Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese word meaning 'Spiritual Energy' or 'Universal Life Force Energy'. Reiki is a gentle yet powerful ancient healing art administered by laying on hands which accelerates the body's natural ability to heal itself. It was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui in the early 1900's in Japan. What are the benefits of Reiki? Reiki balances the body's energies by allowing vital life force energy to flow freely and unimpeded through the body dissolving any energy blockages which can negatively affect our health. Studies show that Reiki reduces stress, is deeply relaxing, improves sleep, lowers blood pressure, energises and is effective in managing pain relief. Reiki also promotes mental clarity and a feeling great inner peace and harmony thereby restoring balance to the mind, body and spirit and re-alignment with one's true path, source and spirit.

Mikao Usui

What is a Reiki treatment like?
The recipient lies fully clothed on a massage table while the practitioner channels Reiki into his body. Many aches and pains can miraculously melt away as Reiki flows into the recipient relaxing his body and mind and releasing any energy blockages. Sometimes the practitioner will work on a particular area which is a site of pain caused by an energy blockage. A Master practitioner can work on all levels - physical, mental/emotional and soul level. The recipient's body and mind gently uncoil and drift and float in a heavenly state of relaxation as they are bathed by Reiki.

Becoming a Reiki Practitioner
Everybody is able to do Reiki - it is easy and simple to learn and it can change your life in the most positive and wonderful way. SolisTherapies regularly run fully accredited one day Reiki courses (with a maximum of 4 students) - see details on the training page.

There are three levels in Reiki

• Level One - Working on yourself, family and friends.
• Level Two - Professional practitioner level (working on clients).
• Level Three - Master level.

Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings. Just for today, I will not worry. Just for today, I will not be angry. Just for today, I will do my work honestly. Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbour and every living thing.

What is Reflexology?
Reflexology - also known as Zone Therapy - is an ancient healing technique practiced today for activating the healing powers of the body. In reflexology, there is a direct reflex action between the nerve endings on the hands and feet which correspond to organs and systems of the body. Imbalances in the body which may be causing ill-health can be detected and corrected by applying pressure to the precise reflex points. Profound results can be achieved and many doctors and other professionals in the medical field are now recognising the powerful benefits of this relaxing healing therapy.

What are the origins of Reflexology? The idea behind Reflexology is not new – the existence of ancient texts, artefacts and illustrations provide evidence that the early Chinese, Egyptians, Indians, Russians and Japanese worked on the feet to promote good health. The late Dr. William Fitzgerald discovered the fact that pressure and stroking of certain reflexes would bring about the normal functioning of a specific location or organ in the body no matter how remote it was from the reflex being pressed. He brought his discovery to the medical profession in 1913. Reflexology as we know it today was first researched and developed by Eunice Ingham who blazed a path to this unique way of health through her many years of work and association with practicing physicians. Her first book on the subject was published in 1938.

What does Reflexology do and what does it feel like?
Reflexology is mainly used for relaxing mental and physical tension and many people find the treatment so soothing and pleasurable that they often fall asleep. At the end of the treatment they normally feel totally relaxed, rejuvenated and at one with the world. Doctors agree that over 75% of our health problems can be linked to nervous stress and tension and Reflexology is now recognised by many health care professionals in the medical field as a gentle and effective complementary therapy that can help get rid of practically all types of poor health situations, and help heal chronic cases that have not yielded completely through other methods of healing.

• Reflexology re-vitalises personal energy by cleansing the body of toxins, and eliminating congested body fluids via increased blood circulation and metabolism.
• Reflexology helps break up and disperse sodium urate crystals and calcium deposits which can accumulate around the terminal reflex nerve points in the feet as well as in and around body joints.
• Reflexology promotes deep relaxation which reduces stress and tension, which as a result relieves fatigue and increases energy levels. The body, mind and spirit are re-balanced and bodily systems, organs and glandular functions normalised.
• Reflexology harmonizes the chakra energy fields and thus promotes the healing of the physical body.

In addition, reflexology can be used as a preventative method to keep yourself in good health; as a means of recognizing certain health problems before they may become serious; build resistance to attacks of disease; achieve protection from health destroying mental and physical tensions; energise and uplift the mind and body.

What conditions can Reflexology help with?

• Hormonal imbalances - Infertility, PMS, Period problems, Menopausal problems, Thyroid imbalances.
• Stress-related disorders - Depression, Anxiety, Tension Headaches, Migraines, Insomnia, Fatigue, Inability to relax.
• Digestive conditions - IBS, Flatulence, Constipation, Hemorrhoids.
• Respiratory conditions - Hayfever, Asthma, Sinusitis.
• Muscular conditions - Backaches, Hip problems, Neck pain, Sciatica, Arthritis.
• Fluid retention.

Other forms of Reflexology treatments offered are:

• Crystal Reflexology - reflexology harnessing the healing power of crystals.
• Colour Reflexology - the healing power of colours and quartz crystals combined with reflexology.
• Vertical Reflex Therapy - a very powerful form of reflexology performed on the tops of the feet whilst in a standing position. A great quick fix lasting only minutes.

NB: Although Reflexology can achieve wonderful results, it does not take the place of a qualified medical practitioner's opinion or prescribed medication.

What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using Essential Oils in therapeutic treatments and Aromatherapy massage is the gentle therapeutic massage combined with healing essential oils of plants to balance the mind, body and spirit.

In Aromatherapy, Essential Oils obtained from flowers, berries, roots, seeds, fruits, bark and herbs that contain distinctive therapeutic, psychological, and physiological properties are used to prevent illness and promote psychological and physical well-being. Aromatic plants have been used for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes since the dawn of mankind by ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians, Egyptians, and Greeks. What are Essential Oils? Essential Oil is the pure 'essence' or 'life force' of the plant extracted by two main methods: steam distillation or pressure. There are about 150 Essential Oils and each one has its own unique character, aroma and healing properties. Many Essential Oils contain properties which make them antiviral, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, fungicidal etc.

How exactly does Aromatherapy work?
Therapeutic massage is the most traditional and beneficial method of using Essential Oils. After a consultation with the client, a few drops of carefully selected Essential Oils are added to a carrier oil (such as almond or grape-seed) and spread over the client's body. The Essential Oils are thus inhaled via olfactory nerves and affect the limbic system of the brain - one of the most primitive regions of consciousness - where they exert a direct effect on the mind and emotions. They are also absorbed via the skin into the bloodstream where they circulate around the body depositing their healing properties with any organ or system with which they have an affinity.

Therapeutic massage promotes the flow of blood and lymphatic systems to improve physical and mental functioning. It can ease pain and tension from tense overworked muscles and lift the spirits leaving one feeling totally relaxed and drained of tension.

Conditions which can be helped by an aromatherapy massage.

• Essential Oils can affect the mood by promoting relaxation and are helpful for all stress-related problems such as anxiety, headaches, depression, insomnia, fatigue, inability to relax, palpitations and high blood pressure.
• Digestive problems - IBS, indigestion, flatulence, spasm, pain.
• Hormonal problems - menopausal, menstrual and infertility problems.
• Respiratory conditions - sinusitis, bronchitis, colds and asthma.
• Nervous conditions - nervous fatigue, nervous tension and stress.
• Immune system - protection against bacteria and viruses, reducing of temperature and fever, promotion of sweating.
• Skin conditions - candida, athlete's foot, eczema, burns, stretch marks, cuts, spots and as an insect repellent.
• The circulation, muscles and joints- high blood pressure, poor circulation, rheumatism of the joints, muscular stiffness, arthritis, sciatica, cellulitis, water retention.

Aromatherapy massage treatments
Every treatment is adapted to the individual's needs and guaranteed to thoroughly drain the body and mind of tension and rejuvenate the spirit.

Treatment length is from one to two hours and the client can choose between:

1. A full body, scalp and face massage
2. A back, neck, shoulders, face and scalp massage or
3. A back, neck and shoulder massage

Some interesting Aromatherapy facts
Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. It is widely used at home, clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for women in labour, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and the rehabilitation of cardiac patients.

Aromatherapy is already slowly getting into the mainstream. In Japan, aroma systems are being incorporated into new buildings. Customers are kept calm by the scent of lavender and rosemary being pumped into the customer area while they wait to be attended to. In some banks, the aromas of lemon and eucalyptus are being used to keep the staff on the bank teller counters alert.

An excellent example of the effectiveness of aromatherapy is that during the plague which rapidly spread across Europe from the middle ages to the late 17th century, the people who worked with aromatic plants or oils in controlling plagues and epidemics were unharmed, while many around them were dying. It was made evident that those people that worked with plant material i.e. gardeners caring for herbs and plants, labourers working in the lavender fields and tanners and glove-makers who used essential oils to perfume fine leather escaped from the plague unharmed while their masters perished! The reason being that aromatic plants are powerful bactericides and many of them contain anti-viral properties.

What is Hopi Ear Candling?
Hopi Ear Candling, or Thermal Auricular Therapy as it is also known, is used as a gentle, relaxing and non-invasive clearance therapy for many problems related the ear, nose, head and throat area.

The candles are named after a Native American tribe from north-east Arizona called the Hopi (meaning "peaceful ones") who used the candles in their medicinal ceremonies and initiations to clear negative energies from the aura and head. The Hopi were not the only people to use this gentle healing therapy. Candling is an ancient therapy stretching back centuries and used in Latin America, the Siberian prairies, Asia, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, China, Tibet and Egypt. What is a Hopi Ear Candle? EU certified Ear Candles are long hollow tubes resembling very long cigarettes which are made of pesticide free cotton flax impregnated with extract of honey, beeswax, and healing herbs such as St. John's Wort, Sage, Camomile and Essential Oils. The ear candles have a safety filter and the maximum burn level is clearly marked by a red line. Moreover, there is no danger of being burnt by falling ash or hot wax dripping down into the ear or any danger of damaging the eardrum given that the candle goes nowhere near it during treatment.

What can be treated with Hopi Ear Candles?	What cannot be treated with Hopi Ear Candles?
Compacted ear wax and glue ear Sore throats Headache and migraine Sinusitis and rhinitis Catarrh and asthma Vertigo Menier's Disease Neuralgia Hay fever Flying (to regulate the pressure in the inner ear)	Perforation or lack of eardrum Ventilation tubes, auricular drains or grommets Recent ear surgery Auricular cysts Acute mastoiditis Otosclerosis or Otospongiosis Ear tumour Infections or inflammation in or around the ear

How is the treatment done?

The client lies on one side and a lit candle is gently inserted into the first ear and held by the candler until it burns down to the maximum burn level indicated by the red line. After removal of the first candle the same procedure is carried out on the second ear. This is followed by a relaxing ear and facial massage to stimulate acupressure points in the ears and drain the sinuses. A typical treatment usually lasts one hour.

How does the candle work?
Once the candle has been lit and placed inside the ear, the ingredients in the candle vaporise, and a light suction action (chimney effect) is created which gently massages the eardrum and auditory canal which in turn helps balance the pressure in the inner ear.

What does the treatment include?

• A short consultation about medications and ear conditions
• An ear examination
• A candle is then put in the first ear and lit
• The second ear is then treated after which a facial/ear massage is done to improve circulation and energy flow to the area
• The client will be asked to drink a glass of water to rehydrate
• The candles can then be examined to identify problems with the ear and ascertain whether further treatments are needed.

NB: If you are in doubt about any of these conditions and/or problems you may have with your ears you must consult a doctor before attending a treatment.

Indian Head Massage is based on Ayurveda and has been practised for over a thousand years. The females in the family massaged one another's head with nourishing oils such as coconut, almond, olive and essential oils to make their hair strong, glossy and beautiful. Mothers have passed on the skill to their children and in some families the tradition of head massage still continues. However, it was not only the females that practised head massage: It became customary for barbers to give a deep and stimulating head massage after a hair cut, and even today this treatment is still offered in most barber's shops after a hair cut or a wet shave.

• Deep relaxation and relief from anxiety and mental exhaustion.
• Relief from aching and tense upper back, neck, shoulder, scalp and face muscles.
• An increase in joint mobility around neck and shoulder area.
• Relief from tension headaches, aching around the jaw (TMJ), eye strain, nasal congestion/sinusitis.
  As a preventative measure for migraine.
• Increased levels of energy.
• Increases the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain resulting in clarity of thought and better memory.
• Relief from insomnia and disturbed sleep.
• A deep sense of peace and well-being.
• Healthier skin and hair.
• Deep relaxed breathing.
• Leaves you feeling mentally and physically drained of tension and ready to face the world anew.