Foundation: Dynamic Release of Restricted Movement & Patterns
(Called Exploration of Movement Patterns in the Ortho-Bionomy Program)
No Pre-Requisites.
Bodyworkers / massage therapists use movement in their work in a variety of ways. In this class you can learn how to add a new dimension and focus to simple movements to create big changes. It is a subtle but powerful shift. Develop skill to use movement to assess where to work, release restrictions in soft tissue, in joints and deep inside the joint capsule, demonstrate expanded range of motion, and integrate improvements in flexibility and fluidity for long-lasting results. These techniques give you another way to relieve stress and pain, increase circulation and lymph flow with ease. Many students find this class is a fluid and free-feeling way to integrate Ortho-Bionomy into their current ways of working with great results.
As you work, clients experience an immediate increase in bodymind awareness and “aliveness” in their body. Changes made during the session are more clearly felt. This way of working with movement adds a very dynamic element to your work that can give clients a deep, 3-dimensional experience of their bodies, a sense of wholeness, overall well-being as well as enjoyment and appreciation of the session.
"This class allowed me to feel a completeness about releases that were occurring in my own body. The releases opened up a range of movement in one area then expanded to release another area and then integrated with more movement. The freedom I now feel in my body is complete and 'sealed'. I feel great!" Pattie, Glen Allen, VA
Foundation: Self-Care Bodyworkshop (Elective)
No Pre-requisites. An Elective (four of eight hours qualify for Associate Membership) This is for everyone, clients and bodyworkers.
Self-care puts pain relief within reach, and that’s a big relief for many people. Adapt the techniques and energetics of Ortho-Bionomy to self-care and take home a new set of tools to help your clients and yourself relax tension, relieve pain, free up movement, increase awareness, improve balance and more. When clients know they can help themselves relieve pain, the level of stress and fear of pain diminishes greatly -- a benefit they surely appreciate. Self-Care empowers us to help ourselves, even with chronic aches and pains, imbalances and injuries as well as providing a way to de-stress, unwind and maintain balance and flexibiliity. The exercises and movements are easy to learn, easy to do and easily adapted to suit individual differences. (This class is very valuable for anyone who is interested in a pain-free, well-functioning body -- clients and bodyworkers, fitness trainers, yogis, everyone.) (8 units; may be presented in smaller segments)
Please being to class: 2 hand towels; 2 pillows; a yoga mat, towel or sheet; an additional pillowcase.
Phase 4, Level 2
Pre-Requisite: 16 units Phase 4.
This is the class so many massage therapists have been asking for — techniques for specific muscle and soft tissue work not usually presented in a Foundation Phase 4 class. Deepen your understanding of the principles of Ortho-Bionomy, their application to Phase 4 techniques, and creative ways of adapting and integrating Phase 4 into your massage routine to address clinical situations you see with clients everyday. Included are working with the trapezius muscle at neck and shoulder, tibialis anterior, achilles tendon, gastrocnemius, soleus and peroneus, hamstrings, the anterior neck muscles, occipital/atlas, quadratus lumborum, iliacus and more. Explore a creative application of integrating Ortho-Bionomy principles in the intake process, the hands-on work and at the conclusion of a session. We will also address questions you have about unusual client situations. (8-24 units)
Postural Re-education and Post Techniques
Pre-Requisite: 8 units of a workshop
In this class participants learn to evaluate and address inefficient postural habits through accurate observation and simple exercises. Techniques to work with spinal curvatures and scoliosis will be presented and practiced. Post techniques are used to assess and release areas of tension and to integrate the work done in a session. This class also presents exercises and movements to give clients that facilitate the ability to maintain balance, initiate self-correction through postural work and prevent the recurrence of pain through neuromuscular re-education. (16 units)
Isometrics
Pre-Requisite: Phase 4, 16 units minimum.
In this class techniques for working with tension patterns and muscle pattern flacidity are presented and practiced. Applying the principles of Ortho-Bionomy to the use of restraining movement while the muscle is engaged, stimulates the self-correcting reflexes and safely expands range of motion. These techniques are especially useful for clients who have old injuries, chronic pain, habituated muscle tension as well as for those whose muscular patterns are underdeveloped. (16 units)
Phase Five
Pre-Requisite: Phase 4, 16 units minimum.
Add a whole new range of skills and acquire a new set of tools that effectively release tension on physical and energetic levels simultaneously, often when other modalities have ceased to be effective. Specific techniques develop and increase the student's understanding and proprioceptive (kinesthetic) sensitivity to the self-corrective movements initiated by the client. Through the practice of observing, following and supporting these subtle movement patterns in joints and tissue, muscular tension is released, range of motion is increased, and pain is reduced. More subtle means more effective for many clients, and less effort for the practitioner.
Principles and techniques will be demonstrated and practiced:
* How to work with the body’s physical-energetic reflexes to initiate release and rebalancing from within.
* How and why more subtle work relieves tension and pain from trauma and injuries that defy other techniques.
* How to do less and let the body be your guide for creating comfort and lasting change.
* Acquire a set of tools and range of skills that work through layers of soft tissue with more ease.
* Gain another approach that increases your effectiveness with clients and leaves you with energy to spare at the end of the day.
(16 units)
Balance The Pelvis, An Integrated Format
Pre-Requisite: Phase 4, Spine & Pelvis.
A balanced pelvis is integral to well-being. Learn an integrated and multi-disciplinary process for balancing the pelvis that pulls together elements from many classes, including Phases 4 and 5, Phase 4 Level 2, Visceral work, Chapman's Reflexes, invaluable Self-Care and more. Developed by Ann Hoeffel from her extensive training and experience working with clients since 1984, this class includes releases for the lumbar spine, the iliacus, femur to pelvis, balancing the ischium, ilium and pelvic diaphragm, visceral work, lymphatic reflexes to release congestion in the area and client self-care. This workshop is presented especially with Chapman's Neurolymphatic Reflexes in mind because, as Dr. Chapman tells us, if the ilium is out of alignment, the endocrine system and corresponding reflexes will be off balance. (16 units)
Chapman's Neurolymphatic Reflexes
Pre-Requisite: Ph 4: Spine & Pelvis + Phase 5 OR The Pelvis OR Ability to Balance the Pelvis OR permission of Instructor.
This class presents the Chapman's Neurolymphatic Reflexes system and its use for organ balancing, lymphatic drainage, and their influence on the endocrine system. Focus is placed on identifying individual points and techniques for stimulation of these points. For in-depth learning and to make it easy for students to integrate reflex work into their current practice, Ann presents this material in segments:
• Small Groups: The Lymphatic System, the Value of Neurolymphatic Reflexes, and Working with the Reflexes in groups: Sciatic Neuritis, Neuritis of Upper Limb and reflexes for Shoulders, Hands and Arms, Small Groups, the Infections Group and the Endocrine Group. (8 units)
• Balancing Systems: The Lymphatic System, the Value of Neurolymphatic Reflexes, and Working with the Reflexes in groups: the systems of digestion, elimination and reproduction, reflexes for the head and sinuses, for eyes, ears, nose and throat.
(8 units)
• Head to Toe, Pelvic-Thyroid: Working with the Reflexes in groups: Pelvic Thyroid Group, a large group which includes and interreleates most of the reflexes for digestion, elimination and reproduction. Pre-requisite: One of the above two segments, Small Groups or Balancing Systems. (8-16 units)
Practitioner Training Seminar -- Advanced Skills
• Part 1 Advanced Skills. No pre-requisites.
We will address issues such as holding space, what to do in a session, how to check in with the client's experience, and how to best work with individuals. (8-16 units)
• Part 2 The Role of Practitioner (8 units) Pre-requisite: 2/3 of Practitioner Program. This seminar focuses on the issues and questions that come up for individuals as they work with clients, develop and evolve their practice and, often, as they complete their Practitioner Training Programs.
Phase Six
Pre-Requisite: Phase 5
This class presents release techniques that monitor and acknowledge the capacity of the person to energetically shift their pattern to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Participants develop sensitivity and learn to recognize and observe the emotional and energetic shifts that occur as a result of the Ortho-Bionomy movements that are experienced. Participants learn the value of "not doing" as the practitioner steps back and allows the client's self-healing capacities to engage. (16 units)
Demonstration Skills
Pre-Requisite: Several Ortho-Bionomy workshops or permission of instructor.
This class teaches participants how to describe and present Ortho-Bionomy to family, friends, and the public in general. Participants are encouraged to find ways to communicate the "unexplainable" and to practice presenting Ortho-Bionomy in a clear and accurate way. This class also prepares individuals in the Practitioner Training Programs for their Lecture/Demonstration--a requirement for both programs. Participants will learn techniques for public speaking and presenting. (16 units)
APPRORIATE TO ALL LEVELS of Training
Ethics and Emotional Issues
No pre-requisites. This class focuses on the role of emotional responses in practitioners' sessions with clients and how to conduct oneself in the presence of these situations. In addition, participants will discuss guidelines for professional conduct and will review the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International's Code of Ethics, NCBTMB'S Code of Ethics and others. (16 units for the Practitioner Program. This class meets NCBTMB’s requirements, including two hours Standard V: Roles and Boundaries and is often presented as 6 units.)
Elements of a Successful Practice
No pre-requisites. This class deals with the business side of maintaining a practice and ways to grow and evolve your practice. Students will receive information on specific business practices such as recordkeeping, marketing and advertising, referrals, client interviewing, legal and tax issues pertaining to businesses, and the scope of practice. (16 units)
• Part 1 Basics (8 units)
• Part 2 Grow & Evolve Your Practice (8 units)
Practitioner Training Seminar -- Advanced Skills
• Part 1 Advanced Skills. No pre-requisites. We will address issues such as holding space, what to do in a session, how to check in with the client's experience, and how to best work with individuals. (8 units)
Tutorials Schedue a tutorial after 1-2 workshops.
Tutorials are individually tailored private or semi-private appointments that give students an opportunity to work directly with an Instructor or Advisor. Students deepen their understandings about the work on all levels, develop their skills, get direct feedback on their work, refine or review techniques, ask questions about their personal process and progress, and/or experience the work at a professional level. (1 or 2 units at a time; 20 units for the Practitioner Program)
Many students have have said that private tutorials are the best way to tranform and fine-tune their hands-on skills and confidence with the work, faster than anything else; results with clients change from good to amazing because of the feedback. Students are therfore encouraged to schedule tutorials as soon after their first 1-2 classes as possible, both for hands-on feeldback and to have a felt sense of the work as a recipient.
• Receive a Session: Before or after beginning your study and periodically.
• Hand-On Learning, Discussion and Review: After 1-2 workshops and periodically.
Study Groups Request a study group every 2-3 workshops.
Study groups give students an opportunity to gain insight through discussions about client cases or situations that concern them, answer questions not covered in workshops and help students review and retain coursework. Participants deepen their understanding and knowledge of techniques and principles and how to creatively apply them. Particularly important for those in the Practitioner Program, study groups support the successful completion of their journey. (3 units each)
Residential
Pre-requisites vary and will be indicated on announcements.
Residential trainings provide participants with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their understanding of Ortho-Bionomy techniques and principles, as well as allowing individuals to grow in their relationship to themselves. Residentials allow time for learning and relaxation to facilitate the learning and integration of technique, philosophy, understanding, and the qualities of Be-ing. Typically, the Residential is one week, with forty hours of training. (40 units)
ELECTIVES
The principles and techniques of Ortho-Bionomy can be applied in many different circumstances and situations. Elective courses provide the participants with an in-depth look at more specialized techniques or applications, which may include: Self-Care, Vibration Sound and Color, Cellular Healing, Cranial Work, Fibromyalgia, Visceral Work, Phase 7, Integrating Techniques and others.
Self-Care Bodyworkshop (Elective) FOUNDATION
No pre-requisites. This is for everyone, clients and bodyworkers. No Pre-requisites.Learn to adapt the techniques and energetics of Ortho-Bionomy to relieve tension and pain in your own body and help clients do the same. Self-Care addresses chronic aches and pains, imbalances and injuries. Relax tension patterns, increase awareness, improve balance, range and fluidity of movement. Clients appreciate learning gentle self-care and the principles that make the work so effective. Self-Care has proven to be extremely important for people experiencing pain, for recovery and, eventually, prevention. The exercises and movements are easy to do and easily adapted to suit individual differences. (8 units; may be presented in smaller segments)
Please being to class: 2 hand towels, 2 pillows, a yoga mat, towel or sheet.
Integrating Massage and Ortho-Bionomy (Elective) with Jim Berns
Pre-requisite: 16 units Phase 4.
This class combines the soothing deep relaxation of therapeutic massage with the powerful pain-releasing and expansive world of Ortho-Bionomy. In this class that Jim Berns originated and developed, we will look at the individual components of each technique and find creative ways to blend, combine and weave them into a common dance. Learn how to: Use Ortho-Bionomy before, during and after a massage; have more tools and techniques to offer to your clients; position the body using the Ortho-Bionomy principles while you massage; take better care of your own body while doing massage; Integrate the different aspects of Ortho-Bionomy into your massage. (8-16 units)
Please bring to class: massage oil, 2 sheets, a pillow, and a willingness to be touched and nurtured.
Key Releases for the Lower Body (Elective)
Description to come. (12-16 units)
Fibromyalgia (Elective)
Pre-requisite: Foundation, Spine & Pelvis + Phase 5 OR The Pelvis.
This workshop will give you the information and tools you need to effectively work with people suffering from Fibromyalgia and chronic pain without causing them more pain. You will have an opportunity to learn, practice and experience a protocol designed especially for these people using the gentle techniques of Ortho-Bionomy®. Learn more about Fibromyalgia: What it is and how the diagnosis is made. What the theories of cause are. What the most common symptoms are. What makes the symptoms worsen. Which illnesses are commonly associated with Fibromyalgia; How stress affects the condition; How gentle techniques ease pain and speed recovery, and more.Learn hands-on: 1) How to identify 18 specific points of sensitivity on your clients. 2) How to release each sensitive point with little effort and no pain in 10-60 seconds. 3) How proprioceptors can release tension and pain without causing pain, especially helpful for clients with Fibromyalgia and chronic pain. (8 or 16 units)
Cranial Work (Elective)
Pre-requisite: Phase 6, 16 units or permission of instructor
In this class we will focus on the observation and exploration of movement available within the cranial bones and the muscles involved using the principles of Ortho-Bionomy. We will apply the principles using Phase 4, 5 & 6 approaches when working with the fascial bones and related muscles of the body. Discussion, demonstration, and practice of techniques are utilized to facilitate the learning process. (8-56 units)
Phase Seven (Advanced Practitioner Program)
Participants will learn how to apply universal principles of Ortho-Bionomy to working with healing from a distance, expanding our awareness and proprioceptive sensing and connecting even deeper with those around us. For some students this is the next big step in their understanding of Ortho-Bionomy; for others, it brings all they have learned into a more concrete, clear perspective. (8-16 units)
Associate Training, Professional Practitioner Programs
