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!

We had a great time reading the feet in my SOLE STORIES: Health & Personality Cues Revealed by the Feet workshop this past weekend. There were 11 reflexologists in attendance. On Saturday we focused more on reading the foot shape and health cues and on Sunday we looked at accessing the emotions in the feet and performed toe reading. Here are some comments I received:

"The class was extremely enlightening and will help with my reflexology. My approach to assessing is different now...."

"Great presentation - Kristen has compiled knowledge from multiple sources and presented it well."

"Another excellent class that is preparing me to offer clients the depth of info in a session that I imagined I'd be able to offer clients. This is definitely a class I would consider essential to a professional reflexologist...."

I'm teaching Reflexology for Family & Friends, a 3-week introduction to reflexology to be held on Mondays, March 28, April 4 and April 11 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. There is a $20 donation per class. Here's the course description:

Reflexology for Friends and Family is a 3-week introduction to reflexology, an acupressure-based modality for the feet and hands that brings the body back into balance. You will understand the benefits of reflexology, learn how to correlate the body to the feet and hands, and practice basic techniques to perform a reflexology session for your loved ones.

Sharon Kay is hosting this at her home in Joppa. The address is 539 MacIntosh Circle, Joppa, MD 21085. If you're interested in attending, please contact me or Sharon Kay at shiatsushar@comcast.net.

SOLE STORIES: Health & Personality Cues Revealed by the Feet will be held March 26 - 27. Here's a course overview:

Uncover the physical and emotional health secrets the feet hold! This 2-day continuing education course is for reflexologists, bodyworkers, energy therapists and wellness practitioners wishing to deepen their client assessments through foot reading. 

 Course Objectives:
~ Gain an introduction to major foot reading theories and methods
~ Identify 5 foot shapes based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) five elements
~ Discover foot reading from a reflex and meridian perspective
~ Understand the emotional symbolism of common foot conditions
~ Learn the symbolism of each toe and how to asses the toes for signs of endocrine imbalance, sinusitis and brain stress
~ Identify emotions reflected in regions of the foot and access them through simple mobilization and range of motion techniques
~ Learn the basics of foot glyphology assessing the fine lines, wrinkles, calluses and textures of the feet for health cues such as acid reflux, thyroid conditions, heart disease, breast cancer, digestive issues, mineral imbalances and internal pathogens
~ Examine feet for health and personality cues
~ Discuss ways to integrate foot reading into a bodywork or wellness practice
~ Practice foot reading

I've been asked a few questions about this course so here are my replies:
(1) Will the course be offered again later in the year? No, I plan to offer it only once a year in Maryland.
 
(2) Is this like the toe reading class that came to Maryland a few years ago? No, this is more health focused and meant to be used as an adjunct tool for reflexologists, bodyworkers, wellness practitioners and nutritionists. We will cover toe reading in class, but it is a subset of the class.
 
(3) Is the course approved for continuing education units? Yes, it is approved for 12 NCBTMB CE units and is now approved for 12 ARCB CE units.
 
(4) Why should I take this? Here's an example from my personal experience: I performed weekly reflexology sessions for a 70-year-old client and began to notice a callus forming in a particular region on the ball of her foot. This callus grew quickly and became more defined over the next 4 weeks. Upon questioning, the client said her health was fine and she hadn't noticed any changes - her doctor had given her a clean bill of health only 3 months before. Based on the visual cue on her foot, I suggested that she get her blood pressure checked again. She went back to the same doctor who put her on high blood pressure meds. They later discovered she had developed a heart murmur. In the SOLE STORIES course you will learn to identify cues NOT for diagnostic purposes but so you can make appropriate referrals for your clients or better serve them during their sessions. If you've taken my Acupoint Reflexology course, these cues will help you determine the most effective acupoints to balance.
 
(5) Do I need to purchase books for class? No, you will receive a detailed manual.There are resources I highly recommend for further study. See the slideshow below. 

The registration deadline is March 18 so if you're interested, let me know ASAP.