| I remember when Ando Sensei, my Japanese | | | | you feel more energy and your body will heal |
| reflexology teacher, first said to me that | | | | itself on a deeper level. |
| reflexology is all about the qi. "When the qi is | | | | The Buzz Factor |
| flowing properly and in balanced harmony; good | | | | When I do qi gong, an ancient martial arts practice |
| health follows." I did not understand what he | | | | for good health, I feel energy moving through out |
| meant at first, however, after 5 years of | | | | my body. My hands tingle and buzz, and I feel |
| practicing here in Chicago, I have come to | | | | great afterward. I also know that reflexology |
| understand this saying to be truer than I had | | | | produces many similar benefits. |
| previously imagined. | | | | Often times during my reflexology sessions, you |
| So what is Qi? | | | | may feel the tingling pulsing sensation of this new |
| Qi, pronounced "chee", means energy or life force | | | | flow of energy in the body. Although this is a new |
| energy. Oriental medicine states that this energy | | | | experience to most, this mysterious vital energy |
| flows through the body in channels known as | | | | plays an important role in you feeling great and |
| meridians that connect to all of our major organs. | | | | being healthy. My form of reflexology is based on |
| According to Chinese medical theory, illness arises | | | | the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and |
| when the cyclical flow of qi in the meridians | | | | the qi flow, so that is one reason why it is so |
| becomes unbalanced or is blocked. | | | | unique to most reflexology given here in America. |
| Reflexology is a powerful way to release these | | | | The Qi knows how to heal your body |
| blocks, improve the flow of qi, rebalance the qi in | | | | The qi knows how to heal your body. Just like |
| the body, and improve your health. For thousands | | | | your cells know how to repair themselves, clean |
| of years, Oriental medicine has used numerous | | | | themselves, and sustain themselves, the qi has a |
| methods to serve the purpose of creating | | | | way of repairing, improving, and balancing your |
| harmonious qi flow in the body. Reflexology, | | | | energy levels. Just like water "knows" how to |
| acupressure, qi gong, moxibustion, are a few | | | | move through a fire hose, the qi "knows" how to |
| commonly used methods. | | | | move through the meridians. However, at times, |
| What I like about reflexology is that: | | | | due to mental, emotional, and/or environmental |
| 1. It is safe. The first question I asked my | | | | stressors, the meridians can become congested. |
| teacher was can I do any harm using reflexology. | | | | Remember, if the qi stays stagnate for too long, |
| He smiled gently and in a calm voice said "No, it | | | | imbalances occur and poor health ensues. |
| can only help." | | | | Reflexology breaks up these congestions and get |
| 2. No needles. Unlike acupuncture, reflexology does | | | | the qi flowing again. |
| not use needles. (I've often referred to | | | | "Where the qi goes, the blood flows" |
| reflexology as "needless acupuncture".) | | | | An ancient Chinese saying "where the qi goes, the |
| 3. It feels so good. Maybe not during your session, | | | | blood flows" means that when the qi moves to a |
| however, after a good reflexology session, you | | | | certain area of the body, the blood flows there |
| feel so awesome. This not only due to the | | | | giving more oxygen and vital nutrients to the cells, |
| increase energy flow, but also due to all the | | | | glands, organs, and muscles. This improved |
| endorphins that are released in your body. | | | | circulation also means that your body can rid itself |
| Why the feet? | | | | of harmful toxins. Reflexology really gets the |
| All the main qi meridians run into the feet so | | | | circulation flowing properly and helps you flush out |
| when you have a reflexology session, the wave | | | | toxins from your body. As always, be sure to |
| like movements of the flowing qi circulates | | | | drink plenty of water after your reflexology |
| through out your entire body and through out the | | | | sessions so you can get all that junk out. |
| entire meridian system. With this new flow of qi, | | | | |