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DIY Reflexology

10/29/2015

6 Comments

 
As a practising reflexologist, I am continually amazed by the positive effect reflexology can have on people. It can release energetic blockages and held emotions, and encourage deep relaxation.  In this article you will find three useful reflex points that you can enjoy working on at home.  If you have any health issues you are best to see a qualified reflexologist or other health practitioner.  For more information on reflexology visit my reflexology page

Who doesn't love a foot rub?  ​While reflexology practitioners use particular methods of applying pressure, any type of massage or pressure application can be beneficial, so try it out on yourself, a family member or friend - tune in to what works and feels good for you. You can inadvertently work the body through what you do and help it to re-balance.  Enjoy!

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Three useful reflex points to massage
I have chosen to share three reflexology points that are easy to locate and work on at home, working on these points has the potential to be deeply relaxing and transformative.  The three points are the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands and the solar plesus...

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Pituitary Gland - The pituitary gland is the primary endocrine gland and controls almost every other gland in our body.  It is located on the inside of the big toe (as illustrated in the diagram) and is often tender. Working on the pituitary gland encourages chemical and hormonal balance throughout the body and can be especially useful for the symptoms of PMT.  
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Adrenal glands - Due to our modern lifestyles and high stress levels, we put immense pressure on our adrenal glands, which can lead to adrenal fatigue.  With almost everyone I work with the adrenal glands are tender and thus easy to locate.  The position varies slightly from person to person, it is somewhere on the upper arch of the foot near the inner edge (see diagram below). Have a feel around until you feel a slight lump or hollow, or notice some tenderness. You can rub your thumb or finger on this point using a circular motion or apply gentle pressure where it feels tender.  Working on the adrenal glands helps to allieviate anxiety and nervous tension.  I love massaging the arch of the foot around this area - pure bliss!
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Solar plexus - This is a very nurturing point to work, though it appears quite subtle.  It is located at the bottom of the ball of the foot.  Very gently holding this point can be extremely relaxing, the pressure can be extremely light and I usually incorporate this towards the end a reflexology session.  It helps to relieve nervous tension and encourage deep relaxation.
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So experiment and enjoy.  Reflexology can be quite impactful so go gently initially and notice how you react.  Stay tuned in and do what feels right for you.  It can also be done on the hands.  As reflexology can be detoxifying and releasing, it is recommended that you drink lots of water, avoid alcohol, caffeine and spicy food after a treatment.  If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Blessings on you and your feet, Fiona
6 Comments

The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

10/15/2015

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I love "The Invitation" by Oriah Mountain Dreamer.  It speaks to me of courage and a commitment to a life of truth and intimacy with oneself.  It reminds me of what is really important in life!
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"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, 'Yes.'

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."


There's not much more to be said... Namaste, Fiona
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"Law of Mother Earth" to be passed in Bolivia

10/6/2015

2 Comments

 
A truly inspiring law is to be passed in Bolivia giving Mother Earth and nature equal rights to humans, with Bolivia's rich natural resources recognized as blessings.  What wonderful, positive news. The new law states: "She is sacred, fertile and the source of life that feeds and cares for all living beings in her womb. She is in permanent balance, harmony and communication with the cosmos. She is comprised of all ecosystems and living beings, and their self-organisation"  Amen!
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The laws for Mother Earth include
  • The right to life and to exist 
  • The right to continue vital cycles and processes free from human alteration
  • The right to pure water and clean air
  • The right to balance
  • The right not to be polluted
  • The right to not have cellular structure modified or genetically altered
  • The right to not be affected by mega-infrastructure and development projects that affect the balance of ecosystems and the local inhabitant communities
This is a radical departure from the norm and highlights the compassion and kindness that exists for our beautiful Earth.
The question I ask is how can we live this respect in our everyday lives.  How can we be the change.  I suggest 5 simple things that could potentially make a huge difference to our Earth and our evolution as individual souls:
  1. Connect with Mother Earth.  Spend quiet time in nature connecting with Gaia in all her splendor.  Listen to the birds sing, smell the fragrant scent of a flower or notice the spectacular colors all around.  Notice how these things make you feel and bring gratitude to your heart.  Gardening and growing plants and vegetables is a beautiful way to connect more with nature and appreciate her magical bounty.
  2. Consume less Most of us in the Western world consume much more than we actually need to.  I encourage more conscious choices about what we purchase and use.  There is much value in the term "Reduce, Re-use, Recycle" and contemplating what that means in your life.  This also includes using resources less, for example, gas or oil for central heating, perhaps the heating could be turned down a few degrees and an extra layer worn.
  3. Be mindful about the food we eat Ideally grow your own food, even without a garden, there is lots of potential for growing food.  Find local, organic food that is free from chemicals and pesticides.  There is possibly a local market or veggie box scheme in your area, I have found these to be a fantastic resource.  Follow a plant based diet, this is much more compassionate to Mother Earth and all sentient life for lots of reasons. Read my blog about following a vegan diet for further information.  Also try to buy food that is free from plastic packaging.
  4. Transport Avoid unnecessary journeys, use public transport and if you can avoid flying.  I like to walk or cycle shorter journeys, it's good exercise and gives me time to unwind.
  5. Use natural household products When you need to, use natural beauty and cleaning products around the home. 
These are suggestions, I encourage you to contemplate what feels right for you and how you can be more aware of the rights of Mother Earth and all sentient life.  

Thank you for the reading, with blessings and gratitude, Fiona
2 Comments

Why are you here?

10/1/2015

0 Comments

 
What is the most important thing for you in life?  We so easily get distracted by everyday activities and things that we feel need to get done or that we should be doing.  So often we get caught up in our careers, fears, our relationships, paying the bills... etc  With such distractions it is easy to lose sight of what is real and truly meaningful in our lives.  

For me, what is truly important is coming back to who I truly am and expressing from my soul.  Part of this journey, is letting go and unravelling the blockages that prevent my authenticity and true self from emanating and another part is finding what brings me joy and inspiration and being or doing that.  This is my true purpose in life and nothing else really matters.  
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Releasing blockages
Life provides challenges and is not always easy.  Our souls want to take us into the very places that challenge us and cause us to become tight.  It is through being in these places and working through the distortions, conditioning and karma that we can move through them and discover liberation.  ​I find watching the tightness that arises, not judging it and then softening into it helps me be more free.  Each time we catch ourselves in tension, fear or off balance is an opportunity to release and grow, rather than getting lost in it all. 
Expressing from soul
Another aspect of being authentic is to express oneself fully.  How can I express more of my soul now?  What inspires me?  Where do I feel drawn? This is the real juice of life.  Sometimes I contemplate the fragility of this life and consider the possibility of dying in a day, week or month from now.  I then ask myself if I knew I would soon be departing this place, is there anything I would change? Does my life as it is serve my highest good and so in turn the highest good of all.  

I found this inspiring video with a similar theme, though I might add that it is about how we are being as much as what we purposefully do.  
Why are you here?

Namaste, Fiona
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    My name is Fiona and this is a space where I express and explore some of my observations, contemplations and thoughts on life.

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