Introducing CHRISTOPHER SHIRLEY

Allow me to present a brief description of salient parts of my life that have led up to my creation of the “Advanced Reflexology: Creating a Safe Healing Space” course.

At the tender age of 18yrs. I left England to live in Australia in 1964.

I arrived in Canada in 1968 with the experience of operating a company sales office and functioning as a company sales representative in Australia. I was advised that in order to be employed in Canada in a similar position I would need a university degree. Despite a poor school academic background in the U.K., I was accepted by York University as a mature student. I felt a fraud, and, my intention was to obtain a business degree.

In my first university year I encountered culture shock - my British opinions clashed violently with my fellow Canadian students’ perspectives. Feeling very isolated, I entered personal counselling. Hence, the transition from a business program to a counselling psychology program began.

With a First Class Honors degree in Human Resources Development from York University (1973) and two years postgraduate training in Counselling Psychology from the Universtiy of Victoria (1975) my journey in the helping professions has been both diverse and deeply enriching.

In 1978, I immersed myself in the world of reflexology, commencing with training under Laura Kennedy and Dwight Byers of the International Institute of Reflexology. This experience sparked a lifelong commitment to advancing reflexology practice. Over the years i have attended trainings with Dr. Harvey Lampbell, Bill Flocco, Hanne Marquardt, Lynne Booth, Tom Woloshyn, Sharon Stathis, Karen Ball, Anthony Porter, Dr. Martine Fanre-Alderson and Dr. Carol Samuel, amongst others.

I was ordained as a minister in 1982 (to protect myself from a legal charge of “practicing medicine without a licence”) and certified in 1985 as an Energy Meditation and Energy Healing Instructor by the Washington Psychic Institute. In 1986 I trained as an Energy Therapist and an apprentice Hawaiian Shaman with The Order of Huna International. I now integrate energetic and scientific insights in my teaching.

Teaching the Reflexology Association of Canada training courses in addition to the training courses that I personally developed, and, my tenure as a board member and president of the Reflexology Association of British Columbia, as well as, my founding of the British Columbia Holistic Healing Association partially reflects my leadership and innovation over the years in the practice of reflexology and holistic healing.

My contributions to the field of reflexology include conduction of a reflexology research study at BCIT, and the development of reflexology basic and advanced training courses, reflexology charts, promotional brochures, an instructional DVD, and a globally recognized reflexology resource website.

Personally, I very much appreciate the testimonials that I have received from my students over the years that acknowledge my professionalism, wit, clarity and patient teaching style. In addition, I feel blessed to have enjoyed meeting so many fine people as students and colleagues in the reflexology world.

Now settled in Regina Saskatchewan, and living a vibrant life at 78yrs, I maintain my health through regular exercise, energy management and a healthy lifestyle.  Recently, it occurred to me that my unique blend of experiences now allows me to guide fellow professional reflexologists to cultivate healthy client relationships through innovative holistic communication. Hence, the offering of my new course.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.