January is traditionally the time to start thinking about health, but for me “New Year, new you” isn’t only about dieting and exercise – it is also the perfect time to promote the idea of general wellbeing. If you’re like me then you never really allow yourself any dedicated time to switch off and truly relax your mind. Even when I think I’m relaxing (because I’m lying down!) I’m still messing about with my phone or concentrating on a film. So when the Association of Reflexologists contacted me to try out a reflexology session I was very interested to find out some more about this type of treatment.
The Association of Reflexologists say that reflexology is a non-intrusive health therapy based on the theory that different points on the feet, lower leg, hands, face or ears correspond with different areas of the body. The idea is that during a session your reflexologist will “work” the different points on your feet to promote better overall health, help the body restore its balance and aid relaxation.
My first ever reflexology session was with Martha Mary at the Oasis Spa in Manchester, and because I was a total newcomer she talked me through what reflexology was all about and what I could expect from the session. She really appreciated how difficult it can be for people to switch off from their day-to-day lives and just “be in the moment” (even during a treatment!) so she incorporated some reiki at the start of the session, which was a nice way to begin and helped relax the mind. This was ideal for me, as I’d come straight from a hectic day at work!
The reflexology treatment itself was focussed entirely on the feet and lower legs, and felt like a firm-pressure massage which targeted the different areas of the feet one at a time. I suppose this wouldn’t be the treatment for you if you don’t like people touching your feet, but I actually enjoy it and found it very relaxing. I noticed that she was working on certain areas for longer than others, and afterwards she talked to me about where those areas corresponded with and why she’d identified them as needing the extra attention. I definitely felt like I was in great hands! Straight after the treatment (and actually for the rest of the evening) I felt extremely relaxed, carefree and a little light-headed, and at the advice of Martha Mary I didn’t do anything strenuous or stressful for the rest of the day. I just enjoyed the after effects of the session and an evening of feeling very relaxed indeed!
I really enjoyed my first experience with reflexology and found it very successful in terms of helping me feel relaxed, so I would recommend it for anyone dealing with stress or looking to make more time for their wellbeing. Martha Mary is one of the therapists who is part of The Association of Reflexologists, which is a great site to visit to find an approved and insured reflexologist in your area.
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English Rose from Manchester's Blog 
This is so interesting. I’ve always been intrigued by Reflexology and would love to try it sometime. I had no idea there was a spa in the centre of Manchester that would be able to do this! xx
Oh I’d love to try this. I love a foot massage at the best of times. will look this place up thanks
I’ve never tried reflexology – I’ll have to have a look at this lady – thanks
Reblogged this on justbeinghereblog and commented:
For anyone wondering about reflexology – here’s a person’s first encounter with it. If you would like to try it out then contact me on 07977 290046 (based in Worthing, UK).