The History of The Academy of Natural Healing
The Academy: Our History and Our Mission

The roots of the Academy begin in the field of natural medicine in 19th century Germany. In the late 1880s the renowned healer, theologian and hydrotherapy pioneer Sebastian Kneipp, directed his student Benedict Lust, ND to bring natural medicine and natural healing to America. Lust came, and introduced Kneipp's hydrotherapy to America in 1892.

The term "naturopathy" which was coined by Dr. John Scheel of New York City was purchased and made popular by Dr. Lust. In 1902, Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy, and the years from 1900 to 1917 were productive and formative for naturopathic medicine in America.

Today Dr. Lust is generally recognized as the founder of American naturopathy. Dr. Lust's student, Jesse Mercer Gehman, DC, ND, expanded the practice of natural healing from the 1930s through the 1970s and for a time served as president of the American Naturopathic Association. Much of his work was supported and expanded into a spiritual focus that addressed the new youth counter culture of the 1960s and 1970s. With this specific group of seekers in mind Dr. Gehman and his good friend Vincent Collura created The Natural Healing Foundation International.

Vincent Collura was a simple barber, but also an advanced student of mysticism and personal development, as well as being a master of various forms of natural healing. His commend of his subject made him the center of an informal association of Shamanic students, political activists, new age seekers and healing apprentices, from the 1950's until his passing in 1994. His senior apprentice, Lewis Harrison, has continued the work at what today is The Academy of Natural Healing, continuing the vision that father Kneipp began over 150 years ago. 

Today the Academy is a support community of over 1,600 students, community and political activists, alternative and mainstream health care practitioners, theologians, academics, philosophers, scientists, caregivers, and teachers, all part of a huge interactive and international mentoring system developed and organized by Lewis Harrison. The Academy is not a religious or spiritual organization though it is focused on the support of those individuals committed to: personal and spiritual growth, and helping those in need through a network of support triangles, and various community service projects.

The Certification Programs at the Academy were developed in 1976 by Lewis Harrison RPP, L.MT, , with the assistance of an advisory board of expert physicians, healers and consultants. It was conceived as an apprenticeship program designed to train academically and clinically skilled teachers and practitioners. Mr. Harrison felt that such an apprenticeship program was necessary since almost all of the existing professional natural health care educational programs had serious limitations.



Among these limitations are:

- Long periods of class room study 
- Tests focused on accumulation of information rather than critical thinking 
- A "tunnel vision" approach to the many available natural healing systems 
- Patient practitioner relationships based on the diagnosis and treatment of disease, rather than an approach geared to the clients personal development and total "wellness." 
- Since most of Mr. Harrison's training and professional experience has come through long-term apprenticeships, it was his feeling that an apprenticeship program combined with short evening and intensive weekend seminars would be of great value for those hoping to serve others through natural healing, polarity and the holistic health model. Our graduates guide individuals interested in developing complete health building programs by the balancing of their emotional, mental, spiritual and physical qualities.

Accreditation:  Our program is approved for APP (Associated Polarity Practitioner) and RPP (Registered Polarity Practitioner) status through the American Polarity Therapy Association. We are also accredited through the International Association of Energetic Practitioners (IAEP) Many students have taken class with us and received college credit for their studies If you would like to explore natural healing and alternative medicine as a career:



Have Lewis Harrison Speak at Your Next Function:

Do you need an expert on natural healing and alternative and complementary medicine? Lewis Harrison is available as
a guest speaker! If you're Interested in having Lewis Harrison speak to your group or organization, get in touch with us.


Who Is Lewis Harrison?

Lewis Harrison is nationally known as a speaker and writer on motivation, wellness, alternative and complementary health care, building strategic relationships and, customer oriented selling. His strong non-ideological grasp of interlocking issues makes him a speaker who is always interesting.

Lewis Harrison offers a complete range of speaking and consulting services designed to increase motivation, while reducing struggle and unnecessary personal and organizational conflict. By using his tool chest of experience, techniques, solutions, distinctions and advice, Lewis brings out the best in his audience. Lewis is a member of the National Speaker's Association and is noted for his expertise, and his motivational lectures, speeches, break-out sessions, and workshops on:


ORGANIZATIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL TOPICS:

- Developing Strategies For The Future 
- Becoming Organized 
- Mastering Time to End Procrastination 
- Reducing Absenteeism 
- Mastering Money 
- Effective Delegating and Teamwork 
- Creative and Innovative Thinking 
- Priority Planning and Goal Development 
- Increasing Productivity 
- Effective Communicating 
- Selling Through Motivation 
- Reducing Cardiovascular Risk 
- The Alchemy of Transformation 


WELLNESS TOPICS:

- The Body/Mind Approach To Wellness 
- Managing Back Pain 
- Weight Loss 
- Managing Management 
- Smoking Cessation 
- Reducing Burnout 
- Ending Destructive Habits 
- Creating a Healthy Lifestyle 
- Wellness and Self Care 
- A powerful motivator and an innovative communicator.


LEWIS HARRISON BIOGRAPHY AND FACT SHEET:

Lewis Harrison is widely recognized as a leading expert on alternative medicine, and natural healing. A noted speaker for Over 24 years, he is Director of The Academy Of Natural Healing, and Chairperson of the Wellness Professional Emphasis Group (PEG) of The National Speaker's Association. A prolific author, Lewis has written six books, dozens of articles and special reports. His latest work, "Hands-On Healing: Massage for Total Health The Shaman's Way," shows the reader how they can reduce stress, speed healing, stimulate sensory perception and improve specific ailments including high blood pressure, back pain, insomnia and much more. 

Lewis is an "Inspired Data Machine and has a warm, and compassionate style . He has a unique ability to obtain even hard to find information, and has the ability to explain even the most difficult ideas which he easily puts into understandable terms. Lewis' has an ability to inspire and motivate both interviewer and audience, and he never fails to share inside tips and helpful ideas that will benefit his audience.

Lewis Harrison’s ability to motivate an audience has brought him many invitations to appear on radio and television. He has been interviewed throughout the United States on programs including; The Ray Heatherton Show, Gary Null's Natural Living (WMCA), The Barry Farber Show (WMCA), Betty Kamen (WMCA), Candy Jones Show (WMCA), Midday with Bill Boggs (WNEW-TV), Vital Signs (CNBC) and CNN. 


MORE FACTS ABOUT LEWIS HARRISON:

- His radio broadcasts and writings on; Health, Body/Mind, Personal Development and, Nutrition are dynamic and creative 
- He's known as a dedicated researcher, and information resource. He is considered by many to be an "Inspired Data Machine" 
- He has a warm, compassionate and humorous style. 
- He takes the most hard to find, and esoteric information and explains it in understandable terms. 
- He is the former host of his own weekly radio show broadcast on WEVD AM (New York City) on 10.50 AM. and has served as a consultant to a    Prime Time Live (WABC) 
- He has written numerous articles and special reports over the last fifteen years on health, success and personal development. 
- He has authored four best selling books on health and personal development 
- He will motivate, inspire and educate your audiences. 
- He has a universal appeal to white collar, blue collar and multicultural audiences with his high content entertaining presentation. 
- His programs avoid pat answers, exhortations or intimidating formulas. 
- He's a pro at delivering clear, concise information in a creative enjoyable and easy to follow format. 
- He offers a powerful message on increasing productivity and reducing absenteeism without stress and struggle 
- He is listed in the International Directory of Distinguished Leadership and Who's Who in Professional Speaking. 
- Full-time in speaking/training since l977 
- Lewis is flexible and can customize his programs to meet your specific needs. 
- A nationally respected writer, teacher and lecturer, Lewis is available for breakout sessions, to open or close your convention, conference or meeting, or as a workshop/seminar leader. 


Lewis Harrison's work has been praised by consumers and experts nationwide, here's what they are saying:

"Lewis taught me to use wild plants medicinally, and hired me to lead my first wild food tour of Central park. I owe much of my current success as an environmental educator to Lewis' superb instruction and guidance."

"Wildman" Steve Brill  (Naturalist-Educator-Author-Artist-Broadcaster)


"An invaluable resource on alternative medicine. The depth of his knowledge and his ability to communicate concepts effectively is wonderfully insightful and impressive." 

Jean Miller, D.O. Director  (Body/Centered Medical Center)


"I very much enjoyed your presentation at Furman Selz University."

Charles P. Menges, Jr  (Senior Managing Director)


"Mr. Harrison fielded several rapid-fire tough questions from our professional staff with the candor and honesty tempered by his many years as a 'coach' and motivational speaker."

Geordie Levitan  (Manager of Strategic Marketing with Venture Communications.)


"Your Nutrition and Stress Management lecture and your Motivational workshop were well received. Your style has a quality of sincerity that truly held the audiences attention."

Mark Becker  (Producer NEWLIFE Expo)


Alternative Medicine affects nearly everyone in our society. Everyone seems confused about what it is, let alone how to use it. Lewis Harrison's ability to address such a confusing subject makes him a sought-after speaker and guest. Lewis is listed in the International Directory of Distinguished Leadership, Who's Who in Service To The Earth and Who's Who in Professional Speaking.

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL IN ONE OF OUR NATURAL HEALING PROGRAMS
    

 

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