Directors
AZRA Officers 2010-2012
Front (L to R) Katherine Lee Reece, Vice president; Virginia Farwell, President
Back (L to R) Katherine Wickstrom, Treasurer; Deb Kortyna, Recording Secretary; Carol Crocket, Membership Secretary
Photo by: Janet Stetser
We look forward to serving you over the next couple of years!
AZRA Directors
Virginia Farwell
President
Virginia began her studies of reflexology in Colorado in 1992 and when she moved to Tucson she completed training with Susan Warren of Asiam Healing Arts in Tucson, AZ. She then obtained her National Certification through American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB), in 2001.
She is a member of the Reflexology Association of America (RAA) and International Council of Reflexologist (ICR). She has served on the AZRA Board from 2002-2007 and also the RAA Board from 2004-2008. Virginia has volunteered for the past 8 years with La Fronteria, working in their “Wellness Center”.
Her vision for AZRA is to make the Association a resource where the members can get information concerning our profession as well as providing workshops with a variety of speakers and presenters which will enhance our personal practices. She would love to see the membership grow and interact on regular bases.
Katherine Lee Reece
Vice-President
Katherine Lee Reece is a licensed Holistic Aesthetician in Maine and Arizona. Her approach is based upon TCM and color light. She became a certified reflexologist in 2008 through the 375 hour program of The New England Institute of Reflexology in Mass. She is also a certified Esogetic Colorpuncturist and certified Instructor for Lone Sorenssens Facial Reflexology amd Japaneses Cosmolift.
“It is an honor to join AZRA. I look forward to help create new ways to support each other and the profession of reflexology.”
Deb Kortyna
Recording Secretary
I help my clients feel better – do more by reducing their pain, increasing their energy and helping them relax and renew through integrative bodywork using Reflexology, B.E.S.T., CST, Reiki and Massage.
I am a nationally certified reflexologist and massage therapist. My initial study of reflexology was through the American Academy of Reflexology in 1999. Since then, I have studied with Dwight Byers of IIR, Moss Arnold of Chi-Reflexology, Lilian Morton of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy, Father Josef Unger of Father Josef Method and Paul Harvey of the Whitaker Wellness Institute.
I also volunteer my services at events throughout the year. Most recently, I participated in the Integrative Touch for Kids retreat providing classes for families and reflexology sessions. Regularly, I provide services at events such as the Walk for Life and Breath, University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Elective Rotation and World Reflexology Week events.
I see AZRA supporting all reflexologists in Arizona by providing education in reflexology business and marketing, building a community within the reflexologists, and participating in the holistic integrative professions
Katherine Wickstrom
Treasurer
In 2003 Kathy had an opportunity to take Reiki as well as an intro Massage class. She then thought she’d give Reflexology a try and signed up for an intro Reflexology class at Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, with Deb Kortyna as the instructor. She was thoroughly intrigued and went on to take the advanced class in the fall of 2005, followed by taking the exam for national certification. Kathy received her national certification in November of 2006. She continues to take continuing education classes on regular bases.
Her vision for AZRA is to see it continue as a viable entity for the reflexology community here in Arizona . I am willing to do my part to see AZRA continue to carry on here in Arizona as well as be represented in the national community of reflexologists.
Carol Crockett
Membership Secretary
Carol Crockett completed her reflexology training at The Just for Health School of Reflexology in Englewood, Co. in 2001. Her instructor, Racheal Lord, is a renown reflexologist, educator and master herbalist. Carol is also a registered nurse with an active license with 30 plus years of experience in acute care with an emphasis on neurological care.
An intense interest and desire to expand her knowledge of complimentary medicine led her to become nationally certified in reflexology. Carol has been a member of ARCB since 2001 and holds memberships in AZRA, RAA and AMBP. She has many hours of training in aromatherapy that she incorporates into the reflexology treatments.
Carol holds certifications in Ten Zo, Asian Reflexology, Reiki and Therapeutic Touch.
Vision for AZRA –Increase the membership of AZRA through public awareness of the many benefits of foot and hand reflexology. Carol wants the public to understand the difference between who is highly qualified to give safe and effective reflexology treatments and why (to protect the public). Carol would like reflexology to become a household word such as massage is now. Carol views reflexology as a dynamic therapy in one’s repertoire towards the integration of body mind and spirit.
AZRA Delegates
Janet E. Stetser, D. Sc.
Stetser first was introduced to Reflexology in the late 70's. In 1983 she completed her basic certification with Hilda Marie Frey, in Harrisburg, PA. In 1990 she became a charter member of ICR (International Council of Reflexologists). 1990/91 organized the Maine Council of Reflexology (MCR).
1994/95 chaired the RAA committee and first conference in St. Louis, MO. 1996 to 2000 organized and began the ground work for ACARET. In 2000, ACARET (American Commission for the Accreditation of Reflexology Education and Training) began setting standards for Professional Reflexologists. In 2005, retired from both school and clinic in Alna, Maine. In 2008, moved to McNeal, Arizona to begin the next childhood challenge. We are only as old as we think we are.
JoAnn Escobedo
In 1978 JoAnn bought her first Reflexology book by Mildred Carter. JoAnn was already a strong proponent of the belief that we should take care of our bodies as naturally as possible by eating healthy foods, exercising and using natural methods for healing. It was impossible to not add Reflexology to her repertoire. She began classes in 2006, achieving her certification in 2007 from Deb Kortyna, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts. She has also taken classes in LaStone Hot/Cold Stone Therapy and Korean Hand Therapy. She is a member of RAA and AZRA.
JoAnn has a strong desire to educate the public of the wonderful primitive yet advanced technology we all have at our fingertips and within ourselves to maintain a healthy mind and body. She became a delegate because her peers knew it was time for JoAnn to get involved. JoAnn wanted to be involved and being a State Delegate is certainly the step in the right direction for her to fully embrace her reason of being a Reflexologist and work with other State Delegates to increase public awareness of this therapeutic modality that can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments.