Andrea Butje, LMT, Clinical Aromatherapist

Andrea Butje has been teaching courses in the therapeutic uses of essential oils since 1995. After co-founding the successful Finger Lakes School of Massage in Ithaca NY, Andrea developed the scientifically based 200-hour Aromatherapy Certification Program approved by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and the Alliance of International Aromatherapists. She also designed and teaches the Scholars Program, a 400-hour Aromatherapy Certification Program approved by the Alliance of International Aromatherapists.  

As a Clinical Aromatherapist and Licensed Massage Therapist, Andrea's teaching is based on her own life-changing experiences with essential oils. She has studied with inspiring teachers and researchers in England, France and the United States. She loves to visit essential oil distillers and photograph the plants. Her travels through the lavender fields and distilleries in France, the Helichrysum distillery in Corsica,  and a conifer distillery in Canada has continued to deepen her interest in and appreciation for both the plants themselves and the ensuing process of distillation.

Andrea currently works directly with distillers in Ethiopia, South Africa, Madagascar, New Zealand, Australia, India, Thailand, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Siberia, Sri Lanka, Slovenia, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, England, and France. She frequently travels abroad to meet small farmers and distillers of essential oils. This hands-on experience has allowed her to remain on top of current issues and trends in the growing practice of Aromatherapy.

Andrea currently serves on the education board of the Alliance of International Aromatherapists and contributes to the organization's efforts to create educational standards. She has participated in and taught at international aromatherapy conferences, as well as having developed and implemented essential oil courses for spas and massage schools. She also writes an educational blog for Aromatherapists.

As an instructor, Andrea takes a friendly, engaging approach and takes great care to ensure that every students' needs are met. Her infectious enthusiasm and inspiring lifestyle make studying with her a unique and vibrant experience.

Cindy Black, AP, LMT

Cindy Black is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Diplomate in Chinese Herbology, and Massage Therapist in Sarasota, FL. She co-founded the Finger Lakes School of Massage in 1994 with Andrea Butje, where she taught Anatomy and Physiology, Sports Massage, and Oriental Medical Theory. Cindy has a great love for teaching, always providing fun, dynamic and thought-provoking learning experiences.

She has had a life-long passion for learning and practicing different methods of health and healing.   She studied Health Education as an undergraduate and later went on to pursue Massage Therapy. In 2004 she pursued her dream of studying Chinese Medicine, completing her studies in 2007 with a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine. She is an NCCAOM Diplomate of Chinese Herbology and Oriental Medicine.

She has been studying, teaching and practicing alternative medicine for more than 20 years. Currently, she has a private practice in Sarasota, Florida where she offers health consultations and treatments combining acupuncture, herbs, massage, and other alternative medical remedies.

Her free time is devoted to further study of alternative health, astrology, organic gardening, and supporting Aromatics International.  Aromatics International is an international Aromatherapy web store that imports and sells organic essential oils.

Visit Cindy at Long Life Happy Life.