What a wonderful experience to be a part of the Dallas Ballet Centers summer program. Not only did the 10 to 17 year olds get to immerse them selves in some of my favorite dance styles like West African dance and Musical theatre they learned Foot care and Foot massage from me!
During my time with 95 children and 1 adult in a 4 hour window we had the opportunity to discuss knowing the difference between a muscle strain and a tendon strain. Some special acupressure points on the hand and the feet for tummy aches, headaches and a few other concerns. Then everyone stepped right into cleaning and cooling their feet with witch hazel and a special self foot massage. The ooooss and aaaahhhhsss were music to my ears.
Lastly, their little cups of coconut lotion enhanced trading with a partner or a group of three. We created waves of connection from head to toe, person to person. For some laughter bubbled up and for others eye lids felt heavy as deep relaxation kicked in!
I’m excited to say I was invited by Judy Klopfenstein to be a special Guest Instructor for their summer camp program. On Tuesday, July 19, 2016 I will present the following program. Please enjoy the juicy handout for the class.
STUDENT FOOT CARE PROGRAM
Presented by Cynthia Pierro, BS, LMT, PTP, CYT
IT’S TIME TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD,
START OUT ON THE RIGHT FOOT,
PUT OUR FOOT DOWN,
PUT OUR FEET UP,
GET OUR FEET WET,
AND STILL LAND ON OUR FEET!
The anatomy of our feet:
Each foot has 26 bones
Both feet together make up about ¼ of all the bones in our body.
More than 100 muscles, tendons, & ligaments (tendons attach muscles to bones), (ligaments attach bones to bones).
Cooling and cleansing:
Witch Hazel: Witch hazel contains chemicals called tannins. When we apply it directly to our skin, witch hazel may reduce swelling, fight bacteria and cool the temperature of the skin.
Cool to Cold foot bath: When your feet feel hot, tired or have sharp pain. Run cool to cold water over your ankles and feet for 5 to 10 minutes or soak in a foot bath for 5 to 15 min.
Warming and Relaxing:
Warm to hot foot bath: When your feet feel cold, tight, achy, anxious, or just normal, soak them in a warm to hot bath for 5 to 15 minutes. You may add sea salt, Epsom salt, bath oil or essential oil.
Too much foot moisture:
An easy approach to keeping our feet drier is corn starch or natural powders using corn starch and no talcum powder. If our feet are moist all the time they are susceptible to getting rashes, fungus like “athletes foot” and other problems.
Self Foot Massage:
*two handed squeeze hugs – top to bottom and back to the top 3 to 5 times.
*toe twirls – gently twirl each toe in one direction and then the other. 5 to 8 twirls each direction.
*point toes, scrunch toes, fan toes.
*shaking feet.
*two handed squeeze hugs – top to bottom and back to the top 3 to 5 times.
