Snapshot of an Aromatherapist: Meet Paula S. Begel
We continue the Snapshot of an Aromatherapist series with the amazing Paula Begel. Paula and I are co-reps for New York State for AIA so I’ve had the pleasure of working directly with her. She is passionate about aromatherapy and sharing safe use with others. I love her energy and her gigantic heart. We never end a phone conversation without Paula saying, “I love you” and, of course, I say it right back because I do love her! Paula says, “All my years of experiences and education has led me to a path of educating others on the wonderful and safe uses of essential oils. I love to teach and I love to learn.” She sure does! Her list of classes (see below) speaks for itself. Paula was invited back this year to teach medical students at Syracuse University about aromatherapy because she was the favorite guest speaker last year. Keep it up, Paula! You are doing good work!
Paula lives in Cicero NY (a suburb of Syracuse NY) and works as a full time massage therapist and aromatherapist under the business name of Long Life Massage Therapy PLLC.
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Robert Tisserand interviews Paula Begel during the 2015 AIA conference in Denver
What got you interested in aromatherapy? Tell us a little bit about your aroma-story.
As a massage therapist, I was looking for organic skin carriers and wanted to add aromatherapy. I started with a MLM (multi-level marketing company) and soon learned that there was a whole world of education available outside of that. In 2006 I started with ACP (Aromatherapy Certification Program at Aromahead) certification and have been learning, using, and teaching aromatherapy ever since.
How long have you been interested in aromatherapy?
It started when I was a Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS degree) and used various lotions and creams that were approved by the clinic or hospital. As soon as I started massage school, I had an interest is using organic body products; including essential oils.
What do you love most about aromatherapy?
What don’t I love about aromatherapy? I love the thousands of ways and variations for using essential oils.
Describe what training you’ve had in aromatherapy. Please also list any aromatherapy certifications:
- Aromahead Institute ACP 2006
- Aromahead: Teacher Training 2006
- Aromahead: Advanced Aromatherapy 2008
- Aromahead: Component Blending 2010
- Aromahead: The Business of Aromatherapy
- Aromahead: Aromatic Blending 2011
- Aromahead: Medicinal Blending 2012
- Aromahead: Gabriel Mojay-Psychological-Medical Astrology of Essential Oils 2013
- EORC (Essential Oil Resource Consultants): Rhiannon Harris Lewis: Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy for Respiratory Disorders 2007
- EORC: The Use of Essential Oils in the Cancer Care Environment 2007
- EORC: Aromatherapy in Pregnancy and Beyond 2008
- EORC: Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy for Digestive Disorders 2008
- EORC: Supporting the Terrain 2009
- EORC: Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy for Genito-Urinary Disorders 2009
- EORC: Clinical Approaches in Dermatology 2010
- EORC: Clinical Aromatherapy and Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010
- EORC: Introduction to Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy 2011
- EORC: Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy; Formulations Masterclass 2011
- EORC: Aromapsychology; Maximising our Responses to Fragrances 2014
- EORC: Clinical Aromatherapy and Infectious Diseases & Advanced Formulation Skills 2014
- EORC: Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy Level 1 2015
- EORC: Clinical Aromatherapy Approaches for Painful and Inflammatory Conditions 2016
- Robert Tisserand: Skin Series 2015
- Aromahead: How to Protect Your Family from Colds and Flu Using Essential Oils
- Aromahead: Building a Web Presence
- Aromahead: Introduction to Alternative Medicine
- AIA Conferences-2013, 2015
- NAHA Conferences 2014, 2016
- Botanica 2016
- Many Journals and books
- Will be attending AIA conference 2017
- Will finish Aromahead Advanced Graduate program this year
- Attending Mark Webb’s CO2 class April 2017
What other specialty training have you had? How do those things relate to your work with aromatherapy?
- Physical Therapist Assistant AAS 1992
- Lab Assistant Phlebotomist 1988-1993; learned much about chemistry and pathologies
- Retired PTA
- Retired personal trainer and aerobic instructor
- Martial Artist (5th degree Black Belt Sensei)
These all helped lead up to where I am now with experiences and clients etc…
Describe how you use your aromatherapy training in your day-to-day life:
- With cleaning and self care, clients
- Offer classes and personal consultations and blending
- Massage blends
- Diffuse etc…
Describe how you use your aromatherapy training in your business:
- Teaching and personal consults
- Consultant with a local organic spa
- Massage blends
What are you most excited about with regard to the future of aromatherapy and your place in it?
Education: Being able to bridge the gap between the Medical and Holistic communities.
What advice would you give to someone considering aromatherapy certification?
- Look at education outside of MLM
- Take classes with different teachers
What are your top 3-5 favorite essential oils and what do you love about them?
- Lavender: so versatile
- Frankincense: again; versatility
- All citrus for happy, bright, and uplifting aromas
Show us your essential oil collection:
What are your top 3-5 favorite aromatherapy books and what do you love about them?
- Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals 2d by Robert Tisserand
- The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy Second Edition by Salvatore Battaglia
- Andrea Butje’s 2 books: Complex to simple books for everyone
Show us your aromatherapy bookshelf:
Please share a recipe with Marvy Moms readers
Simple headache roll-on:
Add 2 drops each of peppermint and lavender to a 10 ml roll-on bottle and top off with carrier oil of your choice. This will give you a blend with a dilution rate of 2%.
What else would you like to share with Marvy Moms readers?
Less is more when using essential oils. Start with 1%..sometimes that is enough.
Thank you, Paula, for all you do for the aromatherapy community!
About Emily Carpenter
Emily is a Web Whiz, Blogger, Speaker, Student, and Mom. She is the owner of WhizBang! Web Solutions LLC, and the founder of Marvy Moms. She loves working from home so that she can be there for every possible moment with her son, JW. Learning as she goes, Emily breastfed, bought cloth diapers (but never used them), made her son’s baby food, had a family bed for nearly two years, and loves spending time with her son. Emily is a certified Level II Reiki practitioner and offers her services both in-person and remotely to people interested in this energetic healing modality. Emily is currently enrolled as a student at the American Academy of Homeopathy to become a Certified Classical Homeopath and has earned a diploma in botanical medicine at Botanical Medicine Institute. She is also a Certified Aromatherapist, and received her training from Aromahead Institute.