Functional Anatomy & Movement Science

Anatomy for Motion literally changes the way you think about, observe and feel human movement. Fun and interactive, this course brings the human structure to life. You gain new insights into how the body moves from different perspectives. The ultimate goal of this course is to help you understand how movement is produced at all major joints. This understanding lays the groundwork for accurate neuromuscular recruitment, joint mobility and core control.

Learning objectives

• Explore human anatomy in 3-D
• Sense and feel parts of the body as structural anatomy comes to life and takes on personal meaning
• Learn foundational exercises to facilitate and optimize functional movement in the spine and major joints of the body

Level: Beginner
CECs: 6
Tuition: $275
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

This course explores our body’s balance systems. Learn how our sensory and movement systems interact to maintain equilibrium and posture. Gain an understanding of how the vestibular system works, and what happens when there is dysfunction in this system. You will experience how our senses impact our balance and leave with exercises to improve balance abilities, including how to support exercise for people with balance challenges or vestibular disorders.

Learning objectives

• Learn how our vestibular, vision, somatosensory, and neuromuscular systems work together to maintain balance and postural control
• Understand the vestibular system, and how vestibular disorders affect balance function
• Practice exercises to improve balance and sensory integration

CECs: 2
Tuition: $95
Questions:  teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

As an event breathing can be both unconscious and conscious. How we breathe affects everything we do. And breathing is integral to core stability and building bodies that move with ease and integrity. This course outlines the biomechanics and physiological underpinnings of this vital process. Theory crosses over to experience as we explore several ways to breathe to enhance function of the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems. Throughout the day we work interactively to interpret different faulty breathing patterns, understand how they affect movement and posture, and work to help reverse them for optimal function.

Learning objectives

• Experience how breathing works and learn what happens with every breath
• Learn the biomechanics of the breath cycle: which muscles are involved, and how they work on inhalation and exhalation
• Practise a sequence of exercises to help unlock the breath for improved function and posture

CECs: 6
Tuition: $275
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

The human spine is a dynamic structure built to move with ease and power… until it doesn’t. The spine plays a central role in everything we do from sitting to standing, walking, running or jumping. In this foundational biomechanics course, we examine the structure of the spine and learn about key roles the different sections of the spine play in movement and core control. From a movement perspective we look at how to design a spine-focused exercise prescription that promotes optimal function.

Learning objectives

• Review and expand your understanding of structural anatomy of the spine
• Build a basic understanding of the spine’s functional anatomy
• Learn to deconstruct the spine’s four major motions to understand the continuum of typical movement impairments
• Discover key exercises to optimize functional movement in all regions of the spine

This course is one in a 3-part biomechanics series consisting of Build a Strong and Supple Spine, Power and Balance for Hip and Knee, and Simplifying the Shoulder Complex. The series explores the three major areas of the body that significantly impact overall function. It focuses on how to observe movement mechanics in these areas so you can offer meaningful instruction on how to move better.

CECs: 3
Tuition: $140
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

Forward head carriage is so prevalent in today’s society. It can contribute to significant strain and tension in the neck and shoulder region as well as all the way down the body. When a person with forward head carriage engages in movement and exercise, the neck and shoulder area often protest and can even feel worse after the fact. In this course, we unravel the complexity of the cervical region and look at exercise choices that help people move beyond strain and carry their heads with more power and ease.

Learning objectives

• Expand your understanding of the cervical spine and jaw structural anatomy
• Gain knowledge of the cervical spine and jaw biomechanics
• Learn exercises to restore and optimize function in the cervical spine and jaw

CECs: 4
Tuition: $185
Questions:  teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

We all know that a strong core is key to optimal function, balance and equilibrium. But how can we best facilitate effective core control and still create programs that appeal to average people who can’t connect to subtle movements and deep inner muscles? In this course, we take a global approach to the concept of core and analyze both the inner and outer cylinders of support. These core systems help produce support and movement for the entire body as they criss-cross and spiral the torso. In-depth analysis is followed by observation and self-practice using specific exercises for each layer. You leave with a clear idea of how to help people connect to the different parts of their core.

Learning objectives

• Discover what the inner unit of support is and how it functions
• Learn what the outer unit of support is and how it functions
• Practise exercises for both inner and outer units for optimal core control
• Explore ways to develop a sequence of exercises based on the core systems

CECs: 12
Tuition: $550
Questions:  teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

“Feet First” should be our motto! See the foot and ankle in 3-D. Develop a functional understanding of the foot and ankle movement mechanics for elastic rebound. Learn how the arches of the feet work optimally and what the cause and effect are when they break down. We also spend time learning to observe major postural deviations in the foot and ankle that lead to postural problems in the entire skeleton. Take away simple reconditioning exercises that produce profound results.

Learning objectives

• Learn functional anatomy of the foot and ankle and their effect on the entire body
• Develop observation skills to determine movement impairments in the foot and ankle
• Discover a systematic approach for movement re-education in the foot and ankle to facilitate optimal function of the body’s spring system

CECs: 6
Tuition: $275
Questions:  teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

In this course you learn to analyze locomotion patterns that work from our feet, through the legs and hips, into the pelvis, and up the spine into shoulders. Based on the Spinal Engine theory, this course helps you see the gait mechanics as a whole body experience. Your ability to observe how we walk, and understand the intricacies of how movement is integrated as we walk, expands dramatically. You leave with a completely new way of seeing bodies and a repertoire of simple exercises that have profound and positive effects on a person’s gait mechanics.

Learning objectives

• Gain an understanding of gait mechanics and its impact on functional movement
• Develop the skills to effectively observe gait mechanics and identify dysfunctional patterns
• Learn to make educated exercise choices to promote positive changes in the gait mechanics
• Practice a repertoire of exercises that positively affect gait mechanics

CECs: 6
Tuition: $275
Questions:  teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

This course is all about creating a 3D visual map of where muscles are on a a real body-where they attach, what their shapes are and how they contour the body. In addition, we will review the direction of muscle fibres and how important this is to understanding how muscles move us.

Learning objectives

• Learn how to visualize key muscles in three dimensions
• Understand how muscles move the body based on location, origin and insertion points, and direction of fibres
• Apply anatomical theory to movement and guided observation

CECs: 6
Tuition: $275
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

Drawing on the historic and contemporary frameworks of les chaines musculaires, Anatomy Trains, and GDS (Godelieve Denys Struyf), this course helps you navigate several different conceptions of myofascial lines in the body from a movement education perspective. Using Pilates-based exercises, we put these criss-cross lines of movement to work to optimize their functioning. The overall objective is to help teachers see systemic patterns for movement in the body, followed by a review of key exercises to target each one.

Recommended reading: Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers

Learning objectives

• Explore the links and history of the myofascial lines and how they inform our current context
• Learn to see the human body in terms of several different myofascial perspectives
• Practise and apply moving along the myofascial lines from different schools
• Compare and understand the differences between myofascial and locomotor lines of movement

CECs: 12
Tuition: $550
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

Our nervous system is vital to our daily movement and function and yet it remains one of the most elusive and least understood systems. This course is based on the latest research on the brain and how it can adapt and change its structure in response to information. You gain an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, as well as the system pathways responsible for perceiving and moving within our environment. You leave with ability to fine-tune your cueing so you draw the responses you want in your clients. You also learn how to design exercises that better access the nervous system for improved motor control and awareness.

Learning objectives

• Learn basic neurophysiology and how to link it to teaching movement
• Discover how movement works in the body according to its neurological underpinnings
• Find out how the brain functions and how it can adapt and change in response to information

Note: This course lays the groundwork for Neurophysiology 201, where specific conditions are addressed.

CECs: 12
Tuition: $550
Questions:  teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

This course builds on the groundwork laid out in the Neurophysiology 101 course, which covers how the nervous system works and the role in plays in movement. In Neurophysiology 201, we apply that knowledge to the populations who suffer from spinal cord injury, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. We look at what happens to the nervous system when things go wrong and how this affects movement. You leave able to design exercise programs that help these special populations enhance their movement potential.

Learning objectives

• Gain a basic understanding of neurophysiology with respect to neurological impairments, such as spinal cord injury, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
• Learn verbal and non-verbal cueing techniques to promote change in the movement patterns for individuals with neurological impairments
• Find out how to design exercise programs for individuals with neurological impairments

CECs: 6
Tuition: $275
Questions:  teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

This course is all about posture and postural patterns. We work interactively to look at posture from head to foot. You learn how to observe postural patterns from several perspectives and take away key exercises to help improve a person’s structure at every major joint of the body.

Learning objectives

• Learn a methodical approach to observing static postural patterns from a variety of perspectives
• Observe your peers to see living examples of postural patterns and how they play out in real life
• Learn a universally balanced protocol to re-pattern posture that has positive effects on both static posture and dynamic movement

CECs: 12
Tuition: $550
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

In this course, we trace the origins of our postural patterns back to the womb. We look closely at holding patterns in the body that impact many of the common complaints we hear from clients, as well as postural misalignments we often observe. You leave with new perspectives on what creates postural imbalances and how to manage them effectively to promote structural changes.

Learning objectives

• Expand your understanding and observational skills of universal postural patterns
• Learn specific postural deviations at every major joint in the body
• Apply exercise protocols to address both universal and specific postural deviations

CECs: 12
Tuition: $550
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

The hip and knee are intimately connected in terms of movement mechanics, our sense of equilibrium, and, very often, movement impairments. In this foundational biomechanics course, we use an array of visuals and exercises to address this area of the body. A major focus is how to integrate the legs into the pelvis and torso for optimal function.

Learning objectives

• Review and expand your understanding of the structural anatomy of the lower extremity including pelvis, hip and knee
• Understand essential functional anatomy of the hip and knee
• Learn an exercise conditioning sequence to build power and balance in the hip and knee

This course is one in a 3-part biomechanics series consisting of Build a Strong and Supple Spine, Power and Balance for Hip and Knee, and Simplifying the Shoulder Complex. The series explores the three major areas of the body that significantly impact overall function and focuses on how to observe movement mechanics in these areas so you can offer meaningful instruction on how to move better.

CECs: 3
Tuition: $140
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

Optimal functioning of the sacroiliac joint is essential for a happy back, hips and knees. Learn techniques to understand how the SI joint is functioning in your clients, along with exercise progressions to address common issues of hypermobility, hypomobility and pelvic imbalances.

Learning objectives

• Learn how the sacroiliac joint functions
• Discover why the sacroiliac joint is such a critical link in the centre of the body
• Experience key exercises to optimize the functioning of the sacroiliac joint

CECs: 6
Tuition: $275
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

The shoulder complex is exactly that; complex! In this foundational biomechanics course, we start with both visual and experiential reviews of the shoulder region to increase your skills of observation and assessment. You learn to identify postural deviations, imbalances, and timing incongruities that are often underlying issues in the neck and shoulder. We practise simple exercises that help integrate the shoulder complex into torso for better overall support and dynamic movement.

Learning objectives

• Review and expand your understanding of structural anatomy of the shoulder complex
• Understand how the different parts of the shoulder complex function together
• Learn an exercise conditioning sequence for the shoulder complex to build optimal mechanics

This course is one in a 3-part biomechanics series consisting of Build a Strong and Supple Spine, Power and Balance for Hip and Knee, and Simplifying the Shoulder Complex. The series explores the three major areas of the body that significantly impact overall function and focuses on how to observe movement mechanics in these areas so you can offer meaningful instruction on how to move better.

CECs: 3
Tuition: $140
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

Pelvic floor health proves to be a huge factor in everything from SI joint and back pain to pelvic and hip issues of all sorts. Join us in this course to demystify the layers of muscle and fascia that comprise the pelvic floor and to review its functional relationship to the rest of the body. You leave with a clear understanding of the pelvic floor’s supportive role and a set of the best practices to condition this area of the body.

Learning objectives

• Learn anatomy of the pelvic floor
• Gain an understanding and appreciation of how the pelvic floor works in relation to the rest of the deep core support system of the body
• Discover specific pelvic floor exercises and how to assess which ones to use, when and with whom

CECs: 6
Tuition: $275
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

Central to the body, the psoas is considered by many to be the muscle of integration between the legs, pelvis and spine. In this course, we explore how the psoas affects posture and alignment and how it acts as antagonist unto itself. You learn how to work with this elusive muscle to help restore optimal function from the centre of the body outwards.

Learning objectives

• Gain an understanding of anatomy and biomechanics of the psoas
• Explore how the psoas functions in relation to other muscles to create balance and integration
• Learn the major functions of the psoas
• Practice and apply a plan of action to restore optimal function in the psoas

CECs: 6
Tuition: $275
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com

In the Cervical Spine Mechanics and Protocols course, we point out the difference between the upper cervical spine and the rest of the neck. In this course, we delve deeper into how the upper cervical spine works and look at specific issues that relate to and often originate in the top vertebrae of the neck, including dizziness and headache. We explore cervical proprioception and focus on the need for more stability from our deep neck flexors—the “core” of the neck. You leave with new and specific ways to help people with neck, and particularly upper neck, issues.

Learning objectives

• Expand your understanding of upper cervical spine anatomy, especially the deep neck flexors
• Explore the role of the cervical spine in dizziness and headache
• Learn specific exercises that condition the neck “core” to add stability
• Develop strategies to improve cervical proprioception

CECs: 3
Tuition: $140
Questions: teachertraining@bodyharmonics.com