Anatomy Workshops with Ellen Heed

Functional Anatomy with Ellen Heed
July 24, 25, 26
9am - 5:30pm (1.5 hour lunch break)

Functional anatomy is the art of assessing your student or client in order to streamline the healing process. This inspiring and information-filled course will go beyond the relationship between anatomical structure and bodily function - it will bring anatomy to life with richly illustrated lectures, lively Q&A, and hands-on exercises. We will discuss how posture psychology, physical trauma, nutrition, and organ cleansing directly affect the teaching and practice of yoga and other therapeutic modalities. This course is theoretical and experiential, so come prepared to take notes and do some yoga!

Registration

Cost is $350 for the class plus a $25.00 materials fee.

Modules

1: Reading the Bones: Posture, Alignment, and Spinal Pathology: In this module, we will learn how to use visual cues to assess the emotional history of any individual by reading the curves of the spine. The module will also cover the physiology of bone formation, the plasticity of bone, and describe the effects of structural stress on our skeleton. We will also learn how yoga can be used as an effective tool to improve alignment and the effects of gravity and aging.

2: Structural Muscles and Emotion in the Body: This module will focus on learning the twelve most important muscles in the body. These muscles contain discreet emotional states and content that can be accessed through yoga practice. Discover the difference between postural and cosmetic muscles and learn to direct your yoga practice where it really counts.

3: Experiential Anatomy Practice, Reading Body Types: Part 1: 90-Minute Experiential Anatomy Yoga Practice. Join us for a unique opportunity to experience the truth for yourself about the information given in the first 2 modules! This yoga class will be a rare chance to connect the dots of asana practice with anatomical narration of each pose. You have seen it and heard it, now feel it. Part 2: Reading Body Types: How Connective Tissue Determines Body Type. Genetics determine that we're all different. Learn the advantages of your genetic gifts and how to custom tailor your yoga practice for a perfect fit. This module will cover the physiology of connective tissue and joint structure. We will examine various injuries, how they occur, and how to prevent them.

4: Ruled by Blood: Reading Biochemical Imbalance: Biochemistry has a universal influence over the practice of yoga. This workshop explores the relationship between body type and blood chemistry. What we put into and onto our bodies affects out yoga practice. What do dietary imbalance, toxic colons, nerve irritation, and physical injuries have in common?

5: The Biomechanics of Breath & The Nervous System: Hardware of the Chakras: Breath is the soul of yoga, driven by not one, but four diaphragms. Learn the elements of inspiration and how prana travels through the body. We will explore breath from an East/West perspective. This module will move from the minute details of oxygen exchange in the cell to the use of breath as ecstatic practice. We will complete our East/West dialogue by mapping the charkas directly into the anatomy of the nervous system.

About Ellen Heed

Ellen Heed started dancing at the age of four and has followed a fascination with movement, energy and structure into the present. She studied dance at California Institute of the Arts and performed, toured and taught dance throughout California with the contemporary dance company Rodeo Ex Machina from 1979-1985.

To address healing knee and back pain, she began the study of yoga in 1994 with Ana Forrest, completing Ana's Teacher Training in 1997, and repeating it in 1999. Concurrent with her study of yoga, Ellen became certified as a Shiatsu Specialist in 2000, which led to a deep study of functional anatomy and transformational bodywork with Dr. Vincent Medici, DC ND CMT. In 2002, Ellen began training in Visionary Cranialsacral Work with Hugh Milne, and is currently in the process of completing her certification at the Milne Institute.

Ellen currently teaches Anatomy & Physiology, Pain & Orthopedic Evaluation, and Craniosacral Therapy at the Shiatsu Massage School of California. She also travels nationally to teach workshops about human energetic and sexual empowerment. She teaches Functional Anatomy for Yoga Teachers for YogaWorks in LA, and nationally for Ana Forrest's teacher trainings. She also maintains a thriving bodywork and Craniosacral practice in Los Angeles.

Learn more about Ellen Heed at ellenheed.com.

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