Anatomy Trains Structural Essentials:
Abdomen, Breath and Chest
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Course Description
The breath is an essential food for life and its passage in and out of the body can be compromised by structural issues in the trunk. The trunk must also act to support the shoulders as well as the neck and head. Its position and relationship with the pelvis can therefore be vital for correct mechanics of the upper limbs and head, neck and jaw issues.
This course focuses on ribcage and its relationship with the pelvis to provide a secure anchoring point for the neck and shoulders and thoracic spine mechanics.
Course Objectives
- Understand the anatomy and physiology of breathing
- Learn different therapeutic views on 'normal' breathing
- Learn and apply techniques for abdominal fascia, ribs, costovertebral joints, mediastinal visceral tissues, m. Scalene and the lumbar muscles
- Learn and apply techniques for facilitating breathing in every quadrant of the rib cage
- Investigate and treat the reciprocal relationships between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor
Prerequisites
You must have completed Anatomy Trains in Structure & Function (ATSF) to participate in this course. Keep in mind, once you have completed ATSF, you are eligible to take all 6 Structural Essentials courses. These can be taken in any order, or as one intensive format in our ATSI Part 1 course. The 6 ATSE courses are:
- Arches & Legs
- Fans of the Hip
- Abdomen, Breath and Chest
- Tensegrity Spine
- Shoulders and Arms
- Head, Neck and Jaw
Accreditation
This course is accredited by both Stichting Keurmerk Fysiotherapie and Kwaliteitshuis Fysiotherapie (Vakinhoudelijk algemeen) for 19 points.
Meet your Teacher(s)
This course is will be taught by either Michael Watson or Don Thompson, depending on the date.
Preparation: Recommended Literature
This course is based on the myofascial meridians outlined in the book, "Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual Therapists and Movement Professionals" by Thomas Myers. We highly recommend reading this book before your course if you have not already.
The fascial release techniques you will learn in this course stem from the book, "Fascial Release for Structural Balance" by James Earls & Thomas Myers.
If you'd like more information about the concept of BodyReading, we recommend "BodyReading: Visual Assessment and the Anatomy Trains," by Thomas Myers.
Locations
This course is offered in:
View the course page to see all available dates and locations.
Language of Instruction
This course is taught in English. 🇬🇧
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Next Steps
Once you have completed all 6 ATSE courses - either as 6 individual courses or 1 intensive format (ATSI part 1) - you are eligible to continue towards a Anatomy Trains Structural Integration Certification.
The next step in this journey is: Anatomy Trains Structural Strategies (Part II).
The final step is: Anatomy Trains Structural Integration (Part III).
Structural Integration Certification Map
Click here to learn more about the Anatomy Trains Structural Integration Certification Program.
Course planning
- 08:30 - 09:00: Registration with coffee and tea
Events
05 - 07 September 2025
- Amsterdam
- Michael Watson
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19 points (Stichting Keurmerk Fysiotherapie)19 points (Kwaliteitshuis Fysiotherapie Vakinhoudelijk algemeen)
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€695,00 €645,00 Avail. until 01 Aug 2025