Foundation Biodynamic Massage

BIODYNAMIC MASSAGE

A series of 9 weekends (108 hours) for those who have completed the Introduction to Biodynamic Massage or equivalent to learn more of the methods of Biodynamic massage.

Weekend:

1. Practical Methods: Basic touch - skin, connective tissue, muscular work; intentionality - vitalising, matter of fact, relaxing, sedating; head and neck massage; lifting.
Theory: Origins and development of biodynamic massage; aims and objectives of biodynamic massage; indications and contra-indications; the startle reflex; self-regulation; observations in massage; skeletal landmarks.
Professionalism: Setting up massage table; hygiene; precautions regarding infection; preservation of dignity.

2. Practical methods: Packing; polarization; resistance work for body awareness and self expression; energy distribution.
Theory: Indications and contra-indications; the vasomotoric cycle; physiology of stress; underbounded and overbounded clients; massage indications; grounding (legs, skin, eyes); the client-therapist relationship - making non-verbal, energetic contact; model of psycho-physiological illness; massage in depression, anxiety, cardiac rehabilitation, rheumatoid arthritis.
Professionalism: Basic recording of massage session.

3. Practical methods: Connective tissue work - emptying; self care exercises; orgonomie, revision of methods.
Theory: Indications and contra-indications; selection of practical methods; relating practical methods to vasomotoric cycle; theory of psycho-peristalsis; meaning of peristaltic sounds; transudation and distention pressure; massage in asthma, M.E., panic attacks, hyperventilation; and M.S.
Professionalism: Looking after own health in massage work; self, peer and trainer evaluation of massage practice.

4. Practical: Deep draining for back and legs.
Theory: Meaning of deep draining sequence; basic body reading; introduction to the breathing wave and the meaning of different patterns of breathing; indications and contra-indications of deep draining; schizoid structure; bones and muscles in back and legs.
Professionalism: Note-keeping and session recording; follow-up massage observations and their indications.

5. Practical: Deep draining for arms and chest.
Theory: Oral structure; bones and muscles of arms and chest.
Professionalism: Setting up a practice privately; integration of massage into current workplace; selection of clients; working with other practitioners; referring on; confidentiality.

6. Practical: Deep draining for neck and head.
Theory: Masochistic structure; bones and muscles of neck and head; age-related contra-indications. Professionalism: Code of ethics and practice; insurance; supervision; post-certificate training; research.

7. Practical: Revision of techniques; hypotonus massage; body reading; stretches and deep draining.
Theory: Hysterical structure; the meaning of autonomic nervous system reactions - indications and contra-indications.
Professionalism: Initial interview; session recording; review of treatment; future treatment indications.

8. Practical: Abdominal massage, auric massage.
Theory: "Psychopathic" structure, differentiation of biodynamic massage from other methods; parameters of treatment evaluation.
Professionalism: Parameters of self evaluation as practitioner.

9. Practical: Live supervision.
Theory: Selection of appropriate methods, touch contact and verbal level of interaction; levels of therapeutic intervention.
Professionalism: Self, peer and trainer evaluation.

For the Foundation Course students are asked to do 2-4 hours additional study and practice between training events (approximately 32 hours overall). The course is process and student centred and so the syllabus sequence may be altered accordingly.

COURSE RECOGNITION

The Association of Holistic Biodynamic Massage Therapists (AHBMT)accepts as members those qualifying in Basic Biodynamic massage with CBPC. The AHBMT represents practitioners nationally and within the British Massage Therapy Council, which is affiliated to the British Complementary Medicine Association representing alternative and complementary therapies. The training has been informally recognized by health authorities sponsoring their employees for personal and professional development purposes.