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.
- 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 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.
Who Is Lewis Harrison?
Lewis Harrison is nationally known as a
speaker on spirituality, health and nutrition and is also an effective
commentator on current trends in politics and public policy. His strong
non-ideological grasp of interlocking historical issues makes him a
speaker or interview subject who is always interesting.
A powerful motivator and an innovative
communicator.
- 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 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 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 work has been praised by consumers and experts nationwide:
"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
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.
To book an interview, call 212-724-8782 ext. 4
Here's What Our So Many Are Saying About Us
Accolades From Corporate and Individual
Clients:
"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
To contact Lewis Harrison, or book an
interview, call Lewis Harrison at
212-724-8782 ext. 4 or e-mail him at chihealer@mindspring.com
___________________________________________________
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 progrtams 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.
For INFORMATION ON FEES,
AVAILABILITY, DEMO TAPES and REFERRALS.
Contact:
The Academy of Natural Healing
40 west 72 St. #117 New York, NY 10023
Call (212) 724-8782 Or, E-mail:
chihealer@mindspring.com