Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy:
Influences from Tibetan and Classical Chinese Medicine
A two-part series with Michael Shea, PhD, author and educator
February 27-March 1, 2020 and TBA 2021 • Saratoga Springs, NY
Metabolic Syndrome is now considered a global epidemic. “With the successful conquest of communicable infectious diseases in most of the world, this new non-communicable disease has become the major health hazard of the modern world. Though it started in the Western world, with the spread of the Western lifestyle across the globe, it has become now a truly global problem. (Mohammad G. Saklayen, 2/26/18)
A recent study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill revealed that only 12.2 percent of American adults are metabolically healthy. “This carries serious implications for public health since poor metabolic health leaves people more vulnerable to developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious health issues.” (ScienceDaily, 11/28/18)
Clearly, what is required is a new understanding of the human body for healing at an elemental level. In response, Michael has created an innovative course that bridges classical healing practices with Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy, integrating ancient approaches to health and healing for the contemporary client.
Learn to differentiate the nine pulses of classical Chinese medicine to create cosmological balance.
Refine skills of perceiving the therapeutic direction and effects of Primary Respiration as chi.
Learn the new metabolism of the body.
Deepen into dynamic stillness in the veins of the cardiovascular system.
We will palpate the deeper movements of Primary Respiration (PR) in the vascular tree, the river of life in the body. We’ll explore the embryological origins of the meridians and channels with our perception and palpation. Biodynamic developmental movements converge with the meridians, so we balance the ordinary body of anatomy and physiology with the subtle body of metabolism as one continuum.
Students registering for this series will be expected to attend both seminars. You must attend Part 1 in order to take Part 2. No exceptions will be made.
For an overview of Michael Shea's approach to Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy (BCVT), click here.
Part 1. Nine Pulses and Five Veins
Thursday-Sunday, February 27-March 1, 2020
This first seminar will look at the human body from a Tibetan Medicine point of view. We will gain an understanding of the human body as home of the five elements, particularly space and wind. Skills will be integrated into a clinical method for working with both arteries and veins.
Nine Pulses refers to the older locations for pulse diagnosis and for balancing body chi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each of these pulses is associated with an artery, an organ (meridian) system as well as the flow of Primary Respiration (chi) inside and outside the body. These processes describe the metabolism of the body and can be influenced by Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy.
Five Veins refers to the embryonic veins that carry the incarnating consciousness into the heart. The five veins of incarnating consciousness of Tibetan Medicine will be taught and sensed via the perception of dynamic stillness in the veins. These five veins are the umbilical, two subclavian and two jugular veins. They are associated with a specific function of dynamic stillness as the element of space. All molecules in the body must go through a stillpoint for transformation.
Together, the nine primary pulses and five veins represent an advanced understanding of the Ignition process in Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy. These new Ignition skills can benefit clients who have metabolic challenges as well as those seeking to prevent such challenges.
Part 2. Ignition of the Subtle Body in Biodynamic Practice
TBA 2021
The second seminar offers a new approach to healing contemporary forms of disembodiment. Health is a constant change process of the outer and inner environment of the body arising from the elements and each of their connections to the wind of Primary Respiration. This requires a serene, compassionate presence and the skillful use of wholistic touch.
We come into and out of embodiment via the five elements of space, wind, fire, water and earth. Coherent breathing is taught as a critical skill in balancing the autonomic nervous system. For example, given that 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy, the majority of us will benefit by ignition with the fire element when proper balancing of the kidneys and renal arteries is accomplished.
We will also look at the new science of interoceptive awareness and mindfulness.
We will investigate the deeper metabolic roots and trunk of the vascular tree located between the kidneys with PR. From this advanced perspective, we normalize the vascular tree through contact with the embryonic movement of the kidneys and related viscera to specific circulatory patterns in the branches of important meridians. This is a deeper level of PR circulation that includes sensing developmental movements of the eyes, thyroid arteries, thymus gland, diaphragm, pelvis and bone marrow where red blood cells are created. This level of embodiment requires a deep mindfulness-awareness of the body through quieting the mind. This is how deeper levels of PR and stillness are discerned. Meditations on the heart and blood will be integrated into clinical practice and palpation.
These practices will flow into our biodynamic awareness of the silence of space and the potency during a therapeutic session to potentially shift body metabolism. Skills to calm both the body and the mind are critical to what we can offer our clients. These skills are especially valuable in working in palliative care with any manual therapy.
A palpation protocol will be taught to rebalance the body, connecting the wind of Primary Respiration to the fire element in the kidneys and related viscera, the sphenobasilar junction, the eyes, the thyroid arteries, the thymus, esophagus and pelvic arteries.
Course Prerequisites
- Previous training in craniosacral therapy, regardless of model, is necessary.
- Please plan to participate in the complete two-part series. You must attend Part 1 in order to take Part 2. No exceptions will be made.
Continuing Education Hours
This two-part series will provide a total of 49 Continuing Education Hours for NYS Licensed and NCBTMB-certified massage therapists.
Hours and Location
- 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Thursday - Sunday (ending at 3 pm on Sunday), February 27-March 1 and __? 2021.
Hyatt Place Saratoga/Malta
20 State Farm Place
Malta, NY 12020
Within minutes of historic Saratoga Springs, where there are numerous hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, shopping, yoga studios, parks and Saratoga's famous springs. Find information at saratoga.com.
Northway/Rt. 87 Exit 12 • 10 minutes from the center of Saratoga Springs • 20 minutes from Albany International Airport • 25 minutes from Albany/Rensselaer Train Station • 12 minutes from Saratoga Springs Train Station.
Group hotel discount available at the Hyatt Place. (Discount code: SMERF. Guaranteed price if booked by ? 2021) • Shuttle between Albany Airport or Saratoga Train Station and the hotel is available with 72-hour prior notice (phone Hyatt at 518•885•1109).
Tuition for this two-part series must be paid in full prior to Part 1 in February 2020.
Payable by check or PayPal (below).
• $150 nonrefundable deposit is required to hold your place now. No exceptions.
• $1300 Early Bird price (includes $150 deposit) paid in full by January 25, 2020.
• $1400 Regular fee (includes $150 deposit) paid in full between January 25 and February 20, 2020.
• $1500 Walk-in fee payable in full on first day of the training, February 27, 2020.
Cancellation policy
Refund, minus $150 nonrefundable deposit/administrative fee, given only for cancellation request received no later than 30 days prior to the start of Part 1 in February.
To Register
Please complete our registration form here and pay deposit by check or PayPal.
Payment
Checks may be made payable and mailed to:
Turtle Back Craniosacral
21 Pine Robin Rd.
Greenfield Center, NY 12833
Or make a secure online payment with PayPal.
(Note: You do not have to have a PayPal account to use this service.)
Please choose your payment from the drop-down menu below:
• Nonrefundable Deposit, required: $150.
• Early Bird balance due for series by 1-25-20 (after deposit): $1150.
• Early Bird series fee in full by 1-25-20 (includes deposit): $1300.
• Regular balance due for series (after deposit): $1250.
• Regular series fee in full (includes deposit): $1400.
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