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

 

 

 

Foot Reading revisited

I have been asked to write more about foot reading and return to the subject. Foot reading is becoming increasingly popular as there is so much that we can learn about ourselves via our feet. These are hidden treasure troves of information when we know where to look!

We can see how certain careers suit some, whilst others are more suited to different careers. Someone may have natural strengths and be in the right career and yet another person maybe in the wrong career for their personality (as shown in their feet).  We can see if someone is really intuitive if they have along second toe - longer than the big toe -(hallux). We can see if they are likely to be following their path or are unable to follow their intuition. We may see that another person maybe extremely intelligent and great at making very logical decisions whilst totally disregarding their feelings.

Anyone who has a long first toe (the toe next to the big toe/ hallux) has a great capacity to feel and sense things, they are intuitive and check their how they feel about things all the time.  Anyone who has an extremely long big toe is very intelligent and likes to think things through.  Those who have a degree of ‘webbing’ between their first and second toes will check how they feel before doing anything and if it does not feel right they will not move  forward at all (even when it has been planned and mentally gone over time and time again). Someone with a very large big toe may be immensely logical but miss the wider issues whilst someone with long big toes and a long first toe may also be aware of how they feel about it to and that will help make a balanced decision.

 

Click here for my Foot Reading Chart

 

Foot reading is fascinating.  My manicurist has recently become intrigued and has started asking me for more information on what you can read via hands and feet. She knows that I am currently writing about it and keeps asking me how far I have got and wants to know what I am writing about at the moment. Each time I go I tell her where I am and what the subject is about and she them looks out for it with her clients who go for manicure or pedicures.  She says that she has found it really unnervingly accurate!  She had even started check her own feet. She has found out that she could predict that a client was actually really annoyed with her family when outwardly she implied that life was perfect.  She has also noticed that one client was dreading her son leaving home (all by ‘reading’ her feet).

If you would like to know more about foot reading visit our website www.suericks.com

Click here to find out about our Foot Reading courses

Baby Reflexology

Reflexology for Babies and Children

The benefits of Reflexology for both babies and children are endless and, although sometimes underestimated, this wonderfully simple and effective therapy can be perfect for them. Amongst the many reasons why this therapy is so helpful, supportive and healing for the younger generation are that it can help them to cope better with tough situations, become more confident, improve their sleep, reduce irritability or relieve physical discomfort.

Reflexology is as suitable for a new born baby as it is for a child or an adult.  There are now children’s charities, organisations, schools and even doctors offering Reflexology for their young clients.  This is wonderful news for all the babies and children who will benefit from Reflexology in their younger years and take this advantage into adulthood.  Everyone wins!

Gentle Touch™ Reflexology can be done on either the hands or the feet and is suitable for all ages.  It is the very lightness of touch that makes it so suitable for the youngest of babies or children and throughout their lives.  The therapeutic touch applied to certain parts of either the hands or feet can have an effect on the whole child. Gentle Touch™ Reflexology is a wonderful treatment and is both pleasurable to give and to receive.

Reflexology

Reflexology can be superb for children whether they are well, stressed or in critical care.

It can be useful in a huge range situations ranging from:

       General care and support of a baby/ child

       Creating links and bonds with baby/children

       Creating an environment and treatment that supports/ improves their capacity to heal.

It can provide assistance in:

§  Optimising the level of therapeutic touch available

§  Counteracting the child’s negative experiences whilst  in hospital

§  Improved parent/ carer bonding

§  Provides opportunities for deep rest and relaxation

§  Easy integration with existing practice – no extra tools required

Babies

       Calming and relaxing

       Aids restful sleep

       Helps to boost their immune systems

       Improves digestive functions

       Helps to alleviate colic

       Can help to improve excretory functionality

       Improves ability to breast-feed

       Improves bonding between Mother and Baby

 A loving touch can communicate care, love and a sense of “being there” for the child. 

To read more please click here

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....

Angela from Leicester has sent these thoughts:

Gentle Touch Reflexology Original foot chart A wonderfully coloured and easy to understand foot chart, detailing all aspects of the foot reflex points. I have found this to be an absolutely invaluable addition to my studies.


Training DVD 1
An absolute must for all Gentle Touch™ Reflexology Students! This step-by-step guide takes you through all aspects of a reflexology treatment, with full explanations of each reflex point, what to look for and about caring for your client.


Chakra Chart
A beautifully coloured chart showing each of the 7 chakras with the meaning of each relating action, details of each endocrine link and the chakra colour.
I love this chart both for the information it provides and for it’s uplifting colours!


3 Steps to Enjoying Life
Everyone should read this book! It is a wonderful book packed with easy exercises and tips on how to enjoy life, the photography in it is superb!

I love this book and it has made such a difference to my life that I would wholeheartedly recommend it!

Angela- Leicester

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

 

Reflexology and Macular Degeneration

Last night I treated a lady who has been diagnosed with macular degeneration with Gentle Touch Reflexology www.g-t-r.org. I conducted a full initial consultation and she explained about the information and tests that she had undergone since she ha been told that she had macular degeneration. She had a full treatment of GTR and seemed to enjoy the whole treatment process. Today I have had a telephone call telling me that when she woke up this morning she noticed that can see more clearly and has much less burring of her vision. She can also read the small print on the jar of breakfast honey. Obviously she has no idea what made the difference as we cannot prove anything but she felt it was a lovely coincidence that after her treatment she noticed a difference. 

Sue Ricks - Loughborough - Gentle Touch Reflexology Treatments and Courses

USA Reflexology - sun and snow!

Just back from a great trip to the USA.  We had every sort of weather, met some incredible people, heard some fabulous success stories through the work being done by those doing paediatric reflexology and saw mountains, streams, rivers, sun and snow!  An action packed three weeks through New York, Denver and Ohio/ Kentucky.  No sooner were we back than we left again to support my son with his event at the Swindon and Cricklade Steam Railway Beer Festival. Another great event.

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

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