June 8-9 2024

This is a very unique class with detailed relational and fascial anatomy and relative biomechanics where students will start to learn proper mechanics, execution and application from the very beginning. The abdominals (obliques, transverse, pyramidals and rectus abdominus) and the thoracic diaphragm need to be properly trained. These muscles are not only functional but aesthetic.

Over 100 exercises and its variations that can be used regularly in strength & conditioning as well as in the filed of rehabilitation, especially for the spine, lumbo-pelvis dysfunction, abdominal wall separations, hernias and digestive disorders.

Taught March 2023

There are hundreds of specific exercises, which can solicit the proximal, distal, medial, lateral, middle, superficial or deep portions of each muscle in the lower extremities. The thorough details that are covered in this class will allow for an understanding of the numerous exercises that target specific areas of the lower limb. These exercises are applied, based on our goal, to specific conditioning goals, to address muscles imbalances, and a part of addressing specific orthopedic dysfunctions such as various joint dysfunctions, tendonitis, arthrosis, instability etc. 

Taught May 2023

Analytical and Segmental Muscular Strengthening of the Upper Limbs & Trunk 

The large muscles (latissimus dorsi, trapezius, rhomboids, quadratus lumborum…) need to be trained with a lot of specific movements in relation to the specific quality of training that you need (strength, volume, power, speed, resistance, endurance and fitness maintenance) for each muscle group. The spinal muscles need to be trained to improve their ability to provide postural support.There are also numerous, yet specific exercises, which can solicit the proximal, distal, medial, lateral, middle, superficial or deep portions of each muscle in the upper extremities. Students will learn over hundred different exercises that are invaluable in both performance training and rehabilitation. The function of the shoulder girdle is a major topic of this seminar. 

Taught October 2023

Global Movement: The Squat, Posturology, & Gravity Line - Tests & Rehabilitation Exercises 

A complete analysis of the squat with respect to the entire body in relation to gravity line and various aspect to be taken into consideration when applying the squat. There are over a hundred progressions that have to be learned before a squat is completed properly. This class will cover all of these progressions and lead to a fundamental understanding of proper progressions leading to the completion of a biomechanically sound squat.

While the fundamentals are the same, the squat should be modified and applied differently to specific goals, which could be to improve one’s posture, to rehabilitate the knee after an ACL injury, to help eliminate back pain or to improve someone’s athletic performance etc.

Posture is the basis for the balanced functioning of all joints and viscera. A good posture leads to an economy of energy expenditure. This course on posture teaches many tests and the main exercises to correct and improve it. 

Taught April 2022 and June 2023

For a long time now we believed that we knew how to stretch muscles; however, how do you stretch a muscle when it is sheathed in a leather casing? Muscles are three dimensional in shape with multiple sites of attachment and fascia is the thin ‘skin’ weaving into and surrounding structures like the muscle tissue, ‘linking’ various structures together in a chain that includes the joint or joint capsule.

Stretching a muscle is only effective once the “skin” that covers it is no longer dry and retracted. Myofascial stretches respect the anatomy of the muscles, their aponeuroses as well as their function. At this point, the analytical study of the fascial chains allows for an incredibly effective stretch position.

All the connective tissue in the body is made of water and this water is arranged in microscopic tubules. Perhaps even more amazing is that the fascia is continuous upon itself: it is one single entity. In order to stretch a specific muscle it is better to consider it as a link in a specific chain extending from the toes to the back of the knee, inserting into one or more of the ligaments of the pelvis. This is the ‘real anatomy’ of the body and respects the global organization of its tissues. A stretching posture will be chosen to solicit the tension of the whole fascial chain in order to correct the specific muscle link.

Taught March 2024

Circulatory & Respiratory Techniques

Circulatory: Numerous people suffer from problems of venous return (varices, varicosities; heavy legs, edema, etc). Simple, yet very precise exercises, allow a stimulation of circulation of the blood in an anatomical and physiological sense for each vein.

Respiratory
-There are many exercises to improve the quantity of respiration.
-The techniques taught in this course are qualitative in nature, allowing a very precise recruitment of each pulmonary segment in order to address any respiratory insufficiency that is frequently encountered (asthma, smoking-related issues, etc).

November  16-17 2024

Specific Proprioception & Awareness

Proprioception: The physiology that controls an articulation depends on numerous control mechanisms located in the muscle tendons, ligaments and articular capsule. Therefore, it is advisable to train these "micro-computers"to increase or revive control of a joint. Following a sprain, to treat arthrosis, to recover articular mobility, and to improve efficiency of movement, these various aspects of proprioception must be trained.“However, this work must be very precise. Because it is not the joint that is trained as a whole but a specific ligament or part of the capsule within that joint.”This class will teach the hundreds of exercises that may be used throughout the body for this proprioceptive work.Awareness: How can an articulation be trained, a muscle strengthened, or a posture corrected, if the brain does not know the area being treated? How does a spine remain straight, if the feeling of being straight is skewed? The cortex must be trained to become acquainted with and recognize every area of the body. A strict methodology involving four progression factors is indispensable to really becoming familiar with the pelvis; the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine; and the various diaphragms.You will learn how to apply the very important and often neglected aspect of awareness in your daily practice.

TBD Early 2025