Soul Support News

The Small Intestine – El Intestino Delgado

Happy Summer! As we enjoy the heat of summer our next chapter in the body’s organs is the small intestine, the partner to the heart. In the digestive arena this organ holds the title of ‘the minister of information’. It makes the big decisions in our mid section delegating what goes where.”Small” may make us think, ‘Oh, how important is it? It’s small..’ Well, it’s actually much larger than the large intestine about 10 feet larger. The small description comes from its width.
It reminds me of sorting through our wardrobes, which part of us decides which items stay in the drawer and which are removed for some new owner to enjoy.. Ironically, if we ingest only healthy food,  liquids and ways of thinking we make it all the easier for the minister to work more effectively. Yes, how true. If we only buy clothes we love and make us look fabulous, if we only allow loving people into our lives, if we only take jobs we believe in… etc

Function:
This organ sends the pure nutrients to the spleen and the unpure to the large intestine. The kidneys receive the fluids.
Essentially, our life force is being protected from negative imput by this action.

There are three parts, the duodenum, the ileum and the jejunum. The stomach and small intestine connect creating this first part, the duodenum. This is where most of the digestion takes place using enzymes. Then moving to the jejunum, it absorbs nutrients rather than breaking down. And finally the ileum which connects to the large intestine. It also absorbs nutrients like vitamin b12. Its walls are made of many folds increasing the area of absorption. At the end of the ileum there is a pouch called the cecum connecting the small and large intestines.
Incan Times comes to mind for some reason.. they would run hundreds of miles carrying a message to be delivered to the neighboring king. When they handed off this message to the next runner how precious to hand it over with good intention and focus.

Chakra (Energy Center): Manipurna- Solar plexus area issues- How do you handle power, desire and inner strength?

Color: Yellow (although since it is the fire element red is also applicable in Chinese Medicine)- Look around your home and in your wardrobe. Could bringing in this color augment your life? Or perhaps do you need to scale down on this color?

Healing Sound: Heeeeeeee…. Sitting in a meditative posture utter this sound to calm the nervous system and bring the body into balance.

Element: Fire

Essential Oil: Try rubbing a drop of ginger, peppermint, cinnamon or fennel essential oil with a carrier like almond oil on the abdomen to aide in digestion.

Mudra (Hand Gesture): Open the hands palms up and join the sides of the hands together. The pinkie’s and sides of the palms are touching. Then touch the tips of the middle finger yet leaving the ring fingers free from touching. Imagine you are pouring out all the unpure through this small opening dripping down off the pinkie fingers. Affirmation: “I thankfully accept everything that is good for me, let it have its effect within me and release everything that is spent.’ from G Hirschi’s Yoga for your Hands and S Mesko Healing Mudras)

(Asana) Yoga Pose: Forearm stand or dolphin dives. These stimulate the small intestine meridian along the lateral side of the hands and forearms. The meridian then travels up the arm and finishes at the face.

That the heat of the summer burns away any obstacles allowing us to choose with clarity and coming from abundance…

In Gratitude,

M Burke
Neighborhood Reflexologist
ARCB Certified

El Corazon, Summer Solstice 2010

The Heart, the Queen of our system. She receives messages from her gatekeepers whom she keeps near knowing they will aid her greatly in the care of her army, her followers.
Yes, this organ is next in the queue on the Chinese medicine calendar. Like a correspondent keeping me abreast on the latest news, my sister K Burke the acupuncturist, aids me in following the Chinese clock.

How fitting that such an intensely powerful organ be featured around Summer Solstice – they make such a lovely couple. As we come into this hotter, and at times, muggier weather we are reminded of the importance of heating things up.
Our heart thrives on pumping and being alive. Summer allows us to climb out of the stream, lake, or pool to stretch out on a big rock like a gorgeous amphibian.

Functions of the heart:

It is an exchange. It facilitates an exchange with the right and left sides of itself. By pumping in new life, qi, oxygen, prana and blood to balance both halves of the body, the heart can seem like a referee of sorts. Old stale air that makes its way back up the heart can gladly be recycled offering itself up for new life.

On an emotional level the heart functions as a type of drawbridge to our own castle that lies within us. We open the bridge allowing new to come in, close it when we are full or vulnerable or have been damaged. Yet, eventually the heart needs to open again to maintain healthy functioning. This is where reflexology comes in!

By working on the feet we maintain the flow to function smoothly.

Yoga Pose: Setu Bandha, bridge pose, with the heels up stimulates the heart reflex on the foot. Those who have a wheel practice, Urdhva Dhanurasana, can enhance the opening of this reflux by lifting the heels.

Element: The Heart and Small Intestine, its partnered organ, correspond to the fire element. Getting a good fire going is an essential part of the plan whatever it may be, a campfire, finishing a homework assignment or starting a new relationship in your life. After we started the fire how can we tend to it without letting it go out or burn too strongly?

Emotion: Joy

Yin: Yes, the Heart wears the yin role in this story. As a reminder, yin organs produce, transform, regulate and store fundamental substances.

Meridian (energy channel): The hands take the prize on which limbs the heart meridian stems out to. How fitting that this is where we give and receive hugs. We of course can still work on the heart via the feet, do not despair! Your heart will be tended regardless in reflexology!

Color: The Heart Chakra is associated with the colors light green and light pink. Could you bring some of these colors into your sphere more either in your wardrobe, your diet or your home?

Essential Oil: Well,… Rose. The healing power of rose. I recommend combining a drop our two of Rose Otto (or Rose Absolute if you can treat yourself) into the palm. Add a dab of almond oil and massage into your chest. Imagine you are imbuing this area of your body with love.

Mudra (hand gesture): Universal Life force Energy (from S Mesko’s Healing Mudras). Extend both arms out, palms face up yet slightly facing each other. Bend the elbows about 4 inches out from the sides of the body. This resembles a bit like someone about to receive a hug or perhaps hold a baby.
An affirmation with this can be “I am open to give and receive love.”

May your summer start with an open heart to receive all the good that awaits you,

In Gratitude & Joy,

M Burke
Certified Reflexologist

The Gallbladder-   Vesicula Biliar

Ah, spring has now officially arrived. The crazy winds are calming down as we make our way from the liver into the time of the gallbladder. What do we think of when this organ comes to mind? Maybe things like someone having a lot of ‘gall’ to do something. Yes, it is a yang organ and has to do with decision making. It’s meridian line has 44 points starting at the top of the head near the eyes. How ironic it has to do with being clear and clarity- it sits itself right there with the Ajna chakra (clear seeing and discernment).

In Chinese medicine the gallbladder holds the title of being a prudent judge, wisely moderating impulsive or reckless behavior. Perhaps as a referee it takes an overview of the game calling the shots, thus it’s meridian aptly situating itself near our third eye.  It is responsible for what is just and exact.

The gallbladder in unlike other yang organs because it stores bile. Other yang organs transform and transmit fluids. When I think of how it and its partner the liver work the Looney Tunes cartoon comes to mind of the big dog and the little dog.  The liver is like the little dog, running around doing the grunt work. The gallbladder is the big dog sitting back saying when to do what. According to my sister K M Burke, an acupuncturist in Seattle, the
gallbladder is the most dispersed of the channels always excessive rather than deficient. Yes, we can all benefit from more clarity- in thoughts, words and actions.

Asana: (yoga pose) Since the gallbladder channel runs along the sides of the body up the calf, leg, and torso side stretches are great for this. Utthita Parsvakonasana (extended side angle pose) and Janu Sirsasana could be two options.

Mudra: (hand gesture) The mudra of the inner self.  Hands come together, let the thumbs move in between them resembling a door. This makes the palms separate and making a diamond shape. Above the pinky fingers will be a small opening, this is a gateway to the inner self. Hold the hands at the third eye so you are able to look into this opening. An affirmation can be “I see my vision with clarity and purpose” from G Hirschi’s Yoga in Your Hands.

Essential Oil: Clary Sage. A drop can be mixed with a carrier oil like almond, annoint your third eye with this.

In the morning you can start the day with some ankle rotations, this will stimulate points of the gallbladder channel at the feet where energy can get stuck.
Blessings that your liver and gallbladder channels flow in harmony!

In Gratitude,
M Burke
Neighborhood Reflexologist

The Liver – El Higado

I decided to title this blog inspiration to feel free because when we let go that’s when we can be free. And the liver is a controller! In Chinese medicine this organ is aptly called ‘The Commander’. I imagine it in the body telling everyone else (the queen even, and her soldiers) what to do. All other organs look to it for guidance, like the mother hen of all the other hens in the hen house. If Mama ain’t happy, no one is happy. Yes, this seems to apply, doesn’t it?
How can an army go out and fight if there is no commander? Well, there is chaos. Thus, there’s a reason why the commander has their own special tent with the extra plush ammenities. The same goes for this amazing organ, we pull out the red carpet and our best china.

What are the duties of this commanding organ? For starters, it:

-commands the blood exercising authority in collecting it and directing it. Energy comes into the body and the liver distributes it to a hungry flock like little birds in the nest with their mouths open.

-plays a major role in metabolism, it breaks things down and builds things up, a kind of construction worker inside of us

-it pulls out harmful substances in the blood, like alcohol

-produces bile to help with digestion

-coverts glucose (sugar) to glycogen (energy) and then stores it

-decomposes red blood cells – here the liver works as a recycler for us taking the old worn out cells to make new ones, that is beautiful!

Without the liver in the body for even a few days the body will stop functioning.
We can pamper this meridian line so easily every morning by just rubbing our feet! It travels down the inside of the leg on the medial side of the foot and makes its way up the dorsal side in between the big toe and second toe. Applying lotion to your hands and cupping the big toe will stimulate this meridian sending fresh chi up this vital pathway which ends at the liver itself (which is on the right side of the body under the diaphragm).

Season/Element: Spring is the season associated with the Liver (and the Gallbladder, it’s paired organ). The element is wood. This element is most vulnerable to stress because the liver is burdened with eliminating stress from the body, mind and spirit. Just in these last few days the wind is a good example of the wood element out of control! Wind, rain, cold.. Then sunshine, calm and chirping birds… When we think about the liver being balanced we can imagine nature. If the roots in the ground are suffocating the earth and sucking up all the water it has become dominant. Or if the roots aren’t strong enough they will get limp from too much water and earth and not be able to grow.

Emotion: Anger. Balancing the wood energy is the same in the body as in nature. We can express ourselves assertively without being explosive. All emotions are healthy, it’s ok to be angry but how we express it is important. Do you think you may have excess wood energy? Do you have a tendency to push ahead without planning or thought? Or perhaps you have deficient wood energy and let others push you around without standing up for yourself?

Healing Sound: To keep the liver energy balanced sit in a meditative posture and repeat ‘Shhhhhh’. This soothes the wood element.

Essential Oil: Peppermint. Wyndmere Naturals http://wyndmerenaturals.com sells diffusers that mist water and essential oil into your home. A few drops of peppermint will bring a nice vibration to your living space!

Asana (Yoga Pose): The liver reflux is on the right foot only. In acupuncture the meridian is on the dorsal side of both feet ending at the space between the big toe. Poses like bow pose where we grab the tops of the feet can be good for the liver reflux.

Mudra (Hand Gesture): Rudra Mudra-Take the thumb, index and ring fingers together. Extend the middle and pinky fingers. Imagine energy emanating from these two extended fingers. An affirmation/mantra to use for this is “I rest at my center. I draw strength and power from my center.” (from G Hirschi’s Yoga in Your Hands)

This mudra I find very good. Yes, coming from our center. When we are ‘centered’ that’s when we come from a good place able to deal with whatever comes our way. As we move away from the cold/wind of early spring and into the budding flowers and trees we can make this transition feeling centered.

In this blog I’ve decided to include a lovely recipe for the liver! Courtesy of my good friend Leigh Evans http://healthyarts.com

Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad
Dressing:
2 tbsp lemon juice (the liver loves lemon!)
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp honey
1 tsp tamari
1/2 tsp grated ginger
1/2 juice of orange
mix dressing ingredients, set aside

1 cup diced, steamed sweet potato
1 cup cooked Quinoa
1/2 cup chopped chives
2 tbsp slivered almonds
Toss these items together, set aside

1 bunch braised kale

Place greens on bottom, on top add a healthy portion of quinoa mixture, drizzle dressing on top.

Happy Spring!
Gratefully yours,
M Burke
Neighborhood Reflexologist

The Thymus & Adrenal Glands – Introduction to Our Endocrine System

Ahhh, how could I forget the glorious glands? The Thymus & Adrenal Glands are like the “go to people” of the fall and winter seasons. They really make all of the decisions, and here I was so excited to talk about their corresponding organs- the lungs/large intestine and the kidneys/urinary bladder.

Firstly, what is the endocrine system? They are glands that tell the body to go and stop, like traffic lights inside of us. The icing on the cake, the bow on the beautiful present that is our bodies. Each gland secretes a different hormone which give our body its marching orders. For example, when we need more estrogren or testosterone the ovaries and testes get the green light to secrete the necessary amount of fluids.

The thymus sits at the top of the sternum and corresponds to the heart chakra. In youngsters it thrives secreting t-lymphocytes (t-cells) to keep the immune system running smoothly. At adulthood it is said to disappear and become atrophied. I find this so interesting when we think of the open hearts of children and what happens as we get older and become conditioned to close off our hearts. We adults can still stimulate this gland by tapping on the chest.
This gland is the signal for the lungs/large instestine organ pair.

Mudra: A great hand position for the thymus is the conch mudra. Wrap your four fingers of your right hand around your left thumb. The right thumb rests gently on top of the left thumb. The four fingers of the left hand then envelope the back of the four fingers of the right resembling a shell (conch). Bring this mudra in front of the thymus and repeat this affirmation “I use thoughts and words of strength and love and everything I think and speak comes back to me” (from G Hirschi’s Yoga in your Hands)

Asana: Shoulder stand (Salamba Sarvangasana) stimulates this gland wonderfully! As far as the feet, side plank stimulates this reflux in the feet.

Essential Oil: Rosewood mixed in a carrier oil like jojoba and applied to the chest fortifies the immune system. The combination of the wood for strength and rose to keep the heart open.

The adrenals are the star of the stage, without them, well, the show just couldn’t go on period. Sitting on top of the kidneys like a director, in the center of the body, our core. They are like the friend you always count on and what a great feeling that is to have someone to count on. Yet, in order to maintain that good relationship we need to keep it replenished and fluffed breathing life into it.
The most common association with these glands is the ‘fight or flight syndrome’, that is fine, yet we can’t always be fighting, can we? The adrenals secrete several hormones like cortisol and adrenalin. They receive information from the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. When we receive reflexology our parasympathetic system is bathed in fresh chi (life force energy). It as if our body is an empty refrigerator, depleted, empty and then comes newness and abundance filling us up again to be refreshed and rejuvenated.

Mudra: To alleviate stress bend your elbows and bring your forearms in front of you parallel palms facing up. The left hand rests on top of the palm of the right hand. Fingers are straight and together, thumbs are close to touch at the tip. Repeat “I rest at my center. I draw strength and power from my center.” (from Healing Mudras by S Mesko)

Asana: Bound angle pose (Baddha Konasahana) with the thumbs on the adrenal reflux of the feet.

Essential Oil: A few drops of lavendar in your shampoo, lotion or in the bath will ease stress.

With this last month of winter we can continue to nourish our bodies by stimulating our systems in these simple ways- start the day rubbing your feet with lotion, not only is it keeping the whole body healthy, it makes you feel cared for. Simple abundance is available to us at all times, how fortunate we are!

In gratitude,

M Burke
ARCB Reflexologist
New York, NY

We are now in Winter, the time of the Urinary Bladder in the seasons of Chinese Medicine. Let’s shine some light on this beauty!

Compared to the huge responsibilities of the Kidneys (its partner in the body) the UB is more like the kid who sits on the bench throughout most of the game. Then, at the end, it gets to do it’s job. Clean out the dugout, which is a very important job. So yes, the Urinary Bladder does have its time to shine. We can all relate to the feeling of being in the city and having to go the bathroom and what a relief when we do!

Physiologically speaking, what is its job?

Functions: The UB receives and stores urine brought via the ureters from the Kidneys. Urine is produced in the kidneys however it is created by turbid fluids from the Lungs, Small Intestine and Large Intestine. These are the tributaries of flow leading up to a strong river current in the body and the UB gets to release. Like the mouth of The Amazon pouring out into the vast ocean!

Merdian: The UB does earn the title of being the longest meridian (energy pathway) in the body. It has over 60 points on its path beginning at the inside of the eyes, traveling over the head, down the back, legs and finally to the feet and the end of the little toes. While refluxing the feet we stimulate seven of these points that send energy all the way to the head, thus while in a session you may feel tingling sensations .

Yin or Yang? Considering the small list of duties for the UB we may then think it is a yin organ since yin is associated with feminine, inner and the moon. But in chinese medicine the UB is a yang organ because of its functions of receiving, breaking down.

Like its partner, the kidneys, the UB corresponds to the sacral chakra. It then also shares the water element, the color orange and the emotion of fear.

Essential oil: Cedarwood, chamomile and clary sage are all great oils to let go of fear and feel safe. I recommend an aromatherapy inhaler with a few drops of one these oils to keep in your pocket. It is with you throughout the day whenever you need to clear your head, heart and spirit. This company sells empty inhalers so you can make your own blend, http://www.birchhillhappenings.com

Asana (Yoga Pose): A reclining twist with one knee raised and placed on the extended right leg stimulates the bladder reflux on the foot. The inner left foot rests gently on the right knee allowing fresh chi (energy) to move through this reflux that normally doesn’t get much stimulation since it is alongside the foot rather than on the plantar side.

Mudra (Hand Gesture): Sit with a straight spine, bend your left arm at the elbow, and hold your hand in front of your navel with the palm up. Lift your right arm and hold your hand in front of your right shoulder with the palm turned outward, fingers and thumbs straight up. The right is symbolic of divine protection, the left hand symbolizes your receiving this gift. This mudra will help diminish all feelings of fear. It is used in many cultures and is very powerful. (from Sabrino Mesko’s Healing Mudras)

How blessed we are to have these amazing bodies where each part has such an essential role from the commander down to her soldiers. We all need each other and support each other.

In Gratitude

Your neighborhood foot reflexologist

M Burke

ARCB Certified

The Winter Solstice is approaching, thus our time to celebrate the corresponding organ – The Kidneys.

Ah, what an amazing organ these are. If the body were a royal court, the kidneys greatly deserve the title throne for their importance in the rest of the body kingdom (with the liver a close second). Every organ is affected by these wonders of mother nature.

Organ functions:

• filter, absorb and secrete blood

• maintain water balance

• in charge of reproduction, growth and development & formation of bone marrow

• store the essence (called Jing in Chinese medicine), vitality, & sexual energy of the person

• house the primary source of Qi (energy) in stored in the body

• work with the lungs by taking water from the fresh oxygen brought into the lungs and extracting it to distribute to the rest of the body

More on the blood and the kidneys:

• in general the kidneys contain about 25% of the body’s blood at all times (they are In Charge!)

• 48 gallons of blood flow throw the kidneys daily -Reflexology improves circulation and boy, do we need it to do this!

• the waste material from the blood removed by the kidneys leaves the body as urine

Organ Partner: The Bladder (Yang) & Kidney (Yin) are a couple in the body working together and make up part of the Urinary System (which also includes the urethra and ureters)

Element: Water – how well do you flow with things? Are emotions damned up inside, dried up like a desert, serene like a lake or flowing like a river?

Emotion: Fear – A water imbalance may be a cause or consequence of this emotion coming up more than usual

Chakra: Sacral – This chakra focuses on relationships and connecting with others in an intimate and sexual level.

Color: Orange in the chakra system and blue in Chinese medicine

Sense Organ: In the chakra system the kidneys correspond to taste, in Chinese medicine the sense organ is the ear. Problems in hearing may reflect a water imbalance.

Healing Sound: Whooooo (chanting this sound during a meditation practice can help balance the kidney/bladder meridians)

Essential Oil: Ylang Ylang & Geranium drops mixed in a small spray bottle with water for women makes a nice refreshing body spray. For men, sandalwood & ginger.

Asana (yoga pose): Happy Baby Pose rocking slowly gently on either side of the spine brings nourishing energy to the kidneys. While holding the feet you may touch the kidney meridian point on the plantar side of the foot (under the heads of the 2-3 metatarsals)

Mudra (hand gesture): Touch the tip of the thumb with the pinky tip, extend other three fingers. Do this on both hands. Rest the back of the hands on upper thighs, breathing comfortably repeat the mantra “The great spirit that lives in the water purifies, refreshes, and strengthens my mind, body and soul.” (from Gertrud Hirschi’s Yoga in your Hands)

To celebrate the beginning of this Winter Season we can nurture this area of the body by viewing it as our well spring of vital essence. Our light eminates from this space to keep us warm and spread warmth to others.

Happy Holidays,

M Burke – ARCB Foot Reflexologist

November 13, 2009

Happy November from Soul Support Reflexology! The time of leaves changing and falling is here. Nature is getting rid of what is no longer needed for its next season.
How fitting for us as we move into the time of the large intestine (on a Chinese medicine time clock of body cycles..)

What do most of us think of when this organ comes to mind?
It is the last stop on the assembly line of the body where we give our final assessment of what we are ready to get rid of, thus retaining the good and useful nutrients.

Organ Info: The jobs of the large intestine are to absorb vitamins that are created by bacteria in the colon, absorb water from remaining indigestible food matter, compact the faeces storing them in the rectum, and finally passing along solid waste.

The acupuncture meridian (energy pathway) for the large intestine actually ends in the hands yet we can do a lot with this reflux by working certain areas on the foot.

Organ location: The large intestine begins on the right side of the body below the waist. It is about five feet long. It travels up the abdomen crossing the abdominal cavity then turning down continuing to its end point at the sigmoid colon, then anus.

Essential Oil: Peppermint serves as a stimulant on our sense of smell (which is the sense associated with the metal element). As you look around your house at things you’ve been meaning to get rid of peppermint oil will help with this! Light some in a diffuser and put on a red shirt, you will be amazed at your inspiration to haul it out of your sphere!

Chakra: The root chakra is connected with this organ. Energetically this chakra is at our base of the pelvic floor. Its primary function is groundedness/security where we manifest survival. The principle here is action.

Asana (Yoga Pose): In regards to the feet, camel pose is effective in contracting the belly of the foot as we extend backwards pushing down on the ankles. The gentle pressure put on the calcaneus bone helps move the energy in the large instestine reflux in the foot.

Parnter Organ: The lung

Element: Metal- the time for the large intestine is between 5-7 am which is why it makes such sense that the body is wanting to rid itself of waste when we wake up. You can help this process by twisting the foot with both hands in the morning like a dishrag squeezing out the toxins.

Color: Red in regards to the chakra system and white from a Chinese medicine perspective.

Sound: sssss…. or ahhhhh….

Mudra (Hand Gesture): Connect all of your finger tips only with the palms apart. Now move the right tips one step back so the right thumb and left pinkie now touch. Continue to connect the tips in order with right pinky and left ring, right ring finger and left middle finger, right middle finger and left index finger finishing with right index finger and left thumb.
The hands now resemble a twist, envisioning this as a reflection of the large intestine twisting. While in a seated relaxed position with the hands in front of your abdomen you may repeat the affirmation “I thankfully accept everything that is good for me, let it have its effect within me and release everything that is spent.” (from Gertrud Hirschi’s Yoga in Your Hands)

May we easily let go of things, thoughts, relationships and ways of being in order to make room for the newness enriching our body, mind and spirit.

Sending light,

M Burke

ARCB Reflexologist

Fall Greetings from your neighborhood foot reflexologist! This is the season for the lungs. ‘What does foot reflexology have to do with my lungs?’ you ask? Well, yes, that’s just the beginning of the wonders of reflexology.

Organ Info: Its breathing capacity can fill half a tennis court. If the alveoli (which are like the leaves of a tree coming out of the branches – the bronchioles) were stretched out that’s how capable they are! The thymus gland, which sits at the top of the sternum is the corresponding endocrine gland. By stimulating this area we activate our immune system keeping our whole body healthy.

Essential Oil: Eucalyptus is a great essential oil for the lungs. It can be used in an aromatherapy diffuser at home or in a body spray to refresh your energy and perk you up during your day.

Chakra: The lungs correspond to the 4th chakra (energy center in Sanskrit). Being compassionate, giving, receiving and tolerant are some of the traits we exhibit through this chakra.

Asana: A great yoga pose to open up this chakra via the feet is a balancing squat twist. With the balls of the feet holding up the whole body we breath life into this area that will reverberate to the lungs.

Partner Organ: The lungs are partnered with the large intestine. The lungs bring in newness and the LI removes what is no longer needed. The emotion associated with this organ network is grief, which is a normal, healthy emotion. When we start to feel too much grief we may need to look at the causes and how working with these two organs can address it.

Element: The element associated with the lungs is metal. A characteristic of metal is organization. If we look around the house and see where metal is present, perhaps there is too much or not enough. How can we balance that more?

Color: The color that corresponds to the lungs is green in the chakra system and white in Chinese medicine. If you feel you need more attention on your lungs/chest area try wearing these colors more and see how it affects your mood and breathing.

Mudra: A hand position (mudra) that opens the lungs is called ‘The gesture of unshakeable trust’. Interlace your fingers with your palms open facing your chest. The thumbs are pointed up wards. The index finger tips touch each other with the left in front of the right. Hold this mudra in front of your chest breathing in and out gently and deeply allowing yourself to feel the trust. The affirmation that corresponds with this mudra is ‘I am a creation of the greatest omnipotence whose strength and power lovingly support me at all times.’ (from Gertrud Hirschi’s Yoga in Your Hands)

Why bring up the hands in foot reflexology? This is a nice, easy way to do something for ourselves. When we stimulate the hands with a simple gesture it is felt throughout the body. In the same way by touching the feet in a session the whole body receives the benefit. After an hour of foot reflexology you will walk out of the session feeling a greater capacity to breath in & out, celebrating life. You will have more room inside the body allowing you to offer more to yourself and the world.

If you book an appointment and share this mudra exercise with me I will honor a 10% discount. Venues where I currently see clients are Atmananda Yoga in Noho, Reflections Yoga in Midtown, Pinehurst Healing Arts in Washington Heights and on Wednesdays only at Greenhouse Holistic in Williamsburgh. With Gratitude, M Burke ARCB Reflexologist