This course is an introduction to the oceanic movement patterns, intrauterine movement, primitive reflexes. We examine how or embryonic and fetal experiences have contributed to our current sense of self and apply developmental principles to the process of somatic movement education. Introduction to cellular respiration and cellular touch is utilized as the foundation for all subsequent hands-on work in the program.

Continuing the developmental sequence, HMD II covers land-based movement patterns (spinal, symmetrical, same-sided), primitive reflexes and righting reactions, and the development of movement during the first six months of an infant’s life. Students begin the process of inquiry, refinement and embodiment of the patterns in themselves and learn approaches to facilitating the patterns in others.

Finishing the developmental sequence, HMD III completes the land-based movement patterns, introduces equilibrium responses, and tracks the development of movement during months seven to twelve of an infant’s life. We observe the relationships we form with the force of gravity, the space that surrounds us, and contact with another being or a specific object, as well as the way we change internally due to an external stimulus or the excitement of our senses.

The course covers the anatomy of the nervous system from a somatic perspective, covering the central/peripheral, motor/sensory, somatic/autonomic, sympathetic/parasympathetic divisions as well as introduction to the intrinsic nervous systems (brains) of the heart and the gut. Attention is paid to balancing oneself as a practitioner and assessment of nervous system tone in others.

The course addresses embodiment of the endocrine glands; approaches to repatterning through touch, movement and voice utilizing endocrine support and awareness; relationship of endocrine glands to skeletal system; sourcing and focusing endocrine expression; and enlivening the central channel of the head, torso and pelvis.

Beginning from the experiential anatomy of the entire connective tissue matrix, the course offers a special focus on the ligaments. Working from the fascial web, we focus on specific ligaments to repattern movement around the joints and facilitate the initiation of movement from the ligaments. The course introduces specific assessment tools to identify avenues for repatterning a client’s movement from a connective tissue perspective.

The muscular system course includes muscle theory; hands-on and movement facilitation for supporting change of tone in muscles; initiation of movement from different aspects of muscle tissue; and the relationship of muscle to bone, tendon and fascia. Students begin to weave muscular awareness with other body systems to support change in the body.

Students are introduced to the anatomy of the vocal mechanism and basic principles of vocal production, in context of the embodiment of the fluid system. Hands-on, movement, and observational approaches to working with clients are presented for the fluid ground (cellular, transitional, and interstitial fluids) and the extracellular fluids: blood, craniosacral, lymph, interstitial, periorgan and synovial fluids.

This course is an overview of somatic practice, encompassing both personal and professional issues. It summarizes the major themes of somatic practice, integrating the body systems with developmental movement principles. Students are encouraged to articulate how their understanding of somatic movement education will become part of their personal and professional practice. The course includes topics regarding the development of a private practice, including ethics, scope of practice, and the integration of somatic movement into previously established professions.