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Despite the vital importance that our feet hold for
our general health, feet have become one of the most
ignored parts of our bodies. Indeed, very few people
are aware of the majority of sensations they experience
in their feet. This lack of awareness leads to circulatory
problems, skeletal distortions and many painful foot
and general health conditions.
The good news is that simply by beginning to consciously
look at our feet and examine what’s going on down
there, new worlds of self-discovery and recovery become
available:
• Circulation is restored
• Arches self-repair
• Meridians reawaken
• Sleep deepens
• Legs, knees, and hips realign
• Toes reshape themselves
• Feet become beautiful again
In related articles I have discussed in depth the
significant role that language and thought plays in
promoting health. I encourage you to read
The
Language of Healing—the Power of Words to learn
more about the importance of language in foot care.
For this article, our special focus will be upon
• looking at new and freeing ways
of thinking about our feet.
• discussing approaches to enhancing
foot awareness.
• describing some very fun, easy
and luxurious ways of enjoying
and healing our feet.
It is my intention that as a result of
your reading this article, you will gain new appreciation
for your feet, discover wonderful and refreshing ways
for foot and whole body self-care, and find that extraordinary
access to health and vitality is available simply
by becoming conscious of your feet.
Holistic feet, holistic bodies
My first genuine understanding of holism came when
I noticed and acknowledged that my feet were really
a part of me. I allowed myself to become aware of
how my feet and toes were connected to my body. I
realized that feet are not objects at the bottom of
our bodies "holding" us up. Feet are a part
of what we call our whole body.
At the same time I also began to realize that my feet
reflect my overall state of health and show me by
way of visual, kinesthetic and other sensory feedback,
what is going on with my physiology, me.
As I consciously placed attention upon my feet through
self-massage and other treatments, my overall health
improved remarkably.
Perhaps it is because these holistic concepts are
so simple and obvious that people rarely take the
time to recognize and consider them. Regardless, these
observations are just the beginning of the story of
what is happening with our feet.
Feet as fluid
mediums
Did you know that there are 26-28 bones in the feet
and not one bone has a flat surface with which
to carry or bear weight? Although we have
thought that feet carry the weight of our bodies'
pressures, this is really not the case. The floor
or surface we stand on is what distributes the weight.
It has been backwards thinking for us to assume that
our feet must do this holding or carrying for us.
In the new Fluid Body Model® paradigm taught at the
World School of Massage and Holistic Healing Arts,
students learn to recognize the simple fact that our
feet are not solid things—feet both articulate
and act as conduits for an immense amount of fluid,
information, and energy. When this is experienced
and understood, we become conscious of what is really
occurring in our feet.
In the Feet First Foot Rehabilitation® course, also
taught at the World School, we have discovered that
90-95% of students are unaware of the majority of
sensations in their feet. As a result, in a large
number of cases, people's toes are either “floating”
above the surface of the ground, turned completely
over ("belly side up"), or worse, completely
"switched off," such that nerve connections
and circulation are severely restricted.
Some, however, are beginning to find the tools to
replenish their whole being through feet rehabilitation.
It is obvious what is happening when one closely examines
their own feet/toes and then literally takes fully
responsibility to rejuvenate them. The answer
to so many of our health issues is amazingly simple.
All we have to do is give our feet more attention.
Windows to
health
As I indicated earlier, our feet are not isolated
parts of our anatomy as so many think. This is well
illustrated in the success of Foot Reflexology, an
ancient and effective healing modality taught for
thousands of years. Reflexologists follow highly intricate
reference charts which show points and areas on the
feet that actually reflect the health of corresponding
organs, glands, and systems. As feet are treated,
so are our bodies.
Foot Reflexology suggests that feet literally
mirror the health condition of our bodies by showing
us, through surface pain, the part of the body that
needs attention or increased circulation.
Pain is a warning of an upcoming problem. It is considered
an early warning indicator or “wake-up call” signaling
us to pay closer attention to our bodies as a whole.
The level of pain we experience in our feet is generally
thought of as being 10-20 times more significant than
the malady itself. This intensity of pain exists in
order to get our attention at early stages of disease.
When attention is given to the foot in the alarmed
area, then the body restores health to the organ or
system that the pain had represented to us.
Self-massage—a
solution that works
In addition to receiving Foot Reflexology or Foot
Bone Rehabilitation, self-massage of our feet
is an easy, effective and luxurious way to add measurably
to our total health. When our feet are seen
as mirrors for our bigger health picture and for grounding
and connection, we can begin to comprehend how valuable
and essential daily foot care attention can be.
Choosing your
feet first
To produce the most outstanding results in our Feet
First® training, we start by asking each student to
take full responsibility for their own bodies by working
on their feet daily. We invite you as well to choose
to give your feet the attention they need to repair
themselves and your whole body. By choosing
our feet we grant ourselves permission to take ownership
of our own bodies. Remember, our feet are our bodies.
Choose your feet and you choose yourself.
Benefits of
putting your feet first
Within two to three weeks of following these
simple daily foot care practices, people report having
literally new feet. Students and clients
universally describe new connections in their bodies
and senses as well as new results in their lives.
Visible phenomena occur: bunions clear up, funguses
move out, and arches are restored. Even smelly feet
regain natural circulation and drainage. People begin
to have the beautiful feet that others notice and
comment upon.
When one takes ownership of their own feet through
daily care, the results are like putting in one once
of effort and getting 100 ounces back. The benefits
are enormous! In just a few short weeks you may also
find that you have gained
• An ability to walk longer distances
with no pain
• An ability to stand longer and
with more fluidity
• An ability to lie down and sleep
with enhanced circulation of
the feet
• More connection and grounding
through the hips for spinal
and pelvic health
• The desire to choose better and
more comfortable shoes,
socks and stockings.
Simple activities,
amazing results
We all can nurture and nourish our feet, learn to
feel and rest more deeply, and also give relaxing
pleasure to ourselves just by working on our feet
for a few minutes each day. Here's what we suggest
as a basic and fun routine:
1. Look at your feet! Focus attention
upon the shape, size, and
length and sensations of your toes, feet and ankles.
2. Open your foot joints. Have fun
pulling, stretching, and rotating
the joints of each toe as well as your ankles.
Also, try pushing your heel and ankle in one direction
while pulling or pushing the toes (as a group) in
the opposite direction.
3. Stretch, flex and extend your feet
and shake them free of tension
and excess electrical energy.
4. Consciously stand and place attention on
your feet. Notice
their position, the sensations you are experiencing,
listen to what you are saying to yourself about
your feet.
When
Anytime of the day is a good time for these activities.
Choose the time that feels most natural for you.
• Upon awakening
• In the shower
• Upon putting on shoes or when
taking them off
• At night before bed
• For romance and connection anytime
How often
One to two minutes, two to three times a day
for all the activities combined is a great start.
That's all that's needed to begin transformation.
Pleasurable
Practices
Be sure to find a way of keeping your foot care practices
as enjoyable as possible. Here are a few additional
luxurious and fun self-care tips that you can try
on a weekly or ongoing basis to add to your already
extraordinary results.
1. Take foot baths (once a week or more)
• Add salts, sodas, crystals, rocks,
petals to the warm water
as desired.
• Use filtered water whenever possible.
• Use aromatherapies in the foot
bath
• As fungal remedies: lavender and
citrus (lime, grapefruit,
lemon).
• For special “grounding”: fir,
birch, or pine.
• To enhance full-body consciousness:
cinnamon, cardamom,
or nutmeg.
• If aromatherapies are unavailable,
try substituting chamomile
or mint tea.
2. Trade foot massage sessions with a friend.
3. Find a coach/personal foot care trainer
to support you in starting.
4. Take before and after photos to measure
your progress.
5. Gently roll your feet on tennis balls,
golf balls, or reflex balls.
Try this daily if possible. Many find that doing
this while engaged in seated activities like working
at a desk can be both easy and refreshing.
6. Wear toe separators from your local beauty
shop. Start by wearing
them for around two hours, two times a week
to produce noticeable results.
7. Choose shoes thoughtfully
• Wear thongs or sandals whenever
possible.
• Always select shoes that allow
your toes to spread out
naturally.
8. Create new language about your feet
• Intend to become aware of your
feelings, thoughts and language
about your feet.
• Invent new stories about your
feet based on what you want
rather than limiting thoughts of the past.
9. Play with toe and foot exercises
(once a week if possible)
• Practice picking up paper or towels
with your toes.
• March in place: 10 steps on each
of the four sides of the foot,
toes, heels, medial and lateral sides.
10. Keep your feet (or any part of your body)
away from electrical
motors and outlets. A distance of
two feet from computers,
power supplies, power strips,
outlets, etc. typically ensures autonomy
from the electromagnetic
fields generated from these sources.
11. Register at the World School for courses
in Feet First
Reflexology®, Feet First Foot Rehabilitation®,
or Vibrational Healing Massage
Therapy®. Your feet will become new.
Consider as well that the measurable success that
so many people have experienced from these exercises
may have as much to do with the act of placing conscious
attention and desire upon the change as do the actual
activities themselves. Desire combined with commitment
will likely yield the fastest results. Be aware, however,
that simply choosing to focus upon your feet is an
outstanding first step.
Conclusion
As we care for our feet we care for our whole
bodies. As we care for our bodies, we equip ourselves
for caring for those around us. As we care for others,
we create our world. Literally, as we transform ourselves,
we transform the world.
• What new stories are you
willing to invent about your
feet beginning right now?
• What new commitments are you choosing
to make
to your feet, yourself and your health?
Patricia Cramer is the founder of the World
School of Massage and Holistic Healing Arts
in San Francisco and the developer of Feet First Reflexology®,
Feet First Foot Rehabilitation®, and Vibrational Healing
Massage Therapy®. She has been training Certified
Massage Therapists, professional bodyworkers, Holistic
Health Counselors, instructors and leaders for over
22 years. In addition to the Feet First® programs,
Ms. Cramer is credited with several distinguished
contributions in the field of holistic healing arts
including the Language of Healing®, Babies in Motion®,
and the Fluid Body Model®. She can be reached at the
World School in San Francisco at 415-221-2533.
(back
to top) |
What
we say to ourselves about our feet has a profound
influence upon our health.
As we care for our feet, we care for our whole body.
Feet are not solid things.
All
we have to do is give our feet more attention.
By
choosing our feet we grant ourselves permission to
take ownership of our own bodies.
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