which the angel is sharing with you.
You realize that this message is important for you and you also realize that you want to remain open to other messages which may come your way over the next few days.
You then realize it’s time to return to your space.
You thank the angel for visiting you. You thank the angel for sharing wisdom and healing with you.
As you prepare to return to your space, you know that you can return to this area with its beautiful bench and angel at any time you want.
You are now totally relaxed, grounded, and calm. You feel loved. You are ready to return to your activities of the day.
Peace and food for all.
Thank you for reading this guided meditation.
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Thurman Greco
Reflexology blog – What to do about Phlebitis
PHLEBITIS OCCURS WHEN A VEIN IN THE LEG IS INFLAMED. This usually happens when a clot forms in the vein due to slow blood circulation. An injury of some kind may be involved.
When the situation is superficial, it’s called phlebitis. When the situation involves a deep vein, the situation is more serious and is called deep venous thrombosis. The symptoms are similar and it’s hard for a person to tell the difference.
THE WISDOM IS THIS: if you have an area on a leg which is red, swollen, or painful, it’s time to see your healthcare professional right away. The deep vein clot has the potential to be much more serious than phlebitis.
Are you in a situation where your lifestyle is sedentary? Are you in a spiritual/emotional situation where things are just not moving?
Don’t ignore Phlebitis. Do what your healthcare professional says. Get the exercise you need. Put your feet up to reduce swelling. Wear flat heeled shoes.
Whenever possible, walk, run, dance, swim. Move forward in your life.
WHEN OFFERING REFLEXOLOGY to a phlebitis sufferer, work the circulatory system as you focus on the heart reflex.
Work the endocrine system by focusing on the adrenal gland reflex.
End the session by working the liver and the solar plexus.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
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Guided Meditation – An Angel Invites You In
If you want, turn on some quiet meditation music.
Get comfortable, either seated or lying flat, face up. Make sure your spine is straight and your hands are relaxed.
Focus on your breathing as you relax with each inhalation. Breathe in relaxation. Breathe out any tension you feel. Breathe in relaxation. Breathe out tension.
Gently and slowly, scan your body as you check for any place where you may be holding tension. Head, face, neck, shoulders.
Breathe in relaxation. Breathe out tension. Continue to scan your body for places where you may be holding tension. Check your chest, abdomen, back, arms, hands, fingers.
Breathe in relaxation. Breathe out tension. Now scan your hips, legs, feet, and toes. Breathe in relaxation. Breathe out the last of your tension.
Now, check how your entire body feels. Breathe in more relaxation. Breathe out the last of your fatigue.
Make your eyes soft now. Look around you. You find yourself walking on a path.
As you walk along, you see an angel seated on a bench beside this path. As you approach the bench, the angel stands up and joins you on your walk.
You feel immediately comforted by this angel. You notice what this angel looks like. How does this angel to you? You notice every detail so you’ll be able to remember this moment better.
You know, within yourself, this angel is here for you. And, you know this angel has a gift for you.
The two of you walk along this path. You are relaxed, peaceful, content. You feel comfortable within yourself. The temperature around you is just right for the moment. You are enjoying being in this natural setting and you are enjoying being with the angel.
You feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. You notice a slight breeze. You hear the gentle sounds of wildlife as you walk along the path.
As the two of you walk along, you see a house ahead on the path. Now you know why the angel has joined you today.
You notice the details of this house just as you noticed the details of the angel. You take note of the size of the house. You observe the windows, the doors, the siding.
You pay close attention to the landscaping. You see all of the details of the yard…the flowers…the trees. The house, the yard, everything is perfect.
The angels walks over to the front door and opens it for you. You step inside and immediately notice every detail.
You are filled with gratitude, knowing withing yourself that this house is yours. It’s a gift from the angel.
You explore the house now, noticing colors, textures, furnishings, objects.
Then, you select a relaxing activity to enjoy in your house. You are in this house to relax and enjoy yourself.
Finally, you and the angel know it’s time to return to your path. The angel urges you to remember all the details of your house. You know the house belongs to you and is waiting for you anytime you need it.
You and the angel go to the door now, open it, walk outside, and then close it. The two of you walk down the path. After a few steps you look back at the house and know you will return whenever you need.
Then, you thank the angel for this gift which you can cherish and use whenever you need. The two of you come to the bench. The angel sits down on the bench and waves goodbye to you as you walk down the path again.
You turn and offer a heartfelt “thank you” and continue on. You are relaxed, at peace. Your breathing continues to be easy and deep.
Once again you are aware of your surroundings as you return to the space where you began your meditation. You remember the angel and you remember the house with gratitude.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
Thank you for participating in this guided meditation.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
