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Fitness: losing sight - losing balance

Last night was my second session at the health and fitness class. Our teacher had prepared the room with many obstacles (balls, bottles, steps...). After a warm up session we took part in games designed to work on balance and auditive memory! We were attached in pairs, left foot to right foot, and had to coordinate our steps to progress and go over the obstacles. We had a good laugh as we were going in different directions but still attached to each other. In the end we were counting "1, 2, 3, step over the ball" or marching like the army to avoid tripping over! Then one of us was blindfolded and had to be guided by the other over a circuit of balls, bottles, cones...

It's amazing how you lose your balance once you lose vision, you get disorientated, and it's sometimes difficult to rely (=trust) the other's guidance.

Which brings me to the subject of reflexology: I have never practiced on a blind or visually impaired person and I wonder if the feelings/senses are more intense. For example, when applying pressure on a reflex point near the head or neck, some people "feel" something in their head or neck, like a tingling, or a sensation of become lighter.

I know there are some blind reflexologists that are brilliant and I've just found a film on the subject made in Singapore http://cahaya.terapad.com/ . Written and directed by Johan John, ‘Cahaya’ revolves around Salleh, a blind reflexologist who lives in his own dark world but believes in the light of life and Maria, an escort who lives in a world full of colour but sees only darkness. This heartfelt drama is very nicely done.



But I just wonder if as a patient, visually impaired people react in a different way. Please share your experience with us!

Fitness and health

I've got to share this new "keep fit" program with you.
Every year, I enroll in a local fitness class to have at least 1 hour a week for myself. I live in the countryside in France so the choice is fairly limited, and I don't want to travel for 30 minutes to get to a class.

So a few years ago, we had a yoga teacher. That was great, it worked wonders on my breathing and agility. I was pregnant at the time and I think it was very beneficial for the pregnancy and birth.

Then the yoga teacher retired. The following year, the only local class was run by a young "keep fit" adept. The pace and style were very different; it was all about press-ups and other strenuous exercises to the rhythm of hip-hop music. It certainly toned my stomach muscles but it was not soft enough for me. In France we use the term "gym douce" but I don't think this new teacher know the meaning of soft... or maybe I 'm getting older and can't take it!

Anyway, this year we have an alternative class, and when I say alternative, it really is a different approach. I've only been to one session but it's a welcome shock to the system!
The teacher is used to working with disabled people and workers at risk to help them improve their safety and become aware of their movements. His class is called "fitness and health", he is really passionate about his work but spends too much time talking about the theory. So in an hour, I did not feel like we exercised very much, just played a few games to improve our memory and dexterity. For example, in pairs, we had to run whilst throwing the ball to the partner , then clapping, then catching the ball with one hand and so on... Not as easy at it seems.

I like this approach where every automatic behaviour is broken down to make you conscious of your movement and breathing, getting rid of bad habits to relearn. It's a bit like the Alexander technique, it's educational.

I'm not sure the other ladies are ready for his new approach as it is so different from what we had last year. Anyway, I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on.

Colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy

I've recently discovered a new alternative therapy to clean your body of toxins and help you restore good health. Well, it is not new as such since it has been used for hundreds and even thousands of years. Like so many alternative medecine, we are not inventing anything, just updating and improving the techniques and giving a new name. You might hear about colonic irrigation, colon hydrotherapy or colonic lavage: it's the same thing.

I heard about it because a friend of mine, a naturopath/reflexologist, has trained for months and invested 15000 € in a brand new machine that can clean up your colon and give you a brand new lease of life. I have not yet tested the technique but I'd like to hear from you if you have any experience to share.

Anyway, I've created a website for my friend: L'hydrothérapie du côlon ou irrigation du côlon (sorry it's in French!). He practices near Bordeaux in France so if you're enjoying a holiday in the area, book yourself a session after eating all that rich and gorgeous French food!