Somatics Institute

Workshop presenter, Matthew van der Giessen, has been an educator and practicing massage therapist for over 25 years. He has taught nationally, and has published numerous articles on massage therapy practice and education. He brings a strong belief in practical results to each of his classes, providing massage practitioners with solid tools for daily clinical practice.

Matthew's classes draw upon his many years of experience as an educator. Each class has a clearly organized structure that will help you understand each concept, then integrate it through practical application. Ideas are presented sequentially, each providing a solid foundation to the development of your skills.

Anatomy Intensive

Six Days to Explore the Structural Patterning of the Body

We examine the functional anatomy of the body using insights from a wide range of bodywork traditions including massage, light touch therapies, tai chi, yoga, karate, dance, and somatic education.

This course is for all Somatic Practitioners including:
•Massage Therapists
•Fitness Trainers
•Pilates Instructors
•Yoga Instructors

The core organizational patterns of the body will be explored through
1. Posture analysis
2. Movement
3. Muscle building with plasticene using the Maniken™ system
4. Two half day visits to Edmonton's Bodyworlds™ exhibit that are integrated into the educational focus of the Anatomy Intensive workshop

Cost: $840.00 GST Included

An information package will be available May 1st.

Myofascial Release Techniques

Myofascial Release therapy will give you specific answers to the most common challenges of deep tissue massage. In each class, students learn to understand patterns of fascial distortion throughout the body, forming an integrated approach to working with fascia.

Myofascial Release classes with Matthew van der Giessen give you practical tools for your clinical practice. Each course provides new insights on common massage therapy assessment and treatment techniques while integrating them with contributions from a broad range of bodywork approaches. You will learn Myofascial Release techniques from the most effective methods in the field today.

You will learn to:

1. Recognize the coordination of fascia, muscle and neural patterns in the body.

2. Apply simple assessment tools to identify distortions in body patterns

3.Understand the relationship between local symptoms and pattern distortion throughout the body.

4. Use myofascial techniques to resolve symptoms of the most common conditions of a massage therapy practice by working with them directly, and through their pattern distortions.

Neuromuscular Patterning for Somatic Practitioners

Taking time to deepen your understanding of the body's structures is not only exciting and insightful, but it pays off through increased effectiveness in your practice. No matter what your level of experience the Somatics Institute's Neuromuscular Patterning classes bring a new sense of wonder for the complexities of the body, and new understanding of the tissues under your hands.
Each course covers the structures you most commonly work with, and are oriented to helping you solve the challenges of clinical practice.

Apply simple assessment tools to help you identify distortions in neuromuscular patterns. Resolve symptoms of the most common conditions of a body therapy practice by working with them directly, and through their pattern distortions. Includes use of Maniken™ system muscle building with plasticene clay. For massage therapists, bodyworkers etc.