Birgit has been in small private practice since 2007 and serves divers populations, such as private clients, in corporate.  She participates in Health Fairs, Wellness events in New York City and sometimes New Jersey.  

For 1 1/2 years she facilitated in a harm reduction setting (self care for every day stress/pains) by utilizing chair yoga and self touch hand reflexology facilitation (SACHR, South Bronx).  In Chelsea, Birgit was the inhouse reflexologist  at Smith & Brit until late 2019. 

She has also had opportunities to work in Asia and Austria.  

She has been enjoying working in the community on honorary basis serving women with disabilities, moms with children with cancer diagnosis, women with breast cancer diagnosis, has supported the 9/11 community, refugees in Austria, and communities in Taitun, Taiwan, and Rajasthan, India (via organizations like IWD, RMH, STWS, CRREW, You Can Thrive, Obdach Wien, RVP, and others).  

In the past she  coordinated World Reflexoloyg Week events with fellow NYSRA members and has been active in legislative work in New York State for a decade. 

Current Memberships

- RAA, ICR, ARCB - Reflexology

- TCTSY-F in good standing since spring 2019: (The Center of Trauma and Embodiment at JRI) - Yoga

Grant/Awards (Thank you so much!)

• Member of the Year 2012 (New York State Reflexology Association aka NYSRA) 
• ICR Humanitarian Award 2017 
• Yogaactivist Grant for Refugees in Vienna/Austria 2017

What does Ban-Chi mean? 

 - BAN represents Birgit's initials (Birgit Anna Nagele) 

- CHI symbolizes a reminder of one the of the ancient origins of Reflexology, namely, China. 

- CHI means prana in Sanskrit and this is what Yoga is a ll about

- Chi/Prana means Energy; Energy means Vitality.

What else does Birgit currently do/has done?

ICR Director since 2017 (International Council of Reflexologists, (Conference Committee, assisting social media, ICR Paws)

Blogging about her personal organic-creative approach to health/wellness, her integrative work as well as respective topics including dogs, shining the light on integrative care for humans and our animal friends.  

Brought to life the Ancient Egyptian Tomb Painting of Saqquara (see gallery) believed to depict Reflexology for the first time with fellow reflexologists, Lynn Levy, Carol Schwartz, and Patricia Sanzone in 2014.

Design

4ER (4 Essential Hand Reflexes) used in 2 Manuals 

• LV Chair Yoga Teacher Training Manual
• Chair IPT (Integrated Positional Therapy)