Twilight Reflexology with Ann-marie

17/11/2025

It’s not unusual to feel sleepy, heavy, or even emotionally drained after a reflexology session, and it’s actually a good sign that your body is responding.

Reflexology activates the parasympathetic nervous system - the “rest and digest” branch responsible for slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and triggering recovery processes. When the body shifts out of a chronic stress state (sympathetic dominance), it finally has permission to relax, repair, and rebalance.

That deep relaxation can sometimes feel like fatigue, especially if your system has been running on adrenaline or stress hormones for a long time. The tiredness isn’t a side effect. It’s a signal that your body is resetting its internal balance.

📚 Research supports this response:

Studies, including McVicar et al. (Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2007), show measurable reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety levels following reflexology - clear indicators of parasympathetic activation.

A 2011 pilot study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that reflexology sessions produced significant decreases in salivary cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone), reinforcing the link between reflexology and stress reduction.

Improvements in sleep quality and relaxation have been documented across multiple clinical settings, from cancer care to maternity wards, all pointing to the same physiological mechanism of rest and regulation.

💧 How to support your body afterward:

Drink water to help the body process metabolic by-products released during deep relaxation.

Avoid caffeine or alcohol immediately after your session to prolong the calm.

Rest if you can, even a short nap or quiet time helps integrate the benefits.

Feeling tired after reflexology is simply your body exhaling and catching up on the rest it’s been asking for. 😴

09/11/2025

06/10/2025

🌸Reflexology is used to restore and maintain the body's equilibrium, encouraging the body to balance naturally, on a physical and emotional level.🌸
Restocking some of our favourite balms today. The balms are from an Irish company that use certified organic ingredients 🏵

29/09/2025

✨Thank You for an Unforgettable Weekend✨

Our annual Members’ Event was more than a gathering. It was a celebration of learning, sharing, and connection. Across the weekend we witnessed inspiring talks, lively discussions, new skills learned, and countless moments of support between colleagues and friends. There was also fun, laughter, dancing and the joy of new friendships forming.

A heartfelt thank you to every attendee, speaker, volunteer and organiser who helped make it such a success. Your presence, energy and generosity created the warm, uplifting atmosphere we all felt.

Here’s to taking the insights, connections and renewed enthusiasm from this weekend back into our practices and communities, and to building an even stronger IRI family together.

💜 The IRI Team

28/09/2025

Lovely weekend meeting Reflexologists from all over Ireland, with great talks and workshops with reflexologists from all over the world.

24/09/2025

Did you know every area of your body is mirrored on your feet? 🤯

Reflexology is based on the principle that specific points on the feet, known as reflex areas, correspond to different organs, glands and body systems. By applying gentle, targeted pressure to these points, a reflexologist works to encourage improved circulation, support the body’s natural processes and help restore balance between systems.

The foot map you see here shows the location of these reflex areas. For example, the tips of the toes relate to the head and sinuses, the arch corresponds to digestive organs, and the heel reflects the lower back and pelvic area.

During World Reflexology Week, we’re highlighting the science behind this centuries-old practice and the benefits it can offer in modern life.

📅 Book your session and experience how reflexology supports your whole body from the ground up.

18/09/2025

We all carry stress differently - in our shoulders, our stomachs, our sleep patterns, even in how we breathe.
Reflexology offers a gentle, non-invasive way to support your body’s natural relaxation response. By working on reflex points in the feet, hands or ears, a reflexologist can help you unwind, ease tension and feel more balanced.

Whether you’re looking for a moment of calm in a busy week or ongoing support for your wellbeing, a regular session can be a powerful addition to your self-care routine.

💆‍♀️ Book your next treatment and give your nervous system some care, too.

19/08/2025

The Power of Reflexology 💜

25/07/2025