Christopher Shirley, Founder
CHRIS SHIRLEY
Reflexologist. Teacher. Perpetual Student. Professional Question-Asker. Still Not Finished.
Christopher Shirley has been on the planet for a while.
As a child, when people asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, he had absolutely no idea.
In retrospect, he might have boldly answered “a wise man,” although that would have been rather audacious for a child whose fascination with “magic” was considerably stronger than his understanding of wisdom.
As it turns out, he never completely abandoned either ambition.
Christopher began his professional life with a BA, First Class Honours, in Human Resources Development from York University, followed by postgraduate training in Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria.
Then, in 1977, he discovered reflexology.
More accurately, reflexology discovered him.
After experiencing several reflexology sessions with Laura Kennedy, he began studying with her and subsequently worked alongside her in an informal apprenticeship. In 1978 he studied the Ingham Method with Dwight Byers and, apparently unable to leave well enough alone, kept studying.
And studying.
And studying.
In 1978 Christopher abandoned his anticipated career in counselling to practice, promote and teach reflexology.
In 1982 he established the Reflexology Centre of Vancouver, combining private practice, professional training, lectures and public education. He later served as President of the Reflexology Association of British Columbia and helped get reflexology its own listing in the Yellow Pages—despite considerable opposition from the medical establishment.
The feet were officially in the phone book.
Things escalated from there.
Over the following decades Christopher studied with reflexologists and teachers from Canada, the United States, England, Germany and elsewhere, exploring foot, hand and ear reflexology, reflexotherapy, Vertical Reflex Therapy, Vitaflex, Ayurvedic Reflexology, Cranial Sacral Reflexology, Advanced Reflexology Training and science-based approaches.
He developed courses.
He published reflexology charts.
He produced instructional videos and DVDs.
He conducted research at BCIT.
He brought international instructors to Vancouver.
He developed the Pacific Institute of Reflexology.
He built a website before everybody else had one.
He built another one when the first one became obsolete.
He developed more courses.
And, because apparently knowing things wasn't enough, he kept finding people who knew things he didn't know and went off to learn from them.
By 2009 he had divided his advanced training into Clinical Skills and Professional Skills, recognizing that knowing reflexology techniques and knowing how to work effectively with people are not necessarily the same thing.
That distinction has become increasingly important to him.
After nearly five decades of learning, practicing, teaching and observing reflexology, Christopher has become less interested in proving that one particular approach is the correct one.
In fact, he has reached a rather inconvenient conclusion: There are many ways to practice reflexology.
And— they all work.
This has not diminished his enthusiasm for reflexology.
It has made him considerably more curious about what reflexology could become.
Christopher's passion now is helping reflexology develop as a truly holistic practice, distinct from medicine rather than attempting to imitate it.
His interests have consequently expanded beyond technique into communication, active listening, stress, trauma, mindfulness, energy management, emotional expression, therapeutic relationships and creating a safe healing space.
Because eventually he discovered another inconvenient truth:
You can know an enormous amount about reflexology and still not know how to be with another human being.
And having a big heart and good intentions is wonderful.
But without awareness, communication skills and appropriate boundaries, even good intentions can occasionally go spectacularly sideways.
So Christopher continues to teach.
He continues to learn.
He sponsors internationally recognized instructors, supports reflexology education in Vancouver, teaches in Regina, served on the Board of the Reflexology Association of British Columbia, and develops resources to make reflexology information more accessible.
He also continues to ask questions that occasionally make people uncomfortable.
Which is probably a good thing.
Because after all these years, Christopher has discovered that the questions are often more interesting than the answers.
He is still curious.
Still learning.
Still teaching.
Still working on the feet.
Still occasionally talking about energy when everyone else has moved on to lunch.
Still looking for the magic.
And still trying to become a wiser man.
Christopher Shirley
Nearly five decades in.
Still not finished.