General Information
Applications to Spine, Ortho & Seniors
16 Hours—CEUs
PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs & ATCs
Course Description
Tai Chi is more than a martial art or a moving meditation and Yoga is more than twisting yourself into a pretzel; they are sophisticated movement systems that have great potential for application to a rehab setting. In this course we will break down and simplify common tai chi movements and yoga poses into stances, postures, steps and arm movements/positions, then put everything together in ways that integrate and optimize relationships between the upper and lower body. You will move and experience, as well as observe and analyze tai chi and yoga modifications, then discuss clinical relevance and application to a wide variety of rehab-related conditions. Topics range from lumbar stabilization to knee alignment and joint replacements; from balance improvement and gait facilitation to fall prevention; from pelvic balancing to thoracic mobilization and cervical stabilization; from gleno-humeral impingement to scapular dyskinesia; from ortho to neuro to geriatrics. We will also discuss and demonstrate the importance of Pattern Specificity, making exercise more informational by making it resemble the motor behavior we are trying to influence, and investigate the differences between Static and Dynamic Integrated Movement Principles. So come spend a weekend doing, feeling and thinking; you will never look at movement and exercise the same again!
Course Objectives: By the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Define Global and Differentiated movement relationships and give one example of each relationship for: knee-hip, hip-lumbar, thorax-neck, scapular-humeral, humeral-forearm
- List the two main differences between Static and Dynamic Integration Principles
- Define the difference between “grounding” and “balancing” stances or poses and give two examples of each
- Demonstrate basic proficiency in three rotational/weight shifting movements and list benefits for: lumbar stabilization, hip/knee replacements, balance/fall prevention
- Explain the relevance of the phrase “proximal mobility and distal stability” in the lower extremity system and list benefits for foot, ankle or knee conditions
- Identify hip flexion-lumbar extension and hip extension/lumbar flexion themed differentiated yoga poses and explain applications to the 3 main lumbar instability types.
- Define the terms “high horizon” and “weight under-side” and list benefits for cervical, gleno-humeral and shoulder girdle health
Course Outline:Lab sessions involve movement observation, participation and analysis as well as discussion of clinical relevance, modifications and manual/verbal cueing.
Course Schedule
- 8:00-8:30-Introduction to Integrated Movement Principles
- Exercise Paradigms: Isolate or Integrate?
- Types of Integrated Movement/Exercise: Static & Dynamic
- Principles of Optimal Movement/Posture
- 8:30-9:20-Lab I: Pelvic Work—Recognizing Hip Biases/Addressing Lumbar Issues
- Differentiated Poses: Hip Mobility & Lumbar Stability
- Recognizing the Habitual & Teaching the Non-Habitual: Directional Lumbar Instabilities
- Movement Reciprocity to Facilitate AP Pelvic & Trunk Balance
- 9:30-12:00-Lab II: Thoracic Work—Knocking the Rust Off the Ribs
- Applying Constraints: Funneling Movement and Effort Where We Want It
- Integrating Arm & Head Movement with the Mid Back & Chest
- Rib Cage as Slinky: Encouraging Multi-Directional Thoracic Movement
- Cervical Stabilization & Cranial Postural Support
- 1:00-3:00-Lab III: Leg Work—Creating a Solid Foundation
- Encouraging the Tripod Foot: Forefoot/Rear-foot Differentiations
- Controlling Knee Valgus and Varus: Organizing Knee Over Foot
- Facilitating Balance: Peroneus Longus/Posterior Tibialis Competence
- Knee & Ankle Traumatic & Repetitive Stress Injuries
- 3:10-5:30—Lab IV: Shoulder Work—Anchoring the Arm to the Back
- Dynamic vs. Static Scapular Stabilization
- Grand Coalition of the Arm: Shoulder ER & Scapular Posterior Tilt
- Closed and Open Chain Facilitations
- Scapular Myofascial, Gleno-Humeral & Elbow Benefits
Day Two
- 8:00-10:00-Lab V: Tai Chi Stances
- Grounding & Balancing Stances: Skeletal Weight Bearing
- Centering the Feet & Aligning the Knees: Balance & Fall Prevention
- Stabilizing the Pelvis & Lengthening the Low Back
- 10:10-12:00-Lab VI: Tai Chi Arm Positions & Movements
- Ladies Hands: Minimizing Unnecessary Effort
- Dynamic Scapular Stabilization & Integrating the Arm
- Gleno-Humeral, Elbow, Forearm & Hand Benefits
- 1:00-3:00-Lab VII: Tai Chi Turns & Steps
- Hip Rotation Mobility & Control: THR, FAI & Labrum
- Lumbar Stabilization, Balance & Fall Prevention
- Controlling Knee Valgus, Varus & Rotation: Knee Injuries, Patella & TKR
- 3:10-5:00—Lab VIII: Putting it Together—Integrating Upper & Lower Body
- Arms & Head Moving as Extension of Dynamic vs Relative to Static Torso
- Appropriate Distribution of Movement & Proportional Use of Synergists
- Training & Balancing Pelvic Force Couples: Associating with Intentional Arms
- 5:00-5:30— Bonus Material & Wrap Up
- Toys & Tools: Staff, Sword & Straps
- Review & Reinforcement of Course Objectives
- Questions & Answer