Profile: Christian Mbulu is a public health and holistic health practitioner with focus on the health of the whole person and community. After many years of learning and practicing at the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine, Christian is now focused on training others in African Holistic health and Living using whole-person care approaches. Christian is specialized in teaching his students how to tease out the healthy and unhealthy aspects of themselves, their families, as well as their clients, and how these parts can be harmonized to be whole again using modalities such as: acupressure, nutrition, reflexology, Iridology, tongue analysis, pulse reading, hair and urine analysis, mindfulness, visualization/guided imagery, herbal detox/cleanse, homeopathy, Reiki, weight management, and spirituality. Christian received his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology from Bowie State University in 2001, one of Maryland’s historical black colleges and universities (HBCU). He completed his master’s in public health (MPH) in 2013 and his Doctorate in Public Health (DrPh) in 2022 at Walden University. Christian was certified in 2013 as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc (NCHEC). Christian received his certification in Holistic Health Practice (CHHP) from the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine. He is Certified as a Nursing Assistant (CNA) by the Maryland board of nursing, and a Certified Psychiatric Technician (CPT) by the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

African Holistic Health Programs 

This program introduces the fundamentals, concepts, strategies, applications, and contemporary trends related to understanding personal or family health issues; focuses on various health related situations to acquire the ability to practice healthy living, promote healthy lifestyles, and enhance individual and family well-being.  

Objective 

The objective of this course is to exposes the students to the theories, ideas, and principles of natural or holistic wellness as utilized in the practice of African holistic health. At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to iterate the fundamentals of African holistic health ways of seeing and viewing health (philosophy), answer some questions relative to African holistic health with Nigeria examples, and utilize the knowledge and skills acquired as a guide in managing their life as well as helping family members and society.  

Specialization 

Students will select an area of specialization from: Traditional Weight Management, Stress Management, Acu–Reike-Aroma Therapy, or Wellness Coach. Students can decide on more than one area of specialization for same fee of $125 per area.  

Evaluation (Students) 

Students are evaluated frequently through homework, class activities, quizzes, case studies, and exams (each level) and final exam (for certification). 

Evaluation (Teacher) 

Teacher evaluation form is available at each class until the end of the course. Students can choose to be or not to be anonymous. The evaluation forms can be mailed, emailed, or completed online for the institute.  

Engagement – This is an engaging course; be ready to participate fully. 

Field Trips – To Brookside Garden in Wheaton MD, health food stores, herbal stores, other available sites.  

Text: No textbook required; handouts will be provided.  

Websites: Related websites will be explored  

Course website: Classes – Washington Institute Of Natural Medicine 

Prerequisites/Prior knowledge: None 

Target audience: All professionals, including students of all fields and levels. 

Delivery: Student can elect all or any of these categories. Students are encouraged to inform the teacher 24 hours before each class: a) In-person and Virtual (hybrid), b) In-person only, and c) Hybrid only.  

Levels: 8 levels 

Time: 8am-1pm 

Cost: $195 per level  

Sequence: Can be taken in any order but must complete all levels to be certified 

Grade: Need 80% to pass the final exam and receive certificate  

The Washington Institute teaches continuing education classes and a certificate program in Holistic Health in Maryland. The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) has reviewed the Washington Institute’s classes and has determined that the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine can teach classes in Maryland. 

Level 1 – Introduction to African Holistic Health 

This level introduces students to holistic living from African perspective, including but not limited to Doctrine of signature, History, Research, Environment, Remedies, Food as Remedies, and the influences of Nigeria culture, and health outcomes.  

Level 2 – Food and Oils 

This level introduces students to holistic living from African perspective, including but not limited to Sample of Food, Cooking Oils, Essential Oils, Research, Environment, the influences of Nigeria culture, and health outcomes.  

Level 3 – Cleanse and Rejuvenate  

This level introduces students to holistic living from African perspective, including but not limited to Cleansing, Fasting, Prayer, African Religion, Spirituality, African Indigenous Music, Research, Environment, the influences of Nigeria culture, and health outcomes.  

Level 4 – Body Structure and Connections 

This level introduces students to holistic living from African perspective, including but not limited to Anatomy, Physiology, Whole Person Health, Five elements, Yin-Yang,  

Research, Environment, the influences of Nigeria culture, and health outcomes.  

Level 5 – Whole Person Care (Person; Family; Community/society) 

This level introduces students to holistic living from African perspective, including but not limited to Body, Mind, Spirit of a Person and their environment (Family, community/society), Research, the influences of Nigeria culture, and health outcomes.  

Level 6 Assessment and Intervention 1 – Bring your own client for practice. 

This level introduces students to holistic living from African perspective, including but not limited to how to perform a comprehensive holistic health exam to detect imbalances within and around the body, aided by charts, and other holistic strategies. Students will bring their own client for this clinical teaching, learning, and practice. Most students bring their family members to benefit from this experience. This experience enhances family wellness for a long time to come. We will examine current research relative to Nigeria culture and health outcomes.  

Level 7 Assessment and Intervention 2 – Bring your own client for practice. 

This level introduces students to holistic living from African perspective, including but not limited to how to perform a comprehensive holistic health exam to detect imbalances within and around the body, aided by charts, and other holistic strategies. Students will bring their own client for this clinical teaching, learning, and practice. Most students bring their family members to benefit from this experience. This experience enhances family wellness for a long time to come. We will examine Nutrition, selected Herbs, Reflexology, Reiki, Homeopathy, Flower Essence, Acupressure, Lymphatic Drainage, and current research relative to Nigeria culture.  

Level 8 Area of Specialization  

Student will select one area of specialization (Traditional Weight Management, Stress Management, Acu–Reike-Aroma Therapy, or Wellness Coaching). Review of professional conduct, legal practice, client confidentiality, advertising, informed consent and client intake forms are covered.  

Traditional Weight Management 

Learn the truth about your own body‘s ways of managing different types of fats and sugars and how they affect your body. Meal Planning Guidelines – Learn dietary planning for optimal health for both adults and children. 

Stress Management 

Is a two-day class including discussion and practical experience of holistic and traditional exercises you can recommend to clients. Discussion of body work and other techniques that are useful for stress management. Students will experience meditation and visualization sessions. Role play to help the student learn to conduct meditation and visualization sessions. Aromatherapy and music is part of the experience. 

Acu–Reike-Aroma Therapy 

Learn about hands-on healing and caring for those with a variety of disorders through touch and personal internal and external energy network (Chakra). Become aquainted with the history of healing, Reiki, subo points and how you can use this knowledge to care for others. This class will instruct students in the full treatment process. They will learn how to give a complete chakra-based energy therapy session. A variety of styles of energy healing techniques will be presented in this class. Learn about sending energy through the Chinese meridian systems. 

Wellness Coaching  

Wellness Coaching is two-day class includes developing skills on client assessment, coaching skills and interviewing skills, experiential case study, role-play and clinical work with your client(s). Additional subjects covered: appropriate language for non-licensed practitioners and terminology necessary when not permitted to diagnose a physical or mental condition. Student will receive checklist and client intake forms. 

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