The Ten Minute Foot Rub

This is my second semester teaching 'The Ten Minute Foot Rub' class series for Reading Adult and Community Education. It is a two-part, four hour class where the layperson gets a chance to explore self-help Reflexology.

In our first class, Tuesday night, we covered the toes and the reflexes that correspond to the head and neck, then the balls of the feet and how they correspond to the chest and lungs. Some of the topics included:
- Indigestion
- Sinus Problems
- Insomnia and Sleep Disorders
- Asthma
- Blood Pressure Imbalances

In part two of the class series next week we'll get into the reflexes that correspond to the digestive system, reproductive organs and the musculo-skeletal system.

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Walking on rocks and bamboo

While barefoot hiking season is most likely over for us New Englanders, I'm finding a little indoor Reflexology mat is working as a good substitute.

My colleagues Barbara and Kevin Kunz, really cool book authors, have created a kit called The Reflexology Path with Barnes and Noble. I've had a couple of weeks to try it out and so far I'm really lovin' it.

So, I've brought the entire kit to the office for anyone to try out that fancies it. Take off your shoes (socks too if you'd like) and walk over the Cobblestone Foot Path, try the Bamboo Takefumi tool and see what you think!

If this is popular enough I may just have to get another kit for home and keep this one at the office for some pre- and post-session foot fun.

Full review to come soon!

Marionna Sabia Joins the Practice

Marionna is a close friend and a gifted Reflexologist. She joins us at the office on Thursday afternoons and one Saturday each month. To book a session with Marionna call her at 617-460-5771.

A little background on Ms. Sabia

Marionna Sabia started her Reflexology training in 1988 in her native country of Switzerland where she practiced for many years part time.

After arriving to the United States she formalized her training at the Palmer Institute of Massage and Bodywork in Salem, MA in 2003. She studied both the Universal Method of Reflexology by Chris Stormer and the American Standard Method of Reflexology. She was introduced to both Traditional Chinese and the Ayurvedic Medicine and subsequently received the Massachusetts Certification in Reflexology.
After successfully passing the national certification exam of Reflexology through the American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB) she became a National Board Certified Reflexology Therapist (NBCRT) in 2004.

Marionna Sabia’s Reflexology expertise further includes the Hedi Masafret and Hanne Marquardt’s Reflexology methods. In 2003, 2005, and in 2008 she attended workshops in the Father Josef Method of Reflexology from which she further learned to incorporate Traditional Chinese Medicine into her practice. In 2007, Marionna participated in the Language of the Feet – a foot reading workshop offered by Chris Stormer. And in 2008, at the national Reflexology Association conference in Portland, Maine she completed Meridian Reflexology, Korean Hand Therapy, and Cranio Sacral Reflexology workshops.

Marionna continues her professional development by attending workshops and seminars by skilled experts in the field.

Marionna was the Reflexology Instructor at the Palmer Institute of Massage and Bodywork in Salem, MA from 2004 – 2009. She will continue to teach Reflexology workshops in the area.

In September 2009 she moved her home practice to Stoneham, MA where she will offer sessions at ‘The Barefoot Dragonfly’.

Picture: Marionna Sabia and Amy Kreydin enjoyed a foot soak and hot tea together at the Reflexology Association of America's National Conference in Portland, Maine.

The Barefoot Dragonfly at Stoneham Town Day

The original Town Day, September 12th, was rained out and rescheduled for Sunday the 20th.

The Barefoot Dragonfly booth featured a cobblestone foot path for folks to try out (it got a lot of use, over 100 people walked on it!). I also had maps and models of the Reflexology charts available for people to study and touch. We also had props like the Midhty-Bio balls for folks to try out.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and making Town Day a success for all of the businesses in Stoneham! We support local and are glad you do too!

Image courtesy: Deanna DeVasto and Stoneham Chamber of Commerce

Reflexology Open House a Success

This year's Open House was full of fun and we got to see lot's of smiling faces! Here are some of the things we did to celebrate five years at The Barefoot Dragonfly:
*Henna skin art by Deepal
*Barfuss and Foot experience station
*Aromatherapy blends with Kris and Rose
*Cobblestone foot paths
*Foot Reflexology tasters
*Stoneham Food Pantry drive
*Raffle for six Reflexology sessions and other prizes

The weather was absolutely perfect and we had the most amazing helpers:
*Jacqui - helped with the barfuss park and foot gymnastics
*Joan - greeted guests and helped with refreshments
*Kate - helped with the foot painting station and the barfuss park
*Kris - blended aromatherapy sprays and showed her beautiful bath and body products

Want to see more pictures from the Open House? Click here to view the album on the Facebook fan page.

The Barefoot Dragonfly Lending Library

I've always been a big supporter of client education, and reading books can be a great way to expand your knowledge on a subject. The Lending Libraries are setup so that existing clients may borrow a book for 30 days. Any lost or damaged books should be replaced by the borrower.

- The Birth Doula lending library has many great resources for pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, parenting, women's health and even a couple of CD's.
- The general lending library has an assortment of health books and a special collection of Reflexology books. Some of the old and rare books cannot be removed from the office as they are reference books and would be very difficult to replace.

So, if you're looking for some more information at your next appointment let me know and I will do my best to point you in the direction of a book on one of the shelves in the office. Follow some of the reviews of books here on our Goodreads profile.

Reflexology and the Swine Flu

Swine flu is all the buzz lately and I'm responding to it just like normal cold and flu season. Here's what we do at The Barefoot Dragonfly during cold and flu season:

* Wipe down surfaces with hospital grade, all-natural disinfectant made from oil of Thyme.
* Diffuse anti-viral essential oils such as Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Geranium and Peppermint.
* Use a tissue when sneezing or coughing, especially with allergy season!
* Washing hands more frequently, in addition to our office hand washing policies (washing hands before and after every session as recommended by the CDC for practitioners that come in contact with human skin).

A lot of clients find that Reflexology is helpful for bolstering the immune system so when I am giving a session during cold and flu season I make sure to emphasize these reflex points:

* Respiratory reflex areas - lungs, trachea, diaphragm, and bronchi
* Cranial reflex areas - sinuses, eyes, ears, mouth and throat
* Immune system reflexes - spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, skeletal reflexes, appendix

I've written an article with helpful reminders on Natural defense against swine flu: Protect you and your family holistically for tips to use at home!

Let me know if you have any questions about these or other practices employed at The Barefoot Dragonfly.