Sue Ricks

Happy New Year - all the best for 2012

Wishing everybody a really happy New Year.

It has been a really super year with many challenges, experiences and changes both personally and professionally. I've been lucky enough to spend longer than I thought with my mum before she peacefully passed away in November. I feel very lucky that I had time to truly be with her. We had a magical holiday in France in July where she revisited a favourite area of Brittany (France) and we even took her to her special place where she was able to dangle her feet in the sea.  My beautiful second grandson, Charlie was born and is adored buyye veryone including his big brother Oscar. We just spent a lovely Christmas together as a family. I feel very lucky to have a wonderful partner, children, grandchildren and all my family.

2011 was many things including a time of travelling within the UK,  America, Ireland and Europe.  We've seen lots of students complete some superb complementary therapy and energy work. We been blessed with a beautiful group of new Gentle Touch Reflexologists (GTR) and in all our new 2012 courses are now launching as well.

We've revamped the clinic room and the training area so that it is really beautiful peaceful and restful and gives an added ambience to the work that we do together. We are very lucky to be working in therapy and training as it is immensely rewarding to see people going out and changing other people's lives for the better.

This year has seen a total relaunch of www.SueRicks.com where we can offer a range of treatments and online booking service and a completely new range of courses. There are now evening courses, daytime courses, full-time courses and part-time courses.

The clinic is operating in Loughborough, Leicestershire where I plan to be offering the people of East Midlands a range of therapies including reflexology, Hopi ear cancelling, Reiki, electro crystal therapy, NLP,  life skills and coaching, personal mentoring, EFT (emotional Freedom technique). There are some specific reflexology treatments available in is Gentle Touch Reflexology, reflexology for babies and children (infants), maternity reflexology and treatments to support those hoping to become pregnant (fertility and preconception care). Treatments available.

We really pleased to be able to offer some super courses in 2012 that include reflexology, hand reflexology, foot reading, Hopi ear cancelling energy and vibrational healing, chakra balancing understanding illness and disease, reflexology and retirement, reflexology for babies and children (infants), personal development seminars, the mirror principle, Reiki, Indian head massage, NLP  and feng shui.

It's been an exciting time of growth and development. We've got some online distance learning programs that are just about ready to be launched is there some webinars, and new training packages to suit all.

I'm so grateful to my mum who first introduced me to the healing arts, I feel her presence.

With love and blessings to everyone for a lovely 2012.

www.suericks.com

 

 

 

An Introduction to Energy and Chakra

Many people ask me about how energy works and want to know more about chakras too.  In this day and age it may seem that all our energy is taken up with work and computers and yet our energy is something that we know when we have, and miss when we do not have any! 

Energy – what is that?

How do we get some energy at times when we are low and struggling? Maybe we would love a quick intravenous infusion as an immediate pep me up! Luckily there are numerous ways that we can boost our energy and have more to use to work, play and restore with. 

Everything that we do can affect our energy levels and the function of our chakras. The works Chakra is a sancrit word and means wheel. It is a vortex; like water spinning down the plug hole or corn wisps swirling in a field. It is a spiraling movement. Every one of us has chakras and we have seven major ones (and many more minor ones too).  When we feel great, our chakras are doing well and when we are feeling low, dispirited, or tired, then our chakras may be out of sync.  Ideally we will have seven shining and actively rotating chakras, however it is part of the human condition to be aiming to balance our chakras by improving one or other area of our lives and things that have an impact on our chakras.

For courses on energy and chakras or one to one tuition in person or over Skype - please see our website at www.suericks.com

For chakra Charts - please see www.suericks.com or call +44 (0)1509 214373

When someone wants to say something and feeling that it maybe the wrong time or inappropriate this will affect the throat chakra as the theme of the throat chakra is communication. Communication covers all kinds of ways in which we communicate. This includes the spoken word, expressions, and all types of verbal and non verbal communication. It even covers what we say inside our heads too. How many times have you wanted to say something and felt better of it? This is the time when our throat chakra may be affected. A free flow of soft and gentle energy around all areas of combination I.e. in and out – giving and receiving of communication can aid a health throat chakra and its generated energy. “It is not what you say.... It is how you say it that matters”.

The energy of the throat chakra governs a wide range of things as each and every chakra is found in a particular location and will govern the energy of wide area of the body. The throat chakra governs the maxilla (top of the mouth), lower half of the ears, lower neck areas, shoulders arms and hands. It is also linked into the endocrine system (hormonal system) and is directly linked to the thyroid that has an impact on metabolism, growth and energy levels.

It is therefore easy to see that if there is some issue going on that is affecting someone’s ability, circumstance or permission to speak, then this may negatively affect their throat chakra and therefore affect the thyroid and shoulder, arms, jaw etc. 

I realised that it might be good to start to write some more articles on how energy works and affect us and hope to expand on this more over coming weeks. It is a wonderful and fascinating subject and one that I find is quite incredible in showing us what is really going on with an individual when you piece together the contributing factors relating to energy and chakras.

Reflexology for the Elderly

Reflexology is superb for people of all ages.  Over the years many individuals who have been in pain, discomfort or lacking in mobility have turned to Reflexology for relief.

There are many kinds of complementary therapies that can help and Reflexology can be one of the most effective.  The current situation is that more people than ever before are moving into retirement age and are wanting to maintain or improve their health, they are not taking “it is old age” as an answer to aches and pains. They are turning to various different treatments to support their own health. Reflexology provides a marvelous opportunity to support their immune system, increase flexibility and also increase mental agility and memory. Many have been prescribed a multitude of medicines that may have side effects and unwanted downsides, even though they are necessary.  Some are finding that holistic treatments offer an alternative form of protecting and improving their physical, mental and emotional health.

There are a number of different types of reflexology and although the public very reflexology as one subject, there are in fact a variety of different way in which reflexology can be practiced and received. These vary from the Ingham method as lovingly given to us by Eunice Ingham (regarded as the Mother of Reflexology), to VRT (vertical Reflex Therapy where the client may be standing for some of the treatment, through to ART (advanced and heavier pressure reflexology and also Gentle Touch™ Reflexology (GTR).  Each person can therefore choose which type of treatment that suits their preferred style of treatment. In Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology (www.g-t-r.org) the client will receive a very light, soothing and flowing treatment that is suitable for those with fragile skin and tender feet of hands. 

to read the full article - click here....

Caroline Cain Holistic Health, Denmark says:

Thank you so much for the fantastic skype training Sue, so effective, efficient and practical. I am finding it extremely rewarding (and very cute!) to give reflexology to babies and children. Such a precious tool. Your book is also fantastic - it is one of my favourite books of the moment :). All the best x

The Gentle Touch of Reflexology for Babies and Children - Sue Ricks

Next Foot Reading Course and Charts Information

Next Course for Foot Reading is available on the 19th July- Click here for information on this course - see feedback.....

Quotes from people who have studied Foot Reading

Insider information- Helen Shortland

Indicator of what is really going on- Lisa Goddard

Reflection of the person – Emma Liston

Brings everything together – like the glue – Paul Prewitt

Be able to ‘look inside’ – Lisa Goddard

Fun -Ann Clarricoates

The unspoken word that saves embarrassment - Gill Wright

You can tell instantly how someone is feeling - Chris Bridges

It opens the floodgate of what you can do with feet.  Enhances everything immensely.  Incredible - Steve Finnemore

An extra insight so you can treat everyone better - Seanna Matthews

Its such a gift that you can see issues that people don’t want you to talk about and hopefully help them better because you know more (without them knowing that you know!!)  Gill Wright

New Foot Reading Charts also available at www.suericks.com

 

Next Foot Reading Course and Charts Information

Next Course available - Click here for information on this great course - such superb feedback.....

Quotes from people who have studied Foot Reading

Insider information- Helen Shortland

 

Indicator of what is really going on- Lisa Goddard

 

Reflection of the person – Emma Liston

 

Brings everything together – like the glue – Paul Prewitt

 

Be able to ‘look inside’ – Lisa Goddard

 

Fun -Ann Clarricoates

 

The unspoken word that saves embarrassment - Gill Wright

 

You can tell instantly how someone is feeling - Chris Bridges

 

It opens the floodgate of what you can do with feet.  Enhances everything immensely.  Incredible - Steve Finnemore

 

An extra insight so you can treat everyone better - Seanna Matthews

 

Its such a gift that you can see issues that people don’t want you to talk about and hopefully help them better because you know more (without them knowing that you know!!)  Gill Wright

New Foot Reading Charts also available at www.suericks.com

 

USA Courses available - ARCB approved

The ARCB have approved the following courses for CEU's (Continuing Educational Units). (Also see www.suericks.com for details of current course dates)

Sue Ricks School of Complementary Therapies, P00133, is approved as a provider of continuing education by the American Reflexology Certification Board.

Alphabetical Order

Subject	Course Title	Duration
Advanced Foot Reading	Advanced Foot Reading	One day
Advanced Foot Reading	Advanced Foot Reading Highlights	Three hours
Advanced Reflexology for Younger Clients	Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology for Younger Clients	Two days
An Introduction to Reflexology for Babies and Children	The Gentle Touch of Reflexology for Babies and Children	One day
EFT	Introduction to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)	One day
EFT	Introduction to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)	Three hours
Energy and Vibrational Healing	Energy and Vibrational Healing via the Feet	One day
Energy and Vibrational Healing	Energy and Vibrational Healing via the Feet	Three hours
Feng Shui	Feng Shui for Practitioners	One day
Feng Shui	Feng Shui for Practitioners	Three hours
Foot Reading	Foot Reading	One day
Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology	An Introduction to Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology	One day
Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology	Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology Techniques	Two days
Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology	Three day GTR Workshop	Three days
Hand Reflexology	Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology Hand Reflexology Techniques	One day
NLP	NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming)	One day
Reflexology for Babies and Children	The Gentle Touch of Reflexology for Babies and Children	Two days
Reflexology for Endocrine Imbalances	Gentle Touch Reflexology for Endocrine Imbalances	One day
Reflexology for the Elderly	Gentle Touch Reflexology for the Elderly	One day
Understanding Illness and Disease	Understanding Illness and Disease – bringing it all together	One day

 

Please feel free to contact me for more information or for details of arranging a class in your area.

suericks@suericks.com

Reflexology Association of America

The Reflexology Association of America (RAA) conference is going great. We are here in Denver having met some amazing people from so many states, Alaska, California, Florida and beyond.

There is terrific stand on the Pioneers of Reflexology with so many of the original items belonging to Eunice Ingham.  Dwight Byers is here and we even managed a photo opportunity!  NachiSanchez  has been showing me Eunice Inghams’s original typewriter ,letters to her from Joe Shelby Riley and some of her hand written teaching notes. What a prized collection, apparently gained from being in the right time at the right place. Nachi told me that he was on one of Dwight Byers courses and went for a walk at lunch time and saw a garage sale with some items that seemed to relate to reflexology. Another gentleman bought most of the items (Nachi is still looking for him!) and so Nachi bought an ancient couch and took it back to the class. Dwight saw the couch and recognised it as his aunt’s couch (Eunice Ingham)!

I have met so many passionate reflexologists who have so much to offer and it continues to inspire me about how much good will there is in the world.  So many gifted people with wide ranging abilities to help others (and themselves).

There are some superb speakers here:

       Dr Marc Piquemal

       Christine Issel

       Dr Martine Faure-Alderson

       Amanda Trosten-Bloom

       Barbara Brower

       Stephanie Cooke

       Kristi Gabriel

       Lone Sorensen

       Laura Jodry

       Plus information from Hanne Marquardt, Mauricio (Moshe) Kruchik, Bill Flocco and Lynne Booth

My book The Gentle Touch of Reflexology for Babies and Children has almost sold out and we still have a day to go! The Gentle Touch Reflexology foot and hand charts have also been popular, as have the chakra charts – so we have had fun!  Oh, and the Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology training DVD has gone well too!

For more information on the courses in the UK and USA (ARCB approved) – Click here

For more information on Gentle Touch Reflexology – click here

To purchase The Gentle Touch of Reflexology for Babies and Children book  – click here

Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology of the Hands

 

Many people associate the treatment of reflexology with Foot Reflexology and yet there is an enormous amount that can be achieved via Hand Reflexology.  There are numerous cases where people have received a few minutes of hand reflexology and found almost immediate relief.

 

There are reflex points on the hands in the same way that there reflex points on the feet.  Each area of the body has a corresponding reflex area that can be found on the hand or foot.  The right hand has the reflexes for the right hand side of the body whereas the left hand has the reflexes for the left hand side of the body.

 

Setting Up to Treat with Hand Reflexology

 

It is important to make treatments available as and when needed.  This means that some treatments may be carried out in more unusual situations rather than traditional clinical conditions. A person may book in for a hand reflexology treatment in preference to a foot reflexology treatment; however the ease of offering immediate care with hand reflexology is an added bonus. There is nothing to prepare, all you need is your knowledge, hands and access to their hands as well.  Once you know how to use hand reflexology you are ready to offer the incredible support and effectiveness to anyone who is receptive to receiving a treatment at any time. 

 

I was on a train with a gentleman who has clearly in pain and got talking to him. It transpired that he had an accident five years before and since then had found sitting for long periods very uncomfortable – but standing was worse. He needed to keep moving to be pain free. I asked if he had heard of Hand reflexology and he said he had not but was happy to give it a try. I told him all about reflexology, Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology and how it can be used on hands and feet, but as we were on a train, feet were out of the question!  He asked if I could give him a sample of the treatment and so I did about five minutes work on  the reflex points that related to his spine.  He reported feeling warmth in his back and by the time he got off the train he said he felt considerably better. I referred him to one of my student who lived near to his work.

 

 

 

Method of Treatment

 

The person who is offering the treatment of hand reflexology has to be close enough to the person receiving the treatment so that both are relaxed. Any treatment that is given under strain or stress will be less effective so it is well worth taking the time to allow both parties to become comfortable with the arm and hand relaxed. Over stretching can reduce the effectiveness of this highly effective and relaxing treatment.

 

The application of the technique is exactly the same as it would be on the foot, although adapted for use on the hand.  The manoeuvres, pressure and sensations will be very similar, although the hands are less tender than the feet, and, therefore, the client may feel a slightly different sensation to that felt on the foot.  The Practitioner will still be able to identify areas of dysfunction in the reflex points, but remember that they are compressed into a smaller area on the hand and may be felt to merge.  They can still be individually identified given practice.

 

 

Hand Reflexology Practical Uses

 

People with some of the following condition frequently report finding hand reflexology helpful:

 

¨      Sinus conditions.

¨      Tension in the head (including headaches)

¨      Shoulder tension.

¨      Neck injuries.  (Whiplash.)

¨      Lung congestion.  (Asthma, smoking.)

¨      Indigestion.

¨      Digestive problems.  (inc. constipation.)

¨      Knee discomfort.

¨      Back pain.

 

Self Treatment

 

Practitioner

A Practitioner may also wish to treat themselves using this method.  It is the perfect way to help yourself.  Wherever you are you can give yourself a boost.

 

Client

Clients can also receive some guidance on what reflex points that they can work on in between treatments. They can support the work that the practitioner has started by working the reflex points that are related to their issue or condition.

 

Everyone!

Anyone who has an interest in taking care of themselves and in Hand reflexology can benefit from learning some of the basic moves and techniques. Some of the techniques are simple and be effective whilst other are more complex and are best administered via a qualified practitioner.

 

 

Hands versus Feet

 

The hand reflex points are sometimes less sensitive than those of the areas of the foot.  Hands are in use all the time whereas the feet are frequently in sock/ shoes or some form of protection.  Due to the shape and form of the hand there are some conditions that are suited to working the hands and yet others that suit working with on their feet.

For more information of Training courses and Treatments of Hand Reflexology please see www.suericks.com

New ARCB Courses Approved (American ReflexologyCertification Board)

Great News - All of the following courses have been approved by the ARCB (American Reflexology Certification Board). Please email me at suericks@suericks.com if you  would like to know where courses are being held or see my website www.suericks.com for more information

Alphabetical Order

Subject	Course Title	Duration
Advanced Foot Reading	Advanced Foot Reading	One day
Advanced Foot Reading	Advanced Foot Reading Highlights	Three hours
Advanced Reflexology for Younger Clients	Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology for Younger Clients	Two days
An Introduction to Reflexology for Babies and Children	The Gentle Touch of Reflexology for Babies and Children	One day
EFT	Introduction to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)	One day
EFT	Introduction to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)	Three hours
Energy and Vibrational Healing	Energy and Vibrational Healing via the Feet	One day
Energy and Vibrational Healing	Energy and Vibrational Healing via the Feet	Three hours
Feng Shui	Feng Shui for Practitioners	One day
Feng Shui	Feng Shui for Practitioners	Three hours
Foot Reading	Foot Reading	One day
Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology	An Introduction to Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology	One day
Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology	Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology Techniques	Two days
Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology	Three day GTR Workshop	Three days
Hand Reflexology	Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology Hand Reflexology Techniques	One day
NLP	NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming)	One day
Reflexology for Babies and Children	The Gentle Touch of Reflexology for Babies and Children	Two days
Reflexology for Endocrine Imbalances	Gentle Touch Reflexology for Endocrine Imbalances	One day
Reflexology for the Elderly	Gentle Touch Reflexology for the Elderly	One day
Understanding Illness and Disease	Understanding Illness and Disease – bringing it all together	One day