As already mentioned, the GreekState does not have a legal framework for the recognition of the studies in alternative medicine. This is due to many causes. Firstly, it is due to the general education crisis of the last years. Another reason is the lleisureliness and disorganization in every level. Finally, in our country it is considered that healing is solely a jurisdiction of conventional medicine.
In spite of all that, the actual changes that take place in society reflect one other reality. Conventional medicine in Greece is neither updated, nor complete. It is not updated, because the countries that are a model for our medical system, consider alternative medicine legal. And it is not complete, because many people actually turn to alternative healing. In actuality, this quest gives birth to alternative healers and the alternative medicine schools.
Thus, healers and schools exist because of the people who suffer and seek healing. The duties of healers towards these people are: 1. not to harm them with their words or actions, and 2. to offer their healing abilities with love, humility and proficiency.
The duty of the schools that train students into alternative medicine is first of all, to teach ethics. The healer’s ethos is based on the cultivation of truth, love and humility, not only towards the patient, but indeed towards the Universe. The healer’s ethos seeks to cause no harm to the patient. Of equal importance is proficiency on a practical and theoretical level.
In conclusion: In spite of the fact that the Greek state ignores the reality of alternative medicine, the people who constitute the alternative medicine movement in Greece must continue their training. ACADEMY’s goal is to fulfill this aim. We believe that the cultivation of ethos is of paramount importance, for students and practitioners alike. This can be achieved through the ongoing education. Thus, we wish not only to improve continually our curriculum, but also to add new topics. We have established 2 diplomas with the following requirements.
Α. DIPLOMA IN HEALING (PTYCHIO)
The profession of the healer will be established in the Greek reality, sooner or later. It is out of fear that healers are called “alternative”. So, what are the requirements of healing? First and foremost, ethos. Ethos is based on truth, love and humility. You can ask: These qualities can be cultivated or they are inherent in some people only? My opinion is that they can be cultivated, regardless of any background. The application of the healing arts promotes ethos. Healing arts have the ability to transform healers. A second requirement is the proficiency in at least one healing art and the education in the nature of the human body and its ailments.
Bearing in mind that what counts is the proficiency of the healer, and not the papers he hangs on his wall, we established the Diploma of the Academy.
The requirements for this Diploma are the following:
a. Triennial studies only in ACADEMY.
b. 1080 (360x3) academic hours in ACADEMY or other schools of alternative medicine. The percentage of hours covered in ACADEMY must constitute at least the 65% of these 1080 hours.
c. Qualification of at least one circle of studies in ACADEMY, leading to the acquisition of the Diploma (more on this later). This means that the student must be qualified in of our 7 healing arts (Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Herbal medicine, Shiatsu, Reflexology and Dietetics). This is done in order to avoid a triennial attendance of 1080 hours of irrelevant classes.
d. Repayment. Students must realize that the ACADEMY is not supported economically by the state. The ACADEMY exists thanks to its students’ passion for knowledge and self-improvement. Our economic independence through the support of our students guarantees the continuity of our creative work.
e. ACADEMY does not conduct exams. We believe that exams is a source of great anxiety and do not contribute to the consolidation of knowledge. We actually believe that the process of examination is harmful for the acquisition of knowledge. However, it is widely believed that not everyone worthy. I too believe this, but I also believe that life itself will present obstacles to the unworthy ones. Our society is in need of healers. It goes without saying that many unworthy people will nip in in the schools that teach the art of healing. Let us trust the power of the healing arts that transforms the unworthy to worthy. Let us trust people’s destiny and the power of the universal forces who unfailingly leads us to virtue. A student who wishes to become a healer, must gain proficiency through hard work. And if this hard work is not applied during his triennial attendance, he will not be able to offer much. Therefore, I wish to abstain from criticizing other people, especially my students. And if this decision of mine proves to be ineffective, I reserve the right to change it.
I also wish to mention that some students demand special treatment for the acquisition of the diploma. This is a huge mistake from their part, because adulations and flattery are the opposite of ethos. A person who demands special treatment is a shirker. If such a person wishes to gain the Diploma, he must make serious efforts.
I believe that the establishment of the Diploma contributes to the enhancement of the educational field. First of all, it allows students to complete a triennial attendance within Greece. Until recently, students who wish to gain qualification in a healing art had to migrate. Also, this encourages the student to remain longer inside the training space, preparing him adequately for his work. Finally our Diploma (requires triennial attendance) is recognized by the TIANJIN UNIVERSITY OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE. This legalizes the Diploma and is the first step for the acquisition of Master Degree that is given from TIANJINUNIVERSITY.
Therefore, students have to honor the Diploma by their attitude towards their patients.
f. The requirements for the acquisition of the Diploma are the following:
I.Translation – analysis of Hippocrates’ works.
II.Analysis Hippocrates’ works and connection with Traditional Chinese Medicine. All prospective healers should familiarize themselves with the Hippocratic thought.
III.Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine
IV.Diagnosis
V.Anatomy-Physiology
VI.Dietetics and herbal medicine (western and Chinese). All healers should know the nature of foods and herbs, if their work is to be effective.
VII.One massage technique. Students who train themselves to be healers, should know how to touch their patients. Touch is an important part of the healing process.
What follows are the requirements of a student who wishes to gain a Diploma in let’s say, Reflexology. Of course, he will have to devote 3 years.
1st year :
·Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (72 hours) (obligatory for the Reflexology Diploma)
·1st year of the Reflexology class (104 hours)
·Chinese herbal medicine(150 hours) (obligatory for the Diploma)
2nd year:
·2nd year of the Reflexology class (150 hours)
Anatomy-Physiology (120 hours) (obligatory for the Reflexology Diploma)
Diagnosis (44 hours) (obligatory for the Reflexology Diploma)
Western herbal medicine (108 hours) (obligatory for the Diploma)
3rd year:
VIII.Translation – analysis of Hippocrates’ works (56 hours).
IX.Analysis Hippocrates’ works and connection with Traditional Chinese Medicine. (15 hours)
Dietetics (49 hours) (obligatory for the Diploma)
Up to this point, students have completed the required 828 hours for the Diploma, and 252 hours remain for the Degree. These can be covered by attending classes like Acupuncture (1st year) (80 hours), Creative Healing (56 hours) and Medical Astrology (120 hours).
All students who wish to acquire the Diploma, must pay as enrolment €700 (valid for June 23 and the whole academic year 2008-2009). This covers the enrolment for all the required classes.
Β. DEGREE (DIPLOMA):
The Degree is for those who wish to gain proficiency in one healing art (Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Herbal medicine, Shiatsu, Reflexology and Dietetics).
AROMATHERAPY. RequiresbiennialattendanceoftheAromatherapyClass, Anatomy-Physiology, Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Energetic Aromatherapy, Creative Healing (both cycles)and Diagnosis.
ACUPUNCTURE. RequiresbiennialattendanceoftheAcupunctureClass, Basic Theory Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anatomy-Physiology, Diagnosis andDietetics.
HOMEOPATHY. RequiresbiennialattendanceoftheHomeopathyClass, Basic Theory Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anatomy-Physiology, Diagnosis andDietetics.
SHIATSU. RequirestriennialattendanceoftheShiatsu Class, Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anatomy-Physiology andDiagnosis.
HERBAL MEDICINE. RequiresbiennialattendanceoftheHerbalismClasses(ChineseandWestern), Basic Theory ofTraditional Chinese Medicine, Anatomy-Physiology, Diagnosis, Dietetics, Acquaintance with Plants and Collection of Herbs.
REFLEXOLOGY. RequiresbiennialattendanceoftheReflexology Class, Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anatomy-Physiology, Diagnosis, Dietetics.
DIETETICS. Requires annual attendance of Dietetics, Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anatomy-Physiology, Diagnosis, Acquaintance with Plantsand Chinese herbal medicine.
Students who wish to learn a healing art, say Acupuncture, must attend some classes in the school. These classes include the classes that pertain to the healing art itself (in that case, 1st and 2nd year of Acupuncture), as well as classes that offer the corresponding theoretic background (like Basic Theory of Traditional Chineseς Medicine). Other classes offer a more general background (e.g. Anatomy-Physiology, Diagnosis). Others contribute to the proficiency of the healer, and are necessary for any person who practices the healing arts (e.g. Dietetics).
The rationale for the acquisition of the Diploma or the Degree is that students must gain full qualification in order to benefit their clients, and also obtain ethos.
We remind students that both titles (Degree and Diploma) are mere papers that gain a meaning only when the graduate honors himself, his patients and the school where he received his training.
The enrolment for the Degree in any healing art is €500 (valid for 2008-2009).
ACADEMY gives a Certificate of Attendance for the attendance of a single class. A Certificate is given for classes that last just a few hours.
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