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A Year in the Life ....... Students' experiences of training at Anahata College
End of Classes Reviews
From Julie M. This last weekend of class was one I was most apprehensive about , not just because I felt sad it was the last class but also because we learnt all about setting up our own Reflexology business and becoming self-employed which I felt could be a bit daunting. However, Glenys put us all at our ease and delivered the subject in such a way that I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the prospect, but left the class feeling very excited and felt reassured that support would be there for us all in the future.
It was a very relaxed weekend and a great end to the year with lots of chat, hugs, laughter, tears (we will all miss getting together) and lots of yummy cake! I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to have one last reflexology session performed on me from another student . I love how I am transformed into a great state of relaxation and peace when having my feet worked on. There are a couple of students who have become good friends and we have discussed what a shame it would be if we were never given the opportunity to receive a treatment on ourselves from time to time, so we are going to try and arrange this in the future with each other.
I have learnt so much during this last year, not just about the reflexology and how it works with the physical anatomy and the body systems, from basics to advanced, but so much more than I imagined I would on this course and I understand so much more. I’ve learned how the mind and body connect – “what you think, you become” and have thoroughly loved the Energy workshops, now having a greater understanding of everything we are and that everything around us is ‘energy’.
I am now so much more aware of how best to look after myself and respect my body and mind more and enjoy passing on my knowledge to others to encourage them to do so too. I feel it is an honour to be working on people’s feet and the impact this work can have on their bodies and minds and I am so passionate about giving them the best after care advice. I have at times found my passion for trying to help my case studies a little difficult to put across without seeming to be too pushy but know how enthusiastic I get and so have learnt to not overwhelm them with too much information and advice all at once but to respect the fact that not everyone has the same passion or can absorb information at the same rate. It can be a little frustrating though when advice isn’t followed up.
There have been no aspects of the course I haven’t enjoyed. Using my hands and fingers to perform different techniques was a little bit daunting at first but this is now coming naturally.
There has been so much support available on this course which I have been very thankful for, not only to have been taught and mentored by the best (Glenys is utterly inspiring and amazing) but also through books, classroom discussions, printouts, videos and the Anahata YouTube channel clips are a great ‘tool’ too. I particularly love reading the ‘What Doctors’ Don’t Tell You’ magazines . Having the opportunity to meet past students/graduates coming into class to offer help has also been very valuable and reassuring.
The content of the course has been so varied and delivered by Glenys in such an engaging way, full of enthusiasm, passion and genuine love for the subject and her students and for helping others reach their full potential in mind, body and soul. I feel so privileged to have become part of the Anahata family and to have shared the experience with such a great group of people. I have made friends for life and I know we will be there to support one another throughout our journey.
Through Reflexology and attending this course I have grown as a person mentally, emotionally and spiritually and feel that my life has been enhanced in so many different ways. My enthusiasm on the subject just grows and grows and I know I have so much more to learn! In the future, once qualified, I would perhaps like to specialise in a particular area. I have always had a passion for children, especially those who have challenging behaviour and also for those suffering with the devastating consequences of mental health issues. I know Reflexology can bring them some comfort and help aid the healing process in so many ways. Another area that interests me is Palliative care and giving some relief to these clients would be a privilege.
It’s amazing to think that just over a year ago a career in reflexology had never crossed my mind and now I am on my way to becoming a qualified reflexologist!! .
What an incredible experience this last 12 months has been! It’s been truly magical!
Reflexology is awesome!
From Jeni K. Final Reflection
When I look back on the first day of my course, I was nervous and excited to start this new journey. I just knew I was in the right place, sitting in the classroom surrounded by my new classmates, all preparing to take the next step, we were greeted by our teacher, who was wise and nurturing, she believed in the magic of what she was going to be teaching us, she was standing at the front of the room full of hope and excitement for the next class of future goddesses! She had a vision, she saw us as reflexologists. Glenys was ready to guide us on a magical journey and yes, this was where I wanted to be!
I’ve always been fascinated with people’s feet, and I knew there was something there that compelled me to be on them, I felt drawn to them without even knowing the history of reflexology and the magical, spiritual journey that I was embarking upon, I was always giving little foot rubs to work colleagues, family, and friends so I was shocked when I had my first opportunity in the classroom to experience a routine on the feet, prompted with a routine guide sheet. My hands felt cumbersome and awkward, here I was with these puppet hands that no longer felt like my own. I was all fingers and thumbs! I wasn’t sure if I would remember any of the reflexes and I continued to rely on the routine sheet we had been given for far too long because I didn’t have much faith in myself to do the routine without it. My school days came flooding back and my lack of self-confidence and the insecurities that I had as a school student resurfaced once again. Months later and with many pairs of feet in my hands, it all started to make sense just as Glenys had promised in that very first class and here I am ready to start my journey. A roller coaster of a ride.
I’ve recently looked back at some of the first case studies that I did and I truly believe that Glenys is an angel for having the patience to nurture and encourage me to develop and have faith in myself, those early attempts look very different to the later case studies that I have written up. The routine became second nature after many pairs of feet and I was able to adjust it to my client’s needs and start to feel confident enough to spend time on OOB reflexes when I felt it was the right thing to do until I felt a change in the reflex and a shift in the energy and this also applied to linking reflexes. Certain techniques that I first struggled with I now enjoy!
Case studies! (Not so many in the new qualification! – Glenys) .There were so many, I see why now and it all makes sense looking back on how essential they all are and will continue to be as I continue to develop.
For the first set of case studies, I spent a lot of time just rushing through the routine hoping that I didn’t forget or leave any reflexes out and praying that no one would watch what I was doing or ask what I was doing because quite frankly I didn’t really know and I wasn’t even sure what I was supposed to be feeling or what it meant. As my confidence grew, I began to slow down and allow myself to be present with the person and to feel the energy, stop looking for it, and trust myself. I didn’t always feel OOB (out of balance – Glenys) reflexes ( I still don’t) and I doubted myself, there were a few case studies that taught me to see that some feet didn’t want to open up, some feet were closed, cold, and empty and some people do not want to let go of what is making them sick and this is something that I am now aware of and instead of desperately wanting to see “miraculous” results and “fix it” I have learned that it’s ok, I’m not here to “fix” anyone because that has to come from a person, from within themselves and as long as I have the intent to do my best then that’s ok with me.
By focusing on the person I am treating ( not so much what’s wrong with them) I am more in touch with the person and I have to really let my ego stand down, not worry about being right and good at what I do, and instead be present and trust myself and my instincts so that I can see what is really going on at a deeper level, then I can look at other solutions, other factors such as life style, diet, memories, and past trauma that may have developed into unease or disease and this is where my passion for research started to develop, I gained the confidence to give suggestions to the client with aftercare advice and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at alternative steps for them to take which could help them feel better about themselves and others and empower them to start healing themselves and I also realised that it is possible to refer the client to another wonderful therapist without feeling defeated and that this is all a team effort in human beings, it’s all about connection and we all play a part even if we dont continue with the client ourselves, that took a long time for me to get and its been a wonderful epiphany in so many ways, ( stand down ego) .
The practical weekends were wonderful, I couldn’t wait to see everyone and get back in touch with the information. I started with the intention of getting homework completed straight away after classes and not falling behind with my work, however, life happens, I allow work to get in the way and I begin my favorite pastime of procrastinating. I discovered that I am not as organised as I had previously thought, in hindsight I know that I needed to take more class notes (Glenys clearly reminded us of this at each class) and ask for help when I felt stuck rather than shutting down and shutting the laptop. A reminder that it’s mainly just my lack of confidence that I allow getting in the way and my fear of being wrong or being found out ( imposter syndrome) I feel ready to “Step” confidently into the future and continue to develop as a reflexologist, continue learning and growing as a person too and hopefully help others to find their feet and feel connected to their inner truth and spirit, I couldn’t think of a better start to a wonderful journey I have ahead.
Kate D – Final reflection
In 2018 I went for reflexology for myself with a lady called Sheena, it transpired later on that she had also studied with Glenys at Anahata school of reflexology.
After only 6 treatments I felt like a new person mentally and my anxiety and depression was almost non existent. This lead me to want to do the same as what Sheena had done for me, I wanted to help people. I contacted Glenys and she had just 1 place left on her course, it was fate.
From that moment on my life has changed for ever in a positive way. Another stroke of fate was when I told a friend about the course I was doing she told me her friend was also doing it but didn’t drive and was worried how she would travel to Lincoln, we arranged to meet and from that day we have been great friends. Eva lived not even a mile from me, it was great to have someone to chare the experience with. Our travel to and from Lincoln made the whole experience.
On my first day I was so nervous but Eva was even more so, in a way this made me be strong for her and put a front on to others. Instantly I knew what a great bunch of ladies the class was made up of. Some older, some quieter and some with personalities id never met before.
Glenys was also a character that I had never come across in life before and don’t think I ever will. She is an amazing women and her knowledge that she has taught me will stay with me for the rest of my life. Her spiritual side has shown me another way of living, another way of life in general.
I honestly don’t think the course would have been for me if it wasn’t so spiritual and emotional.
After the first weekend I knew it was for me and felt a new lease of life, like something inside of me had been lit. It was then that my journey of becoming a reflexologist really began. Over the weeks I struggled with things that I had not seen or heard about before, I doubted myself quite a lot. However if I didn’t understand something I went away and researched it to find out the facts until I understood it for myself.
When it came to doing the practical side I can remember almost shaking doing my first set of feet. Was I doing it right? Was the pressure ok? Was she enjoying it? So many things was going through my head. This happened every week until one day it clicked I didn’t worry and my hands guided me and that’s when I felt the love, I felt the energy and the peace. I loved it even more from then onwards. I found it so strange how you can connect with a stranger via the hands and feet and energy. It amazed me and still does. Over the months of class practical and case studies my confidence bloomed and every set of feet I touched I looked at as a whole person not just feet anymore.
During classes my relationship unfortunately broke down and my partner and I separated, sometimes I wanted to quit but I didn’t and seeing the girls and Glenys gave me the confidence and emotional support I needed to continue. Just being in the mindset of calm and peace helped me manage the whole situation, I know if I hadn’t had had the support and experience I had gained I would have struggled mentally. I used the course as a way to focus my energy on something good and positive.
It made me sad when the classes ended and I felt a little lost for a while. Shortly after the classes I became disheartened and let my work slip. Looking back I lost all focus and it was such a shame. However I believe everything happens for a reason and its only now that I am ready to qualify and start this new chapter of my life. When I did finally realise I needed to get focused and gave myself the kick up the bum I needed, covid hit and this held me back yet again. I felt like everything was against me but still continued with the workbooks and the essays. When I finally could I restarted case studies and worked through them with so much focus and determination. I was amazed at how focused I had become and how quickly the work was getting done.
Every time I sent something In and it was marked with positive feedback It gave me the confidence and the drive to push further and become qualified.
This has been the biggest journey of my life as a single parent to two children and working at the hospital alongside this course. I wouldn’t change a thing of how it’s all worked out, I would have possibly done it sooner but again I believe timing is everything and you have to trust the universe.
I have been fortunate enough to have been offered a job working in a beauty spa which I start shortly and also a lady has approached me who also qualified with Glenys 4 years ago to work alongside her as she is self employed.
The whole journey and experience has been life changing. I will never forget the special memories, the kindness and the knowledge I have gained.
Thank you, Glenys, for changing my life. xxxx
Of course, Kate took all she was hearing and learning to change her life for herself! I was there to support her.
Dawn M. Final Reflection
I am writing this on finally completing all modules of the course. I am sitting here with butterflies in my stomach and a small tear building up in the corner of my eye! Wow! What a journey!
When I decided I might like to do reflexology I thought ugh! how on earth am I going to touch feet! I’ve seen some feet over the years as part of my role as nurse which has been my career for 35 years. Some awful feet from ulcerated feet to charcot foot – the skin on the soles of feet has been hard crusty and caused me many unwelcoming thoughts of having to touch them with a mask like face of unwritten emotion. I hated feet so why on earth did I want to be a reflexologist?
On reading more into reflexology I found I was intrigued; it talks of being the micro of the macro body. How was this even possible, mmm curious! I started to investigate more and liked reading people’s responses to having had reflexology. Many people I knew thought the same – ugh feet disgusting – they hated having their feet touched, I hated mine being touched but yet the impact many experienced from a treatment was interesting. I thought well I can focus on hands. I feel there is a connection with people with touch so I thought I might give it a go. Next was my search to find a course.
I searched the AOR, looked at what they recommended then found Centralia and their schools which offered Level 5 which I thought might be a better option for me to aim high! Anahata stood out like a beacon and when I clicked onto the site and found Glenys and read about the course, I thought at last I’d found my mentor. Reading other students’ reviews how they felt it changed their life. I thought that’s exactly what I need. All of the comments were positive and I couldn’t wait to meet Glenys. The taster day reaffirmed my belief I was taking the right step.
As I started to write this final reflection I read back my reflections along the way each class, to jog my memory of the journey and found the first one I did brought to mind that very first class. Trepidation and nervousness quickly dispelled by Glenys’ goddess-like energy. I think by the end of day one we were all feeling a connection and a joy in the fact we had started a journey together. From day one we have sat in the same places in whichever classroom we have been in. Starting foot observations straight away was great although I think I looked at the feet as a nurse not a reflexologist! Leaving Lincoln after the weekend I felt sad I had to go home but very happy that I had chosen this path. My work life back home and managing a house was a trial along with finding time to study but I tried to find a balance and would take a book with me wherever I went. I reawakened my interest in anatomy and physiology and my passion for learning. Every patient I had at work and all my colleagues, I looked at their feet and even gave a couple of foot massages on the theatre table to staff just to get a feel for feet. The next weekend came soon enough and we learnt the techniques, I found that actually I love having my feet treated. It’s sooo relaxing and I really enjoyed doing the same to others. I didn’t feel confident in what I was doing but thought I would just relax into things and take things as they come. The time in between I found work was always an annoyance as i really wanted to study and learn but did so most evenings when I wasn’t home too late.
Weekends at home were more difficult as we were sorting out our caravan to rent so were there every spare minute of time. By class 3 I was exhausted long hours the night before and home late which left me tired for class. By day 2 of class I was rejuvenated by the energy the class brings such characters such laughter and fun it’s always a joy to come to. Life had a way of trying to stray me from my path by putting stress and pressures in the way but I always felt happy when I was doing the coursework that I enjoyed.
By class 4 it was getting more intense learning so much and doing case study write ups there was so much to keep on top of it was hard and a challenge. What I have known all along as a weakness is time management. Will I ever master it? I hope to be able to keep on track so I can finish the course in a timely manner, not leaving it so that I lose the flow.
Class is always good, the A & P fascinating I realise I learnt so little as a nurse or is it that it was so long ago, i loved the endocrine system. I found I loved Pip Waller and her Holistic Anatomy, she was enthralling in the way she explains things. Going on holiday between classes was not ideal. I also was struggling to fit in case studies around work and their work. That was a huge challenge and I had to go to them as my house had no space which I found was a challenge with them becoming distracted at times.
Writing up case studies I found hard, I didn’t initially get the gist of soapies. I found them hard to write, the treatments a little better but such a time-consuming thing when fitting life and study into day-to-day life. I always enjoyed class and loved group work. It was always such fun and a great way to learn. I found NEPIP initially really hard. It was different working 2 hands together. I’d only just got used to using one foot at a time and feeling comfortable but the game had been upped and I was still up for the challenge. First practical i was so nervous I felt little confidence in my abilities which was awful as I knew I could look after people as a nurse but as a therapist, no I wasn’t sure. I was the last to finish, my timing was awful but how could i stop someone who shared such personal details with a thanks and goodbye! I need to get a grip on this and learn to manage time! In the following month disaster hits as I break my ankle! Time has become no issue apart from the fact I couldn’t get my mind into studying as i was distracted by what on earth was i to do with work, money, life! As one does, I soldiered on, no way I was going to miss going to my class; if it hadn’t been for my hubby and classmate whose house i was staying at whilst in Lincoln I would have been stuffed. He was a support as always and she was a source of joy every visit and time we spent together and her husband we always had great fun. I loved my stay at their house and they had become my firm friends. That class weekend the practical was hard as I couldn’t ground well. I feel I have a habit of taking on board people’s energy and unless I ground well it exhausts me.
Case studies for the following month were a challenge. I had managed to sort a room out for treatments but getting up the stairs was not so dignified or professional but they still enjoyed their treatments. One of them said it had been life changing for her. I had been using NEPIP on a few of them and was really enjoying using that technique and also I felt it gave the client a good experience and overall result.
Returning to work had been a challenge after so much time off and gave me less time to study which I had enjoyed doing when off. The hand reflexology class I had been really looking forward to and enjoyed but felt disappointed that I had not felt as much on the hands as I did on feet. It was still new so I was still open to the treatments. By the last practical exam I felt much more confident in myself as a therapist and my competence in treatment and actually enjoyed it. Time remained constrained but I had started my last set of case studies so was keeping cool focused and determined. Had a week away in the sun, last learning class we worked on business, this part is where feelings of OMG I can’t do it reared their head. How can I sell myself? Why do i think I’m better than another, this wasn’t me. I’ve always been hopeless at all that, I am what I am! I know I can be a good therapist but can I also make a good business woman? It is something I know I will have to work on further for sure. My journey home this time after class was more pensive. We were coming to the end of the journey, to be let loose on the world like a fledgling leaves its nest, with trepidation and concern on my part the hard part of the road was ahead.
At home ‘The world went mad’ and case studies had to stop. I was upset – I was enjoying my work with the clients I had and really felt that I could have made an impact on their wellbeing. I had to continue on with my husband and son as stand-ins not ideal but they both jumped at the chance. Getting motivated was hard as the whole energy of the world was creating a negative impact. Head down and onwards I forced myself the end was in sight like a light at the end of a tunnel I moved onwards. When a few of the girls said they had passed it was like a kick up the bum to move on when I hesitated due to work commitments. The stress essay I had left as I had wanted to finish my case studies, I finally tackled it as one of the last essays to do. Then the business module; concerns and worries reared there head again. Then I stopped for breath and thought of my recent reflection from a colleague at work who is the theatre administrator. She wrote for my portfolio ‘Dawn has a sunny disposition and is always very approachable, she is a calming influence within her team, everyone should have a Dawn in their life’ it’s these words that gave me the strength of mind to believe in myself and know when I set my mind to it I can achieve whatever I want.
My journey has been a revelation and a joy. I am changed. I feel my feet firmly on a path onwards. My career as a nurse has been good but it has been coming to an end for some time. I love connecting with people but not in the medical world way, healthcare as it is now. I have learnt so much more about people and I want to explore energy and healing more. So that is the signpost to the road I will follow for the future but I will be carrying with me my tool kit of reflexology skills and setting them up along the way.
Thank you, Glenys, you have been a fantastic teacher, mentor and inspiration. Truly a Joy to meet, seekers of the light always connect on their journeys of life and you are a true beacon and I will always hold you in my heart.
Thank You to my classmates. They have brought me joy, laughter and happiness. I have enjoyed their companionship on the journey.
Natalie B
As I sit here, I think back to the first class. It was really just an introduction as to what to expect and a chance to meet everyone. Little did I know what a wonderful journey the last year would be. I never imagined how this course would actually change the way I look at life. At the time I just wanted to be a better reflexologist and gain more knowledge about the feet and reflexes. I didn’t have a clue how much I would actually learn about myself and how the mind works and how to control thoughts, feelings and everyday emotions.
I’m a very practical, hands-on person, quite shy at times and better at working on my own. Having to open up and talk about myself is something that doesn’t come naturally to me. I much prefer to listen and observe which, I think is one quality that makes me good at my job. At that first class I was dreading having to say my name and why I had decided to do the course but I managed to say a very brief few words and was pleased for someone else to have their turn. It was very moving listening to everyone else’s reasons for doing the course and people were very emotional. I then thought about what I had said and deep down knew that I had my own emotional reasons for doing this course, it certainly wasn’t just practical or for work alone. I would have never thought to open up to strangers about my reasons though. I came away from that first day feeling a bit overwhelmed but also excited about what would come next. I realised then that this was going to be very different to any of the learning I had done previously.
The second class was really nice as the introductions had all been done and I was excited to start learning and also comparing my reflexology routine to the new one. I wondered how different it would be. Even though I was used to meeting new people and doing lots of different treatments on them, I still felt nervous and not overly confident. I think people thought I would be the confident one and I didn’t feel it. I was worried that people would expect too much and that I should know a lot of things already and I was also concerned about being asked questions that I didn’t know the answer to and people thinking that I should know that with my experience. I’m very good at going blank when put on the spot.
In the first few classes I found it easy to keep on top of the work but as time went by and we started doing our case studies it was beginning to become more difficult to juggle work, family life and the course work. Filling out SOAP forms seemed like an endless and repetitive task of which I would be thinking about constantly. The enjoyment was slipping away! It all seemed so repetitive! Then came the report writing – now those SOAP forms seemed easy! The reports were very time consuming but I learnt such a lot from doing them and as the weeks went by, they became easier.
I really enjoyed the anatomy and physiology work as I love learning about the body. I didn’t always enjoy the group tasks but they went ok. As I said at the start, I’m not always comfortable working in groups but it’s good to be taken away from that comfort zone and also good to see how other people work and get some different viewpoints. There were some really creative and different ideas people came up with so that was nice to be a part of.
A lot of the big essays filled me with dread when I saw what we had to do as it’s been a long time since I’ve done any written work and I didn’t feel confident about it at all. The stress essay was a big one but I tackled it and it wasn’t anywhere near as challenging as I had imagined. Then the homeostasis one was something I put off for a while. Each time I finished a piece of work, I had a huge sense of relief and pride and most of the time I actually enjoyed it once I has made a start. I realised that often, it’s the thought of doing a challenge that’s worse that actually doing it!
Now, coming to an end of this training I feel really happy that I decided to go ahead and take on the challenge. I feel like I can deal with more of what life throws at me, and also feel equipped to help others to do the same. I’m excited to adapt my business and change my focus to what I really love doing and can’t wait to see the effects reflexology has and to help people for years to come. I’ve met some wonderful ladies and we have all helped to support each other during classes and at home. I will miss the classes and the fun we have had and certainly all the lovely treatments but I can’t wait to put the laptop away and finally receive my qualification. I felt like I would never get here!!