Thai Reflexology is part of a discipline in Thailand referred to as sacred bodywork. Its origins date back to India, where the ancient art of Ayurvedic medicine held that the feet (and hands) have energy openings to the external world, through which energy enters and leaves the human body. Philosophies from traditional Chinese medicine and the healing arts of Taiwan and Japan affirmed this belief and recognized the profound grounding effect that working on the feet have on both the physical and energy bodies. Thai reflexology differs from the conventional form mostly practiced in the west in a few ways. One of the most significant is in the map of energy channels throughout the body. In the western model most often practiced in North America, we refer to 10 longitudinal or vertical zones through which life force moves. Thai bodywork recognizes a system of energy conduits, known as sen, which are said to number 72,000. All start at, or near, the navel and are connected to various orifices in the body. Of those thousands of sen, 10 are considered the most important; six of these are addressed in Thai foot reflexology. I created the Advanced Thai Reflexology class because many graduates of the Thai Foot Reflexology training were interested in learning more about the qualities of the sen that run through the body parts addressed in the session, as well as which systems of the body they influenced. In this one-day class, attendees learn the location of the six sen running through the feet and lower legs, the western reflexology points along those lines, the controlling Ayurvedic dosha and Chinese meridian, and health issues and areas of the body affected by contact to these energy channels. This level of comprehension prepares therapists to increase the efficacy of Thai reflexology by targeting health issues more specifically in a client’s session. Perhaps the most useful (and enjoyable!) part of the day though is the hands-on component. I review all techniques in a full session demo and introduce new ones that can be added to the session. Attention to accurate contact with the sen lines is prioritized. Participants then give and receive a full Thai reflexology session – a perfect opportunity to fine-tune technique and body mechanics with corrective feedback from yours truly! I invite everyone who has completed the initial two-day training in Thai Foot Reflexology to join me at FSM on September 8 for the Advanced Thai Reflexology class. Make a weekend of it and attend the one-day Reflexology & Essential Oils: The Perfect Marriage and Reflexology Rocks! classes.
