I was walking on the dewy grass this morning thinking about grounding oneself. I don't want to go too complex and talk about grounding your energy and all that. More I mean how do you make better contact with the earth.
All about reflexology from authors Barbara and Kevin Kunz. "Barbara and I have written 20 books on reflexology in 22 language editions with 58 foreign editions. We have been doing reflexology for over 35 years."
Monday, June 29, 2009
5 Ways to Quickly Ground Yourself
I was walking on the dewy grass this morning thinking about grounding oneself. I don't want to go too complex and talk about grounding your energy and all that. More I mean how do you make better contact with the earth.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Shoeless Friday
I tried this out on Twitter and Facebook. People liked it.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Music, cardiovascular rhythms fall in sync- Reflexology?
Apparently there is a reflexive response to music according to a new study coming from Italian researchers. It effects the rhythm of the heart.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Music may indeed soothe the savage breast, according to a study showing that people's cardiovascular rhythms tend to fall in step with musical ones.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Twittercize
I was drawn to this because I happen to find this a great exercise to get the blood flowing to your feet and legs. I have done this for years. It is kind of fun. And if it does annoy the person next to you on a plane flight good for long trips. Try it. Kevin Kunz
http://www.reflexology-research.com
Friday, June 19, 2009
Double Vessel with a Foot-Massage Scene
- ChimĂș
- North coast, Peru
- Double Vessel with a Foot-Massage Scene, A.D. 1200/1450
Here is a direct link to the Art Institute for a picture without the glass. http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/91690
Thursday, June 18, 2009
A Long Time Coming
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Lots and lots of news
It has been the week for news.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
IPhone/ITouch Foot Reflexology App
Learn reflexology areas on your IPhone or ITouch reflexology app
The electronic reflexology chart was created as an educational tool for those wanting to learn about reflexology. Call it an unintended consequence or maybe a collateral benefit but the availability of the electronic reflexology chart has become more. It's being used as a health-giving instrument.
You see, the reflexology chart maps a reflection of the body on the feet and hands. The body's organs, limbs and joints are pictured. The charts provide a road map for focusing pressure applied to the feet and hands but aimed at influencing the functioning of the reflected body part. An assessment of some 169 studies shows reflexology to be 83% effective at achieving a health result through this means.
But back to the electronic reflexology chart. While the use of reflexology for health purposes has been around for literally thousands of years - Egypt and the land of the pharaohs in 2350 BCE is among the first known uses - the modern-day reflexology chart dates from developments in the early 20th century culminating in the charts of American Eunice Ingham introduced in 1938. Many reflexology charts today are off-shoots of her charts. Millions of reflexology charts have been distributed around the world in books or as stand-alone charts.
The Internet has provided both convenience of use and a new audience for the reflexology chart. Thanks to the electronic reflexology chart, it's no longer necessary to carry around a book or paper chart to become educated or refresh one's memory for the specific details of locating the body part reflected on the foot or hand. Such is the success of the interactive reflexology chart offered by publisher Dorling Kindersley (DK that the chart frequently receives more visits than the Dk home page.
And it is here that unintended consequences and collateral benefits are accrued. One comment on the page for the DK interactive widget foot chart tells the tale. Concerned about a partner's recovery from abdominal surgery, this individual consulted the electronic reflexology chart and applied technique to the relevant reflex area. And, what do you know, the partner's hospital stay was shortened as the patient responded by defecating and passing gas as needed before release from the hospital.
Certainly, similar results have been experienced by those consulting the paper reflexology chart. The easy availabilty of an electronic reference, however, makes accessbile information when and where it's needed.
That accessibility just got easier with the release of the reflexology chart IPhone App. Available at the ITunes store for 99¢, you too can be in touch with reflexology information to learn or utilize the valuable information.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Foot reflexology - Clearspring comment
important things proving progress is gas and bowel movements. After following
your chart, most of the problems with this were eliminated!!
Thanks!!" Dawn George
We knew a nurse who was referred to as the poop nurse because she could produce the same effect with infants.
Congratulations Dawn. Good job.
Kevin Kunz
http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology
Follow me on Twitter- @kevinkunz
Paperback edition of Complete Reflexology for Life is coming out in August- Order yours today.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Cheapest Price on a Cobblestone Mat- Ever
Here is the cheapest price I have seen on a cobblestone mat ever. $22.25 and it is the same one used in the ORI study.
Have fun.
Kevin Kunz
http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology
Twitter me- @kevinkunz
Friday, June 5, 2009
Walking the Reflexology Path: A Year on the Rocks
A year of walking the reflexology path... Yes, June 5 will mark the one-year anniversary for me. I'd been using reflexology mats with their synthetic rocks for some twenty years but this was a different pursuit. As opposed to my previous sporadic efforts, this was a frequent and consistent walk on the rocks with a minimum of forty minutes three times a week. At the end of the year, I pause here to ask myself: was it worth it? My answer is definitive: YES. I wouldn't have missed it for the world and I won't be quitting any time soon.
It started as an exploratory project. We were, after all, writing a book for inclusion in a kit and we wanted some perspective. I started with the program followed by participants in an Oregon Research Institute (ORI) study. See below. I then branched off using tips gathered from Chinese Web sites discovered by using Google translate.
My conclusion: Walking the reflexology path is more than worth the effort. My own informal tabulation of results included: improved circulation, overall body temperature and digestion. More of a surprise was the exercise effect: shaping up the muscles of buttocks and legs, stronger movement and better posture. My feet liked the heavy pressure produced by the gravity-based experience. They felt lighter and more connected to the ground after walking. Over time, they just seemed to feel good period. There were also surprises early on: feelings of euphoria (as reported in a Japanese study of bamboo stepping) and better typing skills. These have been replaced as time has gone by. I now feel more of an overall sense of well-being. My typing skills are back to normal.
Is injury possible? Yes, just as over-doing anything, walking the reflexology path can be overdone. For me, it was walking backwards doing it as much as walking forward. It caused pain in the fascia of my heel. Solution: I cut down on the amount of walking backwards.
Are there undesirable effects? For me, again it was over-doing. Early in my program, walking too much resulted in hip joint discomfort. I also found my legs to feel heavy at times. In both instances, I quit walking and became mindful of how much walking was optimal for me.
My Program
I followed the ORI study protocol: walking three times a week for 30 minutes over an eight week period plus warm-up and cool down periods of 5 minutes each. My variations included use of bamboo stepping as a warm-up and cool down instead of ORI's rolling the foot on a wooden roller. While the ORI program consisted of actual mat walking of 12 to 25 minutes per session, I walked a solid 30 minutes. After the 8-week period, I considered my results. Then, influenced by information from China, I decided to walk every day. Some days it was 15 minutes (as suggested by the information) due to time constraints or because I just didn't feel like it. I continued a minimum of three 40-minute sessions a week. There were holes in this schedule. I missed a three week period because of travel and a busy schedule.
What could you expect if you tried this?
I would definitely say that results will vary quite simply because each individual will come to the experience with varying circumstances: age, previous history of physical exercise, and level of health among other things.
Negative effects will also vary with these factors. Those with pre-existing foot or joint injury or pain should proceed cautiously. Consider whether or not mat walking is for you. Pay close attention to your reactions if you do mat walk. Start off with short intervals so you can judge the results. Be aware of pain levels and the potential for achiness in joints.
Research
ORI found that mat walking study participants (all over the age of 60) experienced improvements not shown by participants who just walked. Participants walked three times a week for 45 minutes over an eight week period including warm-up and cool-off periods. Mat walking was divided into intervals of walking ranging from 1 to 5 minutes with foot rolling in between intervals. The total time of actual mat walking ranged from 12 initially to 25 minutes eventually. Mat walking participants showed improvements of: lowered systolic blood pressure; improvement in ability to control falls; significantly lessened pain; significantly reduced daytime sleepiness; "improved perceptions of psycho physical well-being" and "increased levels of self-reported IADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living)."
Reports found on Chinese Web pages note results such as: prevention of colds and flu; improved circulation to the whole body and brain; improved functioning of many of the body's organs; and improved mental acuity. Tap shek (stepping stone) fitness is recommended by the Chinese government. The construction of reflexology paths is a part of construction of other facilities (e. g. soccer fields and badminton courts) to encourage the Chinese people to participate in a national program of fitness.
One Japanese study reported on the results of including bamboo stepping with other measures to help ease the stress of mothers of hospitalized children. The bamboo stepping was a favored part of the program and succeeded in reducing stress.
© 2009 Kunz and Kunz
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wobble Board, wobble balance board exercises.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Is the foot a data storage device?
Chronic stress is a major cause of illness and premature ageing
"The weight of scientific research shows stress has a huge impact on our ability to remain healthy, according to Sir Cyril Chantler, chairman of health charity the King’s Fund.'
"Speaking at the first annual conference of the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated health, Sir Cyril said: ‘Chronic stress activates the systems that increase your risk of chronic illness and damages those that protect us from illness.’ "
I have blogged in the past asking why we are ignoring this basic issue in our health care dilemma. It is one of the most direct routes to health care cost cutting and better health.
Time to do something about it.
Kevin Kunz
http://www.reflexology-research.com