Welcome to this months editorial. Hopefully you have been able to practice some of the previous stretching moves from the chart. This month I have an additional series of stretches for you to try! One reason to be practicing is for your well being. In this past month I have had an injury due to "over stretching" my muscles therefore I would like to add a little more information on the importance of stretching in future editorials. The best way to start is from the bottom up, the lower part of the body, up to the top. Therefore this months readings will be focused and all about, your feet! Foot analysis is based on the principle that the feet show us how a person "walks" through life. It is meant to combine physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions into one.

The feet are one of the most sensitive areas of our body; therefore naturally it would be of importance to pay special attention to that area. With special care, regular moisturizing and the regular use of a a warm foot bath (apply some Lectric salts and a little essential oil) and a short reflexology session, you will find that correcting and maintaining the body's natural equilibrium will become easy! If you are ticklish, then I have no suggestions for you! :)

The concept behind the practice is based on the principle of applying pressure point therapy, similar to acupuncture. An in depth and non-invasive stimulus is applied to the affected area or imbalanced part of your foot with your hands and thumb (where the organs and body parts are reflected in the sole) it would be likened to a needle applied when receiving acupuncture.

A releasing sensation can be felt, and more than likely a little cluster or acidic matter (toxic crystal deposit), will be dissolved never to be returned. It is now accepted as a complimentary alternative therapy having its prime target being the feet for healing an individual from ailments and may be considered a preventative cure. The feet are also cared for through healing, nurturing and a set of specialised massage techniques to revive, relax and restore the whole body.

Reflexology provides a specific method for working with the diagnosis of problems. The principles it is based on, is that the body can be divided into ten vertical zones;each correlating to a specific area of the body,in the sole and surrounding parts of the foot. So that the feet are in effect a map to the entire body, which is reflected on the base of your feet.

Some common stress related ailments which a session of Reflexology can be of assistance to are:

• Back Pains
• Digestive Disorders
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Headaches
• Pre-menstral Syndrome
• Migraines
• Sleep Disorders
• Hormonal Disorders

You can also work on your own feet, at the end of a long day with some black pepper essential oil before hitting the pillow for a good night's rest and rejuvenation. The oil will promote good circulation and the touch will provide deep relaxation. Here are just a few helpful points on our soles which when massaged deeply will enhance all the good quality's our body's deserve. Refer to the chart on the right to see the correlated areas at your feet, click on it for a larger and more detailed chart.

• The solar plexsus point-This point can be allocated directly in the middle of the upper arche. It relaxes your nervous system and promotes a deeper relaxed state. A good essential oil would be Lavender, used for it's calming effects.
• An ankle rotation envolves you rotating the ankle side by side, and round to feel a sense of liberation and fluidity within the ankles. When you are working all day long they can easily become conjested and retain some unneeded fluid. Therefore a simple rotation technique will assist removal of those fluids.Rosemary is a very theraputic oil for muscular aches and pains and Juniper for fluid retention.
• The kidney point- is allocated right in under the arch, towards the right hand side on the right foot and this point is helpful (is known to be the drainer of toxins within the whole body)when you feel any sense of physical pain, tensions and/or imbalances look to the kidney point. The essential oil for the hormonal balancing effect on the endocrine system is Geranium.
• The spine- can be found along the inner lining of both feet. Use this point to relieve back pain of any sort. Lavender, Rosemary or Sage are all great oils for the spineal refelex point.
• The lungs- are allocated in the top section under the end of your toes(the ball of the foot), this will help with cold & flu signs and symptoms. The respiratory effects of Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lemon and Ginger will ease and sooth these cold symptoms.
• The shoulders and arm- are on the very end of the ball of the foot on the right side, and on the left side of each foot and you usually will feel little granualds there. Press firmly and they will remove themselves, as will your shoulder pains. Again muscular type oils, like wintergreen for example, can be applied for a deep healing sensation, or try using tigre balm.
• Finally the sciatic nerve- can also be found at the base of the foot and this point can help while experiencing sciatic nerve pressures of any sort. Use again muscular type essential oils.

I would like to end with a couple of hand and ear points to get you on the way to a new way of handling your pressure points. The hand holds a very important point that being the head, or in an unbalanced state, the headache. Found inbetween your thumb and index finger. Find this point, hold as long as you need to find releif of pain. Also consider using Tigre Balm on any and all, of the pressure points, located on your hands, feet and ears as this balm does get in!

In Japanese and Chinese medicine, the hand is related to the brain, and reflects the emotions, and levels of stress. The use of the thumb, more than other fingers will mean that there is an overall relaxation in the body. The use of the little finger, more than other fingers will mean there is overall tension in the body.

As for the ears, there are a number of relexology and accupressure points, with the head in the lobe, the spine curling around the outer ear, and the internal organs working inwards. Simply stimulating the ear can warm the whole body. The amazing effects after a quick massage can make you feel more alert. It will be helpful for fatigue, headaches, sinus and other ailments. In Chinese medicine, it is said that the ear is where all the channels of energy meet.

Try these at home, to test your stress levels via your hands; allow your hands to drop into your lap, palm up. Does it look relaxed? The more clenched the fingers appear, and the closer they fall towards the palm of your hand, the more stress you are carring.

Instructions for your relaxation foot bath; use essential oils of eucalyptus, tea tree and lemon. A handful of LECTRIC SALTS (Highly benefical for reducing inflammations, when put into a sock, and wrapped over the swollen wound overnight the inflammation will reduce. You should awake with a sock full of crysles!These can be found in the cleaning department of any supermarket aisle.) scattered into the bowel and soak in medium to hot water for 20 minutes, after this try moisturinsing and massaging the pressure points with a shear butter cream.

Well that is it from me for this month, happy pressure pointing!

Warmest thoughts for the next Spring, new season and month of October, till then, be well!

Blanca Perez.