Based in beautiful Snowdonia in North Wales, the Welsh School of Aromatherapy is the first and only International Federation of Aromatherapy (IFA) accredited school in Wales. The school was created in response to aromatherapy WEA night-class students wishing to continue training to a professional level. The principal and founder is the Holistic Aromatherapist and tutor Lindsay Woodman BA (Hons) LLSA, MIFA, who developed the school over three years, in conjunction with the IFA taking in the first cohort in 2007.

The school embraces communication technologies and/or uses the postal service to enable not only the local community, but also students from all areas of the UK and even from abroad to train. The correspondence approach to learning requires discipline and careful time management from students in return for the flexibility it offers to study around other commitments.

The working weekends are based at Trigonos, an inspiring educational and residential centre situated in the Nantlle Valley in the Snowdonia National Park, a setting of great natural beauty. The nearest town is Caernarfon on the Welsh North Coast.

We work in a studio with natural light, central heating and good ventilation, with stunning views across a lake and up the valley to Snowdon. The 18 acres of Trigonos’ land stretch to the lakeshore and include an herb and flower garden, a field for vegetables and salads, pastures, coppices and streams and we are welcome to explore the hidden corners of this beautiful landscape.

Trigonos also provides accommodation, which can be booked for the weekends, if you wish to stay. They also have very good home-prepared food, with the emphasis on fresh ingredients often grown on their own land, which can be pre-booked by all students at lunch-time whether resident or not.

Trigonos has a policy for sustainable practice and has attained Level Two of the Green Dragon Environmental Standard. They have also installed a low carbon woodchip heating and hot water system in November 2007. They have won both the 2008 Green Snowdonia Tourism Award for Best Sustainable Tourism Business and The Low Carbon Award. For more information on Trigonos visit http://www.trigonos.org or find Trigonos on Google Maps.

The space and stillness offered by this environment provides a reflective environment allowing development of a sense of one's own wellbeing, as in order to give sensitive, professional and holistic care, therapists of integrity need to take care of themselves too. This school is deeply rooted in the ancient wisdom and skills of healing traditions, whilst also drawing from the newest scientific knowledge. However overarching all school activities is a passionate endeavour to educate in a nurturing and inspirational environment and to promote ethical practice, sourcing of materials and lifestyle.