Reflexology?

Heard wonders about reflexology so I decided to have a go for one session yesterday. If you are wondering what is reflexology – reflexology is a natural healing art, based on the principle that stimulating reflex points on the feet, hands or ears can have a beneficial effect on other parts of the body. By applying technique a reflexologist can break up patterns of stress in other parts of the body.

Did a quick research on Google and found this –

“Pressure applied to the feet generates a signal through the peripheral nervous system. From there it enters the central nervous system where it is processed adjustments in fuel and oxygen. Finally a response is fashioned that is sent onto the motor system. This message is feel forward to adjust the body’s tone or overall tension level. If applied property the tone will reset itself to a lower operating tempo. A lower operating tempo means a lessening of stress and less wear and tear on the body’s systems.”

“The purpose of the nerves is to carry messages and instruct the body. When the nerves improve that instructs the body, the instruction has to improve, the body has to improve. Every nerve in the body begins and ends in the hands and feet. By applying this specialised exercise pressure on the foot, the outcome is improved instruction to each and every part of the body, resulting in a re-educating, re-patterning, and re-conditioning of the nerve instruction through the reflex/neutral electrical system of the body.”

“The purpose of the blood is to transport nutrition, glucose and oxygen to all parts of the body. The blood travels approximately 168,000 miles per day to supply about 60 trillion cells in the body. The heart pumps about 100,000 times per day. It is in the hands and feet that blood transfers from arteries to veins to return back to the heart. This is the reason why the feet must be flexible and dexterous. Stress, which can be responsible for 80% to 90% of ailments, can act like a tourniquet, wrapping around the body, squeezing so tightly that it causes an impediment of blood flow which results in an ischemic condition. Since the capillaries feed the functioning part of the body, we are only as healthy as out capillaries. Again, by using this specific, highly specialised relaxation technique, reflexology is able to relax a specific area of the body enough to improve the blood supply to that area. This will then allow improved transportation of the nutrition, glucose and oxygen which that area of the body desperately needs to function or to regulate.”

“It is essential to remember that we are not only what we eat, we are what we supply to our cells and then assimilate. The purpose of the lymphatic system is to cleanse and purify the bloody and lubricate the muscles. A healthy system is a cleansed system; congestion is a disease. The absence of balance in the body is disease. The lymphatic system cannot cleanse or purify very well if it is weak, sick or congested. A healthy person body will rid itself of at least 8 pounds or toxic waste per day through the four channels of elimination – kidneys, bowels, skin and breath. The lymph flows in one direction only, towards the heart; also every lymphatic vessel begins and ends in the hands and feet. By using reflexology, we are persuading the body to correct, strengthen and reinforce itself.”

The most common form is foot reflexology which I tried yesterday where the foot reflexologist applied pressure to specific points on my foot.

Reflexology sessions generally last from 30 minutes to an hour. The session I had yesterday lasted about 40 minutes and it is a clothed session with only the removal of my shoes and stockings.

It didn’t hurt for me which is good. I understand that too much pressure can actually be harmful and could lead to surgery. I guess personal preference is something you should communicate with your reflexologist.

I did feel relaxed while in the session. Not so sure how relaxed I felt after. Apparently how long that relaxation lasts is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the session.

Reflexology is safe for everyone and it’s recommended to be used throughout a lifetime. Because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body.

Research has found that not only is it beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress relied, it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, detoxification, recovering from surgery and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. But I guess in general terms; the benefits of reflexology have to do with the reduction of stress. I am very doubtful that reflexology can benefit certain conditions and diseases.

The website I was reading advised the following “ The goals of reflexology are to re-educate, re-pattern and re-condition the nerves through the neural/electrical system of the body. This will cause four reactions:

• To relax a particular area of the body through a highly specialised specific relaxation technique
• To improve nerve, blood and lymphatic supply
• To persuade the body to biologically correct itself
• To allow the body to reach homeostasis
• The blood circulation system will be boosted
• It can help prevent and cure many symptoms such as headache, stress, asthma, constipation, sinusitis and migraine
• It can relieve pain and stiffness caused by too much exercising or using muscles for too long

In a society that relies on chemically laden prescription drugs to cure the sick, reflexology is providing success stories worth examining.

Reflexology has made its mark in the world of alternative therapies because apparently it works. I have my doubt but I am trying to hopefully prove me wrong. Regardless, reflexology should only act as a compliment to standard medical care. It should not be construed as medical advice. It should not be a replacement to medical help. Please remember that reflexology is not a miracle cure and not everyone will respond in the same way.

Found this on the Internet –

• The massage must be done with accuracy to avoid wrong reflection which will cause muscle infection
• One should not receive massage until at least one hour after meal
• One should hydrate as much as possible before coming to a session
• After receiving massage, one is required to drink water to eliminate toxin and lactic acids developed during the massage process
• Pregnant women, menstruating women and who are bleeding internally and externally are not allowed to receive foot reflexology massage
• Both masseur and clients are prohibited from washing hair, hands, feet or taking a bath within one hour of foot reflexology massage in order to prevent the body’s elements from the effect of coldness
• Foot reflexology massage can be given every day but the total duration of both feet in a day should not exceed 45 minutes. However, only 10 minutes is allowed for patients who used to suffer from heart attack.

The reflexologist I tried with yesterday I believe was not experienced, so I will be on a hunt again to look for a better one. I might even try to learn the techniques for myself. I guess having the knowledge to treat myself and my family will be one of the smartest things I can do – obviously assuming that it works to begin with.

I guess I am quite practical. I do however believe in faith and healing. I don’t believe in fairies or the Easter Bunny. I personally would like to open to anything that can improve my health.

 

 

 

Young Adult Movie Review

Young Adult starred Charlize Theron as Mavis Gray who is a ghost writer of teen literature who returned to her hometown to supposedly relive her glory days and to attempt to win back her high school flame Buddy (Patrick Wilson) who is happily married with a newborn child.  

When she learned that her high school sweetheart had a new baby,  she packed her bags and left her Minneapolis apartment and drove back to her hometown in Mercury. She is fully dillusional that her old boyfriend isn't happy in his marriage and with a child.

By chance, she meets Matt (Patton Oswalt) a former high school classmate who she didn't know well at the time, who tries in vain to deter her after she reveals her interntions to him.

Mavis is twisted and delusional. The only real friend she has is her pet dog. But she doesn't even care about the cute little dog. I think she just likes the status of being called a dog owner. 

Unfortunately for Mavis, its really easy to dislike her. Charlize Theron really played her character well. She reduses to grow up, even though she is is nearly 40. She is only concerned about her makeup, clothes and her hair which she keeps picking on. She spends her nights getting hammered and her days writing bad teenage romance novels and geting over her hangover.

I honestly think Theron's character is overally annoying and with very little laughs, it doesn't make the movie to be the stand out film it was intended to be. Matt and Mavis really hit it off especially since Matt didn't really get over the scars from high school as well.

It takes little for Mavis to think Buddy is still interesed in her. After meeting for a drink he invited her to a perfomance by his wife's rock band. Mavis continued to misread Buddy's words and actions and believed that he is still madly in love with her.

I have to say I wasn't quite impressed with the movie. It is kinda of an an indie drama character piece. It is filled with darkly funny moments which really makes you want to just scream. I guess the moral of this movie is to examine our own relationships. Why do we have regrets? Why do we have intense feelings of loss? And why do we always hark back to our high school years?

SHILLS Brightening Mud Mask Product Review

This is an unique deep-sea mud containing arbutin, whitening ingredients and marine cream which will remove dirt and oil from your face, preventing blemishes resulted from clogged pores, lighten scars and tighten pores. 

This mask is also enriched with a blend of plant essence which will moisturise and soften skin. 

Not a bad mask - leaves skin feeling clean and bright.

Main ingredient includes: Volcano Lava Extract, Arbutin, Calmosenine, Lavender Essence, Apple Polyphenols, EGF. 

Instructions: Use 1-2 times a week. Apply a thin layer on face, avoiding eyes area. Leave the mask for 5-10 minutes on your skin, then remove with warm water.

 

Weight: 100ml

Made in Taiwan

The Help Movie Review

Emma Stone plays Skeeter, an aspiring journalist who returns home from college to find her family's lomg time help Constantine disappeared.

Skeeter sets about writing a secret book with the local black maids about what its like working for their bitchy white employers, from raising their chirldren who then grew up to despise them, to being forced to use separate bathrooms. The point of Skeeter's book is to make people see that people are just people no matter the color of the skin. 

Its obvious from the start that Skeeter is different to all her friends. While her friends are getting married and having babies - she can't seem to find a guy that appreciates her intelligence. No one in her cycle seem to realise that they need to take a stand against racism. Instead, they stick fast to their beliefs and support ridiculous initiatives like adding on a separate bathroom to one's house sot aht the maids don't use the same facilities as the families.

Of course the the task is not easy and it took some persuasion to get the maids onboard.

There is such deep history in the black/white relationship and this story beautifully shows the complex spectrum. 

This movie isn't just about racism and civil rights. It's about the employer employer relationship too. The movie is strong and real and touched something inside me. But mostly, the movie was about kind and good role models.

I cried, I laughed. I highly recommend this to everybody. My favourite movie of all time! 

The part about the pie is hilarious! I think the cutest was when the baby girl said "You is kind. You is smart. You is important"

Valentine Dinner - Capital Grill @ Circular Quay

My husband surprised me *wink* *wink* with dinner reservations to Capital Grill in Circular Quay. I was so excited to finally get back there. He told me days before that he made reservations but only revealed where the night before.

I didn't really dress up for the occassion and basically wore what I worn to work. The restaurant ambiance and decor is beautiful and great views. Romatic and intimate atmosphere upstairs where we dined.

When we arrived I was quite surprised that they were only offereing special Valentine Day menu. Personally I think restaurants should call these "special menus" "let's charge you twice as much for our food because it's a hallmark holiday". Obviously you can hear my frustrating building up as I write this review.

All the meals were good, but not amazing especially considering we spent close to $200 without any wine.

We started with entree. I had Sydney Rock Oysters and John had the Crisp Skin Pork Belly, Celeriac Purree with Apple Cider. I am a big fan of oysters so I devoured all of them in a second. I think the secret to really enjoying oysters is getting the technique of piercing them with your teeth to release the briny flavour and then bringing them forward in the mouth with your tounge so that you can swallow smoothly in one go. That's how I do it.

 

For main, I had Roasted Organic Chicken with Baby Turnips, Dutch Carrots and Eshallots which I really enjoyed. While the meat was very tender, I found that the dish was quite plain and the skin was chewy, not crispy.

John as usual had his slab of meat - Tenderloin Pasture Fed Reverina with Potato Gratin and Sauteed Mushrooms. This was no ordinary steak - I had a bite and it was cooked to perfection - it was just so tasty! We also ordered Steamed Vegetables as a side.  

We were full by the time our dessert was served. I had the biggest portion of Chocolate Mousse every known to mankind. We finished it all regardless of our full stomach.

Wait staff were very friendly and helpful. The food was very presented and tasty. We also enjoyed the glasses of Champagne each.  

I have to say it was a really nice and relaxing Valentine's Day meal. We didn't have to pay too much or fight the crowds and best of all, we took our time eating our meal and enjoyed each other's company in the comfort of a beautiful, classy setting.  

Appetizer, main course, side dishes, desert and a giant monkey named Opa. Everything was fantastic! Thank you baby!
 

After the dinner, we took a cab home and got home to do our own errands. You can probably guess how long we've been maried.