I seem to be in a rather nostalgic frame of mind recently, nothing wrong with that, something we all experience from time to time. However in this case it came about from searching through my extensive archives of photos and articles covering my years in reflexology since 1972.
The reason for this search was to gather material for my new book/manual which is getting more extensive by the day.
Apart from noticing how young I looked, particularly in the early days, it was seeing faces of so many sadly departed friends who at that time were well known figures in the therapy world. It brought the message home in a positive way at how short our lives are, even if we make a century it is still little more than a tiny spark in the energy of life.
I am not being morbid, far from it, the message I am trying to impart is not to waste time flittering here and flittering there like a moth drawn to a light but to concentrate on one thing at a time and stick to it.
This brings me in a rather convoluted way to the subject of this blog - Reflections on Reflexology.
When I began my journey into the therapy it was a different world, a more gentle world. Reflexology was not at all popular, and those who practiced it were considered as rather harmless oddballs. However it was something which fascinated me. I had, at this time every intention of becoming an osteopath, and was just beginning the preliminary training (which was to stand me in good stead many years later).
Gradually the potentials of reflexology overtook my interest in osteopathy and I focused entirely on mastering and trying to understand this fascinating therapy. I became so caught up in this that I gave up any idea of an osteopathic career.
It is an interesting thing, and something that I have noticed many times, that as soon as you entirely focus on something, doors open to avenues which hold answers to questions that you are seeking. I am a great believer in the Universal mind, where everything is stored, where the answers to everything can be found.
My concern at that time, was that practically every reflexologist was using the same type of basic technique. There were a few pioneers who ventured into the different realms of reflexology and were getting interesting therapeutic responses with patients, but these individuals were very rare.
Generally, reflexology was being taught and performed in a rather systemised way and because of this was not moving forward.
Because of my focus on experimenting with different protocols, doors did open which over time revealed the keys to a far more effective and successful reflexology practice. From this time on I became caught up in an ever increasing spiral of reflexology experiences, culminating into some very interesting clinical trials. The effects of which are still reverberating through me to this day.
The information gathered was put under the heading of ART (Advanced Reflexology Techniques) or an advancement of the Original Concept. By this I meant the original work of Eunice Ingham being the original concept.
I have always had the view of 'That which does not advance stagnates' . This was and still is the case today in many areas of reflexology.
I see so many students of reflexology laboriously 'working' their way around feet, in many instances using negative techniques which they continuously repeat time and time again on every patient, while expecting something to change!
Reflexology is such a wonderful dynamic therapy with so much potential, its effects are unlike any other. Experience has shown me that the most important key to providing effective, therapeutic treatments to patients is that of TOUCH. This is the dominant factor of our work, and yet, surprisingly few reflexologists seem to have the incentive to come out of the box so to speak! No wonder they become despondent with the results they are getting and fail to build up a worthwhile practice.
It seems that they prefer to stay where they are, and perhaps try this or that technique for awhile without any real aim or purpose, before reverting back to the original mundane ways of working. In other words wasting precious time where other avenues of potential could be explored.
Because of this I decided to give special seminars under the title of this blogg 'Reflections on Reflexology with Tony Porter' These seminars will serve as an introduction to the principles and protocols of ART and will explore through demonstration the possibilities available to reflexologists through the use of different modes and variations of touch and contact.
It is my mission to provide through my 42 years of experience the confidence for delegates to put these teachings into their practice straight away, leading to a more effective and financially rewarding practice.
It will also be an excellent opportunity for delegates to get information on becoming qualified in ART.
Details of these seminars will be posted on this site in due course.
My Best Wishes
Tony Porter
The reason for this search was to gather material for my new book/manual which is getting more extensive by the day.
Apart from noticing how young I looked, particularly in the early days, it was seeing faces of so many sadly departed friends who at that time were well known figures in the therapy world. It brought the message home in a positive way at how short our lives are, even if we make a century it is still little more than a tiny spark in the energy of life.
I am not being morbid, far from it, the message I am trying to impart is not to waste time flittering here and flittering there like a moth drawn to a light but to concentrate on one thing at a time and stick to it.
This brings me in a rather convoluted way to the subject of this blog - Reflections on Reflexology.
When I began my journey into the therapy it was a different world, a more gentle world. Reflexology was not at all popular, and those who practiced it were considered as rather harmless oddballs. However it was something which fascinated me. I had, at this time every intention of becoming an osteopath, and was just beginning the preliminary training (which was to stand me in good stead many years later).
Gradually the potentials of reflexology overtook my interest in osteopathy and I focused entirely on mastering and trying to understand this fascinating therapy. I became so caught up in this that I gave up any idea of an osteopathic career.
It is an interesting thing, and something that I have noticed many times, that as soon as you entirely focus on something, doors open to avenues which hold answers to questions that you are seeking. I am a great believer in the Universal mind, where everything is stored, where the answers to everything can be found.
My concern at that time, was that practically every reflexologist was using the same type of basic technique. There were a few pioneers who ventured into the different realms of reflexology and were getting interesting therapeutic responses with patients, but these individuals were very rare.
Generally, reflexology was being taught and performed in a rather systemised way and because of this was not moving forward.
Because of my focus on experimenting with different protocols, doors did open which over time revealed the keys to a far more effective and successful reflexology practice. From this time on I became caught up in an ever increasing spiral of reflexology experiences, culminating into some very interesting clinical trials. The effects of which are still reverberating through me to this day.
The information gathered was put under the heading of ART (Advanced Reflexology Techniques) or an advancement of the Original Concept. By this I meant the original work of Eunice Ingham being the original concept.
I have always had the view of 'That which does not advance stagnates' . This was and still is the case today in many areas of reflexology.
I see so many students of reflexology laboriously 'working' their way around feet, in many instances using negative techniques which they continuously repeat time and time again on every patient, while expecting something to change!
Reflexology is such a wonderful dynamic therapy with so much potential, its effects are unlike any other. Experience has shown me that the most important key to providing effective, therapeutic treatments to patients is that of TOUCH. This is the dominant factor of our work, and yet, surprisingly few reflexologists seem to have the incentive to come out of the box so to speak! No wonder they become despondent with the results they are getting and fail to build up a worthwhile practice.
It seems that they prefer to stay where they are, and perhaps try this or that technique for awhile without any real aim or purpose, before reverting back to the original mundane ways of working. In other words wasting precious time where other avenues of potential could be explored.
Because of this I decided to give special seminars under the title of this blogg 'Reflections on Reflexology with Tony Porter' These seminars will serve as an introduction to the principles and protocols of ART and will explore through demonstration the possibilities available to reflexologists through the use of different modes and variations of touch and contact.
It is my mission to provide through my 42 years of experience the confidence for delegates to put these teachings into their practice straight away, leading to a more effective and financially rewarding practice.
It will also be an excellent opportunity for delegates to get information on becoming qualified in ART.
Details of these seminars will be posted on this site in due course.
My Best Wishes
Tony Porter
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