Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Nelson.
Hi Nancy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Nancy Nelson and I am a yoga instructor and board certified reflexologist based out of Denton, Texas. I”ve always been fascinated by the human body and learning about its many intricate systems. I studied Dietetics and Nutrition at Ouachita Baptist University and graduated with my Bachelor in Science in 2010. I took a year to travel after college and eventually found myself back at home after the loss of a close friend. It was during that time that I found my way to yoga and started teaching in 2012. I love getting to care for my students through yoga but wanted to find a niche way to support my students and others outside of the yoga realm in a 1 on 1 way. This is when I began reading about the benefits of reflexology and decided to pursue my certification. I completed my 300 hour training in 2022 and became board certified in 2023. I work out of a small studio that I built out of my home and see clients 4 days each week. It’s such a special practice and getting to offer reflexology has led to much rest, healing and growth for my clients. I’m honored to offer this service to my community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Overall, I have had a clear vision of my purpose in life being to help others connect with themselves in unique and healing ways. Of course, life has its ways of getting in the way. In my early years of teaching yoga I had nothing but time and energy on my hands and work life was much easier. Now that I am a late thirties mom of two young children (ages 7 and 5), I have to use my energy very carefully. My biggest hurdle on top of the demands of motherhood has been my own physical health. I have a chronic illness that affects my autonomic nervous system (circulation, digestion, etc. rely on this). This has really challenged me to practice more self-care and to encourage my own habits of healing and wellbeing that I push my clients to choose for themselves. I’ve learned the hard lesson that my energy must first be for myself, then my family and then my clients. It’s a tricky balance, but a humbling experience that I wouldn’t trade.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My reflexology studio is called “Fancy Footwork Reflexology”. Reflexology is an ancient practice that utilizes techniques from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda as well as has deep roots in Zone Therapy. The theory is that the nerve endings on the hands, feet, and ears can receive pressure signals through reflexology and communicate with the rest of the body to inspire wellbeing. You may have seen maps of the body portrayed on the feet at one point or another for instance. These are the “reflex areas” we reference to work on various parts of the body. In my practice, I have training in each of these maps and depending on what is going on in the body, I will split up the time on the hands/feet/ears to help the nervous system communicate with the body systems to encourage healing and release where needed. In the first session, we go over your health history and come up with a plan that works best with your goals, lifestyle and budget. During the sessions, my goal is always to help your nervous system feel grounded and safe. The nervous system will only effectively heal when it is in what we call “Rest and Digest” mode (Parasympathetic). The problem is that we are often in “Fight or Flight” (Sympathetic). So I like to create an environment that helps ease us back into rest/digest mode. With this in mind, my sessions are held in a dimly lit space with soothing music and aromatherapy to encourage relaxation. I utilize a leather zero gravity chair and cover you with a warm sheet and optional weighted blanket and eye mask to deepen rest. Once comfortable in the chair, I begin the session. The type of touch in reflexology is unique to what you will experience in a massage or even acupressure. We use a variety of techniques to apply small amounts of on/off pressure along certain reflex areas. There are certain areas we hold, circulate or simply nudge to encourage blood flow and nerve response throughout the body. At the end of my sessions, I give you several minutes of “rebound time” to soak up the effects of the practice without any touch. It’s good to give the nervous system time to get acclimated to all the signals we set in motion. That is what this time is for. This also helps to ease the transition from treatment back to everyday life so you can stay in rest/digest mode. Most of my clients feel deeply relaxed throughout and after the session. I’ve heard countless times that reflexology is the most relaxed they have ever felt. I believe this is due to the incredible amount of nerve endings that we work on during the session. It’s almost like a full body massage for the nervous system.
Out of my studio in Denton, I offer 45, 60 and 90 minute sessions with optional add-ons including: additional rebound time, epsom foot soak with aromatherapy, and hot stones. I also have a certification in doing reflexology on children to help with anxiety, focus, digestion, etc. Pediatric appointments are 30 minutes long. I also can do mobile reflexology for events and private in-home sessions.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Not specifically about me, I find that most people who have experienced “reflexology” prior to coming to me, haven’t truly experienced the heart of reflexology. Most foot spas will say they offer reflexology but it is often just a glorified foot massage and the pressure points are really dug into, often creating more tension in the body. More pressure doesn’t lead to more effectiveness. Additionally, this often disrupts the parasympathetic nervous system and activates the sympathetic response. This is just something to be aware of. You can check the American Reflexology Certification Board’s website to find other reflexologists who are board certified and may offer similar services to me: https://www.arcb.net/directory
Pricing:
- 45 Minute Session – $70
- 60 Minute Session – $85
- 90 Minute Session – $115
- 30 Minute Pediatric Session – $45
- Add ons (Hot Stones, Rebound Time, Epsom Soak) – Range from $5-20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nancynelsonyoga.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancyfootoworkdtx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyfootworkreflexology
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/nancynelson
- Other: Scheduling Page: https://fancyfootworkreflexology.as.me/
