Introduction to Visceral Manipulation and Osteopathic Techniques
March 16 - 23, 2024
In the Osteopathic tradition, the body is viewed in a holistic way and as a complementary series of systems. We use this work to bring those systems into balance, and help return the client to optimum vitality.
Through this holistic lens, there is also a recognition that the body prioritizes certain systems over others and is always protecting those it most values. For instance, the arterial system is prioritized over the bones and muscles and is considered the “true skeleton” of the body, as “everything grows around its blood supply”.
A common example of this are hidden adhesions in the vertebral artery, which make this structure unable to slide appropriately through its tunnel in the neck. In this case the shoulder on that side will often be raised, unable to drop down away from the ears, to give slack to this very important structure so that the blood flow to the brain, and also the upper trapezius is not impeded.
When seen though the lens of massage therapy, yoga, orthopedic medicine and other modalities, the provider may see this raised shoulder and seek to bring the shoulder girdle into balance, missing that the elevated arm is actually protecting this important vessel and the brain it is supplying with nutrients and oxygen.
That shoulder can be massaged, adjusted, and manipulated but will always return to the raised position until the vessel it is protecting is supported to release its adhesion in the cervical area. Sometimes well meaning therapists and doctors in their intention to provide relief, are actually causing damage because of their inability to listen to the body in front of them
In this course, you will learn Osteopathic listening techniques to gain the skills to listen to this divine intelligence, to ask the body questions and receive the answers so that you are able to best support your own body, and the bodies you work with.
These questioning techniques will be coupled with powerful, but exceptionally gentle manual skills that you will learn to release deep structures many of us have been taught are inaccessible.
This work can be supportive work for injury patterns, disc issues, incontinence, menstrual issues, nerve pain, car accidents, falls, concussions, pelvic imbalances, head aches, IBS, GURD, scoliosis, choric rolled ankles just to give some examples.
Students will leave with a new ability to serve themselves and their clients in powerful, highly effective and very gentle ways.
- Accommodations within steps of the Pacific and also a lovely pool
- Daily therapeutic yoga sessions with Michelle specifically designed to nurture you
- 4 Daily and Nutritious meals and pre-yoga snacks, coffee and juice
- Specialty workshops such as Thai Massage, Holotropic Breathwork, Meditation, Facial Cupping, Fascial Release and more!
- Access to the Turtle Hatchery where the baby turtles make their trip to the Ocean
- Zip lining excursion
- Horseback riding on the beach
- Surf lessons
-
Transformational Bodywork appointments with Daphne and Michelle
Housing options range in price to make this healing experience accessible to all:
Base Package: $1899pp
the base package includes
- All amenities listed above
- 4 meals a day
- shared housing
Separate family housing is available, as well as childcare. Please inquire for options.
Optional Housing Upgrades:
- private rooms
- air-conditioning
- private baths
- queen & king beds
- ocean views
- direct pool access
- beachfront balconies and Casitas
Meet The Instructors
Michelle Fleming
Michelle is a Yoga Therapist, a Thai Bodyworker, a Nerve and Artery specialist and a Board Certified Structural Integrator in the lineage of Ida Rolf. It was through these complementary practices of wellness that she healed her body - and from there Orthopedic Yoga Therapy was born.
These days she trains teachers and students to find a fluid pattern of movement that protects and nourishes the joints while stretching the muscles and connective tissue and quieting the mind. She is the owner of Sanctuary Wellness Studios, Director of Orthopedic Yoga and Transformational Yoga Therapy and founder of Equilibrium, a non-profit dedicated to bringing breath, movement and nutrition education to young people with anxiety and mood disorders.
Daphne Moska
Daphne’s background is in structural integration and manual osteopathic manipulation. This work treats from the micro of the blood vessel, nerves, organs, cranial systems, bones and connective tissue with a high level of specificity, to the macro of how the parts of the body are aligned together and how freely they are moving. She specializes working with trauma, both physical and emotional, supporting it to exit the nervous system.
Daphne has been practicing bodywork for 20 years. She studied structural integration with Tom Myers and was his teaching assistant for his dissection courses and advanced training. She has assisted Gil Headly in his discretion labs. Her manual osteopathic teacher is Jean Pierre Barral who has written a number of books and has his school in 60 countries. She is also a student of Joe Dispenza. Her work is also influenced by somatic experiencing, co-regulating touch, internal family systems therapy, Anthony William, Chinese meridian channel clearing and many wonderful teachers and colleagues over the years.
