British Columbia's Yvette Eastman of Touch Point Reflexology

1) You've been in the holistic health field for over 30 years.

What drew you to your particular area of specialty -- Reflexology and Kinesiology?

My son had an 85% hearing loss when he was an infant.

We didn't know the cause and medically. an exploratory operation had been suggested. Someone told me to try Reflexology. It sounded silly to me...work the feet for the ears?...and we tried it. Three weeks later my son's hearing began to improve.

I began to take lessons immediately and worked on my son constantly.The entire process took one year and he now has perfect hearing, perfect pitch. That was the first of many "miracles."

When I began my practice, it was slow going. None had ever heard of Reflexology. Now people know what it means and are searching for classes in it. Clients were tentative at first and when they saw the unbelievable results, they thrived and so did I! Writing a book, developing charts and video tapes consolidated my thinking and my performance. I am still writing, and always developing new learning aids.

2) In addition to your work as a healer, you also do a great deal of work as an educator, lecturer and writer. Can you tell me how you came to do this, and what motivates your work in this area?

Reflexology is my joy! I love it and it invades all parts of my life. Because I know its value, I must share it with everyone. I teach because I must! Educating others about Reflexology, showing people little quick fixes', sharing everything I know so that people can become proficient in this skill - these are vital to me. Each new practitioner adds to this wonderful field of health maintenance and body/mind repair. When I meet former students who are now my colleagues, my heart is brimming.

3) Holistic health practices, and the public's perception and acceptance of alternative healing have changed rather radically over the last 30 years. What change have you personally noticed?

Alternative concepts and 'Blended Medicine' have been aided by the media, by the computer generation, by Continuing Education classes. Information is now available to anybody. New concepts and old ones are available to everyone - even in the smallest town. Distance learning in many fields have made our skill available to everyone.

People are so much better informed and there are so many of us using complementary skills to overcome illness or release pain. We have become disillusioned with drugs and are looking for simple, effective ways of helping ourselves. In these fields we take responsibility for our health. We are involved.

Television introduces us to so many alternative practitioners and educators - Deepak Chopra, Caroline Myss and so many others. As we educate ourselves, we do more for ourselves. This is the big change. We are in charge of our selves.

4) It must be difficult keeping abreast of all the new healing methods that have developed over the past years. What do you do to keep up on the lastest trends and techniques?

I keep informed of the newest techniques and take at least two classes every year. I synthesize the new information with that which I know. Often, the synthesis itself creates a new module which I can teach. Applied Reflexology, for instance, blends a variety of techniques that are physical, emotional and spiritual with Reflexology to form a solid new ground breaking method logy to help in the healing process.

Other techniques are added to my basket of possible corrections and I leave them unadulterated. Touch for Health, Reiki, Bdytalk are wonderful just as they stand. Others demand to be integrated in what I already do such as the Emotional Freedom Technique.

5) What plans do you have for the future? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years time?

In 10 years time I will be the proverbial crone, enjoying the fruits of my labours and still teaching practicing and educating myself! and others.My 3 books will be on every Complementary Practitioner's bookshelf. Touchpoint Reflexology The First Steps,was published in 85 and I am about to send forth my Hand Reflexology manual and my wonderfully new "Paws for a Moment - Reflexology for All Animals" Although I regularly reinvent myself to keep up with the new times, I will continue in the same wonderful path.

6) What advice would you offer to young people who are interested in taking up healing as a profession?

First educate yourself in the fields that feed your soul, then continue to educate yourself and share your information with others. When you know what you want to do, plan a brochure and a business card, set a date to begin your practice and forge ahead. Every new venture takes a lot of work. Work is good and the challenges are invigorating. Every new venture creates its fears and the fear is good - it protects you by giving you choices and energy. Every new venture requires some money - trust in the universe while you work towards attaining your goal. Nobody says it's easy but the path is wonderful, exciting and nourishing.

A Registered Private Post Secondary School Federally Chartered Telephone/Fax (604) 936-3227 Outside Greater Vancouver: 1-800-211-3533 3186 Bedwell Bay Road Belcarra, B.C. V3H 4S1 email: yvette@touchpointreflexology.com