Workshop for Parents

Reflexology Workshop for Parents

with Babies and Children

A fun and relaxing experience.

Location to be announced

Parents with babies and young children are normally pressed for time. This introductory 1- 2 hour work shop is just for you! It is designed to instruct parents on the application of basic reflexology techniques that promote health and well being for your baby/children. Parents will be taught the right reflex locations, amount of pressure, finger and thumb techniques and time on relevant reflex points specific to the conditions. Web sites, complex charts and you tube videos have their place, but they are no match for one-on-one, hands-on instruction by a registered reflexologist. It is impossible to cover everything, but the intent is for the participants to go home with some skills having lifetime benefits.

To my knowledge, no other workshop like this has been offered in Canada or anywhere else.

Details such as anatomy, physiology, theory, research, history, etc. will not be covered during the workshop so as to focus the short time on hands-on-learning. Such information about reflexology is available on this web site. It is advisable to experience a full reflexology session in a private appointment before the class, but not required. Important points to note:

Reflexology does not replace the care of a competent physician. It works as a complement to medical care, (and chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy, all healing modalities) never in opposition to them.
Reflexolosts do not presribe or diagnose unless qualified to do so.
Reflexologists NEVER tell anyone to stop taking their prescribed medications.
Reflexology does not treat foot disorders.
Reflexology is 100% safe.

A five point routine will be taught, which may provide relief for common problems such as:

Teething

Colic

Constipation/diarrhea

frequent colds

screaming fits

insomnia

and other conditions

Results vary, as with any therapy.

Fee: $30 per family. This party/workshop is for you and your friends in the comfort of your living room.

Host pays $15. A minimum of two guest families is required. A maximum of two adults per family please. Host is responsible for setting a mutual date and time for all participants. Dads, grandparents and caregivers are encouraged to participate with mom. If you bring more than one child, I cannot guarantee the time needed for all of them, but the exposure they get by watching will be helpful at home, and what you learn on one child can be applied to others as well. Teaching begins when full payment is collected.

How to Prepare a Child for a Reflexology Session

Preparing Your Infant

It is very easy to introduce reflexology to infants; in fact, this form of therapeutic touch is quite natural. You have probably been performing reflexology on your baby without even realizing it.

1. Work reflexology into games you already play with your infant, such as "This Little Piggy." Pulling and squeezing your baby’s toes during this game easily becomes a reflexology treatment.

The reflex points for the head, neck and throat are located on the toes, so playing this game from a reflexology perspective is a perfect way to help your baby recover from colds and sore throats.

2. Use reflexology techniques while you are bathing your baby. Squeezing your baby’s foot with a soapy washcloth will most likely hit every reflex point on his/her tiny foot. Make it a game by pointing out the soap bubbles squeezing through his/her toes.

3. Gently squeeze or stroke your baby’s feet while you are rocking him/her to sleep.

Preparing Your Toddler

1. Pretend you are playing a game. Your toddler is more likely to become a willing participant in a reflexology session if he/she sees it as a fun activity. Consider, for example, suggesting that the two of you massage the feet or paws of your toddler’s favorite stuffed animals or dolls. Take turns.

2. Ask your toddler to massage your feet as well so that he/she feels that he/she is participating fully in the game. Let him know it is a pleasant experience for you. Most toddlers love to please their parents.

3. Answer your toddler’s questions. Make the whole session fun.

4. Establish a setting so that the child takes his/her cue from his/her environment. Play soft music, lower the lights and try to have each reflexology session at the same time of the day. Toddlers love routines and when they see and hear reflexology cues, they will be more likely to cooperate.

5. Stop the session if your toddler really wants to get up and play. The last thing you want is for your toddler to think of reflexology as a punishment or as a stifling activity.

Preparing Your Older Child

Some children have short attention spans and some children are involved in so many activities that it’s hard for them to sit still for very long. Don’t expect a prolonged session with your child, especially if your child is under the age of 10.

1. Let your child observe you apply reflexology to yourself or to another adult in the family, ideally a favorite uncle or aunt. A child who sees someone he/she greatly admires getting a reflexology treatment, is more likely to want to have the same experience.

2. Explain to your child how reflexology can help with illness and injuries in a natural way. Most children would rather have a "foot massage" than a spoonful of bitter medicine.

3. Give your child examples of how reflexology has helped you or others you know.

4. Get books about reflexology at your local library and encourage your child to look through them.

5. Show your child foot reflexology charts so he/she can see the correlation between the reflex points on his/her feet and the areas on his/her body that are affected by applying pressure to those points. Make use of the interactive chart found here.

6. Explain to your teenager that reflexology can help with hormonal changes, growing pains and even acne. Some teens are more receptive to the idea of reflexology if they realize they will reap a benefit, especially a visual benefit like clearer skin.

Tips

Apply reflexology at bedtime when your child is calm. It will help him/her relax and sleep deeply.
Let your toddler hold a favorite stuffed animal so he/she can "massage its' paws" at the same time you are giving your child reflexology.
Think of reflexology as a way of connecting with your child. It is an excellent way to bond with your child, while supporting and enhancing his/her health and well-being.
Children’s feet are very sensitive and are often ticklish. A firm, but not too tight grip, usually eliminates any risk of tickling the feet.
Although a child with special needs can present unique challenges to parents, reflexology can be applied to meet those challenges. If applying reflexology to your special needs child, concentrate on the reflex areas that correspond to your child’s condition. You may want to focus your efforts on the nervous system only, or just on the reflex areas for the brain or the spinal cord.
Be sure to keep your child’s feet warm during a treatment. Cover the foot you are not working on with a small blanket or towel.

A quick way to convince an older child of the benefits of reflexology is to demonstrate the effects. This technique only works if your child is experiencing noticeable discomfort, such as a pain in his/her knee. If you press on the knee reflex in his/her foot, it will very likely be sore—sore enough for him/her to protest that you are pressing too hard. At this point, show your child a foot chart, point out the knee reflex, explain why it is tender and why pressing on it will help his/her knee to heal.

Warnings

Make sure you give your child extra fluids after a reflexology session. If you give your child a session at bedtime, give him/her extra fluids at breakfast. Massaging the reflexes helps release toxins and lots of water will help flush out the toxins.
Use a very light touch on your infant. All feet are sensitive, and your infant’s feet are extremely so. Pressing his/her reflexes very lightly or simply gently stroking his/her feet is all the pressure that is needed.
Be aware that applying pressure on the reflex points may provoke spasms of the feet and legs. Note the part of the foot that triggers the spasm response. That will be an area of your child’s body you need to focus on.
Apply pressure lightly and gradually increase the pressure over a period of time.