Flying from sea level North Carolina to mile high Colorado was indeed a great way to experience pressure changes. It gave me an opportunity to discuss, firsthand, what our craniums should constantly be doing to resolve these changes, which are cyclically occurring (perhaps to a smaller extent) inside of our heads (and bodies) every moment of every day. And I could not have had a better group of people to discuss this with than those that attended last weekend’s “Cranial Resolution” course held at ProActive PT in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The Cranial course indeed has a lot of didactic material, but right from the start clinical application of this material was being discussed. And I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to get, early on on day one, questions that reflected how people who had never previously taken this course (which was the majority of people that were in attendance) were clearly conceptualizing this complex information in a clinical manner. Like when Tracy asked, “Well then wouldn’t it be helpful to block the right nostril when doing some of the PRI techniques?” What was so cool about these sorts of questions is that they showed people were starting to understand WHY we might want to do things . . . before ever being algorithmically introduced to a ball of cotton or a funny hat.

To me, understanding why PRI works is at the root of the Cranial Course. It brings concepts and people back down to basics, literally down . . . as in sitting on the floor down, to take their either “too loose” (disassociated) or “too tight” (overly regulated) legs out of the equation so they can feel how their cranium and thorax SHOULD integrate (alternate and diverge).  The two avatars that volunteered to illustrate these two different ANS integration responses could not have been more perfect, or more appreciated. Addison not only visibly gained nearly 40 deg of SLR, but also admitted that at the end of his demonstration he was, “for the first time,” able to comfortably tolerate long sitting. And Karen was finally able to find and feel her hamstrings (even if it was “only a 25% sense,” she now at least had something to start ergotropically PUSHING the floor with). And we were able to get Craig, our well balanced, “neutral” model, to quickly illustrate the role that lateralized multisensory input plays in influencing our ANS responses. Sorry Craig.   

This trip to Fort Collins was my first venture into Colorado, so of course I had to make the most of it. Jennifer, a wellness coach who has become a staunch PRI ambassador, was going to be attending so the two of us arranged to fly out several days early to be able to do some hiking. We loved the trails along the Poudre Valley (Hewlett Gulch and Grey Rock) and went up the well-traveled Horsetooth trail to the falls just outside of town. All spectacular, especially since the sun was out, the temps were perfect, and the Aspen’s were at their peak yellow. I’m starting to like this traveling to teach gig!  

Most importantly though, I want to extend a deep, heartfelt thanks to both the institute and the incredible hosts at ProActive (Brian, Tracy, Craig, and Addison), along with all of those that traveled (Jennifer, Chris, Karen, Lisa, Derya, Rachel and David) to be a part of this weekend of learning. Absolutely everyone brought something to the mix (even quiet Chris, learning about how you have worked with an ENT and Nutritional Flow was thought provoking). It was all such a great experience. I can't wait until the next time I get to teach this material, which will be on a live stream from Nebraska.

It was a wonderful two days teaching Pelvis Restoration from "home." at the Postural Restoration Institute. Thank you, RJ, for your amazing tech skills and assisting with setting up. Hayley you were a fabulous lab assistant, and I appreciated your insight and clinical experience and tips you shared with the class.

The course attendees were fabulous. I loved their eagerness to learn and think outside the box with the science of PRI. Fifty percent of the class were attending their first course. I remember attending my first PRI class and how overwhelming it was to learn about patterns, asymmetry, and the power of respiration. Once I started seeing the results in the clinic and seeing the patterns, I didn't look back only forward in the PRI journey. I hope this is the same for all of you.

Learning about the pelvic inlet and pelvic outlet with four quadrants each is a lot to learn for position, muscle facilitation or inhibition. I assure you the clinic will be your best lab as you gain insight and knowledge as this information will resonate as you see it with your patients.

Thank you for spending two days with PRI. I was so grateful and humbled to spend it with such amazing clinicians.

What a great weekend we had last weekend in Tualatin. 26 clinicians from around the region and country came together to experience a class on relationships and shifting.

The Portland and Tualatin area has a special place in my heart as it landed near the end destination when I biked across the country in 2006. The summer of 2006 was a summer of relationships and shifting life experiences, so I was really looking forward to returning to the area for fall of 2023. Ever since being assigned this course in Tualatin I have been excited for the weekend.

Well, the group that attended in Tualatin did not disappoint and really lived up to and exceeded my expectations!

I was able to rekindle my relationship with fellow 2012 PRC grad Emily Iverson who is well known in the PRI community. It was such a treat to have Emily's knowledge, experience, kindness, and overall passion for PRI felt throughout the weekend. Her assistance and presence was greatly appreciated!

Micah was a superb host at Active Edge Physical Therapy. It was a bonus for us that his relationship with his anterior hip capsule and iliolumbar ligament was still intact, providing an excellent example of a non-pathological compensatory left AIC patient.

Sarah was a gift for us as a perfect Avatar for a pathological compensatory left AIC patient. She appreciated the importance of shifting into her left hip with appropriate ligamentous muscle. Malcolm, Sarah's partner in life and business, was gracious in being the narrator for the course. Their relationship was felt as they shifted their mindset to PRI lenses in order to enhance relationships with their patients in their community.

Melissa and Mike celebrated their one year anniversary of marriage on day 2 of the class, learning the importance of shifting for a level 5 while "shifting" off plantar flexors. Their relationship will grow with their PRI journey!

Myokinematics is the study of muscle as it relates to movement. It is a class on relationships and shifting. Relationships of muscles, relationships of your left and right halves of your body, relationships between swing and stance phase of gait, and perhaps most importantly, relationships between people. It is a class on shifting perspectives and shifting well to the left and to the right.

I truly felt I connected with and started a relationship with everyone in the class. The weekend was such a fun experience that lived up to my 12 month anticipation of being there. Thanks to all of you that attended for making it such a great experience! I look forward to crossing paths once again in the future and relating our shifting life experiences.

I had the great pleasure of teaching Myokinematic Restoration this past weekend in Jupiter, Florida. It was such a gift to be able to travel to Florida and spend time with this fantastic group of clinicians, coaches, massage therapists, Yoga and Pilates instructors, and even an engineer (shout out to Hugh!)

The class participants were so fun and engaging that it truly felt like I was on vacation hanging out with 33 of my best friends. The quality food and evening beach walks also helped with that feeling. Except for Amy Brown, PRC and rock star lab assistant, this was everyone's first Myokinematic Restoration class. I learned from everyone in class and really had a great time getting to know them.

Ashley helped us think critically on how we can integrate PRI thinking within the gym and strength world. Megan was a gift from above and our main "Avatar" for the weekend, being a perfect example of a patho-compensatory L AIC individual that we can all learn from. Ed and Ingrid brightened both days by sitting front and center with their beautiful smiling faces and excellent questions.

Greg reminded us that everyone wins with a PRI lens, even when we are in a competitive market in the therapy world. Jarrod will be applying his PRI knowledge to the military world (and has a sweet truck!).

Heather brought in an Equestrian bias and dropped horse knowledge on us revealing that 90% of equestrian riders bias their horse one way thanks to the rider's inherent asymmetries. Her friend, Darren brought his majestic deep voice to narrate non-manual techniques as well as reading positional and compensatory influences of the left AIC pattern on muscle of the lumbo-pelvic-femoral region.

Frank and Kenneth helped us understand a tight posterior capsule and how it may limit the Hruska Adduction lift scores, while Leroy and Logan helped us appreciate how important a posterior capsule is for shoulder function with the Chicago Cubs.

Barbara was a gift from the "pelvic floor" specialist world. Barbara - you are much too young to consider retirement, our profession needs you! Her colleagues Laura and Chelsea helped us understand the single blinded randomized controlled trial in the back of the manual. Chelsea plans to do a presentation on Myokinematic Restoration while implementing page 46 for her company's case care algorithm standard of practice. Stephanie's bright, smiling face joined Chelsea and Laura up front to help us realize the importance of a Myokinematic Restoration program during and after pregnancy (congrats, Stephanie!).

Jennah (with an "h"!) was a joy to have in class with her brilliant questions and insights. Get after those hamstrings, Jennah! Her friend Messiah was a pro at the techniques, as long as he shut off those "northern glutes"! Seth was our PT student representative. Love having DPT students in class, they provide such fresh insight and questions!

Jen and Mickey represented Arise well with fantastic questions from the back. They helped us understand the danger of compensation and how if we don't always test in a predictable way, that still gives us valuable data.

Kristina helped us appreciate hyper-mobile individuals and how important it is that we get them on a PRI program so as not to over stress ligaments - in the pelvic, hip, or knee. Brad helped us realize the importance of our hips in our movement patterns, whether they are original or enhanced hips.

Dwight, Jennifer, and Dawn were the Dream Team in the middle of the room. Dwight, thanks for the tuna and restaurant recommendations. He was a good reminder that PTs can make good restaurant owners! Dawn helped us understand a bilateral AIC pattern, potentially influenced by a famous body building background. Jennifer was kind enough to spend her birthday with us on Sunday. Hope I didn't make it too boring for you, Jennifer!

Robert, former professor and lecturer, helped us understand an over-active right adductor and provided thought provoking and critical questions for the class. Darrell brought excellent insight and questions from a manual therapist point of view.

Matthew and Andres proved to be enjoyable company for lunch. Matthew, fantastic questions, good luck on the potential move to COLORAD! Andres, thanks for being such a great non-manual technique demonstrator and making the drive across the state. Let me know when you are in Colorado again and we'll get up a 14er!

Big thanks to Amy for assisting in lab and providing valuable clinical insights. Special thanks to David for being an excellent host. Perfect amount of coffee, snacks, and La Croix! All-in-all, I felt like I gained 33 new friends from this past weekend. It was such a pleasure and joy to be with you all.