Structural Essentials: Abdomen, Chest and Breath + Tensegrity Spine

The Structural Essential series is a set of intensive soft-tissue technique courses divided into functional regions. Combining movement and manual techniques for the most efficient and long-lasting results, and using the latest research on the interaction between skeleton, muscles, joints, and fascial proprioceptors, this series of workshops will take you to a new level in therapy.

Designed with the busy manual therapist in mind, each Structural Essentials event gives you a new understanding of the relevant area. The content will outline how the structural and functional anatomy relates to many common issues as well as to the rest of the body. Based on many new and established approaches this series will give you the skills in palpation, BodyReading and functional analysis needed for the modern multidisciplinary therapist.

Abdomen, Chest & Breath

The breath is an essential food for life and its passage in and out of the body can be compromised by structural issues in the trunk. The trunk must also act to support the shoulders as well as the neck and head. Its position and relationship with the pelvis can therefore be vital for correct mechanics of the upper limbs and head, neck and jaw.

This course focuses on ribcage and thoracic spine mechanics, and includes:

• The anatomy and physiology of the breath
• Various therapeutic views of the ‘normal’ breath
• Techniques for abdominal fasciae, ribs, vertebral rib joints, and mediastinal visceral tissues, scalenes, and lumbar muscles
• Techniques for facilitation of the ‘breath wave’ into the front, back, and sides, as well as into each ‘quadrant’ of the rib cage

Tensegrity Spine

This course examines the spine as a tensegrity truss – how the bones float within the myofascial balance. Assessment and techniques for freeing and balancing the spine address:

• Anterior and posterior curvatures – lordosis and kyphosis
• Side bends
• Rotations (and counter-rotations)
• Guy-wires on both the front and the back of the spine, and
• Balancing trunk spinal work into the cervical spine and sacrum

Note: It is strongly recommended to take the Anatomy Trains in Structure & Function course before taking the SE courses. Familiarity with the Anatomy Trains lines and concepts is key to getting the most from the program.

The Structural Essentials workshops are most easily absorbed in the order outlined below but you can do them in any order as time permits.

1. Arches and Legs – 3 days
2. Fans of the Hip – 2 ½ days
3. Abdomen, Chest and Breath – 2 ½ days
4. Tensegrity Spine – 2 days
5. Shoulders & Arms – 2 days
6. Head, Neck & Jaw – 2 days

It is strongly recommended to take the Anatomy Trains in Structure & Function course before taking the SE courses. Familiarity with the Anatomy Trains lines and concepts is key to getting the most from the program.

The Structural Essentials workshops are most easily absorbed in the order outlined below but you can do them in any order as time permits.

1. Arches and Legs – 3 days
2. Fans of the Hip – 2 ½ days
3. Abdomen, Chest and Breath – 2 ½ days
4. Tensegrity Spine – 2 days
5. Shoulders & Arms – 2 days
6. Head, Neck & Jaw – 2 days

Get in touch if you have questions about this course.