By Lorraine Gregus, The Almanac
Reflexology is a calm, soothing manipulation of pressure points of the feet. Based on ancient Chinese medicine, it enhances the self-healing power of the body, strengthens the immune system, reduces pain and provides deep relaxation.
Restful sleep, stress relief and a healthy body. Isn’t this what we all strive for? Quite often this quality of life doesn’t come easy and we are grateful for any assistance we can get. Helping to raise awareness of disease rather than managing symptoms, promoting good health and prevention of illness, holistic medicine has been practiced for more than 2,000 years.
Approaches through meditation and reflexology are important ways of life for Dorit Brauer of Scott Township. A graduate of the Mahut School for Complementary Medicine and Holism in Tel Aviv, Israel, she has practiced Holistic Reflexology and taught Meditation & Guided Imagery at the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and also for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The only teacher available for a 300-hour Reflexology Certification in Pennsylvania, Dorit recently presented eight students with certifications to begin practicing on their own. Having received reflexology training in Israel, she has dedicated herself to translating all of her educational materials from Hebrew into English.
Her holistic medicine articles have been published in Pennsylvania Health & Fitness and Point of Light magazines, Reflexology Across America, a publication of the Reflexology Association of America, as well as The South African Reflexology Society Journal.
Recently certified as a reflexologist in Pennsylvania, registered nurse Linda Montelone had been interested in holistic health care for as long as she can remember. “About six years ago I attended a health fair, stopped by a display table and was given a business card with Dorit’s name and contact information. Not until I received a meditation session with Dorit Brauer as a gift two years ago did I realize that her’s was the same website I was searching to access articles on reflexology. As a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association, I joined the group and now I’m happy to be certified to practice reflexology.”
“I came to the U.S. in 2010 with health issues,” said German-born Christine Heller-Rieck. “As I checked online for holistic care, Dorit’s website caught my attention. “I made an appointment for a reflexology session and continued my sessions noticing that my stress level and blood pressure had lowered and I began to relax. For 20 years, I was a midwife in Germany and treated my patients early in their pregnancy with massage and meditation. Now that I’m certified in reflexology, I plan to offer my experience and knowledge to those under my care when I return to Europe.”
Artist, writer, poet and owner of the Brauer Institute for Holistic Medicine, Dorit’s artistic resume includes solo art shows in Jerusalem, Israel, Germany and Pittsburgh. Her poetry and nonfiction narratives have been published in Voices from the Attic, Volumes XV, XVI and XVII.
The next Professional Holistic Reflexology Certification class, including hands-on experience, will begin September of this year. For information, visit The Brauer Institute.
