Get to know and contact your board members
2 exciting and rewarding days in Uppsala, Sweden for the General Assembly (AGM) in may 2024 resulted in a new board.
First of all, we’d like to extend our warmest thanks to Esther who was a member of the R.i.E.N. board from 2011-2016 as vice-secretary. Then she became secretary until 2019 to come back in 2022 until may 2024. She worked hard as secretary and supported R.i.E.N. by making and sending out receipts and member documents.
5 new people joined to help RiEN with future projects. Full of energy and desire to continue and develop the work of R.i.E.N. The new board is made up of 7 nationalities: Eduardo from Portugal 🇵🇹, Anneke from Spain 🇪🇸 , Ingrid from the Netherlands 🇳🇱, Orlando from Italy 🇮🇹, Tamara from Belgium 🇧🇪, Helga from Germany 🇩🇪 and last but not least Elise from France 🇫🇷.
Read more about who they are ⤵️
Chair: Eduardo Luís (Portugal)
Eduardo Luís studied Reflexology in Madeira in 2001, continued his studies in Porto at the Institute of Integrated Reflexology in 2004, and completed his studies in 2007. He also studies Chinese Medicine, has 15 years of experience in the Reflexology field, and founded the Centre for Reflexology in Madeira in 2007, where he serves as director.
He is a trainer and organizes workshops and conferences for the dissemination of Reflexology in Madeira and Portugal. He has provided basic Reflexology training to nurses, doctors, and the general public in the Regional Health Service in Madeira. Additionally, he writes for magazines on reflexology issues and has participated in TV and radio programs. In 2009, he organized the first Congress of Reflexology in Portugal, Madeira, where he discussed “Maternity in Reflexology” and “Chinese Medicine associated with Reflexology.” Eduardo is a Monitor of the Reflexology Course – Child method by Angeles Hinojosa, integrated with the Spanish Association of Reflexology Child.
He has completed courses in Maternity Reflexology with Mauricio Mosche Kruchik and has trained in traditional Chinese medicine, Auriculotherapy, Su-Jok, Moxibustion, TLE (Emotional Freedom Technique), Rebirthing, Aromatherapy, Hopi Candles, Flower Bach, Metamorphic Reflexology, Reflexology Emotional, Energetic Matrix, Reiki, Chair-massage, and facial reflexology.
Eduardo advocates for the Reflexology clinic in Portugal and intends to establish a credible body to see Reflexology accepted by the National Health Service. He currently has 50 students in Madeira and Portugal, where he teaches reflexology and works in his clinic in Lisbon. He organizes workshops and many conferences weekly to promote reflexology in schools and public places.
He expresses his happiness for being able to write for a local newspaper every week and appear on the local television channel every two weeks. His efforts in promotion and the results obtained in reflexology have led to government support for working in hospitals and creating conditions and regulations for complementary medicine.
Contact him via chair.rien@gmail.com.
Co-chair : Ingrid Wareman (The Netherlands)
Ingrid Wareman, along with Eduardo, takes care of the chair position. As co-chair, she is honored to provide structure and guidance to the meetings, ensuring the chosen course is maintained. She aims to meet many people, focusing on bringing people together and building bridges.
She loves empowering people and hopes to strengthen the reflexology network in Europe, allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of our wonderful profession.
Contact her via cochair.rien@gmail.com.
Vice-chair : Orlando Volpe (Italy)
Orlando Volpe graduated in Psychological Sciences and Techniques and is a Well-being Operator, Reflexology Teacher, and the creator of the Reflex Corporea technique. He is passionate about cellular medicine and neuroscience and is also a Stretching Shiatsu Instructor and Enneagram expert. He holds courses and conferences in Italy and abroad.
He has written two books on foot reflexology and one on Stretching Shiatsu, as well as a Map (Poster) on the Nervous System and one on the Enneagram.
Here is a link to his books on Amazon: Orlando Volpe’s Books.
Contact him via rienvicechair@gmail.com.
Treasurer : Anneke van ’t Wout (Spain)
Anneke van ’t Wout has been involved with reflexology for over 50 years. Introduced to reflexology in 1974 due to rheumatic problems, she soon studied reflexology and started her own school, inviting many international reflexology instructors. For 15 years, she ran this school, developing a combination of reflexology and kinesiology. She has taught this system extensively in several countries.
She was a founder and board member of the VNRT, founded Dutch Reflexology associations, and co-founded Reflexology in Europe Nexus (RiEN) with Mo Usher. She was a member of the International Council of Reflexologists (ICR) and served as treasurer. Additionally, she is part of the BeNeLux Reflexology Network of RiEN, helping organize international reflexology conferences and serving as treasurer.
Her background includes Applied Physiology (APP), reflexology, kinesiology, astrology, and nutrition. She gives seminars in reflexology and has created her own system combining reflexology and kinesiology, presented in various countries.
To manage her rheumatic issues, she moved to Spain for the dry weather and began teaching reflexology there. Currently, she works with a total health organization in the Netherlands to create a new system for health. Throughout her extensive career, she continues to passionately advocate for reflexology and its benefits.
Contact her via finance.rien@gmail.com.
Secretary: Tamara Cobos-Rodriguez (Belgium)
Tamara Cobos-Rodriguez is the new secretary of RiEN. She is a business analyst in the Healthcare Sector at Iqvia.com, primarily working with data analyses for hospitals. She is also the president of the Belgium professional association for reflexologists as a volunteer. With over 10 years of experience in her own practice in massage and reflexology, she is currently taking a break to care for her third child born in July 2023.
She remains active by following workshops and providing reflexology to friends and family. She plans to restart her practice once her children are older and more independent. Taking on the position of secretary, she is dedicated to upholding the standards set by her predecessor Esther and is committed to bringing a fresh and dynamic perspective to the administration.
Together with Elise, she aims to revitalize the website and ensure more efficient and modern administrative processes, creating a seamless experience for all members and reflexology enthusiasts.
She brings creativity and enthusiasm to her work and looks forward to collaborating with everyone and contributing to the continued success of RiEN.
Contact her via secretary.rien@gmail.com.
Vice-secretary : Elise Manzoni (France)
Elise Manzoni joined the RiEN Board of Directors as vice-secretary to assist Tamara, the secretary. She is also President of the French Federation of Reflexologists and Deputy General Secretary of SyndiCare (France).
Her involvement in reflexology began 14 years ago when she set up her own business. She believes it is essential to work together to advance the knowledge and recognition of reflexology. She emphasizes the importance of pursuing efforts at the European level and sharing advances in research, training, and professional posture to unite around strong values and defend the profession.
Contact her via vicesecretary.rien@gmail.com.
Board assistant : Helga Dittman (Germany)
Helga Dittman is a reflexologist, alternative practitioner and certified pedagogue, practicing reflexology on the feet, hands and ears for 40 years. She developed a training program in cooperation with her teacher Bill Flocco (USA), teaching basic reflexology and the method of ‘Emotional Release Reflexology.’
For about 30 years, she has been involved in various reflexology organizations, enjoying networking and learning from reflexologists worldwide. RiEN offers the opportunity to share this experience with many colleagues and take active steps towards a new understanding of health for body and soul.
She is happy to support this process as a board member of RiEN.
Contact her via boardassistant.rien@gmail.com.
