Successful Professional Reflexologists need to be computer savvy enough in this day and age to promote themselves and educate their clients online.  Although the computer is a huge part of the way we communicate with our clients and potential clients, we do the majority of our work over the phone and via email.   

It is incredible how much the landscape of getting the word out about your business has changed since the Internet came on the scene. Before that, the phone made a huge impact on the way businesses reached out and let their potential customers know about the services or products they offer.

That’s why it’s so easy to forget about those potential clients who are in your own backyard. We can get so busy trying to get our message out on the internet or via emails and phone calls, we forget that one of our most valuable assets is right here, waiting and willing to be of service – our physical presence!

It is essential to have room in your marketing plan to get yourself out in front of other people – specifically your ideal client – but also those who will refer you to your ideal client. 

So here is a great way to attract clients in your local area.

Find out where your ideal client hangs out - It is essential that you know who your ideal client is and know as much as possible about them, i.e., where do they go for fun, to learn, to connect with each other, to shop. If you don’t know, ask some of your past or current clients who fit the description of your ideal client – they are a great resource for you!  

For example – If your target market are moms and tots for a family oriented Reflexology practice, then find out where these moms go during the day.  Are there co-operative pre-schools in your area, how about Mom’s fitness classes, local coffee shops for starters.

Or, let’s say you want to target golfers.  Work with the local pro shops at the golf clubs.  Offer talks and sessions in stores specializing in golf equipment.  Be a presenter at golf tournaments, not only by the professionals, but most organizations and even corporations offer golf tournaments. 

How about specializing in menopausal women.  So many Baby Boomers are dealing with this issue.  Join the local menopausal support groups.  Consider fitness centres that offer training for menopausal women.  Again be a presenter at women’s issues fairs, get-togethers, gardening clubs, ladies’ hobby groups, church socials, and more.

Later in the afternoon I found some solitude.  Sitting amidst the tranquility on our deck:  listening to the almost rhythmical splashing of our waterfall;  warbling sounds of birds and honking of fly-by geese;  watching in awe the majesty of our neighbourhood bald-headed eagle circling above;  enjoying the satisfaction of new growth and vibrantly colourful flowers turning our spring garden beautiful.  My mind slowly drifting back in time over my life, pondering how I have changed.

I spent most of my life attempting to be cool and yet at the same time through my own form of humour attempting to be centre of attention – a leader.  I walked a fine line between conformity and non-conformity.  And yet, I judged others who lived in the nonconformist camp, I considered them downright weird and for the most part avoided them .

Today, I believe that life is a journey and as we grow and change, our understanding of life and our truth changes.  I am getting so much better in my quest to become nonjudgmental and in so doing I’ve developed a new respect for:  the free thinkers that shun modern society, hippies as we used to call them; those geeky people who’s social skills may be lacking but are creators and again free-thinkers;  tree huggers and protesters standing up for our rights and free speech as governments firmly tread on the values our country was built on.

I now live my life as an adventure, seeking out truths, experiences, beauty, love, and helping others to become the best that they can be.  Striving to balance work and play – so far out of balance but getting in a little more play.  I love golf and yet my life has been so busy working nearly every day that I haven’t played a game of golf in over ten years!  Soon, I’ll be out there golfing again.

Nearly everything I do now, I do with a sense of artistry – teaching, coaching, appreciating life and its many wonders, the magnificence of our planet, groves of forests, nature all around us, amazing living species we share our world with, being a grandparent.  Sharing this lifestyle with my family and others with whom I come in contact.   

I live my life with passion and with purpose.

Reflexology helps stimulate the body to balance and detoxify.  Some say combining Reflexology with good nutrition, exercise and a healthy lifestyle is the equivalent of turning on the tap from the fountain of youth.

Antioxidants are the “Antidote” for Free Radicals. Free radicals are undesirable products of your body’s metabolic processes, caused by poor or insufficient nutrition, and from exposure to environmental pollutants. Everybody has to contend with free radicals: many are unknowingly extinguished. To control larger amounts and to limit oxidative damage, your body needs help. Nature and science have given us protection from free radicals… antioxidants.

Cells in your body are in a continual cycle of birth (replication) & death. This replication is naturally controlled to ensure no mistakes, or (potentially cancerous) mutations occur prior to cell division. If mutations are detected, the cell is instructed to die or not reproduce, thus protecting you from cancer and diseases. But cells can sometimes ignore these signals, becoming cancerous and virtually immortal, reproducing indefinitely. Supplements are taken to extinguish and limit the damage done by free radicals.

Antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as in other foods including nuts, grains and some meats, poultry and fish. The list below describes food sources of common antioxidants.

• Beta-carotene is found in many foods that are orange in color, including sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin, and mangos. Some green leafy vegetables including collard greens, spinach, and kale are also rich in beta-carotene.
• Lutein, best known for its association with healthy eyes, is abundant in green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale.
• Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, and other foods. Estimates suggest 85 percent of American dietary intake of lycopene comes from tomatoes and tomato products.
• Selenium is a mineral, not an antioxidant nutrient. However, it is a component of antioxidant enzymes. Plant foods like rice and wheat are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries. The amount of selenium in soil, which varies by region, determines the amount of selenium in the foods grown in that soil. Animals that eat grains or plants grown in selenium-rich soil have higher levels of selenium in their muscle. In the United States, meats and bread are common sources of dietary selenium. Brazil nuts also contain large quantities of selenium.
• Vitamin A is found in three main forms: retinol (Vitamin A1), 3,4-didehydroretinol (Vitamin A2), and 3-hydroxy-retinol (Vitamin A3). Foods rich in vitamin A include liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks and mozzarella cheese.
• Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid, and can be found in high abundance in many fruits and vegetables and is also found in cereals, beef, poultry and fish.
• Vitamin E, also known as alpha-tocopherol, is found in almonds, in many oils including wheat germ, safflower, corn and soybean oils, and also found in mangos, nuts, broccoli and other foods.

Natural antioxidant products prevent disease and allow healing.

with thanks to Life Enthuiast

Boomers do not wish to “grow old gracefully” rather they are seeking ways to hold on to their youth through Reflexology and other forms of complementary medicine.

A new study shows that Baby Boomers Look To Alternative Medicine In Record Numbers. Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Many boomers demand Reflexology and alternative medicine options because of their frustration with the limitations of mainstream medicine. The most telling evidence of Americans’ dissatisfaction with traditional health care is the more than $27 billion they spend annually on alternative and complementary medicine, according to government estimates.

Boomers realize that a lot of prescription medications cause low libido, depression, skin disorders and a host of other unpleasant side effects including major health risks or even death.

Consider the July 26, 2000, issue of JAMA reported that medical and pharmaceutical errors had become the third leading cause of death in America!

Yet another positive sign that change is on the horizon. Seventy-one percent of people over the age of 50 are opting for alternative and complementary medicine. The U.S. population is finally starting to realize that the conventional medical system is a sinking ship.

As soon as you become a Reflexologist you will be a part of the Wellness Revolution.  The Wellness Revolution has already been documented as the next trillion dollar industry.  A strong component of wellness is now known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).  You will be seeing this title over and over again.

Consider this.  Last week I asked my students to contemplate who will be their target for marketing their professional Reflexology services. 

People born between 1946 (post World War II) and 1963 are known in the marketing world as “Baby Boomers”.  Fact is, Baby Boomers by sheer massive numbers alone have been the endless target of marketers throughout their entire lives.  Now no longer babies, this group were renamed by younger generations as simply “Boomers”. 

For the past several years we’ve watched the greying of this group.  Now in 2010 the majority of this mass market of Boomers are focused on one particular issue.  That is to age gracefully by maintaining their health and lifestyle. 

Unlike their parents, many Boomers refused to accept western medicine as the end all of keeping healthy.  Remember this generation were the protestors of the Vietnam War, the free lovers and free thinkers of the 1960s, questioning authority at every step of the way.  Collectively Boomers hold the most wealth on our planet.  And, they are willing to spend it on health, lifestyle and anti-aging to stay young and vibrant.  So, anti-aging, the constant desire to be youthful and living a stress reduced lifestyle are priority issues.  Reflexology addresses these concerns.

Oh, by the way, being a Baby Boomer myself, we’re a pretty nice group of people.  Well, most of us anyhow. 

Your comments please!

Well, there’s an even scarier vampire out there waiting to feed off you right now.  And, worst of all, it is so well disguised you wouldn’t even know it was a vampire if it was standing right in front of you.  Got your attention?

The modern day batula is not after your blood.  No, this wingless creature of the night or day for that matter steals something just as precious to you and you most likely happily give it away completely unaware of what’s happening.

Consider this scenario.  You’re feeling in a good mood and decide to visit someone who is really nice, likes to talk, likes to tell you stories about herself (may not be female but I will continue with this gender for editing purposes).  Rarely does she say “fine” or “good” when you ask about how she’s doing.  Rather she prefers to tell you all about the troubles she faces in her life and daily routine.  The odd tear, or many tears may flow.  You show your genuine concern and she appreciates that and takes it as a welcome for her to continue with her story. 

It’s time for you to leave.  She tells you how delighted she was that you popped over, made her feel so much better and asks you to return as soon as possible because she really appreciates you for taking the time to visit as her children rarely drop by and, of course, she’s so lonely. 

Well by the end of the visit you feel drained.  Why is that?  And, why does that happen nearly every time you drop by her place or run into her elsewhere.

This lovely lady is an energy vampire.  She sucks up your energy and leaves you dry.  You will notice how much better she feels at the end of the visit.  Co-incidentally you feel so much worse. 

Happens all the time to Reflexologists and other people in the healing and health care professions.  It is sometimes referred to a “Burn Out”.

It’s time for you to protect your energy with a passion.  This is especially true for the added pressure for those of us who are entrepreneurs and rely solely on our being healthy to engage in activities that produce our income. 

Have a great day.

1. Exercise to raise your heart rate – consider a 30 minute brisk walk daily
2. Drink Green Tea & eat plenty of broccoli and apples – they all contain quercetin an antioxidant that help de-stress your immune system
3. Stop worrying as it produces stress hormones lowering immunity
4. Be an optimist
5. Develop a diverse network of friends
6. Sleep 8 hours uninterrupted every night
7. Take care of your teeth and gums
8. Avoid excessive caffeine and mood altering drugs
9. Meditate and/or pray regularly
10. Avoid processed foods
11. Volunteer, you attract what you give.

Blueberries are rich in polyphenols, which have an antimicrobial and antioxidative effect. The combination of blueberries and probiotics reduced inflammation-inducing bacteria in the intestine at the same time as the number of health-promoting lactobacilla increased.

Source: Expertanswer & Dr. Rath Newsletter

This report really supports the wonderful overall health benefits of Blueberries.  Consider my earlier post on this blog “Blueberries for Boomers” dated January 15th in which blueberries were akin to the fountain of youth boosting our memory and emotions.

How about a blueberry juice fountain of youth?  Now that’s what I call anti-aging!