Amitayus Wellbeing is Changing

On the 1st March 2013 Amitayus Wellbeing changed its name to Kusuma Therapy. All future blogging will be found on:
 http://kusuma-therapy.blogspot.co.uk/

Information on the products and services we offer can be found at www.kusuma-therapy.co.uk.

If Feet Could Talk

You can tell a lot about a person’s health and emotional state simply by looking attheir feet. Kusumavarsa Dawn Hart reveals some of the secrets you might be carrying around on the soles of your feet.

Our feet are the one part of our body that we continually take for granted, they carry us around for hours on end and we rarely listen to them when they complain. But our feet are not simply useful for getting us from A to B; they are a window on our souls, supporting both the body and the mind. Any physical problems our bodies might be experiencing are mapped out on our feet and these subtle changes in markings, colouring, texture and temperature are regularly used by Reflexologist’s to treat the body.

Love your feet

It is quite common for people to be self – conscious about their feet and this is often a major stumbling block for most people when it is suggested that they try reflexology. Feeling insecure about your feet can be a sign that you are feeling insecure about your self and unconfident about your body. The second you start to feel happier about your feet you might start to feel happier in your self. So get those sandals out and paint those toes and show the world how lovely your feet are.

Past or present

In reflexology the right foot represents the past and the left the present. Sit with your legs out stretched and look at your own feet for a moment, how different does your left foot look to your right? You might see that your toes are spaced differently or that one foot relaxes outwards while the other relaxes inwards this can indicate underlying emotional problems. For example if the left foot is upright while the right foot relaxes towards the right it can mean that the person is holding back something from the past but is keeping on track with the present. A left foot leaning in towards an upright right foot suggests that the person is holding them selves back in their present situation by holding on to the past. Both feet turned in suggest insecurity and depression. If the big toe is apart from the other toes this indicates that there has beenan emotional disturbance in a person’s life such as a death or a broken relationship.

Masculine andfeminine

The right foot represents masculine traits and relationships with men, while the left represents the feminine and relationships with women. Whether you are a man or a woman we are all made up of a combination of masculine and feminine energy and any imbalances are evident on the feet. The right foot for example might be tense if there is conflict with a man or you might simply be fighting the masculine aspects of your self.

Size isn’teverything

While having broad feet can make buying shoes a nightmare, there are some benefits because in holistic medicine having broad feet indicates someone who is down to earth, organised and supportive of others. People with narrow feet have a sensitive nature and enjoy being pampered as they hate menial tasks such as housework. Large big toes are a sign of an active mind and some one who has agood head for business.

Smelly feet

Both the colour, texture and smell of your feet will help the reflexology practitioner identify any imbalances in the body. While many a joke has been made about people having cheesy smelling feet, this aroma is in fact a sign that there is a large quantity of waste matter building up in the body. The person concerned probably has poor circulation and also suffers from constipation. A diet high in fibre, more exercise and plenty of drinking water should alleviate the problem.

Ifthe feet have an acetone smell this can mean that the urinary system is out of balance, but the condition can be improved by drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day and by receiving reflexology treatment to the urinaryand digestive reflexes of the feet.

If the feet are blue in colour and dry this is a sign of poor circulation and also an indication of low blood pressure while red, hot, feet suggest excessive energy, toxins and possibly high blood pressure.

Tense Toes

The tension in our bodies will often surface as headaches, neck and shoulder pain and this is reflected in the toes. If you rotate each toe clockwise and then anti-clockwise and massage the sides of each toe this will release the tension in the neck. Massaging the top of the big toe will release the tension that causes headaches. 

While you can apply gentle massage to the feet yourself there is no substitute for atreatment from a fully qualified Reflexologist. He or she will be able to help you bring your body back in to balance and explain the various characteristics of your feet to you. Reflexology is a two-way process, when the practitioner applies the treatment to your feet they are acting as a catalyst for releasing the healing energy within you.

Once it is released it is down to you to start making the changes in your life that you need in order to improve your health and happiness.

Reiki In The Final Stages of Life

Western Society in general does not choose to approach death with a positive attitude. Should it not be seen as a miraculous event? Lovingly prepared for, where family members and nursing staff commit to be present throughout the journey toward death; accompanying the patient on their journey to the next world?

Gayle MacDonald, in her book Medicine Hands writes ‘ What does it mean to travel with a person who is dying? It means to be able to temporarily leave a world that is earthly, solid and linear and enter a world that is porous and circular. The life of a healthy person has a forward moving pattern to it……..The days of life for a dying person are in distinguishable from one another. Time becomes circular, Sunday is no different from Wednesday, the dying person cannot come ‘out’ to us we must go ‘in’ to them.’

The dying person’s world that we must move in to is one of stillness and reflection. Our relationships with the people we love often revolve around what we do together, but when illness and death become part of life there must be a transition from doing to being. New ways to relate must be found, which is where massage techniques and Reiki can play a role.

Offering Reiki to someone in the last few weeks, days and hours before they die can bring real comfort at a time of emotional stress. How many times have you seen a patient full of anxiety and anger in those final days and hoped that in the end they found a peaceful resolution?

It is the Buddhist belief that the state of mind that we have when we die is extremely important. If we die peaceful with a good frame of mind then this ensures good karma will ripen for our rebirth.

The frame of mind that a person has before they die will be affected by their family’s ability to cope also. For example if the family member is always in tears when they visit the patients bedside, it will cause them anxiety and negativity in their mind, making them increasingly restless.

Patients sometimes withhold information from their loved ones in the belief that they are protecting them from further emotional pain. But in a relaxed atmosphere with a therapist or Reiki practitioner the person dying may feel freer to admit things they have been withholding. A touch practitioner may become witness to thoughts and feelings the patient still wants to share.  When Peter was dying of cancer he felt that everyone around him was treading on eggshells it was only during his Reiki sessions that he felt he could truly be himself.

Because Reiki helps to balance the mind and emotions it can be used to help the patient and their family to come to terms with what is happening.

Treatments can be carried out by the patient’s bedside and can form part of a daily ‘palliative program’. Gently touching or stroking of the patient’s crown of the head can be soothing and helpful in the last few weeks of life. This simple action encourages the mind/essence of life (depending on your beliefs) to leave the body.

Simply holding the patients hand can also be a way to give Reiki to the patient. It is possible to include the patient’s family in this process, by asking them to place their hands on the patient while you are sending the Reiki.

Therapeutic touch helps a dying person know that they are loved and important. During a Reiki session at this time the patient can escape from reality and on their return they may look different and they will often have a new perspective on their situation and feel much more at peace with the world.

In the final stage a Reiki practitioner should work with a touch that is freeing, calm and still, they should ask nothing, offer thanks and release.

References:

Medicine Hands by Gayle MacDonald  ISBN: 9781844090907. Findhorn Press.

Reiki Mastery by David F Vennells, John Hunt Publishing (United Kingdom), 2003
Paperback, 208 pages
Size: 216x140 mm
ISBN: 9781903816707

http://www.reikiinhospitals.org/.

Feeling Anxious?

Finding it difficult to balance your mind and your emotions?

Do you find that you use up all your energy on habitual negative or self defeating thoughts?

Are you receiving counselling but still feel stuck in a rut?

REIKI can help with all of these things. Here we look at the benefits of Reiki in finding longlasting emotional wellbeing.

Reiki reminds us of the powerful universal energy that we are part of. Everything is energy, it permeates all living forms. This life force energy gives all beings their vitality, and was understood by Eastern Philosophers as the energy known as ‘Chi’ (in China) or ‘Prana’ (in India) or ‘Ki’ (in Japan). If you have ever tried Tai Chi then you will have experienced the flow of this energy in you and around you.

While eastern philosophy still sees this energy as an integral part of our existence we have no equivalent word in the Western World. Our culture has separated Science from Philosophy which in turn has increased people’s separation of the mind from the body and emotions.

Eastern Philosophy acknowledges the fact that this life force energy is the perfect balance in the body when a person experiences physiological orderliness, psychological equilibrium and emotional stability. Reiki is a precise method of connecting to this universal energy.  Reiki’s origins can be found in the ancient Tibetan Buddhist Sutras and this hands on healing art fuels the body’s homeostatic mechanisms and thereby assists in the restoration of balance on the physical, mental and emotional levels.

The Reiki experience is deeply relaxing, and while some recipients feel warm tingling sensations in their bodies others do not. The effects of Reiki can be seen long after the initial treatment and this is why it works so well along side treatments such as counselling and psychotherapy. Clients who are receiving counselling alongside Reiki tend to find that they are able to achieve great clarity of mind and are more emotionally balanced during their psychotherapy sessions, this in turn allows for a greater opportunity to improve mental and emotional wellbeing.

In combating Stress and Anxiety problems, the relaxation response that Reiki encourages allows the body to move in to a state of deep relaxation. Studies show that if we are able to spend time in a deep state of relaxation through treatments like Reiki or meditation then via the autonomic nervous system we are able to lower blood pressure, and heart rate which relieves the tension.  This more relaxed state also gives the immune system the opportunity to increase its defences. During a Reiki treatment the brains production of endorphins, which are natural opiates, decreases the perception of pain and creates a state of wellbeing. Reiki is being used in Hospices and Hospitals across the country already to help provide pain relief and to reduce anxiety while patients are going through chemotherapy for example.

Reiki allows you the recipient to take charge of your own body, allowing you to restore balance and harmony. Many of my Reiki clients and students in the past have gone on to do great things following their Reiki treatments or time as a student, and for many it has helped them to realise their true potential.

If you would like more information about Reiki treatments or training please contact us via our website:

www.amitayus-wellbeing.co.uk

New Natural Product Catalogue is Launched!

Finally after months of research and preparation we have created a Mail Order Catalogue containing some of the best health supplements designed to meet Women's health needs in the 21st Century.
We have also been busy developing our own skincare range 'Avani' which contains natural skin creams, oils and lotions for both Mother and Baby. Meet our favourite ' Avani Baby Bottom Butter' developed originally for our daughter Grace this product really does keep nappy rash at bay. 50ml Jar £5.99. Made with locally sourced bees wax, cocoa butter, rose water, chamomile & Lavender. 
Orders can be placed by post, phone or email.
A copy of our catalogue can be downloaded from 
www.amitayus-wellbeing.co.uk/shop
or we can send you a paper copy. Email us for more information.

Reflexology During Pregnancy

I have worked for a number of years helping  women with hormone related conditions. Some women have found that a course of Reflexology for example has helped to regulate their periods, which in turn has helped them with conception. There is also some evidence to suggest that some women who follow  a treatment plan conceive within 18 months.

Pregnancy also has its own challenges for the ‘mother to be’ both mentally and physically and I work with women from week 12 of their pregnancy through to week 40+ using Reflexology to help prepare the body for labour. Dr Gowri Motha author of The Gentle Birth Method advocates the use of reflexology in pregnancy to help to stabilise blood pressure and to ease pelvic pain.

 In the early weeks of pregnancy (up to 12weeks), before the placenta is fully established, I generally advise a gentle foot massage, concentrating  on light drainage and working only on the upper areas of the foot.

As your pregnancy progresses you will find that there are many opportunities to discover the powerful benefits of Reflexology during pregnancy.  I personally follow Dr Gowri Motha’s recommendations which I have outlined here to help you get the most out of Reflexology during your pregnancy.

Wks 7 to 9

If you have no symptoms, Reiki is a supportive treatment that you can receive from conception throughout pregnancy. If you suffer from nausea and vomiting then have a some light Reflexology.

Wks 10-12 Light Reflexology to boost energy levels.

Wks 13-14 Gentle Treatments focusing on the Digestive Organ Reflexes.

Wk 15 Treatments focusing on the Lymphatic System at this early part of pregnancy will prevent ankle oedema from ever developing according to Dr Gowri Motha

Wk 18—20 A complete treatment with emphasis on the sciatic area.

Wk 24– 28Emphasis on the thyroid and the pancreatic reflex areas. As we approach 28 weeks we have to keep an eye on the endocrine glands, especially the thyroid and pancreas. It is important to improve the blood supply to the whole of the pancreas, including the cells called the eyelets of Langerhans that produce insulin. Reflexology on the pancreatic areas have been shown to prevent gestational diabetes and in most cases even correct it according to Dr Gowri Motha.

Wk 30 Reflexology for 40 minutes, concentrating on lymphatic drainage around the ankles and the thoracic lymphatics. The areas around the

para-spinal reflexes also hold the reflexes for the abdominal lymphatics and the chain of lymph nodes that run along the inferior vena cava. Working on these will thoroughly improve gut tone.

Wk 35 - 37 Reflexology focuses at this stage on the Lymphatics to improve energy levels.

Wk 38 - 40 An all round Reflexology focusing on the whole body in order to prepare the mother for labour. 

What Reflexology can do for you in pregnancy

•Reduce and normalise high blood pressure (hypertension). Weekly treatments of Reflexology for 30 – 45 minutes usually reduces high blood pressure and can help you avoid repeated admission to hospital for rest and observation. (Motha)

•Normalise low blood pressure.

•Eliminate oedema and reduce swelling in feet and ankles.

•Prevent heartburn.

•Improve sleep quality.

•Clear headaches.

•Relieve varicose veins.

•Clear pelvic congestion.

•Improve lymphatic drainage.

•Aid digestion by boosting the pancreatic secretion of digestive hormones – the pancreas can become sluggish during pregnancy due to the effect of the placental hormones.

•Oxygenate the baby by improving the blood flow within your whole body, your uterus and the baby’s placenta.

•Can be used to initiate labour if you are overdue, thereby reducing the need for medical induction at hospital.

•Intensify contractions during  labour and shorten labour as a result.

(All of the above were observed and recorded by Dr Gowri Motha in her patients).

If you would like more information on Reflexology during Pregnancy please visit our website www.amitayus.co.uk. 

Reflexology during pregnancy is a 40-minute treatment and costs £24.00.

Fighting Fatigue

As the evenings begin to draw in and the mornings are so much darker it is hard to wake up with a spring in your step and lethargy becomes a common winter problem.
There are a number of supplements available that can help you to combat your fatigue and these can be taken alongside making minor changes to your diet.
For example did you know that both Potassium and Magnesium are two minerals that are involved in energy production and clinical studies have shown that they can relieve symptoms of fatigue according to Viridian Nutrition.
Good sources of magnesium include wholemeal bread, nuts, cheddar cheese, white fish and eggs. Potassium rich foods include bananas, tomato puree, cauliflower, red peppers, chicken, and cheddar cheese.
B vitamins play a vital role in helping to improve energy levels and Amitayus Wellbeing reccommends Viridian's High Five B Complex which also includes Magnesium. This supplement is really beneficial to women who live highly stressful lives.
Co-enzyme Q10 in clinical trials has been shown to have a positive effect on the physical performance and energy capacity of the body.
Rhodiola is a herb that is renowned for its ability to boost mood enhancing chemicals in the brain including serotonin. Described as an adaptogen herb it enables the body to adapt to environmental and emotional stresses and strains. It is also said to help you to recover your strength after an illness.
If you are struggling to sleep because of fatigue then a boost in Calcium is said to help improve your sleep pattern.