In Focus Reflexology: Your Personal Guide by Tina Chantrey is everything I was looking for in an introductory book on the subject and practice.

I have no experience with reflexology and had only heard very limited explanations of what it is. What drew me to the topic is the potential for some kind of relief from a couple of minor health issues as well as to help my overall health and well being. A friend of mine and I had started doing some massage to help with stress and aches, using videos and online tutorials. I asked her if she would like to try reflexology and she said yes, so that is where I was when I got this book.

Chantrey does a great job of keeping everything simple for a true novice such as myself while also offering information for those looking to work their way into doing this as a CAM practice (such as getting insurance, what to look for with new clients, etc). So this book will serve anyone well who is not already a fully operating practitioner, and frankly as a review for seasoned reflexologists it would probably work well to keep the basics front of mind.

The charts and explanations of technique are easy to follow and though we have only had two sessions so far I think we will give this a lengthy trial. I have to admit, we both actually enjoyed the warm ups so much we will have to remember that this is not a massage session but a reflexology session. We also are having trouble remembering not to slide our fingers across the skin but to lift and place, the caterpillar walk I believe.

I definitely recommend this to anyone just curious about reflexology as well as anyone considering doing this among friends or potentially as a practice. This will give future practitioners a good idea of what the sessions involve and what can be expected.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )