Talks on Aromatherapy - what approach engages the audience?

[Alyssa Sdeadstfu]

I recently took the ITEC level 3 Aromatherapy exam. I am planning to be a Volunteer Aromatherpist.

I met with my local volunteer co=ordinator who passed my details to the local disabilities group. The latter Groups has invited me in to give a talk on Aromatherapy on Tuesday next 31st July. I am also going to be having a meeting with my local Age Concern soon.

Has anyone given talks on Aromatherapy to charity group audiences, particularly to Disabilities and Senior Citizen Groups? If so, I'd love to hear from you what approach worked well for you in structuring your talk and what content you included.

Because I use to be in the Corporate world, I'm used to giving set - piece PowerPoint presentations. I don't think that type of formal presentation would work with charities so I'm going to try to "engage" the audienceby having samples, pictures of the plants etc etc.

Any thoughts/gudance would be greatly appreciated.

Peter

 

[sreeguevilhifyejf]

powerpoint is definetly not the order of the day here.

what I do for an hour't talk is break it down to:

1. a brief explanation of what aromatherapy is, ie an essential oil
2. the families they come from (if you had plants with you like lavender to illustrate flower family, a sprig of rosemary for herbs and some peppercorns for black pepper fo spice, etc)
3. explanation of notes, explain the aroma, the action and which family they come from.
4. check if anyone has HBP or epilepsy before you get them to smell oils.
get them to smell at least one from each family and as they are passing the smelling strip around explain the properties of that oil, eg clary sage is a top note, its from the herb family, you wouldn't use sage as its too potent. clary sage is good for aches, pains, and also excellent for depression. if you have any personal antidotes to illustrate your explanation, ie I took this into the labour room to assist with childbirth because......
5. methods of use, ie oil burner HOW MANY DROPS, ETC.
6. Q & A

 

[Mark Oakes]

Many thanks Daisy. This is a big help!

Since posting earlier today, I was talking to another therapist who gave a talk on Reikii and because she had doctors in the audience, she researched clinical evidence that Reikii works and talked about that to the Doctors.She said they really appreciated that.

I think I'll build on the talk structure that you use Daisy by Googling for studies that prove Aromatherapy works i.e. has a positive clinical effect on certain conditions. Does anyone have any references to any studiesto save me some time? Perhaps I cancontact the IFPA and ask them also.

Also, in my talk, I'd like totry to focus onoils for people with disabilities as well astalking about essential oils in general? Not that I've done much research into what oils have proved efficaceous for disabilities? Anyone have any experience/thoughts?

Thanks again

Peter

 

[Kaye]

concentrate on oils that are good for pain relief and oils that are pick-me-ups.

 

[Lollipiemecem]

I guess i am late here to post any reply that would help you. However I'd like to know how was your talk and wht points you conducted?