Several years ago I had the privilege to visit with Mildred Carter, one of the great pioneers of reflexology and famous for her first book, Helping Yourself with Foot Reflexology, 1969.  She was in her early 90’s at the time of this visit, yet still very able and spry.  I had been traveling the west coast for a few weeks by then and feeling a bit tight in my digestive track, but I put this detail aside for my purpose was to give Mildred Carter a reflexology session to show my appreciation for opening her California home to my friend and I.  She was my guru and one whom I very much aspired to.

She warmly embraced us, served lemonade, and we sat in her quaint living room with her Pomeranian dog, Chi-Chi, who danced over and in-between our laps as Mildred beguiled us with many stories, including her adventures while living in the Philippines.  Listening to her was fascinating– especially when she shared how she cultivated ancient and powerful healing energy passed to her from the native Philippine people. Her stories were so vivid, I felt like I had entered into another space in time that held a sacred and wise undercurrent.

This is not Chi-Chi, but he’s a cutie!

After visiting with Mildred for a while I motioned my interest in giving her a reflexology session.  She looked at me with her bright and clear eyes and said, ” Come and sit in this chair in front of me.”  I sat there prepared to give her a session when to my surprise she asked to look at my feet– and without notice, I suddenly became the recipient of a reflexology session.  I felt a bit selfish, but realized I had little choice in the matter but to acquiesce.  With my feet on her lap and with certainty, she used the knuckle of her finger to compress my adrenal reflex, then the pituitary reflex, and followed up with a firm melt-down of my intestinal reflexes.  I don’t usually share these private matters but about 15 minutes later I had to excuse myself as movement within had prompted me to the bathroom.  She knew I needed help and this event set the rest of my trip into better motion.  For many more reasons other than this reflexology experience, I will cherish this time with Mildred Carter for ever.  And yes, I gave her a reflexology session that day too.

Like the wizard in the movie The Wizard of Oz showed Dorothy she had the power within herself all along to get home, so did Mildred assure me that the power is within to help heal ourselves and others through reflexology.

Here is my map of the reflex points in the feet to help orient you to the feet as a mini-map (microcosm) of the body.

Bottom of the right and left foot with reflexes associated with the body

There is so much to learn in the field of reflexology.  Even if you don’t completely understand what you are doing, let your innocence guide you to explore the reflex points and soon the receiver will praise you for your kindness. All that is needed is an open heart, a loving touch, and the intention to help someone else feel better.

For more information about the life of Mildred Carter read this blog written on April 4th, 2011: MILDRED CARTER: A TEST OF TIME, written by Kevin Kunz, another favorite reflexology author of mine.