Just Not Feeling It

[erg322]

I've been AOR qualified since October and I've been reading about and studying Reflexology since, I'm starting to build up my clients and I've also been doing case studies to keep building up my experience and confidence...BUT... I feel as if I'm a fake, I can't really get a sense of imbalances, sometimes I do but most times I feel as if I'm just bluffing my way through. When does it all start to fall into place? I always tend to look at the physical reasons and not the emotional reasons for imbalance.

When did it all fall into place for you? I don't want it to be a case of 'Fake it until you make it' as was suggested to me by someone

Maybe I'm expecting to much from myself?

 

[Jamie Iomio]

Hi JanAnn

Not sure what you mean. Do you mean you can't 'physically' feel the imbalances in the feet when they should be there? Such as grittyness for example.How do you mean that you can't 'sense' imbalances? Could you explain more please?

If you've passed with the AOR then I'm sure you know what you're doing. It can take some time to get your confidence so don't be hard on yourself. It's weird at first when all you've ever done is do treatments that are part of your education and then suddenly you're out on your own and expected to know 'everything'.

I found that when I got my qualification that's when the learning really started and I'm still learning!!

 

[Jane J]

I can feel the grittiness, tempreature changes, crystals etc, it's the fear of not knowing what they can mean, is it a physical imbalance or an emotional imbalance?For example does a red/gritty right shoulder reflex mean a physically sore shoulder ordoes it mean that the client has a 'weight' on her shoulder from her past or that a male in her life is putting pressure on her causing her to feel weighed down etc.

By sensing the imbalances I thinkI mean just knowing when areflex point needs that extra bit of time during the treatment just by touching it. I think I mean using your intuition. I don't think I trust mine enough yet in case I'm completely wrong.

 

[Reverend G]

I think it all depends on how you view reflexology. I've just been reading the post on language of the feet by Chris Stormer and it's quite interesting.

I was interested to read that you think that a red/gritty shoulder might mean a 'weight' from the past or that a male was weighing her down,, with all respect to you I'm afraid I don't believe in this approach to Reflexology,, sorry. In any case, if this were true how would this effect your session, I mean what would your approach be?

I tend to work from the more practical side. If the shoulder reflex was red my first question would be 'are your shoes hurting you?'. I don't think that I have ever had a client that hasn't had gritty shoulder reflexes. Most people tend to carry their tensions in their neck and shoulders, but it can mean all sorts.

I'm notafraid of not knowing what an imbalance might mean.I don't worry about that as long as I give a good and thorough treatment.It's all about treating and not diagnosing.

As for 'sensing' reflex points I talked about this in another thread somewhere and yes, I do tend to sense imbalance just the moment before the client confirms it even though I don't physically feel it. I can't explain this but I just think it's something that you 'learn', I think your intuition 'grows' over time.

I can't see what it would matter anyway if you thought, just by instinct that a reflex might need just a little more work.

You've got a good qualification there so have more faith in your abilities and relax and go with the flow.

 

[B Vijay Chandran]

By the way do you mind if I ask, does the AOR teach the 'man in life weighing you down' or 'weight on shoulders from past' approach? Just interested to know.

 

[ppppoisonhaha]

No, AOR doesn't teach this . My tutor said it was an interesting way to look at things, I've read a few Chris Stormer books and I'm getting confused. I do like her techniques and suggestionsbut to be honest I think I'm going to start looking at things a little more practically until I can 'find my feet'.

I really appreciate your comments.

 

[Baran]

No problem, like I said I always respect other peoples'
points of view but there are some sides of Reflexology that I just don't believe and yes, it is easy to become confuse and like someone said on another thread things get get a bit airy fairy if you're not careful.

Good luck with everything x

 

[iaminvisible8888]

Hi,
well I'm from the other camp...I look at the emotional first then the physical!!! With experience I've personally found that the two are inextricably linked....repressed emotion= stress=physical manifestation.... but thats just my view of the World and I respect other reflexologists who work purely on the physical aspect.... I've never been considered airy fairy in my approach, but then I guess thats down to the way I communicate the information to the clients.....I tend to give the example....If you went to work every day and were being bullied by a colleague, each time you had an interaction with that person you would have an emotional response which may translate into tension in your body, this would then form a habit or pattern each time you interacted with this person if the underlying emotional aspect was not addressed...after a period of time this would then start to present itself as pain etc.....
such as pain in the neck. ( physical tension on interaction along with repressed communiaction/ throat chakra)

I tend to explain upfront to a client how I work and read the body, how I translate what their body is telling them.....I always stress that I'm not there to diagnose or to claim to cure but to show them the mirror so to speak to advise them of imbalances in reflexes and the emotional/physical links to those areas...the rest is up to them! ......this has taken practice and experience over the years....I'd say do what feels comfortable for you.......you'll find your own way with time!

Lisa x

 

[neboptics]

Hi

I'm currently nearing the end of my reflexology & have been taught to be open minded about sore/gritty reflex points, it may be a case that a person does feel a weight on his/her shoulders and alternatively have had poor foot care over the years, or even a case of sore shoulders/tension etc. I think its a case of being more relaxed about things not to diagnose the clients emotions or condition but to make them aware that the reflex point is tender/gritty to your touch, If they wish you to elaborate then you could explain there are a few reasons why the area is gritty & let your client give you feed back as to what they think it may be a case of.

Good luck, I feel the same sometimes just relax your confidence will come with more experience as mine will

Sue x

 

[fendergrl97]

Hello JanAnn and everyone else here. Well JanAnn, thank you for a very interesting posting which has got me thinking. As these excellent replies show, there are many ways of approaching reflexology and your approach and use of intuition sounds just fine to me. I once met a reflexologist who told me that she just didn't 'feel' energies when she was giving a treatment. The whole energy aspect was just a puzzle to her. I have no doubt though that she was a very good therapist.

I like this quote from Susan (cannot work out how to do the quote thingy properly) "I'm notafraid of not knowing what an imbalance might mean.I don't worry about that as long as I give a good and thorough treatment.It's all about treating and not diagnosing."