Practitioner and Instructor Training
Training in Ortho-Bionomy is a fascinating and profound exploration into the resources, anatomical processes and healing mechanisms of the body. Ortho-Bionomy is a principle-based work meaning that the techniques learned and practised tap into the deep regulating and healing mechanisms within the person. The result is not only physical change, pain reduction and greater balance but also a greater awareness of how to work with the body which ultimately leads to an effective means of addressing the needs of each client.
Studying Ortho-Bionomy goes beyond learning techniques for addressing the structural imbalances in the body. Itís also learning how to understand and access the neurological and physiological sensory experiences that allow both the practitioner and the client to become more fully responsive in the present moment and to embrace and integrate change.
Ortho-Bionomy is a powerful, stand-alone therapy but can be effectively integrated into other forms of therapeutic work such as massage, reflexology, physiotherapy, and personal training. Most seminars also qualify as professional development within other bodywork modalities. In addition, many people use the Ortho-Bionomy training as a programme for personal development.
Practitioner training is offered in a combination of seminars, study groups, direct clinical experience and direct experience of Ortho-Bionomy sessions. Each trainee works with an instructor who advises and supports them through the training process.
All courses are generally run in two-day seminars. Phase Four is the beginning level course and is the prerequisite for most of the other courses. Training in Ortho-Bionomy can lead to the qualifications of Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner. For further details on the qualification programmes click on the links below:
Society of Ortho-Bionomy Australia www.ortho-bionomy.org.au
Association of New Zealand Ortho-Bionomists www.ortho-bionomy.co.nz
Society of Ortho-Bionomy International www.ortho-bionomy.org
Instructor training can be done as well for those who have completed the Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner Trainings.
Course Descriptions
Phase Four/Fundamentals
This is the foundation course for all of the other courses in the Ortho-Bionomy training. This course presents the history, philosophy and concepts of the work and applies them to the basic release techniques for every joint in the body. Movement and positions of comfort are demonstrated to facilitate the release of muscular tension and overall stress by stimulating the inherent, self-corrective reflexes of the body which help the body create structural alignment and balance from within. The work you'll learn in just this two-day class will immediately and dramatically increase your treatment effectiveness for releasing soft tissue tension, and joint dysfunction. It is such amazing work that everyone should try it. Youíll be guaranteed to be impressed!
No prerequisites - Everyone welcome!
Advanced Phase Four
The techniques in this course build on the techniques presented in the Phase Four/Fundamentals course including practise of more extensive variations of the standard Phase Four release positions. Also included are additional techniques for: working with the Pelvis; sequences for Pelvic Stabilisation; working with the joints of the Extremities; sequences specifically for Carpal Tunnel/RSI-OOS conditions; sequences for working with injuries and dysfunction in the Knee, Ankle and Foot; working with Joint replacements and Vertebral fusions; and Phase Four Cranial techniques.
Prerequisite: Phase Four (This course can be applied to the practitioner training programme as one of the required Phase Four courses.)
Phase Five
The focus of this course is to move to a more subtle awareness of the practise and principles of Ortho-Bionomy. Specific techniques develop and increase the participantís understanding and proprioceptive sensitivity to the self-correcting movements initiated by the client. Through the practise of observing, following and supporting subtle movement patterns, muscular tension is released, range of motion is increased and pain is reduced. In Phase Five, students are encouraged to do less and let the client be the guide for his/her exploration of change. Phase Five is the ìhealing danceî where we the practitioner offer the invitation but the client leads.
Prerequisite: Phase Four
Phase Six
This class is designed to help participants access and track sensation and energetic perception within themselves and in their clients, and learn how to make contact without necessarily engaging physically. Techniques will be presented that monitor and acknowledge the inter-relationship between energetic, emotional and physical levels, and that demonstrate how energetic shifts can affect changes in physical patterns.
Prerequisite: Phase Four and Phase Five
Isometrics/Isotonics
This course explores how using isometric and isotonic techniques can work with inefficient muscular tension patterns as well as underdeveloped muscle tone. These techniques are effective for releasing imbalances in opposing muscle groups and are excellent for those clients who have difficulty relaxing. Through the use of these gentle restraining techniques self-correcting reflexes are stimulated resulting in releasing habitual holding patterns and integrating new movement and postural alignment.
Prerequisite: Phase Four
Exploration of Movement Patterns
This course focuses on the dynamic dimension of the positional release techniques. Participants learn to recognise and palpate patterns of joint and muscle movement in order to facilitate increased range of motion to promote a greater ease and a general sense of wellbeing in the body. By gently exploring and supporting preferred patterns of movement or stillness the client is invited to actively participate and recognise their patterns.
Prerequisite: Phase Four
Postural Re-education and Post Techniques
In this course participants learn to evaluate and address inefficient postural habits through accurate observation and simple exercises. Techniques to work with spinal curvatures and scoliosis are presented and practised. Post techniques focus on assessing and releasing areas of tension as well as integrating the work done in a session. In addition, self-care exercises are taught to facilitate the clientís ability to maintain balance through the neuro-muscular re-education of postural habits.
Prerequisite: Phase Four
Chapman's Neurolymphatic Reflexes
Chapmanís Reflexes are specific points located on the front and back of the body that when stimulated induce lymphatic drainage of various lymphatic vessel beds. By stimulating these points, each specific for a different organ or part of the body, you can greatly enhance the self-generated recuperative powers of the immune system and speed recovery from various common maladies such as colds, flu, headache, menstrual pain, sore throat etc. This course also focuses on the relationship between the neurolymphatic reflexes and the endocrine system and its effect on structural balance and physical and emotional wellbeing.
Prerequisite: Phase Four (Phase Five is recommended)
Practitioner Training Seminar
Because Ortho-Bionomy sessions are structured differently than many other types of bodywork this course addresses how to structure an Ortho-Bionomy session as well as how to integrate the work with other modalities that the participant may use in his or her practice. Through discussion and hands-on practise the participants will delve deeply into the mechanisms which create sessions that are coherent, fluid and ultimately effective. In addition, issues related to documenting sessions, dealing with the financial dynamics with clients, and creating appropriate boundaries between the client and practitioner are addressed. Participants will be equipped with the skills to bring the professionalism and the compassion that characterise Ortho-Bionomy sessions into his or her practice.
Prerequisite: Phase Four
Demonstration Skills
In this course, participants learn how to describe and present Ortho-Bionomy to family, friends and the public in general. Participants are encouraged to find ways to communicate the ìunexplainableî and practise presenting Ortho-Bionomy in a clear and accurate way. Techniques for building confidence and for improving public speaking and presentation are included.
Prerequisite: Phase Four
Ethics and Emotional Issues
In this course we explore the dynamics of the client/practitioner relationship. Through exercises, discussion and hands-on work we will focus on boundary issues for creating safety for the practitioner and the client, transference and counter-transference issues in the therapeutic relationship, and working with emotional responses from our clients as well as our responses as practitioners to the work and content of the sessions. We will develop specific skills for tracking, supporting and facilitating the physiological and energetic mood of our clients, and we will investigate ways to notice and address unresolved trauma issues that may come up in the sessions with clients.
Prerequisite: Phase Four
Elements of a Successful Practice
This course addresses the business side of having an Ortho-Bionomy practice. Participants learn about issues such as marketing and advertising, developing a business plan, setting up a clinic, setting fees and attending to tax and legal issues. Participants learn to assess their own business, set and achieve goals, and develop their professional relationship with other health care providers and business people in their community.
No prerequisite necessary
Residential
Residential training courses (five-day minimum) provide participants with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their understanding of Ortho-Bionomy techniques and principles through an in-depth immersion of uninterrupted study. Residentials allow for learning and personal growth as well as relaxation to facilitate the integration of technique, philosophy and the qualities of ìbeingî rather than ìdoingî.
Prerequisites: Phase Four, Phase Five and Phase Six
Anatomy and Physiology
This course focuses on the anatomical and physiological structures and functions relevant to the practice of Ortho-Bionomy.
Prerequisite: Phase Four
Study Groups
Study groups are tailored to the participantsí needs and give participants and opportunity to review and clarify techniques, answer questions related to specific conditions, address concerns that may arise in their practice, and deepen their understanding of the applications of the principles and techniques in Ortho-Bionomy practice.
Prerequisite: Phase Four
Phase Seven
As Arthur Lincoln Pauls was developing Ortho-Bionomy he was keenly aware that he was not inventing a new technique to use with the body, rather he was endeavouring to utilise and systematise naturally occurring self-corrective and self organising principles. With Phase Seven Arthur identified a model of interaction with universal patterns which ultimately affected the physical and energetic patterns of his clients. In this course we will learn about the characteristics of these universal patterns and will explore Arthurís system for assessment and balancing of the whole person or situation using the Phase Seven symbol, tracking mood and stepping into ìright timingî.
Prerequisites: Phase Four, Phase Five and Phase Six
Cranial
Balance, freedom of movement and the functional relationship of the bones of the cranium are essential to our sense of ease and wellbeing. When the movements of the cranial bones and the subtle fluid and membrane interrelationship are dysfunctional we can experience a whole range of distresses including headaches, jaw pain, equilibrium issues, nervous system disruptions, fatigue, irritability and unresolved traumas. Using the physical and energetic techniques of Ortho-Bionomy we can facilitate the reorganisation of the structures of the cranium and establish new and functional patterns.
Prerequisites: Phased Four, Phase Five and Phase Six
Visceral
The viscera include the lungs and heart and all of the abdomino-pelvic organs, the abundant concentrations of nerves, and the extensive fascia that holds everything together. In this course we learn to sense and work with the slower rhythms of the viscera, differentiate fluid flow (blood, interstitial fluid, lymph), and access and support the different ìpersonalitiesî of the organs in order to facilitate a profound fascial unwinding that can release acute and chronically held tension patterns. The result is greater structural freedom of the organs and greater functional and physiological efficiency.
Prerequisites: Phase Four and Phase Five
Shock and Trauma Resolution
Using the biological and polyvagal trauma models we will identify the signs of unresolved trauma and will explore techniques and processes for accessing and supporting the self-corrective response with the clientís nervous system, thereby facilitating the resolution of held trauma patterns and re-establishing more fully responsive reflexes.
Prerequisites: Phase Four, Phase Five and Phase Six
Self Care
This course presents the specific exercises that clients and practitioners can do to facilitate the release of structural imbalances and discomfort within themselves, as well as providing clients with exercises that they can do after and between sessions to integrate the changes experienced within the session itself. This course is a great introduction to Ortho-Bionomy and is also very beneficial for practitioners who are looking for ways to help their clients get more from their sessions.
No prerequisite - Open to everyone