Advanced Certificate Workshop in
Aromatherapy Product Blending
with Alan Stuart MIFPA
Growing awareness and interest from both the public and certain regulatory agencies have brought the 'therapy of scent' to the fore. Increasing sales of 'aromatherapy products', inspired by a desire to self-nurture, have reacquainted us with one of our most direct and instinctual senses: smell. As our high street shelves have given more space to aromatherapy, so the powerful licensing agencies, primarily the MCA (Medicines Control Agency) and the EC, have become more watchful of how aromatherapy markets itself.
If we define aromatherapy as the use of essential oils to promote physical, psychological and spiritual well-being, how as responsible practitioners can we utilise the tools of our art - essential oils , vegetable oils, creams, gels etc - within the various guidelines and restrictions, whether in a therapist to client setting or within a more commercial market?
The main objective of this two-day workshop will be to enable trainee and practising Aromatherapists to enhance and develop their blending skills. It will provide practical guidance on confidently creating and marketing one's own unique range of Aromatherapy products — with a special emphasis on labelling and meeting EC regulations. The training will be very 'hands-on' and will include a number of in-class exercises and practical blending work with essential oils and bases.
COURSE COMPONENTS
Creative and Advanced Blending Techniques
Aesthetics of blending; odour families and fragrance energetics; the synergistic approach to blending; physiological, psychological and spiritual aspects of blending; the art of smelling and the psychology of fragrance; olfactory influence; blending preparation; the Tao of blending.
Use of Base Products
Active constituents within base materials; natural vs. synthetic ~ their variance and uses; blending bases to your own preference; introduction to aromatherapy and cosmetology; hydrolats; giving a 'signature' to your bases; storage; adding essential oils.
Suppliers; Production Hygiene and Control
Working with and building relationships with suppliers; health and safety; utensils and sterilisation; purchasing raw materials; batch-blending.
Labelling; EC Regulations
Latest information and regulations concerning label information; catalogue literature and promotional material; MCA (Medicines Control Agency) ATC (Aromatherapy Trades Council); medicinal claim restrictions; what you can and can't say!
Pricing; Marketing; Promotion
Pricing for both the private client or the commercial market; market analysis and techniques to evaluate your product market; trade and health fairs; methods of promotion.
EQUIPMENT
Participants are asked to bring their own essential oils. Base materials, containers and utensils will be provided.
The course includes printed notes.
An Institute Certificate is issued on completion.
Alan Stuart MIFPA
Workshop Instructor
Alan has been working in essential oil blending for over seven years, and produces in a range of specialised aromatherapy products sold worldwide. He is UK Vice-Principal and a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy, and teaches Therapeutic and Acupressure Massage. He has written a number of articles on the safe therapeutic use of essential oils.
Alan has gained wide experience in aromatic product design for both private clients and aromatherapy companies, and takes a strongly vitalistic approach to the art of blending. He has been involved in all aspects of product creation from formulation, design and materials sourcing to production, marketing and distribution. Alan is ideally placed to offer genuine advice and experience with regard to creating one's own aromatherapy range.
LOCATION, DATES AND FEES
Location: Regent's College, Regent's Park, London NW1.
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, February 21-22, 2009 (2 days).
Times: 10 am to 5 pm daily.
Course Fee: £150 incl VAT, payable on booking.
Tel: 01638 741296 for further info, or to make a debit/credit card booking.
Accommodation: For overnight accommodation near Regent's College, our course venue, we recommend that students visit the following website featuring several reasonably-priced small hotels:
www.hotels-london-hotel.com/hotels/marylebone/cheap
