KATYA LANGMUUR, MA - Course Director and Principal Tutor
Originally a professional opera singer, Katya Langmuur trained in holistic aromatherapy at the Tisserand Institute wanting to embrace a more holistic, yet still creative, way of living. In combination with the performance and movement-based skills garnered whilst at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and later at the Royal Academy of Music, she also has further bodywork and healthcare training in seated acupressure massage, pulsing, deep tissue massage, in ‘No Hands’ massage and in nutritional therapy.

In conjunction with a busy private practice, Katya is registered by the NHS and works as a medical aromatherapist specialising in HIV+ and immunity care for the River House Trust, for whom she also facilitates meditation workshops. She is further employed as a physical therapist in addiction rehabilitation for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. 

In addition to her work at the Academy, Katya teaches on courses in Indian religious studies at the University of Kent at Canterbury (UKC). Katya’s own Masters Degree, from UKC, is an MA on the Study of Mysticism and Religious Experience, which she was awarded with distinction in 2003. She is now in her third year of doctoral research (also at UKC) focusing on the translation of Hindu devotional tradition into contemporary western spiritual practice through the fulcrum of twentieth century Indian Guru, Neem Karoli Baba.  

Since coming to the Academy as a tutor in January 2001, Katya has taught on every aspect of the massage training programme and is known for the multi-disciplined, creative and fun approach that she brings to all her classes and workshops. She is the supervising tutor on the Academy’s own Assistant Tutor Mentoring Programme and furthermore facilitates the Academy Satsang, an ongoing spiritual community group that is part of the greater Academy family.  Katya also plays harmonium and sings in the Academy Kirtan Group, a musical collective that hosts regular meditational Indian chanting evenings, in the process raising funds for the Academy scholarship, the ‘Open Circle Fund’. 

“One of the many things that I so respect and admire about the Academy of Natural Health is that it positively encourages people of all different backgrounds and ages really to be themselves and to blossom into all that they personally can be. Each of us is an individual, and this is carried through very strongly into the Academy’s massage work – after a thorough grounding in the basics, students are then given the tools with which to develop their own unique skills in their own unique and creative way. This creates a truly holistic massage therapist and consequently a truly holistic massage! I think the value (and rarity…) of this cannot be underestimated. It is a privilege and a joy to be a part of the Academy Family.”  

Email: touch@massage.org.uk (please mark the email for Katya’s attention)

COURSE TUTORS


ANJA SAUNDERS - Senior Course Tutor and Founder
Anja Saunders, founder and former director of the Academy of Natural Health has been working in holistic healing for the past twenty years. She has a private practice in Central London where she does holistic bodywork, shamanic work and a variety of forms of vibrational healing, as well as teaching the Alexander technique and tai ji. She also facilitates ceremonies and rituals. She works with the holistic principle that body, mind and spirit are integrated and need to be balanced for health and vitality.
Email: anja@fragrantfeathers.net

PIP WALLER - Senior Course Tutor and Head of Anatomy and Physiology
Pip Waller is head of Anatomy and Physiology. This means that she teaches the A&P program as well as monitors students' progression in their understanding of A&P for massage. She trained as a medical herbalist as well as a massage practitioner and her knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology is outstanding. Her lively personality together with the experiential way of teaching we adopt at the Academy, ensures that this potentially daunting subject is filled with excitement and discovery. Pip loves singing and practices shamanic healing techniques as well as herbal medicine.

SHARON BULL – Course Tutor
In her former career, Sharon was an HR manager in the field of investment banking, living and working in Hong Kong. Whilst exciting, this high-speed and high-stress environment eventually led to a full physical and emotional collapse that left her exhausted and diagnosed as suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. 

Receiving massage showed Sharon the way out from the symptoms of her ME and also, in turn, offered her a whole new way of living. Inspired by the profound changes she noticed in her own mind and body, Sharon came back to the UK in 1998 and studied at the Academy, qualifying as a holistic massage therapist in her own right in 1999. 

Since this time, Sharon has also trained in Thai Yoga Massage, Reflexology and Reiki. She combines her holistic approach to healing and wellness by specialising in working with stress and anxiety-related issues in her own private practice, much of which comes from GP-referral and from other links with mental health charities. Sharon has been a tutor at the Academy since 2001. Apart from co-teaching the Foundation module with Katya, she also teaches Indian Head Massage, Deeper Tissue Techniques and Reflexology for the Academy and is our designated Supervisions Tutor, responsible for mentoring and supporting students on a one-to-one basis. 
 

CATHERINE WALLER- Course Tutor
Cath discovered the art of massage over a decade ago and has been immersed in it ever since. She is the main tutor for the Introductory Module at the Academy, which she has been teaching since 2002. Her massage work has taken her into a variety of settings including hospice care, holistic clinics, businesses, theatres and yoga retreats abroad. Alongside her training in holistic massage she has also completed a five year apprenticeship in Traditional Thai Yoga Massage and created 'Earthways Institute Of Thai Yoga Massage', one of the first training schools in the UK.  She is an artist, a qualified yoga teacher and holds a diploma in creative art therapy. Her belief in creativity as a vehicle for human potential has led her to train as an integrative arts psychotherapist in London, where she is presently completing an MA. She has many years of teaching experience and is known for her warm, playful and inclusive style of teaching.

"I believe everyone can learn to massage and given the right environment will easily find out how. The Academy of Natural Health offers an optimal learning environment that supports and encourages its students from day one. As the main tutor for the Introductory Module I am committed to assisting all those who wish to dip their toe into the world of massage find their first footing on this amazing journey and discover the tools needed to 'be in touch' with themselves and with massage."
 

CAROLINE ROBERTS - Head of Exams
Caroline Roberts is our examinations specialist. She will help you throughout the whole process of examinations for both the ITEC and the MTI examinations board. This will involve an internal exam with feedback on your level of expertise in relation to the exam you want to take. It includes two supervisions to help you with your studies including a mock exam and guidance with your written work.

Caroline has been teaching for the Academy for seven years and understands exactly what students are required to know. She also holds the NVQ assessors certificate, which gives her understanding of the examiners point of view. She practices aromatherapy and crystal healing as well as holistic massage and baby massage.


KYRA DE CONINCK - Examinations Tutor
Kyra is the Academy’s examinations tutor.  She will support you through the exam preparation process. Once you have completed all course modules, and wish to take exams, you will see her for your intake, supervisions, homework and exams.

Kyra will guide you through the transition from being a massage student to becoming a fully qualified massage practitioner.

Kyra has been a massage therapist for 8 years. As well as running her own practice, she works for the Whole Person Therapy Trust, who provide complimentary therapies for people with long-term illness and their carers. She has also taught in Adult and Further Education.

Originally from Belgium, she studied Drama in Brussels. After coming to England and studying Social Anthropology and Linguistics, she trained in Reiki and Holistic Massage. She has a special interest in the role of massage within different healing systems and cultures.

She also has a special interest in massage during pregnancy and massage for very ill people. Her practice of yoga also influences her work.

She is also the singer/ song-writer in punky girl-band The A-Lines, and has released numerous albums over the years, and toured throughout the world. She realises she should know better by now, but she says it helps her to keep sane.


PHILIPPA LUBBOCK - Counselling Skills
Philippa Lubbock is a UKCP registered Gestalt psychotherapist, systemic family therapist, healer, and Academy of Natural Health graduate (1991).  She is the co-founder of Breathing Space, a healing centre for body, mind, and spiritual development.  She is a continuing student of the Ridhwan School's Diamond approach to Inner Realisation.

At the Academy of Natural Health, Philippa runs the Counselling Skills weekend which is an integral part of the Practitioner Course.


 

ASSISTANT TUTORS

Assistant Tutor Mentoring Programme
A select group of holistic massage practitioners have been offered the opportunity to
undertake a new tutor mentoring programme at the Academy of Natural Health. Through
this programme, Assistant Tutors in training will be given the chance to act as a supporting
role to the existing Course Tutors, with the option of eventually becoming a Course Tutor
in their own right.

During the mentoring programme, Assistant Tutors will be fully supported and given the
space and encouragement to flourish into wonderful tutors, building their own style of
teaching. Modules will include monthly group tuition sessions, more individual focused
work, one-to-one support teaching with students, and assisting on scheduled modules
throughout this year and the next.

CORRINA BURT – Assistant Tutor
“I first came to massage as a potential way of relieving stress for myself as I worked in the corporate world with very long hours at a desk. Once I started training at the Academy of Natural Health I realised that there was something very special about the place and I am very excited to be back training to be a tutor, being part of the team spreading true holistic touch through our students. I look forward to meeting and working with you.” 

Corrina qualified as a Massage Practitioner (MTI & ITEC) in 2003 and has since been building her private practice and keeping in touch with the Academy – assisting on various courses. She primarily works with people from the corporate environment and with athletes of various levels – in particular her local ice-Hockey team. 


HEIDI SANDERS – Assistant Tutor
“I have been part of the Academy family for the last 3 years, qualifying as a holistic practitioner in 2005 (MTI & ITEC). Since then I have been actively focusing on my own private massage work, along with the opportunity to be involved voluntary work, with charities.

I am currently part of the core team undertaking the Assistant Tutor Mentor Programme at the Academy, with a view to becoming a long-term dedicated course tutor.

Training at the Academy was the first step of a new exciting journey for me, life changing in fact. This has been an incredibly challenging and inspiring path, with an enormous realisation of how important holistic healing is within today’s modern society. I am honoured to have been offered the opportunity to work with the Academy, and look forward to passing on my own experiences to others that join the Academy family.”


Jackie O’Reilly - Assistant Tutor (see below)


Karen Abi-Karam - Assistant Tutor (see below)


 

MANAGEMENT TEAM

The Academy of Natural Health is run on a not for profit basis by three holistic massage and complementary therapists who are dedicated to providing the space for both students and staff to share their holistic gifts with all those they encounter. 


Katya Langmuur – Course Director and Principal Tutor
(see above)


Jackie O’Reilly – Co-Director
Before training with the Academy of Natural Health, Jackie was a financial management accountant for 15 years.  Although this career was financially rewarding, long hours and continual deadlines eventually resulted in Jackie having to take time away from work due to stress.  Jackie decided that this was no longer the way of life for her and looked for another career path. This turned out to be massage – the Academy way! 

Jackie came to study at the Academy in January 2004, becoming a qualified holistic massage therapist (MTI & ITEC) in December of that year.  Jackie has since also completed the postgraduate training programme and feels continually inspired by learning new ways of approaching holistic touch. In addition to hands-on bodywork, she has additional training in Reiki and in Psychic Healing and she greatly enjoys combining these three therapies in her blossoming private practice.

Since September 2005, Jackie has been working in the office at the Academy as the Course Administrator and, in September 2006, became Co-Director of the Academy, responsible in particular for ensuring that all the courses are able to run as smoothly as possible and that all the books balance at the end of each month! Jackie also recently joined the Assistant Tutor Mentoring Program and is enjoying learning to be a bodywork tutor in her own right, a venture that she feels is providing her with invaluable and fresh insight into the school and the way in which it should be run.

“To say that the Academy has totally changed my life is an understatement.  It is not just my career that has changed, but every aspect of my life - physically, mentally and spiritually - has been touched by the Academy and its teachings. I feel privileged to be part of such a motivational and inspirational team. I look forward to you joining the Academy family and taking your first step on this potentially life-changing journey.” 

Email: touch@massage.org.uk (please mark the email for Jackie’s attention)


Karen Abi-Karam – Co-Director
Karen came to the Academy of Natural Health in 2000 looking to further explore her fascination in natural healing. So inspired by the Academy’s positive and unique contribution to this field she has become a co-director of the business. 

After graduating as a massage practitioner (MTI, ITEC), Karen made the move away from her previous career, as a marketing & PR consultant, to a more rewarding way of life. That said, she continues to make use of the skills she acquired, working for international corporations, to spread the holistic word. 

Karen is also a qualified Reiki practitioner (Usui system) and holds a Diploma in Holistic Massage in Pregnancy (APNT). 

In addition to her hands-on practice, Karen is the Editor of the Massage Training Institute’s publication - In Touch Magazine. She is also engaged in MTI’s work to support practitioners, to bring the holistic message to a wider audience and to influence the development of regulation of the massage industry. 

“Being part of the Academy’s management team is both an honour and a challenge; I am looking forward to doing justice to both in the coming years so that I might share with others the opportunities and magic that it has brought me.” 

Email: touch@massage.org.uk (please mark the email for Karen’s attention)
 

SUPPORT STAFF

RACHEL BISHOP – Examinations Administrator
Originally a translator and editor for charities in the international development sector, I discovered massage with the Academy in 2003, and have been a member of the family ever since, belonging to kirtan group Gopi and also the Satsang community.

My own training experience with the Academy was a transformative step along a path to holistic and natural health and a more spiritual way of life, and it has inspired and nourished me along the way. Qualifying as a holistic massage therapist in 2005 (MTI & ITEC) I now run a private practice in north London, and volunteer massage for people affected by cancer at the Cancer Resource Centre. My practice is also inspired by yoga, and its basis of ‘union’.

As examinations administrator, I’m here with Academy heart and spirit to support and assist you along the exam stream, and ensure that all goes beautifully on exam day