Want To Stretch Your Mind? Start With Your Toes!

Hello there, welcome back! How's the hugging going?

Shall we step outside the mainstream box a little today?   ^______^

As I have mentioned in previous posts, reflexology is all about a map of our body being present on our feet, hands and ears. Beyond that though, we can stretch the paradigm further...!

Earlier this year, I had the absolute pleasure of attending a workshop by Chris Stormer-Fryer, author of “Language of the Feet”.  In this workshop, Chris explored the world of foot reading. Different from palm reading - rather than predicting your future, your feet tell the story of your life up til now.

Staying on topic though, there are two key factors in explaining this week’s title topic.

First! The Reflexes! Our toes contain all of our head and neck reflexes.  Thanks to this connection, if you have a sore head or neck, more often than not you will speed your recovery by massaging your toes (or fingers, for that matter)!

Second! The Symbolism! Each toe symbolises a different portion of our mind/thoughts. To super simplify and summarise for you, this is what each toe can represent:

• ·         Big toe – our perception of knowledge / what we think is true
• ·         2^nd toe – our emotional thoughts / feelings
• ·         3^rd toe – our thoughts on actions /getting on with the task
• ·         4^th toe – our communications
• ·         5^th toe – our thoughts on family / society (dealing with social construct)

Now, I want you to stop reading this blog for a moment and have a good look at your toes. Yes, take off your shoes and socks if you’re wearing them. Try to wriggle your toes. Scrunch them together. Spread them right out. How much mobility do your toes have? The more mobility each toe has, the more freedom that portion of your mind has.

Have you ever watched the toes of a baby? Did you notice how beautifully each toe moves, and how much space each toe had? That’s our natural state, before life and society tries to tell us otherwise.

Revisiting my post from 2 weeks ago, remember that perceived stress is one of the biggest challenges we face in modern society. Having the ability to think naturally and freely is a wonderful tool in managing life’s roller-coaster.  And hey, as the old saying goes “an agile body is an agile mind”, well ‘flexible toes are a flexible mind!’

Squeeze!

And... Stretch!

Now, if you've found that your toes aren't very movable or flexible, never fear – that’s great. What a wonderful place to start from! Have you ever tried wearing ‘toe socks’? I've found they are a very gentle first step in prising tightly cuddled toes apart, giving them the space they deserve to be themselves.

If your toes are already quite flexible – awesome. Keep at it, whatever you’ve been doing so far! J

If you are someone who will now be staring regularly at your toes, trying to wriggle them around – remember, always transition your body gently. If your foot feels like its going to cramp, ease up on the wriggling, don’t over-do it – and drink lots of water!

My 'Peek-a-Boo' Toe socks

So this week’s GEM and your homework is, start deliberately trying to move your toes around, your mind and sole (soul!) will love you all the more for it!

Until next week!

In love and light, be peaceful

Annalise