Francoise Moulin -

Reflexology,

Aromatherapy,

Art Therapy

Reflexology Reflexology is a simple, effective and natural therapy which focuses on the feet. It is over 5,000 years old and has origins in China and Egypt, where pressure therapies were recognised to have therapeutic benefits and more importantly, help prevent disease. Every part of the body has a reflex point on the feet. The right foot represents the right side of the body and the left foot, the left side. The feet have many nerve endings and it is felt that this is why reflexology works. The nerves are stimulated at the reflex points with specific thumb and finger techniques. The nerve relays this stimulus through the nervous system up the spinal column to the corresponding affected area of the body. Where there is inhibited functioning or disease, congestion will be found in the form of grainy crystal deposits. These deposits are caused by excess acidity in the bloodstream which increases calcium deposits at the nerve endings. They may feel tender, sensitive or positively painful and/or they may feel hard, tight or lumpy. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that ch'i (energy) circulates along twelve meridian pathways within the body. The six meridians which penetrate the major organs of the body are found in the feet - specifically the toes. Reflexology helps to clear the blockage along the medians and encourages the ch'i to flow. As a holistic therapy, Reflexology aims to treat the body as a whole and endeavours to get to the root cause of disease and treat this, not the symptom. However, most disease/ailments have taken time to manifest and will therefore take time to eradicate. Reflexology has proved itself to be effective, it is safe for everyone, and very relaxing. A Reflexology treatment reaches the receiver on several levels - physical, mental and spiritual, it can only be of benefit, while bringing the body into a state of balance and harmony. An absolute wonderful, relaxing way to relax to spend an hour and feel better at the same time. Aromatherapy Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential oils to promote physical, emotional and mental well-being. The essential oils that are blended in an oil are chosen for their therapeutic effects. Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile plant oils that are made up of a diverse collection of chemical compounds. They are extracted from plants in various ways, most commonly by distillation. Due to it's name, aromatherapy is misconceived as a relaxing technique using pleasant-smelling oils. Essential oils not only affect the body on a psychological level, but strongly effect brain chemistry through inhalation and body chemistry through skin and lung absorption. Since essential oils have a very small molecular size and are lipophilic, they are absorped easily through the skin. In North America, aromatherapists only use essential oils in topical applications not internally where they would reach the bloodstream in far greater concentrations. Methods used by an aromatherapist could be in; relaxation massage, treatment massage/sports massage, compresses, foot baths and hand baths, diffusers or spritzers. Aromatherapy effects many systems of the body, and holistically is used to benefit common conditions such as; muscle or arthritic pain, headaches, asthma, colds and coughs, indigestion, insomnia or PMS. Combining essential oils with massage, relaxes the muscles, releasing tension and increasing circulation. Also speeding up blood and lymph flow. This combined technique has a calming and soothing effect, leaving you relaxed and refreshed. For more information contact: Francoise Moulin 250 710-0784 francoisem@shaw.ca