How Reflexology Can Actually Help You Lose Weight?

Reflexology, ingenious that it is, can induce both relaxation and weight loss. Being an alternate therapy involving no pills or surgery, it is also completely safe and no pain. It may be hard to believe but reflexology can really help you lose weight. In fact, it is a nice way to do this and is very popular. 

Reflexology works on the principle that our bodies contain specific energy points, and there are reflex points on our hands, feet and face. These points are connected to various parts within the body, each corresponding to specific organs. 

Now, when these reflex points are pressed, the respective organ is also stimulated. Are you guessing which points correspond to fat loss? Alas, there is no button you can push to burn fat. That's the realm of exercise. 

What you can find are reflex points that control appetite, help digestion and increase nutrient uptake. You can now effectively manage what you eat, while balancing your body.

1. Multiple organs contribute to weight loss.
2. Stimulation of the thyroid gland boosts metabolism, thereby accelerating weight loss.
3. Proper thyroid function also balances thyroid hormone production, which reduces stress.
4. Pressure on the Spleen's reflex point helps control appetite.
5. Stimulation of the gall bladder conducts good digestion.
6. Energizing the pancreas and stomach enables better absorption of nutrients from what you eat.
7. Stimulation of the nervous system will help decrease anxiety while allowing relaxation.

Reflexology can also stimulate the pituitary and pineal glands so as to encourage your body to detoxify. The liver and kidneys and intestines together eliminate unwanted substances, further aiding weight loss.

Here Are The Reflex Points:

To energize the endocrine, digestive and nervous systems for your relaxed weight loss goals, the foot is the best place.

Reflex Point 1:

1. Place one foot over the knee of the other.
2. Using your thumb massage the area mid-way between the heel and toes, below the foot's arch.
3. Now run the thumb across the foot applying pressure as you go.
4. Slowly rub it in the opposite direction.
5. Apply pressure for 10-15 minutes.
6. Repeat on the other foot.

This is the pancreas and stomach reflex point. Massaging this point helps you maximize the amount of nutrients you take in, however small the portions are.

Reflex Point 2:

1. Again, place one foot over the other so that you can see the underside of the foot.
2. Find the point midway between the toes and the heel, this time below the fourth toe.
3. Place your thumb over the reflex point, and massage lightly.
4. Then, apply pressure for a few seconds until you feel little pain.
5. Massage the area once again before removing your thumb.
6. Repeat on the other foot.

This point energizes your spleen, helping control those hunger pangs.

Reflex Point 3:

1. Using your thumb, massage the area below the big toe of one foot.
2. Apply pressure until you feel a slight pain.
3. Hold for a few seconds and then release.
4. Repeat the same below the opposite big toe.

This reflex point corresponds to the thyroid and pituitary glands. It mainly helps in de-stressing you, which in turn keeps you relaxed enough to stay on the weight loss path.

 

Reflex Point 4:

1. Working with the right thumb along the diaphragm line, from the inside to the outside edge of the right foot.
2. While we do this, move your fingers back and forth helped by the left thumb.
3. Slowly bring the right along the diaphragm line whenever toes lean thumb.

Having good quality sleep each night working relaxation points.

Our hands also contain reflex points for weight loss, although in a much smaller area.

Have you ever tried reflexology for weight loss? For best results, try reflexology while having a healthy diet. It's especially great because you can perform it by yourself. Did you fall in love with the method? Share your reflexology weight loss experiences with us by shooting a comment below.

It is advisable to devise a diet and exercise program to help you achieve your weight loss goals through reflexology.

You can also consult an ear reflexology chart to find the same reflex points that correspond to your body's systems that will help you lose weight.

If you've chosen to use a professional practitioner to lose weight with reflexology, you can still supplement your sessions with self-reflexology several times a week. Your reflexologist can help you come up with a plan to help you between sessions. This will vary depending on your weight loss goals, the condition of your body, your stress levels (which can actually tell your body to hold onto fat), and the length of time you've been above your desired weight.

Weight loss is accelerated and your ideal weight is easier to maintain if you get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.

Tender Loving Care: Pamper with some facial treatment

How amazing does that May showers feel? The days are getting a little cooler, the heatwave has bade farewell, and we're all starting to get our bounce back.

But be warned, it's still pretty hot out there, which means pampering is super important. The twin evils of hot weather and air-conditioner cooling play havoc with hair and facial skin throughout the months, so your beauty routine needs to include plenty of facial treatment, hydrating, moisturising and protecting if you are to emerge beautiful and butterfly-like. 

Unsung Hero

The delicate scent of fresh rose blooms uplifts the spirit and makes me feel feminine and happy. Rose water is also popular for use as a face mist, to hydrate skin, set makeup or just refresh yourself when it’s hot.

I happen to be quite a fan of the Melvita Damask Rose Floral Water of which I’ve already gone through about 2 bottles thus far, from the days when it came in a lovely glass bottle, till it’s current packaging in a plastic bottle. I like how soothing and comfortable it is on my skin and I use it primarily as a post-cleanse facial treat.

But you know what? I recently tried a facial treatment in Malaysia at a local salon using a new brand, Biossentials Damask Rose Pure Floral Water.

To my surprise, I like it, and it’s very kind to my wallet. So here we have it – a Save and Splurge post for damask rose pure floral waters. I haven’t done one of these for a long time have I?

Damask Rose Floral Water is obtained by distillation of organic Rosa Damascena petals. Damask Rose Floral Water is naturally astringent to help regulate sebum production as well as preventing the appearance of wrinkles and lines.

Biossentials Damask Rose Pure Floral Water is particularly suited for delicate and sensitive skins.

Soothe your skin and optimise its regeneration with this rich blend of damask rose water. Ideal for delicate or dehydrated skin, Synergy Best Spa's Triple Rose Premium Renew facial treatment tones and nourishes leaving you with a radiant complexion.

Synergy Best Spa's Triple Rose Premium Renew facial treatment nourishes and moisturises skin resulting in a renewed, glowing complexion. Supporting healthy circulation and adding a radiance to your skin with anti-oxidant and anti-ageing properties this triple action moisturiser will leave skin smelling and feeling great.

by Lila Benaminsk 

Unheard of fixes that can effectively banishes eye bags

Every Friday, Lila answers readers' big beauty queries and presents the best buys to perk up your weekend... 

I have always used eye creams, but I can’t seem to get rid of the puffiness underneath my eyes. I’m wondering if I should switch to regular sessions of Jade and Pearl Renew facial treatment? 

THE EXPERTS SAY: According to new research, forty per cent of eye ageing is caused by lifestyle habits including stress, pollution, cold weather and a lack of sleep. 

Try Jade and Pearl Renew facial treatment, the powerful anti-aging facial treatment contains pure jade and mother of pearl powder, which are powerful minerals known to firm, lift, brighten, and stimulate cell regeneration', suggests Maureen Bivins, PhD. In terms of products, the difference between eye creams, serums, and gels lies in their formulations and the active ingredients they contain. 

Karina Shah-Desai, consultant ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon, says: ‘In your 50s, puffiness or under-eye bags are a structural problem, caused by excess or prolapse of eyelid fat bulging against thinning eyelid skin and muscle. ‘Invest in a few good sessions of Jade and Pearl Renew facial treatment to retain moisture and improve collagen. 

For centuries, East Asia has recognized the jade stone and mother of pearl as the secret ingredients for anti-aging and lasting beauty. The synergistic action of Jade Powder, Mother of Pearl Powder, Hyaluronic Acid and active herbal ingredients immediately improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, promotes the synthesis of new and healthy collagen, and protects skin from environmental damage. 

LILA SAYS: Going for regular sessions of Jade and Pearl Renew facial treatment is a smart option. Additionally if you prefer to have some in house treatment in between your sessions, you can always try treating under-eye bags by applying a cold compress (or a bag of frozen vegetables) for five minutes to reduce swelling. Cold packs reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels. Follow with a firming eye treatment that contains anti-oxidants, physiological humectants, hydrating agents, ceramides (phospholipids and spingolipids), and hyaluronic acid. Treat under-eye pouches by sleeping with the head on two pillows to allow fluids to drain, if the neck condition permits. In addition, use cold compresses to relieve swelling. 

(Source: Lila Benaminsk, a preeminent dermatological chemist, has been developing facial treatments in Malaysia for physicians across the globe for more than 30 years.).

by Lila Benaminsk 

Pregnancy and Shiatsu body treatment

Single Body Treatment - Shiatsu 

Shiatsu, is a specific form of healing touch, which offers us a way of supporting our body at all times of our life. It is a complete health care system which works with the body’s own resources. This is both its strength and weakness. 

Once your whole body is scrubbed, which takes maybe ten or fifteen minutes, you shower it all off without soap, leaving a nice coating of oil. It's an invigorating treatment, and it's a good idea to get your scrub before your massage if you're having both. 

Shiatsu stimulates the body’s vital energy (known as Qi or Ki). Shiatsu is calm and relaxing in nature, yet dynamic in effect; the body begins to re-adjust itself and healing takes place. 

Shiatsu massage demonstration:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGn9r0wyLXM

Shiatsu in Pregnancy 

Massage was traditionally one of the main aspects of maternity care. Midwives were often the local village healers and would give the mother weekly, or even daily massage during pregnancy. It was one of the main tools of support in labour and the immediate postnatal period for mother and baby. 

In current times, pregnancy care consists more and more of screening and diagnostic tests of increasing cost and dubious effectiveness. Routine scanning, for example, has been shown to be of no benefit to either mother or baby, yet the number of scans continues to increase, supposedly due to the fact that this is what women want. Letting your beauty therapist know what it is you want from the treatment will ensure you're opting for the right one. 

There is an increased acceptance of the benefits of home birth and a questioning of the high, and increasing levels of Caesarean section and other interventions. 

It was through becoming pregnant myself in 1989, that I first became excited by the possibilities of using shiatsu and massage during the childbearing year. Now, 10 years later, I continue to be amazed at the power of these therapies, to transform the life of mother and child, and thence the immediate family, and ultimately the whole of society. Compared to technology, they are very cheap to implement, they enable a mother to have more confidence in herself and they address her emotional and spiritual needs as well as her physical ones. 

Pregnancy and birth is a time of magical new beginnings, and the way women experience it, sets a pattern not only for their health for the rest of their lives but also that of their children. If a woman is not connected to her body and baby, she may experience a difficult pregnancy, birth and perhaps suffer from postnatal depression and have trouble bonding with her child. If a woman is connected to her body, then the chances are she will experience this time as joyous and life-enriching and be wiser and stronger for it. Even if she has difficulties, or uses technology, she will still feel empowered, rather than a victim. Shiatsu and massage are extremely powerful tools to support this process.

One of the things which characterises this period, is flexibility. Pregnancy challenges the mother with its newness and its demands to adapt. It also challenges us as therapists. I am continually learning new skills and new ways of being with women. I include work with breathing, positions, meditation and visualisation as part of the way I use shiatsu and massage. I see limited benefit in releasing physical tensions through shiatsu or massage, if the woman is not guided to be more aware of her posture, and the way she uses her body each day. Movement and breathing provide useful tools for a mother to connect with her body, and baby and prepare herself and her baby for birth. I teach the mother to do some massage or shiatsu for herself in pregnancy and postnatally for the baby. 

(Source: Suzanne Yates, BA(Hons), PGCE(PCET), MRSS(T), DipHSEC, DipAPNT, CNHC registered, AOBTA®(Honorary) Suzanne is the founder and main teacher at Well Mother. She has been developing an holistic approach to maternity since 1989).  

Further interesting viewing:

Aromatic Body Treatment  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnbHvJiKCps 

Dermalogica Body Treatment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7AXIB71mF8 

Check out the single body treatments: