New Agey - Reflexology?

[RALLPAUMS]

'Hi All,

I've recently started my (mostly) home-based business and am trying several different approaches to build clients - HP has been so valuable in giving ideas, suggestions, etc.
Anyway, today I phoned the co-ordinator of the local Mums/Toddlers group to ask, very politely if they'd agree to putting up a notice for me, offering short Reflexology sessions ((£15 for 30 mins) as an offer for the Mums to have some well-deserved 'me time' She said she'd have to speak to the vicar, which is fine, as its a group related to the local C. of E.church. But her reasons were that she thinks Reflexology is a bit 'new agey' and might not tie-in completely with church views, etc. I was taken aback to say the least, and tried to explain that it was in fact, an ancient therapy, that it had numerous health benefits, that it wasn't related to any particular religous area, but she didn't seem too interested.
She took my number and will get back to me after her chat with the vicar (or she may not, depending on how 'devilish' he thinks reflexology is!)
Have any of you had experience of this type of reaction? Maybe its happens a lot? But its just its my first exp. of it. I'll be better prepared next time

Love to all,
Always Trying
x

 

[wintersun77]

Hi ya AT

Yes, it's 2007 and ignorance still exists!

Unfortunately, a lot of people of certain religious persuasions consider aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, reflexology, acupuncture, yoga, tai chi and not forgetting the devil itself REIKI, to be evil and not compatable to the word of the Lord. Yet they would go to their GP and be drugged up to the eyeballs without question .

I take no notice or will argue with such attitudes as it is a waste of energy .

If you can convince them reflexology is benefical, great, if not use your energy else where.

Best Wishes

Reiki Pixie

 

[cdude100]

i used to advertise reflexology in church mags, and a separate ad for computer lessons. i got quite a lot of clients for PC lessons but i got not one enquiry for reflexology.

it was my opinion then that god fearing folk just dont like it!! i wondered if our laying on of hands to "heal" was considered almost blasphemous!

i also agree with reiki pixie, i wouldnt worry or waste my energy on trying to convince otherwise...

also, ime, young mums, although complaining of being tired etc, would rather spend their "me" time coffeing or shopping with a mate (lol, i know i did!!), so your target audience could be wrong too.

 

[Makenna]

Hi ya

It's not just the religious but the anti-religious (readers of Richard Dawkins books) as well. All time wasters.

Cheeky Pixie

 

[Robert W]

Try being a Tarot Reader!

I went to church as I'm going to be a God Mum and my friend is including me in all the arrangements. We went to church to a meeting and we had to fill out a form which asked us about our beliefs and then asked our profession and hobbies. Being in church I was truthful I put tarot reader.
While we was watching the film the Vicar was looking over the papers, you could tell when he got to mine, what a glare I got, you would have thought I'd sprouted horns and a tail!

 

[Jazmine N]

My mum does Reiki, and she too sometimes gets ignorant people at her church say nasty things about it. Although a lot of them dont mind it. Its just what has been drummed into them by the Church. Its not a reflection on the actual healer, reader, or therapist.... keep shining your light, and dont let this put you off at all xxxx

 

[Th3Sniper]

Thanks for your replies, everyone.
I've got over the 'shock' of her attitude now, and as I said, I'll be more prepared next time! I don't think this lady had any idea what reflexology was - but felt sure the Good Lord wouldn't like it.
Reiki Pixie, I'm sure you're right about it being a waste of energy to persuade blinkered religious folk to see the obvious good points of these therapies - only the other week I read about a vicar/priest/minister who had roundly 'condemned' yoga and wouldn't have such dodgy goings-on in his church hall.

Rosie, you have a point about the young mums probably preferring coffe and a gossip to reflex - if she doesn't get back to me it may be just as well.
Anyway, it certainly helps to see that many others have encountered this problem.
Thanks for your good wishes all,

Always Trying
x

 

[ellena]

If the Good Lord is Jesus, then I am sure he had many a reflexology treatment in his time. Especially with all the healers he had as friends.

How about asking in old folks homes if they would like some reflexology?

 

[Shandi]

Very True, Angelic Light, I'm sure Jesus did. And they were quite keen on feet-washing too, obviously in preparation!
Yes, I will give old peoples homes a try - do you mean on a voluntary basis?
Or do they ever have a scheme where individuals pay for treatment (reduced rate)? There's so much I have to learn - it was a lucky accident to find HP!

Always Trying
x

 

[maryam m]

Hi,

Very interesting discussion, i did the exact same thing this week, put a card up in the church rooms of where my son goes to his music class, but......my new cards say......Reflexologist, but underneath Reiki Healing and Tarot Guidance also available.....so you guessed it, just used my old cards with just Reflexology on them, said to hubby.....ddint want to start a witchhunt!! Joking.....but now i have seen your post....i wonder......

Also about the toddler group idea, because I have a toddler a lot of my advertising has been aimed at other mums, and you may be right......a lot would rather spend money getting hair done, nails etc.....coz thats what is seen and dont seem to be too interested in alternative therapies.....but I am gradually winning some over......its a very slow process........but it seems once you get one in the door, they do tend to talk over coffee and then the word gets spread so dont rule them out just yet.......try other groups or community centres......

 

[Llado]

Hi Jess33,

thanks for your reply - hope you have more luck with placing your card!
Needless to say, Mum and Toddler lady hasn't got back to me.
I'm thinking of approaching a couple of local schools (where my two of my children went some years ago - they're now in their 20's!) to offer a Reflexology treatment as a "prize" in the Xmas Raffle. It was a suggestion made by our tutor during the course. As she said: "A raffle winner may come along, enjoy a free treatment and you never see them again - or they may be interested and keep it in mind or tell their family and friends.
Anyone had a good result with this one?

AlwayTrying
x

 

[Shantal]

Hi,

Good idea - well hopefully it will be for you.......i have tried this twice......once on my mums and toddlers website, gave away a free treatment in a draw, person felt she had got the booby prize and never accepted prize, even when i offered to send it as a gift she coudl pass on!! Next placed an ad in our local newsletter, saying anyone who texted a question on Reflexology to me would be entered in a draw to win a free treatment, noone texted me!! But you have to remember i live in Ireland and we are still very behind the uk in this area.....

But i havent given up, the animal charity who i help out with are always looking for raffle prizes, so i will be giving a treatment as a raffle prize in their next week........i think its a great way to advertise, as even if person doesnt come, it hasnt cost you anything and ads i place are usually the equivalent cost of a treatment........

Oh one more thing.......my sis won a hair cut in a school draw in england and when i went to visit her, she gave it to me as a treat, so when i went to the poor hairdressers (who i know - used to babysit years ago for him) i felt awful as i said he was obviously hoping to gain a regular client out of prize not just somone who visits from ireland every few months or so!! He said it was fine and thats just thw way it goes.......which i suppose it is.

Anyway , good luck.......as you say Keep Trying....thats what i do anyway, when you love what you do, it makes it easier.........

Jess xx