On April 14 - 15, 2012, I'll be teaching Caregivers Reflexology, a class open to caregivers of all kinds. The class focuses on compassionate touch using reflexology and acupressure techniques. It will be taught at A Better You day spa and salon in Chattanooga, TN. 

Participants will gain an understanding of reflexology, and learn how to perform simple but powerful sequences for relaxation, balance and comfort. In this 12-hour workshop, we will cover key pressure points helpful for:

• speeding recovery after surgery
• reducing chronic anxiety and insomnia
• restoring energy and vitality
• first aid for shock and fainting
• increasing deep, rhythmic breathing
• relieving plantar fasciitis and foot pain
• decreasing lumbar stiffness and pain

Find out more on my calendar page.

Brenda Morris invited me to assist her at the MSEA Convention Health Fair in Ocean City, Maryland on October 21 - 22. We must have done at least 75 reflexology sessions between the two of us in a day and a half. Those teachers were really eager to get their feet rubbed - the average wait time for a session was 30 to 45 minutes.

I moved to Chattanooga earlier this summer and I'm just starting to get settled. Here are some updates:

(1) I'm now a Registered Certified Reflexologist - in TN you must complete a registration application which was approved. So now I can practice reflexology (legally) here.
 
(2) I'm now a member of the TN Reflexology Association and will be presenting Spiritual Aromatherapy as a CE course for their association this September. 

(3) I just signed on as an adjunct instructor for the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. This fall I'm teaching Simple Aromatherapy and Reflexology for Friends and Family. Check my calendar for details. 

(4) Recently, I completed a Foot Glyphology certification through the International Sclerology Institute. I have just begun their sclerology course as well. You'll find a great blog showing some foot glyphology examples here: http://sivasanta.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html
 
(5) If you're interested in taking my CE courses or continuing w/Acupoint Reflexology, I will be teaching Sole Stories and Acupoint Reflexology (all levels) at the Cayce/Reilly School of Massotherapy in Virginia Beach next year. Please see my calendar for dates. If you'd like to sponsor a class in Maryland or another state along the East coast, give me a shout.
 
(6) I am planning to be in Maryland again in October, from the 15th to the 22nd. I'm scheduled to teach a Therapeutic Reflexology CE class for a massage school in Northern VA and Brenda Morris and I will be doing reflexology in Ocean City MD for a Teachers Conference the 21st and 22nd.

On June 11 - 12, I taught Acupoint Reflexology Level I at the Baltimore Centre for Wellness. Many of the students had already studied acupoints in other workshops so there were lots of great questions and insights. Brenda Morris was an awesome assistant.

The next Acupoint Reflexology Level I class is scheduled for March 31-April1, 2012 in Virginia Beach. Check out my calendar for my schedule or click here for more info!

On May 2, Brenda Morris, Mark Dennis and I visited the Division of Parole in Reisterstown, MD to deliver reflexology sessions to employees. We corralled a conference room, dimmed the lights and played a soothing spa dvd while employees got their relaxing sessions. Some of the comments: "amazing", "Can I take you home with me?", "I feel like I've got new feet!"

On April 25, my reflexology posse (Brenda Morris and Terri Lambdin) and I traveled to the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing to give a presentation and demonstration on reflexology. Our presentation was part of a two elective course, Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Health Care, for medical and nursing students. We were given 45 minutes to explain reflexology and its benefits and to walk the students through a mini-session. I talked and fielded questions while Brend and Terri delivered the foot goodies. There were roughly 17 students in attendance and only 3 of them had ever had reflexology. It was a very new subject to most of the students. One student who received a mini-session was so blissful she was speechless.

The theme for the next meeting is Best Foot Forward: Confidence and Competence in Reflexology. This is a reflexology share - we'll be trading mini-reflexology sessions and giving friendly feedback to help you refine your skills. We'll discuss how to develop a personal reflexology style and what clients and practitioners should expect during a session. The meeting will be held Thursday, May 19, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Nourishing Journey, 10440 Shaker Drive, Suite 105, Columbia, MD 21046. There is a $3 fee for all participants to cover the room rental. For more information, visit www.reflexstudygroup.weebly.com

Register on EventBrite - www.reflexstudygroup.eventbrite.com

On Sunday, April 17, I did a presentation along with colleagues Brenda Morris and Mark Dennis for the Baltimore and Columbia MD Energy Healers Meetup. Steve Carter, the meetup host, invited us to share information about reflexology and its benefits. Brenda and Mark provided samples and I talked about reflexology and helped participants with some self-care techniques. At least 30 folks showed up and we got some great feedback.

On Saturday, April 2, I volunteered as a reflexologist for REJUVENATE - the annual 2011Women's Health Expo sponsored by the National Ovarian Cancer Coaltion. The coalition's mission is education and awareness about ovarian cancer as well as improving the survival rate and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer.

In addition to reflexology, there were reiki and massage practitioners also in our relaxation room. In addition, participants could take fitness classes, go to mini-workshops and  I met some wonderful folks and we all had a great time!

I'm now working with Bodywork Massage Studios as their featured reflexologist, providing services to in-studio (Towson) and mobile clients. Check out the website for more info and rates: http://www.bodyworkmobilemassage.com/