Customer Reviews

The Reflexology Atlas

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, the presentation. Large format - 13x10 on glossy paper, card cover. Nice. Flipping through the pages, there are numerous illustrations or photos on just about every page. Closer examination reveals how-to photos and detailed diagrams of the material that is being discussed on each page.

So, the book has lots of pictures, but once you get into the material covered, you will understand why this becomes critical. The book is a good "how-to" book on the practice of Reflexology.

The book is written by two German doctors, once of whom is a physical therapist and specializes in reflexology and the other is not just a doctor but also a medical scientific editor specializing in natural healing methods as well as other general medicines. So the book is written by not just practitioners but medical doctors using these techniques in their everyday practices.

As you go through the book, there is much information here. This is where the illustrations and photos come into play. It is sooo clear, so easy to identify and very well laid out. The whole book is put together this way, making it easy even for the beginner to understand not only the concepts, but also how it works. There are figures that are "zoned" with overlays so you can see how this system works.

But there is much more information in here. The book also shows how to work on hands, ears and head. Again, great pictures, very good instructions and well thought out and presented. The book also discusses Shiatsu. Shiatsu is a massage therapy that uses "finger pressure". It also includes stretching and movement.

If you are familiar with Reflexology and want to know more, this book will provide all you need to know. It is also a good study book for those who want to learn this healing modality. So back to my original impression of the book... Wow, what a book! boudica

Broken down into the most basic principles, reflexology is the practice of dividing the body into zones, which can then be mapped onto hands, feet, head, or ears. So for example if your head is giving you trouble, proper attention to the corresponding point of your big toe will help to restore the area's natural energies, promoting a return to normal health.

Now that I've completely oversimplified this ancient practice, if the idea of self-healing has appeal, THE REFLEXOLOGY ATLAS is a fabulous book to add to your collection.

This soft-cover, coffee-table-size book is delightfully easy to use. Not only is it chock full of great photos, it is filled with helpful text as well. Broken down into various chapters, including the reflexologies of the hands, feet, head and ears, the book gives lots of great maps as to exactly what zone of the body corresponds to the reflexology zones. A chapter is also included highlighting the most basic components of Shiatsu massage. The final chapter deals with specific ailments, and a treatment course that can help alleviate some of these symptoms.

The liberal use of photos in this book is really what makes it so incredible. The images not only show where the correct zones are, but also demonstrate specifics in how to apply pressure and massage, and include the necessary right and wrong photos.

In fact this book is so full of great images that it is tempting to skip the text, and just use each picture as the guide. However, lots of great information is imparted in the text as well, making the reading as interesting as the skimming.

Here is one of the best overviews I have seen explaining reflexology using the hands, feet, ear and head as well as a section on Shiatsu. The book is beautifully done and could be used as a gift, with large well-coloured pictures, artistic diagrams and easy to read and thorough text.
The techniques of reflexology are very well illustrated and explained. All illustrations are actual photographs of a person giving a treatment and are large and clearly shown. Each finger technique used in reflexology is photographed and the area on the foot or hand or ear is also diagramed next to it. This method would help a beginner to easily associate the area of the foot and the corresponding body area it represents.

The appendix has full page diagrams of feet, hand, ear and head reflex points in colour that one could easily glance at to find a point.

This book is readable, interesting and does a great job of showing the different reflexology points as well as giving a good description of shiatsu and an explanation of a shiatsu session. It could be used for a long time as a reference guide or initially as a self-taught course. The authors are both doctors living and working in Germany; Kolster is a physical therapist and doctor specializing in the various forms of reflexology.

I highly recommend this book to those looking for an easy and thorough guide to basic reflexology and or Shiatsu. I did not give the book five stars because of its size (10"x13"), a bit big for using around a massage table. However, it is easy to see points at a glance and if the size is not an issue, this is an excellent resource and guide to learning reflexology thoroughly. Also, it would be easy to copy the photos and shrink them for a small reference guide to use in therapy.

Highly recommended for estheticians, massage therapists, parents, care-givers and anyone else looking to add a healing touch to a relationship.

I read almost every reflexology book available during my reflexology certification process. If you were to only buy one book on reflexology, I would recommend it be The Reflexology Atlas. It is the most comprehensive text on the subject, and has superior illustrations of the reflex points.

Especially impressive and valuable to the reader or practitioner are the illustrations. Drawings of the bones of the feet as well as the reflex points are superimposed over photographs of the feet and/or hands. The photographs in the book are extraordinarily helpful. These are probably the most helpful reflexology maps that I have seen or used. The body's organs are also represented as color illustrations superimposed over photographs of the body which is quite helpful for readers learning about human anatomy. Reflex points are highlighted on photographs of the feet from many different perspectives, helping students to learn where reflex points are to be found on the sides of the feet and ankles, as well as on the dorsal (top) side of the foot.

The text is easy to understand, and does a good job explaining the background of reflexology as a healing modality. By following the text and photographs readers will learn how to perform a full reflexology session. A detailed discussion (with illustrations) of reflex points on the hands and ears are also included. Massage, acupuncture, and shiatsu are also touched upon.

I'm a professional Massage Therapist and Reflexologist and this is an excellent resource to use for my students. This book also covers the meridians, although I wish that aspect was a bit more exact in showing it on the anatomy. Very comprehensive. Packed with lots of good info including some ear. Big book size wise. Kind of quirky as I think the authors are European and some wording is not congruent, but all the info is very accurate. Excellent resource especially if you want more than just the basics.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend. He is a massage therapist. I was very impressed by the book. It is very complete, and easy to understand. The illustrations and pictures are awesome. He loved the book as much as I did. It's an excellent reference. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the topic, or involved in massage therapy.

As a practicing reflexologist, I enjoy this colorful and useful book. The illustrations are explained and addressed very well. A useful tool for my library.

Bernard Kolster, MD and Astrid Waskowiak, MD's THE REFLEXOLOGY ATLAS provides a fine oversized, beautifully illustrated atlas of reflexology forms covering every part of the body from toes to head, including shiatsu massage. A symptom section applies reflexology treatments to common disorders, while step-by-step instructions for the massage techniques provides clear discussions of bones, massage zones, and much more.

This step-by-step manual is easy to use. The pictures enhance the directions, which are concise and easy to follow. This is a perfect book for those who wish to learn Reflexology on their own, as well as for those who wish to refresh their knowledge of the skill. I would recommend use of this book to both current and new healers.

Very easy to understand and follow directions. Covers all areas of the human body with accurate graphics. I originally got this book to find out more about tailbone pain and found many other interesting subjects throughout. Recommend getting it.