Anatomy Trains®

ANATOMY TRAINS I

New material for 2013

This forms part of the new modular format training in Structural Bodywork

Latest findings from fascial research, current thinking in biomechanics, functional training into the tried and tested  AT concepts as developed by Tom Myers

Course dates 

 Friday 20th – Saturday 21st September 2013

Fee: £275 (Non-refundable deposit – £125)

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Times: 9am – 5pm

 Venue: The Bond Company, Birmingham UK

 Teacher: Michael Watson

For further information or a booking form contact pauline@simplyholistictherapies.co.uk

Learn about the myofascial tissue and its role in the body, see it in context and how it is interdependent with the other body systems. From there we begin to see how the body incorporates the Anatomy Train Lines to create easy and graceful movement – provided they are in some form of balance and harmony; restriction or weakness in one can have many knock effects.

The purpose of this workshop is to introduce you to the first four main lines – Superficial Front and Back, Lateral and Spiral. For each of the lines we will teach you a range of movement assessments and learn the basics of Fascial Release Technique.

This is the first workshop to combine Anatomy Trains theory alongside structural and functional anatomy and analysis, blending together the concepts of tensegrity with elastic recoil for movement efficiency. We will address differential diagnosis to help identify for motor control or soft tissue restrictions and where they may be coming from.

This is an exciting and fun workshop delivered with clarity and with your practice in mind – you will have useful and usable skills by the end of the two days.

 Objectives

• Introduce the AT lines in static posture and introduces functional movement assessment.

• Understand many of the roles of the fascial tissues in the body

• Introduce Tom Myers’ unique style of BodyReading, letting you clearly see skeletal relationships using the vocabulary of Bend, Tilt, Shift, and Rotate.

• To be able to see and understand the distal influences through the body – how does the shoulder relate to the opposite foot? – and why we need to assess the whole body if we are to make a lasting change

• Learn to accurately palpate fascial areas through feeling different qualities of tissue

• BodyReading areas in detail, making you ready to explore the body through the FRSB series

• Movement analysis will be utilised to further aid the vision of the fascial layers gliding.

• To relate global and local tensegrity – expresses versus locals – AT lines versus single muscles – and to understand the necessity of balancing locally as well as the overall posture.

This will relate to the forthcoming FRSB series of regional workshops that will follow the locals more closely.

Learning Environment:

• Illustrated lecture

• Open inquiry atmosphere; questions encouraged; high degree of vitality and humour

• Participants will exchange palpation and practice BodyReading (visual assessment) on one another under supervised analysis of instructor and assistants.

Much more research will be referenced showing the roles of fascia in the body, making this an up to date and highly effective skill-building workshop.

For further information or a booking form contact pauline@simplyholistictherapies.co.uk

Teacher – Michael Watson 

Michael Watson’s journey of self-discovery has led him around the world, teaching and sharing his passion for anatomy and alternative modalities of exercise and therapy.  Beyond yoga, Pilates and KMI teaching certifications, Michael leads advanced training programs, retreats and clinics worldwide.  He has worked with athletes with disabilities at the Paralympic level of training and continues to develop ideas that bring an integrated approach to health, movement and wellness. As a certified teacher of Yoga, Pilates, KMI Structural Integration and with a degree in Sports science, Michael brings an in depth awareness to his clients based on a strong understanding of anatomy, the body and its function.

A proud father of 3 home birthed children; Michael is also a natural birth advocate and works progressively in his home base of Bermuda alongside his wife in bringing awareness to birth and reforming birth options for women.

 WAY FORWARD»

Understanding our Connective Tissue System

Complaints after Breast Cancer Treatment

 Date: Friday 8th – Sunday 10th March 2013

Venue: The Meridian Centre, Birmingham UK

Times: 9am – 5pm

Teacher: Willem Fourie PT, MSc ©

Background of level of evidence on which the course is based:

This course is based on detailed dissections and study of the functional and integrated fascial anatomy of the shoulder girdle. Various manual therapy techniques, fascial, viscerofascial and myofascial release techniques were used and modified to accommodate the new understanding of applied anatomy and the role played by connective tissue in function. The clinical approach has largely evolved from integrating work from Francine St George (Australia), Stuart Robertson (United Kingdom), Tom Myers (United States) and Luigi and Carla Stecco (Italy). 

Course objectives:

This workshop is to introduce the participant to the connective tissue and fascial systems and its role in normal function.  A further aim is sharing how dysfunction and pathology may develop by interference within this system.   By understanding how various systems interlink to determine function, integrated treatment strategies are introduced.  Participants will develop skills for evaluating and treating of individual patients using an integrated approach.

Elements and subjects to be covered during the course:

1.     Body design:

All structures are involved in movement quality.  Seeing the body as a pre-stressed “biotensegrity” for musculoskeletal function is described. This expands the view of linear biomechanics to explain movement into a more realistic view of the body functioning as a non-linear system where small changes can produce a disproportionately large output.

 2.     Connective tissue:

It is further aimed at bringing connective tissue and fascia as a microscopic subject into the macroscopic domain.  The fascial system as a living tissue constituting our “organ of form” that can be assessed, moved and manipulated. Aspects covered in the workshop: 

a)    The structure and classification of connective tissue.

b)    Vessels and nerves of connective tissue where its roles in fluid transfer, proprioception and sensation are highlighted. 

c)     Connective tissue architecture. Design differences on a macroscopic level in different parts of the body with special reference to function and movement quality.

d)    Different fascial layers encountered therapeutically i.e. skin/epidermis, superficial fascia/hypodermis, deep fascia and myofascia are explained and evaluated.    

e)    Functions and roles of connective tissue and fascia.   

f)      Physiological changes due to injury, immobilization and scarring.

g)    Wound healing and how tissue responds to manual therapy during all stages of healing.  

 3.     Contributors to dysfunction:

How a “local” tissue dysfunction (loss of tissue mobility) can contribute to a “global” body response (changed movement patterns) is looked at.   

 4.     Manual assessment and treatment of the connective tissue:

The principles of fascial assessment and treatment are explained, demonstrated and practiced.  A grading classification of the depth of touch and palpation of tissue is introduced.   

 The palpation for tissue mobility, flexibility and glide are carefully demonstrated and practiced within the group. The participants learn to identify the extent, quality direction and depth of compromised tissue mobility.  

 5.      Complaints after Breast Cancer Treatment:

Dysfunction (lymphoedema, restricted movements and weakness) as well as pain syndromes after the treatment for primary breast cancer are fully explained.  Details of surgical and reconstructive procedures are given and demonstrated.  The detailed post breast cancer knowledge is then used to formulate an individualised assessment and treatment plan for every patient and stage of recovery. 

After this workshop, participants should have a clearer understanding of:

• The functional anatomy and biomechanics of the upper quarter.
• The structure of connective tissue, its classification, and its role in normal musculoskeletal function. 
• How this system is damaged by trauma, surgery, overuse, or habit, and ultimately the body’s postural responses leading to later complaints – even in non-related areas of the body.
• How to evaluate the connective tissue/fascial system.
• How all the above guides you, the therapist, through the most appropriate personalized treatment strategy for every individual patient.

 The workshop will be an intense mix of theory and practical work, and will therefore only allow a limited number of participants.

As places are limited for more information email pauline@simplyholistictherapies.co.uk,

 Willem Fourie