local shout out to relaxation

Ritzy Ryciak wrote in the latest Conscious Choice Magazine... "If every one of us got a weekly massage, the world would be a better place... left to my own here-there-everywhere devices, I let sweet, sweet massages fall by the wayside.
Which is a pity, really. Because, if I am honest with myself, I have to admit that modalities like massage-practices where you receive the power of touch and are forced to slow down-not only relax me, they clarify my thinking, make me feel more grounded and put me in closer contact with what my true needs vs. wants are...."

Thank you Ricky for that shout out!

Just another validation that some form of bodywork, can actually change the dynamics of your life. It is an investment in your health, mental/physical/emotional and can actually improve your focus, your ability to act and re-act and can cause you to be able to find solutions to problems quicker. Which in the end will actually save your time, money and stress.

This includes reflexology, massage, energywork, reiki, NIA, yoga, tai chi, qi gong... anything that makes you slow down, breathe deeper, connect with your amazing body and just BE.

blessings!

Happy New Year!

Just wanted to wish you all a wonderful start to a new year. If you are anything like me trying to make resolutions and change habits is a challenge on these cold rainy Seattle days. So to say thanks for helping make my 2007 great and to get your 2008 started on the right (or left) foot I have a few specials going on.

Testimonials
I am updating my website and need some client and student testimonials. Please help me out by writing up something about how reflexology, massage or intuitive work has changed your life/beliefs/day. It doesn't have to be about me it can just be about the work, my goal is to get across to people the magic of this work. Please email me your submission and I will mail you a gift card for $15 off a session or a free 1/2 hour upgrade. If you can bring tears to my eyes then you will get an even bigger discount :D

Intuitive Work
January is a great time to begin mapping out your next steps. The winter months are ones of dreaming into our lives, to help plant the seeds that will blossom this coming spring I am offering a huge discount on intuitive sessions. Sessions are 30-60 minutes in length and include tarot work, scrying or other mediums to consult guides and get you the clarity you need for the upcoming year. January special rate is $25 for 30 minutes/ $45 for 60 minutes. You can add an intuitive session to any of your regularly scheduled appointments, just confirm ahead that I have the time flexibility.

Packages (special new offering price valid until 3/1/08)
"Catalyst" set of 5 --60 minute reflexology sessions $325 ($50 discount)

"An Afternoon With Your Soul" $125
This 2 1/2 hour session invites you to relax and open to your inner wisdom. An afternoon with your soul consists of a foot soak, a 50 minute reflexology treatment, tea and treats, and a 30 minute intuitive reading. Bring a journal to take notes.

Please pass this email on to anyone you think would be interested, and to entice you to talk about me and help me find new clients I am offering Refer 3 Get One Free! For every 3 new clients that you refer to me, and that actually come in and get a session, you get a free hour of my time. You can exchange this for reflexology, massage, intuitive reading, or shamanic work in your space. Thanks for helping me get the word out!

Blessings in the New Year... I think it's going to be an amazing ride!

the times they are a changing

This summer has been one of intense self discovery and complete breakdown of my personal and professional life into what really matters. In June I re-entered weekly therapy with the express goal of figuring out why my career was blocked, and my schedule empty. I'm going to take a few bragging rights and state that I am an amazing therapist, especially in reflexology. I have a very loyal set of clients. My issue is that they are a small group and I have helped them all so effectively that they don't need to come in as much. GREAT! Unfortunately it means less income. So I have been confused and disheartened lately as to why there's no new showing up, and why I am have been floundering in this career for a good while.

Through much trial, struggle, and a willingness to look at myself and my practice with a microscope I have found a lot blocking. With guidance, I have spent a lot of time contemplating what's important to me and what I am willing and able to sustain for an extended period of time.

To make a long story short, there will soon be some big changes occurring in my practice. My website is about to be redone to reflect the new directions I am going and the new practices I am about to introduce. I am very excited about these changes and I look forward to renewal and vitality in my career.

The best thing I found in this summer of self exploration is a profound sense of gratitude. I am so thankful for my life, for the people in my life and for the support and help, physical and non-physical, that has marked this transition. I look forward to integrating this gratitude into my practice and hopefully passing it on to my clients. There is so much to be thankful for on a daily basis, if only we take a few moments to stop and see it.

namaste

Intent

It's been busy, busy, busy around here. I am making lots of changes to my practice and searching out many forms of advertising and marketing strategies to help in my transition. I will share more about that later.

In the midst of chaos, whatever it may be it is good to be reminded of intention. When working with clients in a energy related field it is of prime importance to remember who you are, what you are doing, and leave everything not related to the session outside the room. I cannot tell you how many times I have made my grocery list while working on a client and afterwards felt drained and horrid. How rude was that to be working on someone and not feeling what was going on under my hands?!? Because I am trying to be more gentle with myself instead of scolding, I made a pact that when I found myself drifting I would gently pull myself back and re-focus, much like in a meditation practice.

Intention is powerful. In my opinion it is the most powerful tool we as bodyworkers have. Instead of asking what a client needs, I now try to ask what their intention is for the day. This way we both have an active focus for the session. Miracles can happen when two people combine efforts to shift a pattern.

I love intention because you can talk to anybody about it and not have them think you are 'out there'. You can most definitely have metaphysical discussions around intention with those who choose too. But you can also ask your business or athletic type clients what their intention is for the session and they usually won't think you are getting all eccentric on them.

Holding intention is easy. You just take what the client has told you and you image yourself as a mirror and reflect that quality, or change back to them. In essence you are reflecting back to them their highest self. It requires no energetic output from you, you are a mirror not a conduit of free flowing energy. After a session you should feel energized, for in reflecting their highest healed self to the client you are also coming into contact with your highest healed self. Fill up your client, get filled up yourself.

Again when you find yourself drifting, gently pull yourself back and refocus on the intention. If the client is awake you might want to check in with them and see if you are picking up their worry, energy, grocery list, or physical discomfort. Don't judge as you may have picked up some really important information, just file it away for later and return to the session. I have during a session told a client, I hate to say this but I am making a grocery list in my head right now, it includes *blah, blah, blah*. My client sat straight up and said, I was just thinking about making *blah* for dinner and I need all those things. So really sometimes the grocery list is for your client!


"There are two ways to spread light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." Edith Wharton