Anyone out there a qualified aromatherapist? I'm seriously thinking of training but the number of courses is quite bewildering. Everything from a £195 homestudy course to one that costs thousands! Obviously I want to do the best possible course I can but there seem to be quite a few professional associations, each with their own list of approved colleges and it's rather confusing. I'd really appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Snoozy
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The one thing I'm finding is that it's highly unregulated and there are all sorts of fancy named organisations out there that may not have a lot behind them. My next step is to go round asking potential places of work what qualifications they look for. Even if you intend to work for yourself this is still probably a good way to get an idea of what is respected/good, or as you've done, ask others here.
I think Bune may be qualified, I'll try to get her to come over from FFF
Shirley price and Tisserand are the 'gold standard' courses which will be much more indepth but also costly
try your local adult education college beauty therapy dept and see what they have on offer as thease courses tend to be recognised nd sometimes NVQ too and shouldnt be extortionate
BBC
ICM
organisations
Local college said I'd have to do massage course first, so it would take at least two years to get anywhere. I spoke with a local beauty salon and they'd all trained at a college for three years (beauty therapy, not aromatherapy-specific) NVQ3, I think.
I've found a course that meets the AOC's standards (200hrs class hours, plus case studies and home study over a minimum of 9 months) and is taught by an IFA registered school. After doing lots of research and talking to various colleges, I feel this is the best way to go. I just hope the law doesn't change before I've finished training!
The Anatomy and Physiology diploma is done first, alongside Swedish Massage, then followed by Aromatherapy Massage and Aromatherapy Theory diplomas. I'm looking forward to the A&P - something I've always found interesting but never had the opportunity to study properly.
When do you start your sports massage course? What will the qualification be and how long is it going to take? What is the awarding body? Sorry for all the questions - just nosey and interested!
A&P is really quite intensive, and you'll get more from the course if you keep up rather than revise at the end. I may be able to help with suggesting books, couch suppliers, web sites and so on, so just give me a yell.
Have you made any decisions about which course to do? The courses at LSSM looks impressive. Know what you mean about cost though.
You can get a basic but OK couch for about £175, but they are a bit basic. Mine's actually imported from South Africa - there's a place just south of London that does ones that are a lot more solid and professional looking for only a few quid more. The downside is a delay while they import them. I got lucky and got mine second hand, but barely used so I got the best of both worlds. Getting the height right is essential or you'll end up with a sore back - don't try to get away with something that isn't right - it won't work!
I still haven't made a decision! There's an ITEC course taught by someone from my running club who really knows her stuff - the downside is that it's on a Friday evening
I wanted to ask your advice about good introductory books on massage and A&P. I've heard conflicting views about the Louise Tucker books, though I understand they're required for many ITEC courses.
That's tough, a course on a Friday night! But, if it's the best one to do, I guess you have to put up with it. There's always Saturday night for partying! How long is the course going to take?
i don't know what aromatherpay course you should look into, but people round here are usually ITEC trained in massage, and then gain an extra diploma/cert. in aromatherapy.
If i can be of assistance, just holler.
I didn't have a massage book as such - I looked at the Louise Tucker one and didn't rate it. I got the Kapit and Elson anatomy colouring book which is great. There's one called the Muscle Book by Paul Blakeley which I also liked. I also have a small fat Dorling Kindersley book called The Human Body.
I don't actually think a book's necessary for massage - apart from contraindications it's a very practical subject. There's a lot of disagreement about terminology so the book may well not be right anyhow.
Have a look at www.healthypages.co.uk - they have various places to look for couches etc.
I'm 6'3 and really had to search for one (even adjustable) that would go high enough for me. The general "test" is to stand upright alongside it with your fists clenched and they should just brush against the table. Posture of course is also critical, but if you get the wrong height couch then it's nigh on impossible to avoid a sore back!
I might add the massage part on at a later date, but at the moment just sticking to the theory - I'm doing the course becuase I'm interested in the subject, but hoping that it might be useful in a career change once I work out what I want to do!
I'm going to have a good look at A&P books when shopping at the weekend. Like the sound of the colouring book - big kid, that's me. Definitely going to get the Muscle Book by Paul Blakeley as it looks really good.
Thanks again - you help and advice is much appreciated!
Hope you have a great time in New Zealand, MT.
Gulp - results out next week I think <<sweats nervously!!>>
i would read massage books - but wait til you get to the course for reccomendations
you could do A+P in sept too - you would nt miss much that you couldnt catch up on - the practical is more difficult to catch up on
Fruity - you will need muscles and bones for sports therapy as the functions are central to any diagnostics - ie -it hurts when i do this butnot this - ahh well that means its your ....
Fruity -found this course locally -looks very good and its NVQ
sports massage course - maybe you could look around for an equivalent ?
Thanks for the course, I'll have a look round for something similar :-)