🎥 Live with Jen Hlannon! 👣✨

All right. Well, welcome, welcome, welcome everyone to our uh fourth live stream in our 2026 International Conference Facebook live streams. Um we're glad everyone who's joining us. little housekeeping. Um, you know, please feel free to use the chat or the comments feature. We'll try and get to them at the end of our discussion. Um, and if you're answering watching this later on YouTube, please still feel free to add comments or questions. We will try and answer all of your questions in the chat. I am so delighted today to be joined by a rack member, registered Canadian reflexology therapist and a registered acupuncturist uh in the beautiful province of British Columbia, Jen Hillan. Thank you for joining with me, Jen. And Jen is going to be one of our uh conference speakers at our upcoming conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba from May 22nd to 26. uh we'll talk more about you know conference but you can go to reflexologyconference.com for all the information but I want we want all the people watching listening to this to get to know you Jen so we'll start from the beginning you are in our CRT >> how did you get into reflexology >> how did I get into reflexology hello everyone >> thanks for watching um oh yeah I have a good story um I went to the King Fisher Spa, which is in Courtney on Vancouver Island. Really nice spa for some anniversary of some sort. They did not have massage, which I wanted. >> In fact, they were so full, all they had was foot reflexology. I do remember asking what it was, they couldn't really explain it. Signed up for it, had my treatment by this beautiful girl from France or Belgium or something, and it was the most relaxed I'd ever ever felt. >> Wow. So I came out of it and near that time this girl in the town I lived in had learned Indian head massage and I was really jealous. I didn't know you could learn something in a short time and then do it and I just wanted something to trade with people like a skill to trade. So I came out of that room after my reflexology appointment asked my husband can I please learn that and I looked it up right away. Looked up a course and found Michelle Mor in Victoria. Wow. >> And that was in April and by October I was in Michelle's course. I did not know anything about like the parts of the body associated with feet. All I knew was super relaxing. So then I do the course with Michelle, learn about these parts, body parts. I'm like, well, I'm not going to believe that until I can see it's true. It was evident pretty soon. Working on the lower intestines and then feeling your stomach gurgle. >> Mhm. these noises coming from your from your abdomen. And then she said, you know, we had to do the practicum 60 case studies. I said, fine, I'll do it, but I don't know if I'll like it. And then uh end up doing it and find it love it. It's actually very beneficial for me to do cuz it you can't be multitasking while you're working on someone's feet. You have to be completely present and you're with that person in such a meaningful way. So that's how I started with Ruby Flexology. >> I've heard so many people say similar stories, right? They they tried it, loved it so much, wanted to learn it or or it was really helpful for a family member or themselves um you know due to illness or other things and they got into it. So I love that. I guess leading up to that first treatment, I guess in your life, were you really stressed? were like things going on and like it was like the switch when you finally received reflexology for the first time. >> Well, yeah. I mean, what I say to my clients now is I can't I don't know how anyone survives about reflexology. >> You just haven't had that treatment. You haven't had that uh full relaxation parasympathetic nervous system state reboot. So, it it's unlike anything else. So yeah, my life would be my life. I don't know whatever was happening. Everyone has stress. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So there's nothing specific going on. I just had normal life stress and felt deeply deeply relaxed after. >> Wow. So tell me, so you you got your training, you became a reflexology therapist, but now you've gone beyond, you've now become a registered acupuncturist, which is a pretty intensive course. Um, >> yeah. >> So what led you to take the next step and then also study acupuncture? >> Um, co >> I opened up my reflexology business in January 2020. I was working with seniors in James Bay. And um then March we closed down. >> So I was planning I just thought I'd like to do something to learn more about the body just to supplement reflexology to enhance my reflexology treatments. Right. So then I was going to be at uh join massage school. It had a very rigid program. Didn't really work with um my part my work and I was a single parent at the time. So I needed to work right. So, at the same time, I have a new client. Someone referred someone to me and they were a massage therapist plus an acupuncturist. I saw that on their form before they came. And so, I asked her, "What do you think about this massage program, which seems very rigid?" And she thought about it and said, "I think you should do acupuncture while she was having her feet done." And I was like, "Okay." But then I looked it up after and it was way that school in Victoria has um you can do the courses on your own schedule. You can take three years, you can take five years. So it was way better fit. Got to the school and then as time went on learning all the points on the feet and all the points on the legs was absolutely amazing. >> So have you found learning um acupuncture beneficial to your reflexology? Definitely. Definitely. It's very, very beneficial. It's And what I'm going to be talking to people about at the workshop or the conference is how to stimulate the lower leg meridian. So, go from the calf from the uh ankle up to beneath the knees and stimulate the six meridians of the lower legs through the ankle to uh below the knee. >> Awesome. So that's >> I have stories for you um later about how beneficial it is. >> No, let's let's talk about that. So you are coming to the conference. Uh the title of your conference workshop is golden lines activating lower leg pathways. So you've given us a little bit of a um uh glimpse of what you'll be teaching people, but maybe c can you sort of frame the pathways of the lower leg for like what why is this important or what what is it first and then like why is this important? Okay. Yes. So we have 12 main meridians in the body and they go into all parts of the body. Six are from start or end in the hands. Six start or end in the feet. So us as reflexologists, reflexology therapists can access the six that start or end in the toes and go out the legs. Um what was your question? >> Okay. So that's the the the what. And so then um why is this important? Why is stimulating um these pathways in the leg uh important to reflexology therapists or um is could be um like why would a reflexology therapist want to know the six pathways meridian pathways of the leg? That's the question. >> Okay. Um okay. So few reasons. One is it feels really good for the client to have these. So these these meridians and if I use the word channel just it's the same thing as meridian. These meridians in the body flow through the whole body like a river moving chi throughout the body. They get blocked. They get blocked with emotions with uh physical activity. It's normal for them to get blocked. Once they're blocked that causes illness or um imbalance in that meridian pathway somewhere. So it's you asked why is it important to stimulate these because we can make sure the meridians are clear from the ankle to the knee and that will clear the entire pathway throughout the whole body. So say for example, you're working with someone with hip pain. There's a pathway that goes to the hip. So we can work the hip reflex for sure and sacrum and the low back. And you can just add the gallbladder meridian up the lateral side of the calf. And why it's important I find is that you are stimulating that area of that's a problem twice. You're doing the it on the foot and you're doing it on the meridian pathway. Now these um these points ankle to knee are called distal acupuncture points. They're also distal acupoint acupunchure points from the elbow to the wrist. These are some of the most import uh sorry elbow to the fingertips, knee to the toes are some of the most important acupunchure points called distal points. Like I said, these points are where the meridian comes out or begins and is more shallow in that area. So, it's easy for needles to go in and get that point or even our thumbs can push those points or go along those points. So, it's easy to access the meridian in those areas. >> Okay? >> So, that's why it's important to um work those areas because the distal acupuncture points have a benefit over the entire body. Mhm. >> So for example, you can um work the gallbladder meridian and help someone with a side headache or an ear problem or top of the shoulder problem. >> So the idea through the in your seminar is showing going to be showing all the attendees um points that they can use in addition to the reflexology or alongside their >> Oh definitely. No, you don't get we do the foot treatment. You do the full foot and then you just add in the calf work. And I've calculated it adds in about four to six minutes to your treatment. I do want to say this is different than leg massage. >> This is working specific pathways along the calf, behind the calf, >> and that's going to affect the whole body. Leg massage is very relaxing, but it's not quite the same as unblocking blockages if there are any in a channel and affecting the entire body. So, you mentioned you had some cool stories. Do you have any client stories where you've integrated, you know, you've done the reflexology session, you've added these additional um points, acupuncture points on the leg. How did the client respond or what's what's your story? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, first of all, there's two ways of activating. Uh, first of all, I do it every single treatment. >> Okay? >> And u there's two there's two things that are happening. You can get specific points along the channel plus you're doing the entire channel. >> Okay? >> So, I just want to say that. Okay. So, I have an example. So, yesterday I had someone come in. She hadn't come in for about a year. And um she came in the door. She was not smiling. She's a nice person. I just noticed that she was not smiling. Seemed preoccupied. Did a little um intake. She didn't seem to have much wrong with her, right? She just was on her lunch break. Wanted a treatment. So I noticed she was quite pale, >> not much color in the face and not smiling. So had her on that table and um did ask her about that. I said, "It just seems there's something going on and then I just shared something about my life, my stress or whatever. And then she completely opened up, right? So she opened up, she talked, she's got a presentation today. I said, I have a presentation today, too. And uh her job is stressful and she's got kids. Oh, and she's moving. Okay. So, she opened up. She has all this stuff. Anyway, um I did her foot and then as I'm going up the gallbladder meridian, it was stuck a bit. So I just had to use various techniques just to try and if the meridians are like a river. You want them free flowing. I said that already, right? So if it's blocked, I'm just trying to open it up with just some low pressure. Go back and forth, right? Open it up. I happened to look at her and she had color in her face. It was pink and like I stood up and I said, "You have color in your face." She's like, "What?" So, oh yeah, a couple other things about her. She did have a cold. She did have some sinus issues still. And she also can't go running cuz her ears are super sensitive. She'll get an ear ache or something. >> So I could see, you know, she has some stuff going on the head as well. Anyway, working that gallbladder meridian, finding a little blockage, just clearing it. Totally got color in her face. >> Wow. >> By the time she left, she's smiling. She she said she said, "I'm so relieved or something." Right. So she's ready for her presentation the next day. >> Wow. >> That's one example. I have many I have other examples too. >> Always love client examples when like the response is so immediate after like the session where you know >> Oh yeah >> when they can walk out and be like oh my gosh like I'm better mood right away like feeling like pep in my step right away. I think that's such a um critical part of like the benefit of reflexology is those stories of like oh you some clients they felt things immediately. Um >> yes. >> Yeah. >> I think yes. Most of us have those stories. Yes. That's why we do our work. >> All right. You said you had a couple other examples if you'd like to share. >> Oh, sure. Um okay. I just want to talk about hip pain. Oh, I was going to sh Can I share a a picture? >> Uh, sure. Um, two seconds. I hadn't people are going to see way too too many things on the screen, but um try and sharing if it doesn't work. Uh, >> no, that's fine. Not a problem. I was just going to share uh the meridian pathway for um one of the meridians. Okay. So, I want to show you how you're you're we will be working the reflex on the foot and then just adding a whole another reflex basically. >> Yeah. >> Okay. person with um hip pain. 69year-old and um hip replacement. Ashley eventually had a hip replacement. I've known him for a long time. He comes every two weeks >> and he is very active in his life. Um I just noticed that I cannot turn his right leg when he first comes. >> Okay. >> Usually every two weeks or or every four weeks I cannot turn that leg properly. So, um, I work the hip reflex and then his gallbladder meridian, which I was going to show you. Um, but I can show you on this doll here. >> Can Do you have a doll? Okay. >> Yeah, I do. See? There you go. So, it comes along the foot, comes up the side of the leg, comes up the side of the knee, goes into the hip, does a zigzag to the front and up the side of the body, up to the top of the shoulder, and then the head. Oh, yeah. So for that woman with the head uh with the not smiling, the sinus issues and the very sensitive ears. >> Mhm. >> I didn't know this would happen, right? But she had a blockage around here. We just cleared it >> all connected. >> That explains why it helped her. She got face colors cuz there's a many gallbladder points on the head. That must be why it cleared something down here and cleared her up here. Okay. So for a fellow with the hip pain also every time all I have to do is go up the gallbladder >> found the point >> ch meridian here which is always taut dry. Once I do that a few times then his leg ts. So that's an example of the how beneficial this is. Um, >> and so because all so because these six pathways in the leg are all connected. Um, and you just showed on your little doll uh creature. Um, it's all connected. There's additional points in the head, but it's all the same pathway. >> That is one of the pathways. That is just one of the pathways. Okay. >> So, there's 12 main pathways. >> There's six in, as I said, in the lower legs. Now, those six in the lower legs also talk to the ones in the hands and upper body. So by doing the lower legs you are getting the entire body cuz there's paired relationships between meridians like the stomach meridian on the lower leg talks to the arm large intestine meridian. >> Ah okay >> you're getting the whole body. >> No we love talking whole bodies. I was I was thinking this in terms of like you know reflex like referral areas you know working um you know working uh the kidneys for the eyes or or vice versa and whether um in terms of these lower leg um meridian points it operated in the sort of the same way I guess that was my question if I'm understanding >> yeah it makes sense of the referral pathways okay so for example hip and shoulder are referral areas Okay. >> Right. >> Yes. And um um Okay. Actually, I'm going to use a liver. The liver meridian can help with eye problems. >> Okay. >> Yeah. That's not exactly the same or for all areas you have. >> No, that's fine. It doesn't have to be the same. It's But it's the idea of it um working similar, I think, from a concept. Sorry, I was trying to get it from more of a conceptual point of view >> if if I'm understanding. Right. So it's working some of these points along. So we'll take the gallbladder meridium that you were showing us and it referring to other points in the head from what I could see on the pathway you were um outlining on your on your doll there. Okay. >> It's influencing other parts of in the pathway. Yes. >> Okay. So >> which is so amazing, right? >> Yes. So I think we we're getting the the picture that your seminar is going to be very practical. people who attend it are going to come out with um key points that I'm assuming we can use right away to integrate into. >> Amazing. >> You're also going to be hosting a more in-depth postconference workshop online for people um who aren't necessarily able to come to Winnipeg um in in June. Could you give us a little glimpse of um what the workshop in terms of going deeper is going to look like? >> Yes. Um, at the conference, we'll be doing an overview of everything and then having a practical part where people get to touch each other's uh go through the meridians. We're just going to go through two of them. In the workshop, we're going to go through all six. We're going to talk about points on the feet as well and and go through the legs. It's it's kind of simple in a way. My my aim is to explain it simply. Um, but there's a lot to go through. So, that cannot happen in the 90-minute workshop. We'll have to do that in the 7 and 1/2 hour >> Mhm. >> workshop. Yes. And then we'll have a practical component at the end where you have a partner to work on and then um I can watch and see if how you're doing. >> No, it's a it's a lot of information what you're what you've been explaining. So, it makes sense that we can't get everything in 90 minutes. um we're going to need a lot more a little bit more time to go uh deeper and to understand these pathways I think more clearly. >> Yes. >> Now from a client point of view um so because you're now registered acupuncturist and a reflexology therapist, do you how do you um I'm always thinking about scope of practice. How do you communicate that with the client in terms of what you're doing or like when to come see you for acupuncture versus coming to see you for reflexology? That is a good question. Um well, people with benefits like to use their acupuncture. >> Sure. >> So, actually what happens mostly is um people are booking hour and 25 minute appointments. So they're having acupuncture, some cupping, but they're also having the foot treatment. >> Okay. >> And we're working those calves. >> So from >> or maybe I'll I'll reframe it. Let's think if we think about integrative healthcare. That's one of the themes of our con conference is the idea that healthc care is integrative. Um reflexology works alongside things like acupuncture and massage. um because you're an acupuncturist, when might it be, and again I completely understand disclaimer, this is going to be client dependent. This is going to be situation dependent, but when might be a good time to for a therapist to refer outward to an acupuncture acupuncturist in your experience or from your knowledge, the time when you need to refer out is if your treatments are not working. If there's not a benefit to the client. >> Sure. >> So, okay, I do have an example for you. >> Okay. Um, I was in Tanzania this summer helping teach reflexology to to people and I got paired up with one woman, 38. She wants to get pregnant. Took her so long to get pregnant with the first child, 5 years, right? So, I'm just paired up with her. Her partner left. So, we're working the feet. I found out she wants to get pregnant. I feel up the spleen meridian, which is on the medial calf. >> Okay. >> And it was like it was rock. There's an example. I said, "You not going to get pregnant with a with a such a blockage in your spleen channel." Spleen channel nourishes the uterus, helps conception. Um, so I tried to clear it, got paired it up with her the next day, tried to clear it. It was still hard. >> Mhm. >> Um, so then I said to her, "You should probably you should see an acupuncturist as well." And then she looked it up. She could not find one. Uh I guess in Tanzania they don't really have acupuncturists. So she said, "Well, do you have needles?" And I said, "Yes, but we're leaving today after this." And then I said, "Oh, but I think we're staying in your father's hotel tonight in the in Wanza, this other city." So um we arranged to meet at 7:00 in the morning. She came to my hotel room at 7:00 in the morning. And um yeah, I worked her spleen meridian, cleared it. So it was actually like a river, right? Try to at least get some change in there. I also did some acupunctures uh acupuncture protocol for >> any gynecological issue and she got pregnant 2 weeks later. >> Wow. >> She also worked her own feet cuz she learned she said I asked her she did her feet once a week. So there's an example that's extreme case like her her sisters cannot get pregnant. They never got pregnant. She managed to get pregnant once and now she's pregnant again. >> No, but I think that's a great example because um always trying to explain like we don't operate in a vacuum. Um so you know you mentioned you know if you're if clients are not seeing the benefit from a reflexology session you know maybe do they do need to try another um therapeutic modality or um there's ways to work with you know other health care professionals like acupuncturists to help the client right so um of course >> while you know she got the the needles got the acupuncture protocol she was also doing her feet right like that example um which I hope is encourages other people to again you know, work alongside other healthcare practitioners because again, I don't think we operate in a a vacuum. >> No, no, not at all. So checking if there's any uh questions, please feel free to uh uh ask. But um just general want to say like is there anything what's the most exciting thing you're or what what are you most excited about sharing uh with everyone um in at our upcoming conference? >> Oh, I'm so excited about sharing this. Um other reflexology therapists have asked me to share this. So that's why I put my proposal in. So super excited to show people how to do this and super excited to see everybody and learn from the other people. >> Excellent. Well, is there anything else you'd like to share with us or um inspire us with or more cool client stories? >> Oh, sure. Um Oh, yeah. I have a I have another story. So someone came in again after not coming in for a year with knee pain in both knees >> and she had had knee surgery and I gave her treatments before her knee surgery got knee surgery she came after then she didn't come for a year so she comes she is in pain both knees the right knee the pain was on the lateral side the left knee the doctors told her she has knee um medial berscitis in her knee right she's hobbling in she's going on six weeks holiday two weeks later. So, she booked two two appointments, right? So, of course, work the knee reflex, work the whole foot, work the knee reflex really firmly. Also, find the gallbladder channel on one of on the right knee very firm. So, worked on relieving that. And then the spleen and liver channels on the medial knee were also blocked. So, cleared those. It's quite a lot of work actually. And I was a little annoyed that she hadn't been in in so long because she's going on holiday, right? It's pressure. Whatever. Comes in the next week, she's fine. The berscitis is gone. >> Wow. >> I know. She can walk. That was really That was really very quick turnaround. And uh then she also had constipation and hemorrhoids. >> Mhm. >> So give her another foot treatment. Make sure the knees are going to be good for holiday. Right. and um worked the stomach channel. I remember on the right foot working the stomach channel going up the stomach channel and uh I can show you where that is. >> Sure. >> So, uh it's this really light green one. So, go. So, I just went up here, right? Got to this point here, which happens to be command point of the stomach. So, it works on all stomach issues. Uh, came up here and then it's going to work on constipation as well. Um, and her stomach did a massive girdle. >> Okay. >> So, that was really funny. So, and then there is a special point for hemorrhoids on our rectum sciatic reflex just up here. So, I made sure I pressed that as well. >> Mhm. Anyway, she walked out uh pretty excited about her holiday. >> No, >> I don't know. I don't know if her constipation and hemorrhoids got better because she was go she's gone for six weeks. >> No, but that's that's again um going back to the the integration of these uh points on the lower leg and with the reflexology and being able to clear things. I think that's an amazing illustration of why um therapists are might be interested in learning this at the conference and integrating it into their their sessions. >> Yes. >> Now, is this something you mentioned this what you're going to be sharing and teaching? You know, it's typically about four to six minutes. You've clocked it at about four to six minutes. Is this something you do at the at the end of a typical session in the middle? How does that usually? >> Um I think people can do it whenever they want. You can certainly do it at the end. I do it after I've done the medial the uh medial hip reflex. >> Mhm. >> And I go up the channel Z three channels. Kidney, spleen, meridian, kidney, spleen, liver, meridians. >> Yeah. Then when I get to the lateral malololis, I go up the gallbladder meridian. And then when I'm doing the whiplash reflexology point, then I go up the stomach meridian. >> Okay? >> And the bladder meridian is when I do the rective sciatica point. I have you could also do it at the very end. So it's up to you. >> Okay? So that's flexibility. We're we're teaching concept. We're not teaching necessarily this is exactly how you have to do it. True. >> Excellent. All right. Well, I think I hope all of you listening, watching this, are inspired to learn more and see how integrating these lower leg meridian points can be very um effective with your clients. Jen is going to be in Winnipeg from May 22nd to May 24th at our conference. If you want to hear her speak, you want to learn these points, please go and register. reflexologyconference.com. She's also teaching um I believe six hour postconference workshop uh June >> 7th. >> 7th. Um >> and it's 7 and 1/2 hours. >> Seven and a half hours. My apologies. Seven and a half hours on June 7th. Um you can also go and register for that at reflexologyconference.com. So, we hope we see lots of you there asking your questions about Meridians, asking your questions about integration and hopefully um we can all learn from each other and keep helping clients. So, until next time, thank you everyone. >> Thank you Laura and thank you everyone for watching. Thanks Laura for doing this. >> No worries. Take care.