New Laws Increase Required Hours at Academy of Reflexology

The State of Indiana passed legislation that will require massage therapists to become licensed by July 1, 2009. The requirement for licensure is 500 hours from an accredited school or two years a documented work as a therapist. It will also require applicants to pass written and oral exams. James O'Donnell, the Vice President of the Academy of Reflexology, said that it will not be a problems for his students to meet that increased requirements.

As I look as the requirement I see that classes start with 96 hours of anatomy and physiology, skeletal and muscle structures, plus systems and their functions within the human body. This is followed by 32 hours of tapping, body mechanics, business ethics, the client and therapist , body mind connection, the importance of touch and positive attitude. there are 104 hours of hands-on practical application, effeuleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotment, vibration, polarity, lymph drainage, on-site massage, pre-natal and infant massage, emotional release therapy, thought for health, meridian therapy, stone massage and sports massage.

This is followed with Body, Mind, and Spirt for another 50 hours. These classes include Reiki I and II, reflexology, pin control, body realignment, muscular re-education, body reflex aggression body, amino acids, energy balancing, immune system, vitamins and minerals, synergism, prenatal, meridians, chronic diseases, metamorphosis, eliminating toxins, body reflex aggression, emotional trauma relief, and pressure points.

Other classes include, Reiki, Bach Flower Remedies, Deep Muscle Therapy, and Homeopathy.

Not only does the school offer an intense curriculum, the list of instructors reads like a whose who of Holistic Healing.

DR. Christina Browne-De Estrada, PhD. is the President and co-founder of the Academy. She was born is Austria and raised in Germany. she began her studies in Europe and has studied in the U.S., Asia and Canada. Her Doctorate is from the American College of Nutrition in Alabama, she is the author of 3 books, and teaches seminars in the U. S. Europe and Mexico.

E. Jame O'Donnell is the Vice President, I.C.B.T., and an Internationally Certified Reflexologist. He is the co-founder of the Academy and is certified in Deep Muscles Therapy, Corporate Massage, Stone Massage, Acupressure, Reike and Homeopathy. He currently is Licensed in Illinois where he practices and plans to soon be Certified in Indiana. I can personally vouch for the healing power of Jim's hand, as I has been the recipient several times. The interesting benefit I found was increased problems solving skills.

Katie Murphy is a Certified Massage Therapist who obtained her certificate from the he Academy. She is qualified in Body-Talk, Reflexology, and Massage. She share her years of training and knowledge with students as an instructor of Infant and Pregnancy Massage.

Dr. Bernard Elya Spieler N.D. is experienced in Herbology, Homeopathy, Kinesology, Reflexology, Acupressure, and Physical-Spiritual Awareness. Dr. Spieler has studied Holistic Healing extensively for thirty-eighth years and joined the Academy as a Board Member in 1992. She currently seves as the International Director for Europe.

Dr. Rafeal Estrada D.H.H. is experiences in Shaman Practices, Temascall (Mayan Therapy), Herbology, Homeopathy, Chinese Medicine, Chiropractic and Ozone Therapy. Dr. Estrada has studied extensively in Mexico and Cuba, and the U. S. He now specializes in HIV-Aids Treatments in Cancun, Mexico. He has been the International Director for the Academy since 1997.

Terry Blankenship A.C.B.T. has been self-employed for the last 25 years as a Massage Therapist at Beau Visage of Indianapolis. Terry holds certifications as a Doula, Massage Therapist and Reflexology. She is the owner of the Irvington Theraputic Massage Center and serves as a Broad Member of the Holistic Therapy Center, Inc.

Chris Pichereau C.M.T., is the owner of Points of Light Bodywork, LLC. She holds certifications as a Massage Therapist, Reflexologsit, and Reiki 1 Therapist. She has over 25 years of experience in teaching and facilitating.

Dr. Martic Schuck, N.D. is the owner of Therapeutic Exercise, Massage and Reflexology, Ltd, located In Indianapolis. She is a certicifed Reflexologist and a Graduate of this Academy. Dr. Schuck is a N. D. and holds a PhD in Holistic Health. She is certified in in CRA and Geriatric Massage, Acupressure and Homeopathy and serves as Instructor of Geriatric Massage at the Academy.

Mavvin Massey C.M.T., C.R., R.M. has been the owner of the Carmel School of Martial Arts since 1981,. He is a 6th Degree Black Belt in the Hanshi Sensei and has over 25 years experience in Martial Arts. Mr. Massey is a Reiki Master and a Graduate of the Academy of Reflexology. He serves as an Instructor of Massage and Reiki.

Julie Carnody, C.M.T., Y.T. is the owner of the Enlightened Tree Yoga and Healing Canter in Greenwood. She is a Certified teacher and Meditation Instructor at Healing Touch Retreat Center. She is also the assistant treasurer for the Indiana Buddhist Canter. Ms. Carnody serves as an instructor in How to Plan a Healing Art Business as the Academy.

There are 16 students in this years Academy classes who are learning that part of the benefits of getting certified in Massage Therapy is that you get to receive also of Massages along the way. Several of the students are excellent. Many have graduated from other Massage Programs but want to make sure they meet the new requirements for Indiana's new certification laws.

The Academy is designed with week-end classed to make class attendance easier for students. Many of this years students will look forward to the week-end classes as they spend the 100 hours of required practicum study, and hour on the books. Surely, they will be in good hands.