Integration of the body systems and development movement 1

Just as there is an evolution through the Basic Neurocellular Patterns, there is an evolution through the body systems as well. As we progress through the BNP, each pattern manifests affinities for different aspects of the body systems. These affinities underlie changes of consciousness in our tissues, in our movement, in our perceptions and in our interpersonal relationships. This course will include:

• Personal expression of the interrelationships between your body systems and developmental process.
• Awareness of how others express their body systems through their developmental process.
• Gaining greater proficiency in facilitating these interrelationships in others.
• Deepening touch and repatterning skills through the integration of the body systems and development.

Immune system

The immune system plays an essential role in maintaining health and well-being. The mind has a powerful effect on the immune system and psychophysical states can directly affect the functioning of this system. This course will cover the process of immunity and the structures and functions of the immune system. This course will include:

• Basic components and functions of the immune system.
• Homeostasis and returning to balance.
• Adapting to an ever changing environment.
• How we can consciously support our immune system in a world of stress.
• How the immune system interacts with the other body systems.

Embryological development

Patterns and relationships from this early stage of development can affect overall health and a sense of well being. This is the time when all of the body tissues and systems are developing. This course will explore the relationship of the egg yolk sack, amniotic sack, neuroenteric canal, and autonomic fluid rhythm to the emerging development of the ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. 4 days, 28 hours

Breathing and vocalization

We manifest our state of being through our breath. Through the expressive qualities of our voice, we communicate to the outer world who we are. Our voice reflects the functioning of all of our body systems and the process of our developmental integration. Bringing kinesthetic and auditory consciousness to our vocal structures opens pathways of expression between our unconscious and our conscious mind and between ourselves and others. Breathing and vocalization are a continuum of the same process. The breath powers the voice and the voice strengthens and reflects how we breathe. Both reflect our state of being and health. This course will include:

• The anatomy and physiology of the breathing and vocalization structures (the 5 diaphragms, pharynx, larynx, body cavities, lips and tongue). (Note: the lungs are covered in the Organ System course.)
• The role of the pharynx and other cavities of the body in the production of resonation and vowel sounds.
• Distinguishing the structures of the larynx and their roles in sound production (pitch and intensity).
• Gaining awareness of your own breathing and vocal patterns and facilitating repatterning in others.
• Exploring the psychophysical aspects of breathing and vocalization.

Senses and Perception 2

This course is a continuation of Senses and Perception 1. In order to perceive clearly, our attention, concentration, motivation or desire must actively focus us on what it is we are to perceive. This process patterns our interpretation of sensory information, and without this active focusing, our perception remains poorly organized. The active aspect of perception can be explored theoretically and experientially along with its relationship to development, the interrelationship of the different senses, and the process by which we can expand our choices in responding to ourselves, others and the world. This course will include:

• How the senses/perceptions support and manifest in the BNP.
• The developmental progression and integration of the senses.

Subcellular system

Each cell in our body has living intelligence. It is capable of knowing itself, initiating action, and communicating with all other cells. The individual cell, its internal structures and the community of cells (tissue, organ, body) exist as separate entities and as one whole at the same moment. Attuning ourselves to our cellular consciousness brings us to a state in which we can find the ground from which flows the intricate manifestations of our physical, psychological and spiritual being. Subcellular structures function on the microcosmic level in the same way as the body systems do on a macrocosmic level. Like the body systems, they can be explored experientially and their psychophysical qualities brought to consciousness. As we embody cellular structures, our state of consciousness, movement, voice and quality of touch is reflected or amplified in body systems or larger structures. This course will include:

• Relationships of body systems, body tissues, and cellular and subcellular structures.
• Plasma membrane layers: inner and outer focus and balance.
• Cellular fluids: extracellular, intracellular, and transitional fluids. Introduction to cellular breathing.
• Fluid/membrane balance.
• Tensegrity and continuity of the cytoskeleton.
• External and internal respiration: and the underlying support of the organelles involved in cellular breathing.
• Explorations of the organelles involved in the production of proteins and other digestive functions.

Psychophysical integration 1

To find psychophysical homeostasis we need to maintain our ability to respond to present circumstances in ways that support maintenance and/or return to health and balance. In Body-Mind Centering® we can access ways to transform our habitual psychophysical habits to more fully embody our potential and range of possibilities. This requires continually making conscious decisions to play an active role in the direction of transformation through increased presence, mindfulness and relationship with self, other and community. This course will include:

• Exploring in more depth the psychophysical aspects of each of the body systems and developmental movement.
• Using the senses and perception material to identify aspects of psychophysical expression.
• Interconnecting psychophysical patterns in the expression of the whole person.
• Recognizing and supporting the repatterning of nervous system reversals through the different tissues of the body.

Professional issues 2

This course is a continuation of Professional Issues 1. Explore how to develop as a Body-Mind Centering® practitioner/Somatic Movement Therapist from an authentic place, blending presence, resonance, intuition, knowledge and experience. Competency as a professional is also addressed. This course will include:

• The client/practitioner relationship.
• Developing note taking skills to track your clients progress.
• Looking at ongoing professional development, research and the larger context of the somatic field.

Integration of the body systems and developmental movement 2

This course is an advanced exploration of the relationships in the Embodied Anatomy (body systems) material and Embodied Developmental Movement material studied in previous courses. Embodiment and integration of this material is an essential part of becoming a Body-Mind Centering® Practitioner. This course will include:

• Key relationships between the Embodied Anatomy and Embodied Developmental Movement material.
• Exploration of more subtle aspects of personal embodiment and guiding repatterning in others.
• Further integration of the body systems and development.

Client assessment and therapeutic approaches 1

The uniqueness of Body-Mind Centering® allows us to approach conditions from a multi-systems and developmental perspective. This perspective can then illuminate our understanding of the larger underlying patterns of traditional syndromes. Assessment is an ongoing process that helps establish our starting place, our direction in working with BMC principles and techniques. This course will include:

• The process of assessment.
• Applications of Body-Mind Centering®.
• Body-Mind Centering® approaches.
• Traditional syndromes.
• Precautions and contraindications.

6 days, 42 hours

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Teaching skills

The focus will be on building core skills and tools for teaching BMC, such as: phrasing, shaping and layering of classes; use of props and teaching aids; group dynamics; a body systems and developmental model for logistics and organization of classes. This course will include:

• Teaching techniques.
• Organizational skills.
• Group dynamics.
• Embodiment and transmission.
• Using BMC principles as the basis for teaching.
• Support and feedback on your teaching in class exercises.
• Dialogue with faculty and peers about teaching and professional issues.

New frontiers

Sharing new material developed recently and the latest BMC research of Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. 3 days, 21 hours

Student presentation

Each student presents their final project to the group. It can be a particular aspect of the work, an application of BMC to another discipline or simply a question to explore. Each presentation is 15 - 20 minutes long and followed by a brief sharing. 3 days, 21 hours

Client assessment and therapeutic approaches 1

Continuation of Assessment and BMC Approaches 1 4 days, 28 hours

Psychophysical integration 2

This course is a continuation of Psychophysical Integration 1. To find psychophysical homeostasis we need to maintain our ability to respond to present circumstances in ways that support maintenance and/or return to health and balance. In Body-Mind Centering®, we can access ways to transform our habitual psychophysical habits to more fully embody our potential and range of possibilities. This requires continually making conscious decisions to play an active role in the direction of transformation through increased presence, mindfulness and relationship with self, other and community. This course will include:

• Exploring in more depth the psychophysical aspects of each of the body systems, developmental movement, and the perceptions.
• Subtly accessing and repatterning these aspects in others.
• Interconnecting psychophysical patterns in the expression of the whole person.
• Recognizing and supporting the repatterning of nervous system reversals through the different tissues of the body.

Practitioner competency

This course is a continuation of Professional Issues 2. Explore how to develop as a Body-Mind Centering® practitioner from an authentic place, blending presence, resonance, intuition, knowledge and experience. Competency as a professional is also addressed. 1day, 7 hours

Professional issues 3

This course is a continuation of Professional Issues 2. Explore how to develop as a Body-Mind Centering® practitioner from an authentic place, blending presence, resonance, intuition, knowledge and experience. Competency as a professional is also addressed. This course will include:

• Relational Issues.
• Responsibilities of being a professional, including ethical guidelines and health precautions.
• Setting up and managing a professional practice, such as, finances, publicity, managing space and time, promotion, interfacing with other professionals, supervision and networking.
• Developing note taking skills to track your clients progress.
• Looking at the importance of ongoing professional development, research and the larger context of the somatic field.