Refresh. Relax. Reflexology. Foot Massage ala Kundalini Yoga
The object is to stimulate every nerve ending in the soles of your feet. There are 72,000 of them. The pressure of the fingers on the feet during the massage relaxes the whole body, as each place on the foot corresponds to a different area of the body .
Wash your feet, preferably with cold water to awaken the nerves. Get comfortable. Rub some oil or cream between your palms and begin the massage process. A 15 minute massage on each foot offers a good 30 minute meditation.
Begin with the toes. The massage technique is to twist and pull each “section” (between the knuckles) of every toe.
Start at the base of the big toe; grasp it with the thumb and forefinger and, using a twisting motion, massage in between the big toe and the next toe. Without changing the position of the fingers as pressure is applied, pull upward.
Next, move up to the middle section of the big toe, massage/twist several times and pull up.
Keep the movement, up to the uppermost section of the big toe.
Next, continue on to the next toe. Repeat the massage motion over each section of toe.
After massaging the toes, next is to massage the rest of the foot. Try to touch the entire surface.
Use your thumbs, fingers, even your knuckles in a slow and powerful circular motion.
Start under the big toe and work your away across the foot until you reach the base of the little toe.
Then move down and massage your way across to the other side.
Go left and right, right and left, from one side of the foot to the other, slowly moving downward to the heel.
Finish with a massage of the ankles on either side of the Achilles tendon, then briefly squeeze and release that tendon at least once.
Once you have completed the first foot, be sure to spend the same amount of time on the second foot. Otherwise you will be unbalanced.
Add Ons
Hold all the toes in your hand and flex them forward and back.
Massage up and down an imaginary line running from the middle of the heel to directly underneath the middle toe. This is a “life-line” and includes your kidneys.
Knead the feet, as a baker kneads bread dough.
To finish each foot, pat the sole briskly with the palm of your hand.
Then using both hands, starting at the heel, gently draw your fingers up both sides of the foot (top and sole) as if pulling out any remaining tension.
End by pulling up and away from the top of the toes, and then shake your hands out to release all the tension you pulled from your feet.
