About our Ortho-Bionomy® Classes
The Therapeutic Alternative offers ongoing classes in the study of Ortho-Bionomy. Our classes are offered in South Florida and nationally.
Ortho-Bionomy is a gentle form of bodywork for both the practitioner and the receiver. It is a non-invasive form of therapy that works with chronic stress, injuries, and pain, or problems associated with postural and structural imbalances. Ortho-Bionomy uses positions of comfort, isometrics and isotonics, positional release techniques and postural exercises. These are combined with self-care techniques, to facilitate changes in the client’s stress and pain patterns. Ortho-Bionomy initiates innate, self-corrective reflexes within the body, that restore alignment, improve function, and remind the body of its own natural ability to find balance.
Ortho-Bionomy is a standalone modality or may be combined with massage, other forms of bodywork, acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, and other alternative practices. Ortho-Bionomy classes are open to licensed practitioners or laypersons. Students may take the foundational course, Phase 4, and immediately begin to use the techniques they have learned. If a student chooses, they may then go on to complete the full program and become Registered Practitioners, Advanced Practitioners, and Instructors.
Below are descriptions of Ortho-Bionomy classes that we may offer throughout the year. Classes may be 1, 2, or 3 days. Also listed below are our Registered Instructors of Ortho-Bionomy (RIOB).
To view a calendar of our upcoming classes and to register, please click on the bar at the top or bottom of this page. You will be redirected to BodyWorkCeus.net.
Class Descriptions:
Phase IV: Foundation Basics
This foundation class covers the history, philosophy, and concepts of Ortho-Bionomy, and provides an overview of the basic release techniques and anatomy for each major joint of the body. Movements and positions of comfort are demonstrated to facilitate the release of muscular tension, and overall stress, via stimulating the inherent, self-corrective reflexes of the body. These help the body create structural alignment and balance from within. The phase IV course is typically taught in specific anatomical areas, such as Spine, Extremities, Thoracics, etc. this breaks down the coursework down into more manageable sections.
Phase V
The focus of Phase Five is to move to a more subtle level of awareness of the practice and principles of Ortho-Bionomy. Specific techniques develop and increase the student’s understanding and proprioceptive sensitivity to the self-corrective movements initiated by the client. Through the practice of observing, following, and supporting subtle movement patterns, muscular tension is released, the range of motion is increased, and pain is reduced. In Phase Five, students are encouraged to do less, and let the client be the guide for his/her exploration of change.
Phase VI
This class is designed to help participants access and track sensation, and energetic perception in themselves and in their clients. It also seeks to teach students how to make contact, without necessarily engaging physically. Techniques will be presented that monitor and acknowledge the inter-relationship between energetic, emotional, and physical levels, as well as skills which demonstrate how energetic shifts can affect changes in physical patterns.
Phase VII
This class demonstrates the principles and applications of the Phase Seven pattern to assist with self-correction. The pattern addresses all levels of human experience and teaches participants a non-forceful, elegant way to approach a variety of issues.
Exploration of Movement Patterns
Exploration of Movement Patterns adds a dynamic dimension to the positional release techniques. Participants will learn to recognize and palpate patterns of joint and muscle movement, in order to facilitate an increased range of motion, to then promote a general sense of well-being in the body. By gently exploring and supporting preferred patterns of movement or stillness, the client is invited to actively participate and recognize their patterns. Functional anatomy will also be discussed.
Postural Re-Education and Post Techniques
In this class, participants learn to evaluate and address inefficient postural habits through accurate observation and simple exercises. Techniques to work with spinal curvatures and scoliosis are presented and practiced, including related anatomy. Post techniques focus on assessing and releasing areas of tension, as well as integrating the work done in a session. In addition, exercises are taught to facilitate the client’s ability to maintain balance through the neuro-muscular re-education of postural habits.
Isometrics
In this class, Isometric and isotonic techniques for working with inefficient muscular tension patterns, as well as underdeveloped muscle tone, are presented and practiced, including related anatomy. Through the use of restraining movement, while the muscle is engaged, self-correcting reflexes are stimulated and habitual holding patterns can be released. Participants learn how the conscious use of obstacles can help promote change from rigid physical patterns, to greater mobility. These allow the client to actively participate in the session.
Ortho-Bionomy Approach to Chapman’s Reflexes
This class in Chapman’s Reflexes offers an increased perspective into the relationship of structure and pelvic balance to the lymph, viscera (organs), nervous system, and soft tissue. It emphasizes the relationship of the neuro-lymphatic reflexes to the endocrine system, and to structural balance. Identification of these points with techniques for their release will be presented and practiced.
Ortho-Bionomy: Fluids, Fascia, and the Lymphatic System
In this class, you will learn how Ortho-Bionomy can facilitate the natural ability of the lymphatic system to function well. The focus will be on understanding the nature of the lymphatic system, and its relationship to the fascia and the fluids.
The class will include discussion in the following areas:
• Basic anatomy and physiology of the Lymphatic System
• Relationships between the parts; Fluids, Fascia and the Lymphatic System
• Techniques presented will release structural binding and blocking of the Lymphatic System
• Scar Tissue refinement
This method will gently reduce pain, refine post-surgical scar tissue, and promote edema reduction. It is also an effective adjunct to Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy in the treatment of primary and secondary lymphedema.
Pre-requisite:Ortho-Bionomy: Phase 4 or Ortho-Bionomy: Introduction to Phase 4
Ortho-Bionomy: Self Care & Lymphatic Skin Brushing Technique™
Ortho-Bionomy Self Care is about tuning in to our own inner experience. We become so overloaded with layers of complex stress patterns that we ignore signs and signals that indicate we are out of balance. In this class, you will learn how to recognize the signs and signals and how to move away from the tension and stress patterns, and back towards balance, comfort and ease within ourselves. You will also be introduced to the Lymphatic System, and taught why it is important to take care of your largest detoxifying organ, and how to do so through dry body brushing.
We are an NCBTMB Approved Provider: Ortho-Bionomy in Florida #289729-00 and a Florida CE Provider #50-2028
Ortho-Bionomy® is a registered trademark of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International, Inc. and is used with permission.
Our Ortho-Bionomy Instructors
Liz Olivas, BFA, MT, CLT, RIOB, Owner
Liz earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Dance at Ohio University in 1985. A strong background in kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, and movement-based therapy inspired her interest in therapeutic bodywork. In 1987 Liz became licensed as a massage therapist in the State of Florida. She holds certifications in both Ortho-Bionomy® from The Society of Ortho-Bionomy International and Manual Lymph Drainage® from The Dr. Vodder School – North America. As a Registered Instructor of Ortho-Bionomy, Liz brings a rich background of over 25 years in private practice. Liz has a deep grounding in Ortho-Bionomy® as a practitioner that is reflected in her ability to clearly convey the essence of Ortho-Bionomy® in the classroom.
Liz’s many years of practical experience in Ortho-Bionomy and Manual Lymph Drainage led her to personally developed the Ortho-Bionomy classes: Fluids, Fascia, and the Lymphatic System, and Self-Care & Lymphatic Skin Brushing Technique. Liz offers Ortho-Bionomy classes throughout the year in South Florida, and nationally.
Luann Overmyer, LMT, NCBTMB, Advanced Instructor
Luann Overmyer has worked with thousands of patients in her Ortho-Bionomy private practice. She teaches thirty seminars on the subject per year, mentors students and instructors, presents at conferences, and writes articles for newsletters in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. She divides her time between San Francisco, Australia, and Fort Pierce, FL.
She is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Florida and is certified as a continuing education provider with the State of Florida, as well as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
Terri Lee, Advanced Instructor
Terri Lee has been actively practicing and teaching Ortho-Bionomy since 1982. She is an artist of this extremely effective, subtle, gentle bodywork. Her nonjudgmental, affirming approach has helped thousands of students and clients facilitate their own self-healing, awareness, and integration of the body as a whole.
Terri trained with Arthur Lincoln Pauls D.O., the founder of Ortho-Bionomy, and is a past president of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy Int’l, Inc. Terri has been instrumental in developing and refining the curriculum and methodology of the Ortho-Bionomy Practitioner and Instructor Training Programs. She teaches classes throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and Mexico.
For those seeking self-help, continuing education, or career change, Terri facilitates this experiential learning with ease, offering each client the opportunity to learn in their own way. Terri holds the space, which invites each person to experience, develop, and expand their own awareness and learning to integrate body, mind, and spirit. She skillfully bridges the gap between quantum concepts of healing and ordinary reality.
Lynne Marotta, Associate Advanced Instructor
Lynne Marotta is a Registered Instructor with the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International®. She has been actively practicing therapeutic bodywork since 2003 in her hometown of Leonia, New Jersey. Lynne was fortunate to have studied with many instructors throughout the Ortho-Bionomy® community. Beginning in 1993, Lynne became an International Master teacher of Callanetics. She brings her knowledge of movement into her Ortho-Bionomy practice as well as her style of teaching this work.
Kathryn J. Fleming, PT, CLT-LANA – Vodder -Manual Lymph Drainage Instructor
Kathy graduated from the Dr. Vodder School in Austria in 1994 (the first PT in MA to do so), the Foldi School in Germany in 1999, and is the only Dr. Vodder School Certified Basic, Therapy I, II & III Instructor in the USA. Kathy was an active member of the North American Vodder Association of Lymphatic Therapy (NAVALT) since 1994. She has lectured on MLD and lymphedema at several colleges, universities and cancer and lymphedema support groups. The founder and team leader of the MLD program at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA, for 15 years, Kathy now has a private practice.
