Around two years ago I had the pleasure to study with fascia guru and creator of Anatomy Trains, Thomas W Myers. Anatomy trains is a unique map of the way muscles and fascia (myo fascia - myo meaning muscle in Latin and fascia is the connective tissue that binds the whole body) connect together.
Often when you study musculoskeletal skeletal anatomy you only learn how the muscles attach to bones via tendons. No one tells you how they attach to each other and the influence this has on the whole body. Step in Tom Myers and you have a systematic way of reading the body and treatment?
Toms background and claim to fame is that he studied Rolfing (not a great name for a modality - sounds a bit like the sound you make when you throw up) with Ida Rolf, the creator of Rolfing which is a well respected form of myo facial release that involves structural balancing of the body.
His workshops are filled with invaluable info for body workers. His anatomy is second to none. But even other this level of information he keeps the workshops light and has a great sense of humour for all of us massage nerds. Be warned though he can be controversial and let's all practitioners have it at some point. The greatest thing I took out of the workshops was to always question what you're doing and realise you're only working within a model of current thinking. To stay evidence based we need to be able to drop all of our held beliefs and stay open to change and evolution. Amen to that!
If you would like more info on Toms visit then go to http://www.anatomytrains.com.au/ you an also check out his books and DVDs which are very enlightening.
Often when you study musculoskeletal skeletal anatomy you only learn how the muscles attach to bones via tendons. No one tells you how they attach to each other and the influence this has on the whole body. Step in Tom Myers and you have a systematic way of reading the body and treatment?
Toms background and claim to fame is that he studied Rolfing (not a great name for a modality - sounds a bit like the sound you make when you throw up) with Ida Rolf, the creator of Rolfing which is a well respected form of myo facial release that involves structural balancing of the body.
His workshops are filled with invaluable info for body workers. His anatomy is second to none. But even other this level of information he keeps the workshops light and has a great sense of humour for all of us massage nerds. Be warned though he can be controversial and let's all practitioners have it at some point. The greatest thing I took out of the workshops was to always question what you're doing and realise you're only working within a model of current thinking. To stay evidence based we need to be able to drop all of our held beliefs and stay open to change and evolution. Amen to that!
If you would like more info on Toms visit then go to http://www.anatomytrains.com.au/ you an also check out his books and DVDs which are very enlightening.