One of my personal highlights for 2013 was travelling to South Africa for the first time as guest speaker for the bi-annual conference of the International Council of Reflexologists (ICR).
The conference was held at the Lagoon Beach Hotel overlooking Cape Town and the famous Table Mountain. A breathtaking view from my room and balcony allowed me to view the sea and the changeable spring weather as the clouds rolled in with rain and covered and uncovered the scenic mountain range. I had arrived in the city a few days earlier staying at the Commodore Hotel near the Waterfront to enjoy the bustling tourist area and bus trips around the town and coastline. I was also taken out by friends in the evenings as well as a day trip out to the Stellenbosch wine lands for more splendid scenery.
The ICR event feels like a family gathering as we re-connect with colleagues and new members are welcomed from across the globe. There is always a great hum of people chatting catching up or hearing about what each other is doing in the reflexology world. The host country unites its own reflexologists to participate in the event swelling attendance numbers. About 80 members from all over South Africa joined us, creating a great atmosphere and contributing greatly to the discussion. The four-day conference carried continued professional development and training points (CPD/T) and included social evenings as well as interesting lectures, demonstrations and a reflexology exchange during the last session. Each country was represented by its own flag at the opening and closing ceremonies and a photo of its participants – a group photo of the whole conference delegation – was arranged as a memento.
Speakers in the photo below are, from R to L: Spiros Dimitrakoula, Helen Mary Perkins, Jennie Levick, Inge Dougans, Leila Erikson and Heinrike Bergmans.
There was much discussion on how reflexology is being organised and directed through associations in the various countries and a list of all those associations is available on the ICR website (see below.) Lectures from this conference can also be found on the website and available as a download. In relation to my own presentation on the Reflex Resonance Technique I saw some similarities and connections with speaker Heinrike Bergmans, who was explaining about the energetic connection we have around us like a blueprint. I am able to see this aura or energy field around individuals and interpret the vibrations accordingly, adding sound to heal and balance using the reflexes. I had the opportunity to demonstrate by asking the audience to pair-up to apply sound with hand reflexology. Two volunteers also hopped-up onto the couch (separately of course!) to experience sound through foot reflexology.
I enjoyed all the speakers and very much appreciated the personal positive feedback which continued after I returned home with new friendships and professional contacts made. Sharing experiences in this way helps to raise awareness and inspires us all to encourage even more people to consider reflexology as an important part of their own health and wellbeing.
