The Oracle of Aromansse 2014 Services and Learning Opportunities from the Aromansse School Fall Issue Reflexology with Nadia Experience the proven and age-old benefits of reflexology with Nadia. 2 Shaman s Wisdom with Ruth Experience drum-making, shamanic drumming, Reiki and crystal singing bowls with Ruth 4 Tropical Yoga and Retreat Experience the Aromansse Yoga and Meditation Retreat in January 2015 in Nicaragua 6 My Collage by Alex New Clues and New Ways to Experience Healing 6 Healing and Body Work Sessions Aromansse Services Aromansse has a number of experienced service providers and coaches who can help you manage physical, emotional, and other challenges. They can work with you help you expand your spiritual experiences to heal and to improve your lives. Check out two of our service providers who will help you have your own experience! 7 Continued on page 2
Issue #: [Date] REFLEXOLOGY: MORE THAN JUST A FOOT MASSAGE I am often asked, What is reflexology? My quick answer is that Reflexology is a foot massage. But my complete answer is that reflexology is way more than just a foot massage; it needs to be experienced, not explained. The Reflexology Association of Canada defines reflexology as: A natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears and their referral areas within zone related areas, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes without the use of tools, crèmes or lotions, the feet being the primary area of application, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body. ("Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics & Code of Conduct.") A BRIEF HISTORY OF REFLEXOLOGY Many civilizations worked in the feet to promote health. It is widely believed that reflexology originated in China about 5000 years ago, but there is evidence indicating that it was also practiced, in some form by the Egyptians, Russians, Japanese and Indians. The precursor of modern reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1913 by William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. (1872 1942), an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and his colleague, Dr. Edwin Bowers. Fitzgerald argued that parts of the body correspond to others and that applying pressure in one area had an anesthetic effect on other areas and called it "zone therapy". Bowers would demonstrate this theory by first applying pressure to the point in a person's hand that corresponded with a specific area of the face. Then, he would stick a pin into the same area of that person's actual face without that person feeling any pain. Reflexology was further developed in the 1930s and 1940s by Eunice D. Ingham (1889 1974), a nurse and physical therapist who used zone therapy on her patients. She concluded that since zones ran throughout the body and could be accessed anywhere, some areas might be more effective than others. Ingham believed that the feet and hands were especially sensitive, and mapped the entire body into "reflexes" on the feet. It was at this time that "zone therapy" was renamed reflexology. Reflexology seems to be a mystery to most people. I always tell new clients that reflexology is the belief that the feet mirror the body and that by working the feet, you are, in effect, working the entire body. Reflexologists believe every part of the body from the organs and glands to the spine to the sinuses has a reflex point on the feet and that you can affect these by applying deep pressure to those points. Reflexology is done fully clothed with only your feet exposed and touched so it s a great modality for anyone who wants to try bodywork but is uncomfortable receiving a full body massage. In my experience, people who have ticklish feet don t have a problem receiving a reflexology session either since the reflex points are not worked on at the surface of the skin. 2
Issue #: [Date] REFLEXOLOGY WITH NADIA, CONTINUED A MODALITY FOR RELAXATION AND SERENITY SO, DOES REFLEXOLOGY REALLY WORK? Reflexology can be a very strong medium to enhance relaxation and a sense of serenity. It does not work like a body massage. Unlike massage, reflexology is not a manipulation of the soft tissue. Unlike massage, the thumbs and fingers are used to apply static pressure during a reflexology session. The practitioner may manipulate the foot to flex, rotate, or pivot it onto the thumb or a finger for deeper pressure. When the practitioner finds an area that is tender, they might work that reflex more by taking their thumb and applying pressure all around that area, and from several different directions and angles to be as accurate and effective as possible. It usually takes several sessions for recipients to notice any difference in how they feel if they have a chronic condition. Relaxation and the feeling of serenity though, can be achieved immediately. Tender areas do not always mean that something is wrong in the body. Because someone has a tender heart reflex does not mean they have a heart defect. A tender area could be a foot problem too; a bunion, bruise or scar tissue. Tender areas can also show emotional blockages. Reflexology works with subtle energy flows, revitalizing the body so that the natural internal healing mechanisms of the body can do their own work. When practiced in conjunction with sound medical advice from your physician, reflexology facilitates healing. Keep in mind that a reflexologist is not allowed to diagnose. Only medical doctors are allowed to diagnose. However, reflexology can provide some clues to support your understanding of a condition or to flag issues for your physician. My answer to the question is that different things work for different people. I believe in massage because it works for me personally. I don't think traditional Western medicine always works, either. Medications are constantly discontinued because in the end, they often do more harm than good. Surgeons have a reputation of always recommending surgery, because that's what they do as a profession. I think that massage therapists, reflexologists, surgeons, chiropractors and other health related professionals are the same as all other professional fields: some are great at what they do, and some just aren't. If you go to someone who isn't in that profession because they love it, then your experience might be negative. If you really want to know if an alternative therapy works, you should try it. Maybe it will work and maybe it won't. They key is to go at it with an impartial mind. The human body is a mystery, and every one responds differently to the outside environment or external stimulus. The only way to know what your body likes is through experience. So, don't be shy. Put those feet forward and say, "Okay, I'm game!" If anything, your feet will feel great and you'll have a serene, blissful nap. Reference: http://lmtstephanie.blogspot.ca/2010/03/reflexology-morethan-just-foot-massage.html 3
Issue #: [Date] Ruth s Schedule DRUMMING Drumming Circle Sunday October 26 (6:30 pm - 7:45 pm) $20 Drumming Circle Sunday November 16 (6:30 pm -7:45 pm) $20 Drumming Circle Sunday December 14 (6:30 pm -7:45 pm) $20 Shaman s Wisdom Fall is an exciting time for preparing yourself for the cooler days ahead and the shorter hours of sunshine available to us. We need ways to keep our energy flowing and promote our body, mind and spirit to work harmoniously. Here are some exciting ways to connect your physical, mental and spiritual side through some enlightening classes and special activities with Ruth. New this fall are the special healing experiences provided by Ruth and Alex, using the sounds of the wonderful Quartz Crystal Bowls with guided Meditation. Ruth s monthly Drumming sessions are starting again in October, which provide for a unique and wonderful way to connect to the earth s energies and bring grounding and balance. Learn to make your own drum and further acquire shamanic tools through the Shamanism classes here at Aromansse. Reiki training is available for those interested in learning a skill to energetically support healing for yourself and others. Join us in January for a week-long retreat with four days of Shamanism teachings, Drumming Circles and Meditations in the heart of Nicaragua, on the shores of pristine volcanic lake "Laguna de Apoyo". What a beautiful way to retreat from the long cold winter, while nurturing your soul. Contact me at Ruth@arromansse.com if you would like to attend these programs or require more information on other upcoming ones! Hope to see you soon! ($2.00 Savings for those who bring their own drum) SHAMANISM Shamanism 1 - Saturday, October 25 (9:30 am-6:00 pm) $195 Shamanism 2 - Saturday, November 15 (9:30 am-6:00 pm) $195 KARUNA REIKI Karuna Reiki 1 - Sunday, October 26 (10:00am-5:00pm) $200 Karuna Reiki 2 - Sunday, November 16 (10:00am-5:00pm) $200 Sacred Healing Crystal Bowls Session - Friday, September 19 (7:15pm-8:15pm) $25 SACRED HEALING CRYSTAL BOWLS Sacred Healing Crystal Bowls Session - Sunday, October 19 (6:30pm-7:30pm) $25 Sacred Healing Crystal Bowls Session - Sunday, December 7 (6:30pm-7:30pm) $25 4
Issue #: [Date] Tropical Shamanism and Yoga Retreats Tropical Shamanism and Yoga Retreats with Aromansse January 3rd to 10th and January 10th to 18th The cost of the retreat is CAD$1350 (subject to changes in USD Forex rates), which includes transfers to and from Managua International Airport, 7 days and 7 nights accommodation at the beautiful Apoyo Lodge, the cost of the workshop, a mix of raw vegan and cooked vegetarian breakfasts, lunches and dinners prepared by Apoyo Lodge s amazing chef from California. The cost of flights is not included. Enjoy the Tropical Shamanism and Yoga Retreats offered by Aromansse from January 3rd to 10th and 10th to 18th in Nicaragua For more information on how to register or questions you may have on upcoming classes contact Alex at 204-995-4580 or at alexz@aromansse.com A Clue from My Collage.. by Alex During my spring meditation level 1 session, I decided that it was time for me to do a new collage Our collage in level 1 is about cutting pictures and words in magazines that get your attention. It can be a positive or negative feeling that make you stop to a phrase, a word or a picture. You then know that you have to cut it, put it on the side to later create a bigger art collage that flows for you. You often have no clue what this all means. I putted my new collage in my breakfast room and every day I looked at it for a minutes of so. One by one the pictures told me a little story about what I was experiencing at the moment. In the middle of the collage, I have a big picture of a woman receiving some sort of healing that look like a mix of Catholic exorcism and Voodoo session. For weeks I had no clue what it could mean. Do I need to travel the world to receive a strange healing? Then I started to have an obsession with some African Shamanism practice, remembering that I always wanted to visit New Orleans to go meet with some shamans. Those shamans are using herbs, essences, sounds and affirmations to name a few of their tools to heal their Patients. In the same period of time I received an orchid extract from a Company in Scotland that contacted me years ago to know if I was interested to learn about and work with them. Slowly this new puzzle started to make sense; I could perceive a new healing session forming in mind eyes. I decided to play and learn more about all this. By the beginning of fall, I was ready to try and my first patient came for a personal session. At the end of the session, I was surprised how much joy and peace was coming out of his energy body. For few days he was sending me emails about how great he was feeling. Nov 10th, with Alex Z we delivered our first group healing session. We used 4 different Orchid essences sprayed over each person, essential oil blends rubbed on specific chakras and played gong, chimes, drums to bring people to a deep relaxation and an expanded state of healing. I would love to call it Voodoo Love but instead we went for Sacred Sound and Aroma Healing Session for the group session and Egyptian Bliss for individual private session. I am happy to have follow my clues from my collage to create a new puzzle then a clear image of what was next for me. It has been a journey of frustration, healing, learnings but the most important it was a fun challenge with great gifts at the end. Life is fun if we decided to look at it this way!
Issue #: [Date] HEALING AND BODY WORK SESSIONS Sacred Sound and Aroma Healing Our session has the ability to create very powerful shifts in your energy fields. The main focus is to assist you along your spiritual path by helping to realign your energy centers with your higher purpose. Sacred Aroma Orchid elixirs work on the chakra centers that exist within the etheric body to help in clearing out karmic energies, healing negative patterns of past life traumas, breaking up deep seated wounds of the etheric chakra centers, increasing ones awareness and enhancing psychic abilities. Sacred Healing Sounds Gongs, bells, bowls and drums bath relax and heal through harmonic vibrations. Rhythmic drumming automatically induces Theta state in the brain. Steady beat connects our human heart with that of mother earth; the source for inspiration, nurturing and creativity. Powerful healing vibrations soften the barriers between your current reality and the reality that you would prefer to experience and it opens the window for you to discover your next best steps. Gongs will absolutely soothed, nurtured and grounded you. Join us for our one-hour session on: Sunday November 16th from 6:30pm - 7:45pm Sunday December 21st from 6:30pm - 7:45pm Egyptian Bliss Egyptian Bodywork is a sacred full body mind and spirit ceremony. During Egyptian times, this was a ritual performed in the ancient temples by the priest and priestesses to prepare one another for their sacred duties. In these times, we are bringing the old temple arts into the modern world, to be experienced by men and women to awaken their own divinity. Egyptian Aromatherapy, Sounds and Massage is a gift of touch and a sacred ceremony that will reconnect you to your wholeness. You will lie down on a covered table, where your body will be partially anointed with essential oils. While you will be swimming in the wonderful scents of Orchid elixirs, you will heal through harmonic sound vibrations from Gongs, bells, bowls and drums. In gentle, loving, measured strokes, the body worker will honour your divine incarnation in form. Soft music transports you to another time and place. You may wish to float in timeless eternity. This sacred ceremony rebalances your energy levels, increases your circulation and brings full-body relaxation. It is an experience to be honoured. Your one-hour Egyptian Bliss Full Bodywork session is only $75 Facilitators: Alex Chaligne Zachariah & Alex Zachariah Chaligne. Cost: $25 Space is limited. Registration required at alex@aromansse.com Dress comfortably as you will be lying down and tuning in to the sounds.