Debbie Torrellas
San Juan
Summary
Debbie Torrellas, founder, owner, CEO, aquatic therapy instructor, and lead therapist at Float Aqua Wellness Center, brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Debbie has received training from renowned professionals like Harold Dull, Dr. Igor Burdenko, Andrea Salzman, Ruth Sova, and Eric Dalton, honing her skills in alternative and evidence-based fields. With over 30,000 hours of practice in modalities such as Watsu, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, the Burdenko Method, and Visceral Manipulation Therapy. Debbie is a highly skilled and intuitive body worker. Passionate about water, Debbie established the first wellness center of its kind in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. In 2014, Debbie became the inaugural Aquatic Therapy Instructor at Aquatic Therapy University in the Caribbean. Currently, spearheads the aquatic therapy revolution by adapting land-based techniques to water and educating licensed healthcare providers through Float Aquatic Therapy University - Caribbean Campus. Debbie's expertise extends beyond her own center as she has served as a trusted consultant and designer for several aquatic therapy centers in Puerto Rico. Notably, she contributed to the "La Esperanza" project for the Municipality of San Juan in 2015. Additionally, Debbie is an accomplished author with two published books: "The WaterKite Journey: Get Wet and Heal" (2012) and "Vuela: colección de poemas" (2018). Through her work, Debbie serves as a catalyst for self-expression and self-healing.
Overview
48
48
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Creator
The AcuaYogi Method
2005.01
- Create a unique exercise program founded in the principles of yoga, swimming, synchronized swimming, and aquatic polo
- Encouraging deep oxygenation, the AcuaYogi Method helps infants, children, and adults with a variety of conditions achieve successful results in the water
- Pioneer in the aquatic rehabilitation field by adapting the AcuaYogi Method to different populations, physical conditions, and abilities - making the method inclusive and adaptable.
Director
Aquatic Therapy University – Caribbean Campus
2014.01 - Current
- Create, adapt, and keep-up-to-date the Aquatic Therapy University Aquatic’s post-grade curriculum
- Lead 4-6 Aquatic Therapy University courses to a group of 8-12 licensed professionals looking to specialize in aquatic therapy.
Aquatic Therapy Pool Facilities & Protocol Consultant
2012.01 - Current
- Assess organizations in the design, creation, and implementation, as well as protocol development, for aquatic therapy centers and other pool facilities.
Owner and Creator
Aquatic Alliance
2010.01 - Current
- Establish an alliance with Dolphin Discovery from Mexico to start the first Dolphin Assisted Therapy Program in the Caribbean in their British Virgin Islands facilities
- Serve the children form the San Jorge Children’s Foundation and all cancer associations related to San Jorge, Make a Wish Foundation, and related associations to make life wishes come true for kids with special circumstances.
Owner and Founder
Float Aqua Wellness Center
2007.01 - Current
- Create the concept of an integrative aquatic wellness center and implement it successfully becoming the first and only center of its kind in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean
- Offer a variety of alternative aquatic therapy modalities as well as comprehensive aquatic fitness programs
- Gain support of a wide array of health care providers such as allopathic doctors, chiropractors, naturopathic doctors, among others
- Work hand in hand with health care providers who refer their clients from the assessment and evaluation stage until the completion of the rehabilitation process or recuperation
- Pioneer in the aquatic therapy and bio-aquatic therapy fields both in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean
- Positively impact the lives of children and adults and their families with her philosophy of empowerment, support, and capacity of healing which helps her clients believe in themselves and their own healing capacity, strength, and will.
Owner and Creator
Bridgecom Inc. Health Consultant Corporation
1990.01 - 2000.01
Medical Marketing Consultant
Hospital Menonita
1993.01 - 1999.01
Marketing Manager
Estee Lauder
1983.01 - 1994.01
Volunteer
DuPont Institute at Children Hospital Aquatic Center
1991.01 - 1993.01
Assistant Coach
Major Swimming Team of Puerto Rico
1979.01 - 1981.01
Assistant Coach
Bayamon Swimming Team
1977.01 - 1979.01
Education
CranioSacral Therapy I & II; SomatoEmotional Release Therapy I & II, Visceral Manipulation -
The Up-ledger Institute, Inc.
Caguas, PRLicensed Brain Trainer -
Brain Revolution, Dr. Amen
01.2020
Functional Nutrition Practice -
Andrea Nakayama
01.2019
Aquatic Therapy Professional Instructor (ATPI) -
Aquatic Therapy University
Minnesota, USA01.2014
240-hour Certified Yoga Teacher -
Aura School of Yoga
Rhode Island, USA01.2013
Certified Watsu Practitioner -
School of Shiatsu and Massage
Harbin Hot Springs, California01.2011
BioAquatic Exploration Ocean Therapy I (Dolphin Assisted Therapy) -
Up ledger Institute, Inc.
01.2008
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), licensed in Puerto Rico through the MBLEX -
Instituto Holístico del Arte del Masaje
San Juan, PR01.2007
Master’s in Business Administration in Marketing and Communication -
University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, PR01.1981
Skills
- Public Speaking
- Interpersonal skills
- Language: Fluent in Spanish; advance proficiency in French
- Certifications: CPR and First Aid
Affiliations
- Aquatic Therapy University, USA, 2014
- Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association, USA, 2011
- Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, USA, 2006
Continuingeducationcourses
- Chilky Health Institute, San Juan, PR, 2016-2018
- Lymphatic Drainage Therapy I & II, 2018, San Juan, PR
- Reflexología Para Una Mejor Salud, San Juan, PR, 2018, San Juan, PR
- Intensive Training on Foot Reflexology, 2017
- Aqua Care for Me with Dr. Michelle Lafferty, DC, 2017
- Aquatic Chiropractic, 2017
- Usui/Tibetan Reiki System with Dania Ramírez, San Juan, PR, 2016, San Juan, PR
- Reiki first and Second Degree, 2016-2017
- Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute, Washington DC, USA, 2013-2014, Washington DC, USA
- Atheltic Rehab Specialty Certificate Program & various continuing education courses including all levels of AquaStretchTM (Basic, Intermediate, Pediatric/Neuro, Lower extremity, Upper extremity), 2013-2014
- Eric Dalton’s Freedom from Pain Institute, Costa Rica, 2012, Costa Rica
- Certified Myoskeletal Therapist, Level V, Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, 2012
- Puerto Rico Massage & Bodywork Institute, San Juan, PR, 2011, San Juan, PR
- 50-hour Structural Kinesiology course, 2011
- Unidad de Terapia en el Agua, Fundación Instituto San José, Madrid, Spain, 2010, Madrid, Spain
- Aquatic Craniosacral Therapy, 2010
- The Burdenko Certification Program, Massachusetts, USA, 2006, Massachusetts, USA
- The Burdenko Method Instructor Course I-VI, 2006
- Burdenko Aquatic Therapy Internship on Aquatic Facilities, 2006
Awardsrecognition
- Director of Best Aquatic Therapy University Campus, 2016
- Women Entrepreneur of the Year of the city of San Juan, PR, 2009
Publishedwork
- Vuela, Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas, San Juan, PR, 2018
- Raíces y Alas: relatos de la abuela puertorriqueña, Independent Publishing, San Juan, PR, 2018
- The Water Kite Journey, Author House, Indiana, USA, 2012
Physicianreferences
- Dr. Chinea - Neurologist
- Dr. Armando Nazario - Orthopedist
- Dr. Pío Sanchez - Spine Orthopedist
- Dr. Lastra - Neurosurgeon
- Dra. Rivera - Internist
- Dr. Sorrentino- Oncology Surgeon
- Dr. Yolanda Pagán – Rheumatologist
- Dr. Sara Pomales - Rheumatologist
- Dra. Ada Rodríguez – Physiatrist
- Dr. Sheila Rodríguez - Psychologist
- Dr. Collazo - Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
- Dr. García Ariz - Pediatric Orthopedist
- Dr. Marrero - Pediatric Orthopedist Surgeon
- Dr. Hector Santos – Neurologist
- Dra. Brenda Deliz - Neurologist specialized in Muscular Dystrophy and Multiple Sclerosis
- Dr. Rodríguez – Pediatrics
- Dra. Lizette Rodriguez- Physiatrist
Professionallicenses
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Puerto Rico (Current), 2007
Languages
Spanish
Native language
English
Beginner
A1
Timeline
Director
Aquatic Therapy University – Caribbean Campus
2014.01 - Current
Aquatic Therapy Pool Facilities & Protocol Consultant
2012.01 - Current
Owner and Creator
Aquatic Alliance
2010.01 - Current
Owner and Founder
Float Aqua Wellness Center
2007.01 - Current
Creator
The AcuaYogi Method
2005.01
Medical Marketing Consultant
Hospital Menonita
1993.01 - 1999.01
Volunteer
DuPont Institute at Children Hospital Aquatic Center
1991.01 - 1993.01
Owner and Creator
Bridgecom Inc. Health Consultant Corporation
1990.01 - 2000.01
Marketing Manager
Estee Lauder
1983.01 - 1994.01
Assistant Coach
Major Swimming Team of Puerto Rico
1979.01 - 1981.01
Assistant Coach
Bayamon Swimming Team
1977.01 - 1979.01
Consultant
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
CranioSacral Therapy I & II; SomatoEmotional Release Therapy I & II, Visceral Manipulation -
The Up-ledger Institute, Inc.
Licensed Brain Trainer -
Brain Revolution, Dr. Amen
Functional Nutrition Practice -
Andrea Nakayama
Aquatic Therapy Professional Instructor (ATPI) -
Aquatic Therapy University
240-hour Certified Yoga Teacher -
Aura School of Yoga
Certified Watsu Practitioner -
School of Shiatsu and Massage
BioAquatic Exploration Ocean Therapy I (Dolphin Assisted Therapy) -
Up ledger Institute, Inc.
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), licensed in Puerto Rico through the MBLEX -
Instituto Holístico del Arte del Masaje
Master’s in Business Administration in Marketing and Communication -
University of Puerto Rico
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