What training?

[qqzasuta]

I am interested in learning Reflexology and have been making enquiries at my local colleges, but am getting very confused. It's hard to get a straight answer out of these people sometimes and a lot of them seem to want me to do 2 or 3 courses before I can do the actual Practitioners course.
What is a reputable Practitioners course and do I really need to do a year of Anatomy and Physiology before I can even think about starting any type of Reflexology course?
A friend down South says that her course is combined so she could just do the one Practitioners course without all the little courses beforehand.
Money is an issue but I am keen to get started, I just don't know who to believe or where to begin!

Thanks!
Sky

 

[The Ladies Man]

Hi Skyrocket,

Courses are a real headache, there is a current thread on the Student Forum debating the differences between AoR/Itec and many others - it's a minefield out there![sm=fit.gif]

I am curently doing Itec which insists on an A&P qualification. This is a bit of a drag but was the only option open to me. I did the A&P in 3 months, but can now do other Itec courses. Itec is a good body to study with as they are internationally recognised and have good links.

It sounds as if your friend is studying with AoR, as they teach the A&P alondside the Reflex. I have heard they are better and would probably have gone down this route. Again, good organisation with int recog and links.

Regarding the A&P, yes you definately need it as Reflex is much more than just foot massage. For example it works very closely with the Endochrine System, so you really need to get a grip on the roles of each gland.

I studied Reflex for a year before doing my diploma and feel it gave me masses of experience. I am now on my third teacher which has shown me there are many ways of doing a routine and has helped with certain techniques. Personally, I feel I have gained from taking longer, but my circumstances might be different to yours.

You will get lots of help from the people here so keep asking the questions!

All the best,

Russell

 

[Eric - Cartman]

tsk tsk russ!!!

in fact, david (member waywood) was only saying on another thread that he teaches both ITEC and AoR and sees no difference in standards... so that is good to know!

 

[ykeucugnilfizsemm]

Hi Skyrocket,

I studied an International Federation of Reflexologists (IFR) course which combined A & P with the Reflexology.

Exams at the end of the course gave a Diploma in Reflexology and a Certificate in A & P.

The best of luck finding the 'right' course for yoruself.

 

[RicRobuiue]

Hello Skyrocket

You should be able to find courses that combine A&P with the reflexology at the same time, and they need not cost the earth. It seems rather time consuming and probably expensive to do bits and pieces here and there. If you do want to go down the AOR route you can see what schools in your area offer the course. www.aor.org.uk. I don't remember the address of the ITEC site but they do the same there too. Happy hunting!

 

[mama mia]

Tsk Tsk from me too Russ!

As we have already discussed this subject extensively I think it is agreed that it is the TUTOR and the THERAPIST and not the qualification that counts and I speak as somebody who takes on therapists with all sorts of qualifications.

 

[iceberg]

Reply from Sulis in reply to duplicate post on another forum:

That duplicate has now been deleted.

Candie (Moderator).

 

[Green Eggs & Ham]

Replying to yours which was deleted as I replied.. on reflex courses specifically.

AOR will cover the A&P required to become a practitioner although you may find that you need to do it separately if you want to go on to other courses.

VTCT and ITEC have both been rumoured to change their courses format so you don't need the separate qualification although despite things earlier in the year I'm not sure that either have carried this through.

AOR and ITEC courses seem to be popular run over 12 months and the VTCT and ITEC ones are usually about 9 months (academic year) at the colleges.

They do vary, but I know the AOR course had to be at least 9 months. You can normally do a college course which runs Sept - July so you could qualify in a year. Some places do intensive ones but they aren't so common. Depends where you are and what you want really.. and if you want to do more than reflex afterwards..

 

[Broken Dreams]

i did see you say on your other post about a time element also.

i have to say that i did an intro course to aromatherapy and reflexology before i did the ITEC course, and back then, with ITEC you had to do their A & P & massage before any other courses.

i could have done the reflex course the following year but things got in the way so i didnt...

if you have never tried this stuff out, how do you know you'll like it, to want to be a practioner so quickly? i do firmly believe in very thorough first courses in basics, so no quick qualifications. it takes time to develop and understand the concepts.

 

[Matheus]

I did mine in about six if I remember rightly and at MSCM you could do it in three when I was last there, (intensively).

 

[aJeptevetads11]

candie said

aha! so that accounts for you being in the classroom longer... mine was a september - july jobbie.

its all to do with guided learning hours and funding (as i found out during my tediously boring 5 hour teacher training class on monday evening.... talk about waffle and padding <yawn&gt

 

[courtt.]

Yes it is the hours that count, the classroom hours, the home study, and the case studies. It gets split up differently on different courses. Some run one day a week others run for whole weekends etc etc.

Sorry your course is booooorirrirng....but I did hear that! Focus on the end game (or is it gain?) (that's what all my friends tell me at the moment anyway so it must be true!)