This class gives students an overview of the basic physical release techniques for the spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle. These basic techniques relieve musculoskeletal tension and stress by stimulating the inherent, self-corrective reflexes of the body, which help create structural alignment and balance from within. We will also review and discuss the principles of Ortho-Bionomy.
Phase 4 – Extremities
The focus of this class will be learning positions that facilitate release in the extremities. The knees, ankles, feet, elbows, wrists and hands will be addressed in detail, and a simplified way to address the shoulders will be presented. Students will have a chance to experience how releases in the extremities affect the whole body. There will also be a review of the basic principles and philosophy of Ortho-Bionomy.
Phase 4 – Spine: Combining Physical and Energetic Awareness
This Basics class provides an overview of the physical release techniques for the spine, pelvis, ribs and shoulders. While we are learning these techniques, which are clearly physical, we will also explore how they express themselves energetically through the Reflexes. This will broaden our understanding of connection and timing in Ortho-Bionomy as well as clarifying the difference between Phase 4 Ortho-Bionomy and positional release.
Phase 4 – Advanced Pelvis
In this class we will deepen our understanding of the structure, function and treatment of the pelvis as a whole, as well as specific areas including the ilia, pubic bone, coccyx, trochanter, and T12. We will learn to recognize how the patterns of the pelvis may relate to the viscera and the rest of the spine.
Prerequisites: 24 hours of Phase 4 and 16 hours of Phase 5 or 6 or permission of the instructor.
Phase 4 – Advanced Thorax and the Extremities
This class will focus on reviewing Phase 4 work with the extremities, and expand students understanding of working with the thorax. We will study both the soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia) and bony (vertebrae, ribs and sternum) frames of the thorax and focus on how to integrate physical and energetic approaches to working with them.
Prerequisite: 24 hours Phase 4 and 16 hours Phases5/6 or permission of the Instructor
Phases 5 and 6
In this class, we learn to move to a more subtle level of awareness of the practice and principles of Ortho-Bionomy and to energetically sense our clients and track our own responses. In Phase 5 specific techniques develop and increase understanding and proprioceptive sensitivity to self-corrective movements initiated by the client. The practitioner learns to observe, follow and support subtle movement patterns that result in the release of muscle tension, an increase in joint range of motion and a reduction in pain.
In Phase 6, we learn how to make contact without necessarily engaging physically. By being present with and acknowledging the interrelationship between energetic emotional and physical levels we notice how energetic shifts can affect changes in physical patterns.
Prerequisite: 24 units Phase 4
Phase 5/6 and the Reflexes
The Reflexes in Ortho-Bionomy express, in different ways, a person’s ability to respond, which is what leads to self-correction. In this class we will work with several of the reflexes: rebound/recoil, ongoing action, follow-on response and remembered emotional response, and explore them and their applications. We will relate to them as they occur in life as well as in the context of working in an Ortho-Bionomy session.
Prerequisite: 24 units of Phase 4
Advanced Phase 5 and 6
This class will build on principles and techniques presented in the basic level Phase 5 and 6 by deepening students sensitivity and expanding their awareness of energetic response in both client and self. Additional techniques (e.g. eye balancing, chakra work) and a review of the Reflexes will also be presented.
Prerequisite 24 hours Phase 4 and 16 hours Phases 5 and 6.
Exploration of Movement Patterns
Noticing movement, and lack of movement, both physically and energetically provides a wealth of information for both client and practitioner. Participants in this class will learn basic skills for understanding movement and patterns of movement such as checking for range of motion, recognizing different rhythms and timing and noticing qualities of movement. Just as importantly, students will focus on exploration as a way of working with clients—learning how client and practitioner together notice things “as they are”, with curiosity and without judgment or expectation. Exploring movement becomes an important tool for the Ortho-Bionomist in assessment and release of tension patterns as well as for re-education. We will also touch upon a few of the Reflexes such as rebound/recoil and ongoing action in the context of exploring movement.
Isometrics and Isotonics
With these techniques, a practitioner briefly and gently inhibits movement initiated by the client. As always in Ortho-Bionomy, we are guided by the comfort level of the client. The client engages his/her own resources (strength and energy) to energize, tonify, strengthen and balance muscle pairs, muscle groups and range of motion. At the same time the client gains greater conscious awareness of her/himself. In this class, students learn:
This class will emphasize the importance of using Chapman’s Neurolymphatic Reflexes for organ balancing and lymphatic drainage, as well as their influence on the endocrine system and emotional balance. Topics covered include:
1. Point identification
2. Releasing reflex points using Ortho-Bionomy
3. Balancing the endocrine system by combining Chapman’s Reflex work with structural pelvic work.
4. Using Reflex points to address carpal Tunnel Syndrome
5. Balancing internal organs as an aid in addressing structural symptoms.
6. Having clients stimulate reflex points as a self-care technique.
Prerequisite: 16 hours of Phase 4 or 8 hours of Phase 4 and Isometrics & Isotonics or permission of the Instructor
Posture And Post-Techniques
In this class we focus on the interrelationships of structure and soft tissue that we call posture—the expression of our life experience and the ways we use our bodies.
By learning about the natural curves of the spine that give it spring and flexibility and perceiving larger patterns of the spine torso and extremities related to sitting, standing and walking, we can see smaller or seemingly unconnected patterns in a new light and work with them in a bigger context. We learn to recognize that each posture has its own balance.
By applying the principles and techniques of Ortho-Bionomy client and practitioner work together to access and support what works best for the client’s ease of function. In addition to release techniques, the class includes gentle movements (post-techniques) that can be used in session or a self-work to integrate and support postural balance.
Prerequisite: 24 units of Phase 4
Ethics and Emotions
On the first day we will explore the biological model of trauma. We will learn to differentiate when the expression of emotions by clients facilitates change and when it deepens the physiological imprint of trauma.
Topics covered include the physical basis of trauma, trauma discharge, staying present and neutral with a client’s emotional experience, and how to avoid re-traumatizing our clients.
On the second day we will explore ethics as establishing meaningful and clear boundaries with clients. Topics covered include becoming aware of how we currently use boundaries, different ways to change boundaries, and how different boundaries impact both the client and the practitioner. Because trauma is often experienced as a breach of boundaries, we will also connect this information with the trauma model explored on the first day of class.
Prerequisites: 24 hours of Phase 4 and 16 hours of Phase 5 or 6 or permission of the Instructor.
Demonstration Skills/The Art of Communicating about Ortho-Bionomy
Sharing our enthusiasm about Ortho-Bionomy and educating those around us about the work and ourselves as practitioners is a natural and important part of what we do. Whether communicating to a group or one person at a time, this class helps prepare students to give accurate information in his/her own words as comfortably as possible. The focus in this class will be to support each student in finding the best and easiest ways to communicate about Ortho-Bionomy and will include simple neurological exercises to help overcome fears associated with public speaking.
Prerequisite: 24 units of Phase 4
Elements of a Successful Practice
This class addresses the business side of having an Ortho-Bionomy practice. Participants learn the nuts and bolts of running an Ortho-Bionomy practice such as record keeping, legal responsibilities, advertising and marketing. Students will learn to assess their own business, their professional relationships with other health care providers, and the community they work in. Goal setting and achieving will be explored. 12 units of classroom study plus 4 units of practical study (independent study project and dialogue session with Instructor) for a total of 16 units.
Residential
Residential training in Ortho-Bionomy offers students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the concepts and principles of the work as well as develop their skills at all levels. A few months before, the teachers choose a theme for the Residential. Students’ questions and special interests are integrated during the week-long training.
Spending time in a beautiful, relaxed and supportive setting allows one to explore different facets of Ortho-Bionomy, widen one’s perspective as an Ortho-Bionomist and grow in relationship to oneself.
Prerequisite 32 hours of Phase 4 and 16 hours Phases 5 and 6 or permission of the Instructors.
Ortho-Bionomy Cranial
In this class we will apply the fundamental principles of Ortho-Bionomy to cranial work. Working with the cranium on both physical and energetic levels will be explored. Integrating cranial work with diaphragm and sacral releases will also be emphasized.
Prerequisites: 24 hours of Phase 4 and 16 hours of Phase 5 or 6 or permission of the instructor.
Practitioner Training Seminar
Ortho-Bionomy is about connecting and relating, and having a conversation with our clients. The process of Ortho-Bionomy impacts the entire “conversation” from the first point of contact to bringing a session to closure. For example, the quality of rapport you develop during the interview has a deep impact on your work on the table, closing a session, etc. Students, whether experienced or beginners, are asked to come to the class with questions relating to the client/practitioner relationship and/or other aspects of Practitionership they find interesting or challenging.
Study Group
Study groups are tailored to the participants’ needs and give students a chance to review techniques, receive clarification about the application and principles of Ortho-Bionomy and to gain insight about specific client cases or situations that concern them.
Prerequisite: 16 hours of Phase 4
For more information about Ortho-Bionomy:
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