REFLEXOLOGY

EgyptReflexologyLargeThe Ancient Art of
Healing through the sole

 

Reflexology is a hands-on treatment whereby a trained individual known as a reflexologist  using controlled pressure with their thumbs massages the reflexes on each foot during the treatment.  This is a drug free treatment that has many benefits including relaxing and de-stressing the recipient on many levels.

So what is Reflexology?  If the text books and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs  are to be believed, reflexology was the “spa” treatment of the ancient royals.   That is proof of how reflexology was practiced by ancient cultures a long time ago.  Somewhere I read that reflexology was a prelude to acupuncture in ancient China.  Whether that is true of not I cannot say, however I do know reflexology is a form of acupressure.  Why?  Because of the pressure applied to the feet during a treatment.

It surprises me when someone asks with a perplexed look “what is Reflexology?”  I have had a few individuals look really puzzled when I tell them I am a trained Reflexologist and give a brief explanation of the benefits one derives from a treatment.   Recently, I had someone looked me straight in the eye and retorted, ‘who would want to work on people’s feet!’  After that encounter I decided it may help to share the origins and positive attributes of this wonderful relaxing ancient art that is widely used in Clinics and hospitals in Europe and which is catching on in North America.

A reflexology session is known to elicit complete relaxation and can de-stress the most anxious or stressed individual.  “Working on the sole, calms the soul.”   This wonderful ancient art has many positive effects on the nervous system and I am told it is one of the treatments of choice at Mount Sanai hospital used in their Breast Cancer recovery program.  Hat’s off to their progressive approach to healing.  Having volunteered at a Hospice many years ago offering Reflexology treatments, I experienced first-hand how reflexology helped each individual.

The oldest reflexology text book I know of was written by Maybelle Segal, R.N. R.D.,  Naturopathic Doctor  (sometime in the ‘40’s).  She practiced this ancient art on her clients/patients and went on to share her knowledge in a simple hand book called Reflexology in which she also shared the positive benefits of this drug free therapy.  Some of which are:

Relieves  migraines  – Relieves Stress and promotes Relaxation  – Relieves Menstrual Cramps

Helps with Post Surgery healing       – Relieves sinus congestion    – improves  circulation for diabetics

Our feet mirror the state of our body and for every organ, gland, limb and body part there is a corresponding reflex on the bottom of the feet.  (See chart below).   Sometimes,  when someone is having a treatment and pressure is applied to a certain area of the feet,  the individual  may  feel the response in the area of the body corresponding to the reflex  that is being worked on. That is validation that reflexology  works on all levels of the body.

foot-reflexology

It is important to note that Reflexologist cannot diagnose, prescribe or treat for specific conditions. Reflexologist treat the body as a whole , working the entire areas on both feet and not one specific area. Clients are made to understand that reflexology is a complementary treatment and should see their physician for any concerns they may have regarding their health.   To find a Reflexologist in your area, you may want to check out a holistic magazine such as Alive or simply go online.

I welcome your questions and especially your comments if you have had a reflexology treatment.

Namaste

Sharon

My Garden A Sanctuary of Peace, Stillness and Growth

My Garden - Healing-Path-CentreGreetings!   As summer slowly fades away I prepare to welcome fall and the need to create on a different level.  Always when the trees start to turn and their leaves flutter down to mother earth, I know fall is on its way.  By then, I am ready to bid farewell to my Garden Sanctuary.  Suddenly, there is a stirring of New Beginnings, not unlike my two great nephews who were filled with excitement as they anxiously awaited their first day of the new school year.  The 6 year old eyes sparkled as he told me about his new French Immersion school and his 4 year old brother was thrilled and delighted he was going into JK.  Indeed!  Fall is without a doubt a time of New Beginnings regardless of age.

In my case, fall is when my creative juices start to flow.  I feel revitalized and renewed.  I spent a great deal of my summer communing with nature and mother earth in my personal Garden Sanctuary.  In a matter of weeks my beautiful flower garden and rich bountiful kitchen garden will be no more.  My personal outdoor sanctuary that connects me to all of life, nature and new growth will be a patch of plain earth ready for the winter snow.

However, the cycle of nature is so powerful it allows one to enjoy the gifts of each season while luxuriating in memories of the one just past.  I go forth into fall treasuring the hours I spent communing with nature, planting, reaping, tilling the earth and feeling connected as I watched vegetables and vines grow, blossom and bloom. I continue to feel profound Gratitude for all the abundance nature gave me.

In the Peace and Stillness of nature I watched new growth appear daily, and the butterflies and bees

Enjoy  the nectar from the flowers.   I knew they too were enjoying my garden.  My heirloom tomato trees and vines became burdened with fruit and the beans and Healing Path Centre Vegetablescucumber vines gave richly of their crop.  My Garden Sanctuary is where I spend time each summer recharging and renewing my mental, spiritual and physical “batteries” in preparation for a creative fall.
To truly rejoice in existence, we must also learn to cultivate serenity, joy and beauty in those special places that replenish the soul. When we create a garden sanctuary, we are reminded that we are a part of both nature’s essence and something more.  An outdoor retreat is a place we can surround ourselves in nature and beauty.  There is no drug to replace the tranquility, peace and pleasure of a garden sanctuary and the rewards are too numerous to mention.  I now prepare to look forward to fall and my new beginnings with a clear and creative mind and peace filled spirit.  If you don’t already have a special Sanctuary that renews your soul, make it number one on your “to do” list.  Remember, where ever your heart sings and your soul dances, let that be your Sanctuary!

To your New Beginnings,

Namaste

Sharon

UPCOMING EVENTS
at
HEALING PATH CENTRE

Reiki

Reiki Level 1 Certification Training


D
ate: Feb 20 & 21
Time: Sat 2-5pm
Sun 10-5pm.
See more on website


Full Moon Circle - Harvesting

Full Moon Circle
HARVESTING

Date: Sun 24 Jan
Time: 2 – 4pm
See more on website


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Power of Circle

The Power of CircleTo gather in Circle is a sacred event when all minds are focused as one.

King Arthur’s  Knights of the Round Table come to mind as well as more modern Circles that are changing the world where the power of Women gather to lend their support for World Peace, World Hunger  and other challenges the world faces in today’s ever changing and evolving societies. (see The Millionth Circle and Gather the Women, Save the World by Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD.)  Dr. Bolen spoke how the women are joined by some very supportive and powerful men who bring their energies to support the work of the women in Circle.  There are numerous reasons why coming together in Circle is so very powerful.  A circle has no beginning and no end and is often referred to as a symbol of unity and perfection and even protection.

In nature we see the Circle repeated time and time again in wonderful examples of nature’s awesome gifts.  How often do we think of a Full Moon shining in the heavens as a Circle in all its perfection? Indeed!  We experience each month not only a perfect Full Moon, we also experience a beautiful New Moon that brings the waters of the oceans and tides to its fullness.  It is another perfect circle and one that supports farmers, gardeners, and plant life as this is the best time to plant our kitchen gardens and watch our seeds produce an abundant harvest.  It is during the time of the New Moon I love to offer Circle so all who wish to “plant their mental seeds” for their future can feel protected and supported knowing their “mental seeds” will take root and grow and manifest into their lives, energized by the Circle.  In Circle to express Gratitude for everything already received is very powerful.

The Circle is respected as an archetype of wholeness and integration, with the center understood to symbolize Spirit  –  The Source.  This is the beauty of Circle and today more than ever the women of the world are being called to gather in Circle to support each other and to share their wisdom with each member of Circle. Circle is also referred to as the Eternal Ring.  No doubt the wedding band exchanged in the wedding ceremony when two people pledge to support and love each other got its name from the Circle, the Eternal Ring now referred to as an Eternity Ring.  I welcome anyone who has another take on the wedding ring or Circle to share it.

As I sit and write this my mind floated back in time to my Reiki Level One Class over 20 or more years ago. My Reiki Master always had the room set up so the students  and herself  sat in Circle.  It was my first experience of a teacher sitting side by side with students  in Circle and I now honour Circle in all of my classes, especially meditation and Reiki.  I was in awe of her wisdom and humbleness.  Even more so when I realized how fortunate I was to be taught by one of the most experienced cancer care nurses in the United States who had the distinction of having been chosen Holistic Nurse of the year on several occasions.   “No one above, no one below,” was surely her motto.

So why is a Circle so special, so sacred and so powerful!   Here is one example: When we gather and sit in Circle, we recreate this perfection of sacredness.  We get to experience the energy and wisdom of each person sitting in Circle, knowing no one is above, neither is a person below another.  Everyone in the Circle is on the same level.  Each person is considered an equal.  I am told that many cultures use the circle for healing a wrong and the entire village comes out and sits in circle with the wrong doer sitting inside the circle, and they sit in circle until they reach  resolution, which is always for the highest good of all concerned. That is the Power of Circle!

Do share your Circle.  Until next time!

Namaste,

Sharon

Autumn a time for Change and Gratitude

Autumn a time for Change and Gratitude

Autumn is the season of change.  As I welcome autumn and as Thanksgiving approaches, I am again reminded of all that I have to be grateful for.  I am grateful for me, myself in all my perfections and imperfections.  That is what makes me unique just like each one of you is so unique.   I hope as you read this you tell yourself how wonderful and unique you are and say how grateful you are for you!

I am blessed to live in a society and culture where there is so much to support a happy and fulfilling life style.  One of the things in my life I am always grateful for is my soft clean beautiful bed and the clean soft sheets, my pillows and yes the pillow cases that cradle my head when I fall off to sleep.  Each night as I snuggle down to sleep I feel so much gratitude for my bed as I bless the day just ended.  It is often the first thank you that comes from my heart as my body prepares to end the day in its warmth and welcoming folds.  That may not seem like a big deal to many people, however to me along with a roof to keep out the rain and the elements it is one of the many, many things I am very grateful for in my life.

I am so happy that this deep gratitude proceeded a conversation I had last year with a group of seniors in the Senior Centre in Newmarket where I attend a Zumba class.  I saw a group of ladies working with a huge collection of plastic milk bags that we all throw in the garbage. There were bags everywhere, and what seemed like junk to me soon became something more amazing than mere words can convey.  These ladies were cutting these bags, preparing them to weave on a giant loom they were working on.  Fascinated I went to take a look and was shown how they weave the plastic into sleeping mats for women in third world countries and this lot was destined for Haiti.  They also made bags for the women and what was so incredible, both the mats and the bags were waterproof. YES! Those useless milk bags that we disposed of in the garbage were being fashioned into the most colourful and thoughtful of gifts for those who lacked the mere necessities of life.  Imagine how happy and grateful those Haitian women were at receiving beautiful plastic mats to sleep on that prevented water from leaking through as they slept on the floor of their mud huts and a waterproof bag to hold their belongings.

There are countless  more things in my life that I am grateful for including my wonderful supportive family that I am blessed with, my husband and our 3 very wise sons, their partners and our forever 3 grandchildren whose knowledge of computers and the latest technology help me to keep up with the rest of the world : ).

There is much gratitude in my heart for the years I have lived on this beautiful earth.  As a late bloomer I know that In order to blossom and grow towards my full potential it takes work.  Most of all it takes   change.  Scary and Necessary…Yes ..Very!

For me autumn is all about Change and Gratitude and both promotes growth.  It’s a time to rid myself of all that no longer serves me. It means taking stock of all areas of my life physical, emotional, mental, professional and other areas that need attention in order for new growth to flourish.  It means joyously releasing all that will no longer be needed in the next season(s) of my life and trusting the path I have chosen to be for my highest and best.

As one of my favourite poets Patience Strong wrote “The best is never over, the best is yet to be.”

What are you most grateful for and what best changes are you looking forward to in the next season of your life?  I would love to hear from you.

Namaste,

Sharon

 

4 ‘C’s Of Success

Image credit: nexusplexus / 123RF Stock PhotoWhenever I presented Law of Attraction and inspirational workshops in the early 90’s, I always tried to incorporate the BIG ‘C’s of success in my presentations. On one occasion my entire presentation revolved around 7 ‘C’s of Success and I could have continued on for another full workshop as everyone was really into the subject matter.

I had written this blog some days ago when to my delight, I found an article by Jim Rohn called Change Begins with Choice. How truly synchronistic! I feel so blessed whenever this happens.  I take it for confirmation that I am on the right track so I simply had to share some excerpts from Jim’s article at the end. However, here are four of those big ‘C’s that I love to talk about.

The first is CLARITY – I have always stressed that in order to make any major change e.g., life, career, profession, residence, whatever;  one needs CLARITY.  Be clear of your intentions; whatever those intentions are. Then visualize and focus.  Without razor sharp clarity, you may get something, however not what you intended or your heart desired.  It is like the saying, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you are sure to end up some place else,” Indeed! Clarity is very important. It is like the foundation when building a house. Except this “house” is your life. Clearly picturing the end result is crucial. And what a great delight when it turns out better than you anticipated.

CHOICE is one of my favorite ‘C’s. It is by far the most powerful of all. You have the ability and responsibility to choose whatever you desire. It is the choices you make in life that will enable you to succeed. You have been given this incredible gift called Choice. Only humans have the gift of choice. Use it wisely! Where you are today is due to the many choices you have made. If for some reason you are unhappy with your choice(s), Stop! Regroup. Refocus, and start to rebuild with CONFIDENCE. Remember success is only a CHOICE away.

CONFIDENCE – Once you have the clarity and have made a choice, go forth towards your destiny knowing that the universe is working on your behalf. Combining those powerful three ‘C’s in your life, be confident that whatever results appear in your life, it will be the perfect CHANGE you desired and visualized. The future and power is all yours.

CHANGE will be the new beginning for you. I wish you many blessings on your path to success.

Here is an excerpt from Jim’s Article “Change Begins with Choice”:

“Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change.”  He goes on to state, “We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our lives”.

And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeing and needing to make changes in their life – if you don’t like how things are, Change it!  You’re not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life – and it all begins with your very own power of choice.”

What do you think? I’d love your feedback. Don’t forget to leave a link back to your own blog too if you have one via the commentluv feature here on the site.

Namaste,

Sharon

 

Butterfly – A Totem of Great Beauty, Transformation & Rich Teachings

monarch-emerging-from-chrysalisWith summer upon us we not only get to enjoy the beautiful warm weather.  Those of us who love to sit in the quiet of their garden often get to view and enjoy as well the many species of butterflies that flitter from flower to flower and land softly and gently so close to us. What a joy to sit and watch these beautiful creatures on a summer’s day. Have you ever wondered about this great totem of beauty and about its rich teachings about transformation?

Before The Great Mystery invited me into the world of totems and their teachings, Butterfly was just a beautiful delicate vision to behold and I would drink in its beauty, grace and watch it for as long as it stayed around. Continue reading

Law of Attraction Thought Provoking Quote

Freedom Joy GrowthThis quote by Abraham as channeled by Esther Hicks for the Law of Attraction expresses fully what life is meant to be for each and every one of us in physical form at this time on earth.

The basis of life is FREEDOM
The purpose of life is JOY
The result of life is GROWTH Continue reading

Is it Time to Make Changes in Your Life?

change_your_life_todayHere is a definition of Change that I heard that you may relate to:  “Change occurs when you start questioning the underlying realities of your life and start noticing the reality you are living is not serving you”.

Change is…a major force in your life that you cannot ignore when it comes knocking on your door. Continue reading

Being Grateful on a Daily Basis – Significance of the Number 21

Being gratefulIn January after reading a story on gratitude and how it energetically changes one’s life in many wonderful ways when one focuses on what they are grateful for on a daily basis, I decided to set aside some time daily over the next 21 days and try that practice for myself.  It advised that at the end of each day before going to sleep, review all the experiences and good things that occurred during the day and give thanks for them. I thought, what a brilliant way of working with gratitude.

Continue reading

Embracing Change – Everything is in Transition

embrace-changeWhen I think of change I recall something I read some years ago that said “Everything is in the process of becoming something more, something else. Life is marching forward in accord with a divine plan that is coded into the very fabric of each being.” Everything is in transition and the only constant in our lives is change, so let’s welcome and embrace the process. Continue reading