Aromatherapy for pros

"Can I start taking the aromatherapy class now?" "Is it easy to pass the exam?" "And, is it possible to miss the first three or four days of the course?"

All the answers were "No."

But that's the sort of response Yu was looking for.

"I could tell the academy wasn't in business just for the money. I knew they wanted to give us serious lessons," says Yu, who plans to open a spa in Shanghai. He currently is the general manager of Ningbo Free Trade Zone Action, an exporter of housewares.

And that's not all. Students lacking a background in holistic medicine must complete a massage course and another class in anatomy and physiology before they can take the aromatherapy course, says Napalai Hansunantanonth, director of the academy.

Chiva-Som Academy's 150-hour course is divided into theory and practice. Topics include the history of aromatherapy, the chemistry of essential oils, mixing and blending oils, client care and consultation, and massage techniques. Students aren't allowed to miss more than 20 per cent of the classes if they want to graduate.

The course teaches students to become educators, says Supattra Chirundorn, who holds a master's degree in economics from Chulalongkorn University.

"The instructor emphasises that we should use high-quality essential oils, and that we use our knowledge to help our clients.

"We aren't doctors, but we can be good educators and should suggest ways that our clients can take care of themselves," says Supattra, 28.

Supattra plans to help her mum set up a spa in Nakhon Pathom.

During the five-week course, students must do assignments, reports and presentations. They must also perform aromatherapy treatments on six clients - five treatments per person.

Throughout the final week of the class, students give treatments to clients at Chiva-Som International Academy, which is located on the 10th floor of the Modern Town Building on Ekamai Soi 3, off Sukhumvit 63.

Before graduating, students must take theoretical and practical exams and score at least 60 per cent.

Students should have a clear goal before taking the course, says Napalai, who teaches the aromatherapy class. "Otherwise, they'll get bored."

And, they must understand the academy's regulations and practices, she says.

"Some people don't want to study theory and instead want to get directly into the practice sessions," she says.

"Others don't want to practice massage because they intend to become spa owners, not therapists. Some just want to practice massage on women.

"These variations aren't possible. Students have to massage and be massaged," Napalai says.

During the classes, students take turns giving massages to one another.

Yu, 37, the student from China, says he had never wanted to massage anyone - only get basic knowledge about the aromatherapy so he can launch his spa. But he discovered that he likes giving massages.

"I've learned to take care of others and that makes me feel so good," he says. "When I have my business, I'll sometimes do the massages myself."

Supattra, the Chulalongkorn graduate, says an unexpected benefit of the course is that it has taught her to be calm, collected and cool.

"I used to get frustrated easily. But inhaling the essential oils daily and having the massages has relaxed me. It has healed me in a way," she says.

Chiva-Som International Academy is in Modern Town Building, Ekamai Soi 3. Classes are conducted in English and run from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. The class is limited to 12 students.

The fee is Bt45,000. The academy also offers courses in spa treatments, reflexology and stress management. Courses vary in length and cost.

Rojana Manowalailao

The Nation