If you’ve experienced reflexology before then you’ll probably know how relaxing it is, or how it’s helped you to deal with health issues or physical discomfort, stress levels or sleep patterns. And after over 20 years of being a reflexologist I’ve seen it help countless people in numerous ways and have continued my learning of new techniques and theories. I still love it so still love learning about new and different ways of using it and helping you! So when the chance came to learn from the brilliant Helga Dittmann, founder of Emotional Release Reflexology, who flew over from Germany especially to teach her techniques in the UK for the first time, I couldn’t resist!
How is it different to a ‘standard’ reflexology treatment (although I’m not sure there is ever a ‘standard’ treatment but you know what I mean!)?
It’s not a wonderfully relaxing treatment where you can drift off into a blissful state or have a well-deserved nap; it’s about us working together, about tuning into how your body feels, seeing if any images or emotions come up for you and then gently working with those and following where they lead for however long as you’re comfortable with doing that.
We know that using positive touch on the body can make a person feel held. This specialised treatment may help you release emotions which have felt like a burden on your shoulders. You may not yet know what these burdens are and even if you do, it’s important to not have any expectations in relation to what may come up during a session; we just gently work with whatever comes to the surface. It may be very slow, it may be powerful, it may not make sense at the time but you are always at the centre of it all.
It’s often not possible to get to the root of everything in one session but it’s a way of starting to bring your subconscious into your consciousness.
What Do We Mean By Conscious vs Subconscious?
If we look at an iceberg, the top fifth of that iceberg is the bit that can be seen; the things you are conscious of. The other four fifths of it are hidden underwater; your subconscious. And so it is in a ‘standard’ reflexology session: I ask you about how you’re feeling and you talk about any physical symptoms, if you’re feeling low, stressed, anxious and how that is physically manifesting for you. This is all on a conscious level. With Emotional Release Reflexology, I don’t ask you and we simply make sure you are comfortable (think drink, blanket, quiet, low lights, in a completely safe and supported space) before I guide you through some relaxation techniques, begin working on your feet and asking you to tell me where the tender spots are on your feet and how you’re feeling that in your body – and off we go!
If you’ve already experienced reflexology then you’ll know how profound working on the feet can sometimes be; bringing up emotions that you hadn’t realised were there or long-held memories which are still unprocessed; seeing colours or dream-like images as you drift off during your treatment… thus bringing your subconscious to the fore.
If you’ve experienced reflexology before then you may also know that every organ in the body has a relationship to an emotion so it works on both a physical and emotional level. Emotional Release Reflexology simply builds on this and takes it a little further with physical feelings and emotions working hand in hand.
What Do I Need to Know?
You are never pushed to do anything you aren’t comfortable with. I might be asking questions but you are leading this and in control at all times so can stop at any point. You also don’t have to answer the questions I ask as they are for you and not for me! This is about you and not what I think you should be doing. You always have a right to feel however you feel; that’s true of all situations and all treatments, not just Emotional Release Reflexology. It’s always ok the way that it is, whatever it is. You are always safe. You and I work together to find out what will help you the most; it’s not about me leading but simply facilitating your ongoing journey.
“Somebody once said, we don’t need wings to fly, all we need is for those chains that bind us to be cut.” Prem Rawat.
If you would like to find out more about Emotional Release Reflexology or to book an appointment, please click here to drop me an email.
N/B This treatment is not suitable for anyone who has experienced psychosis or who has had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or any psychiatric disorder.
