We had a huge turn-out in Minneapolis for the Postural Restoration Integration for Pilates course this weekend and attendees had fantastic questions!  We spent the morning of Day 1 nailing down breathing mechanics and  obtaining the Zone of Apposition and practicing it in lab even before lunch. We followed up by getting into the nitty gritty of the L AIC and R BC pattern and using the Reformer Supine Gait Integration Test and the Reformer Quadruped Abdominal Lateralization to test to see how well people could properly stand and shift over one leg and counter rotate the upper thorax ("legally"). We finished up day 1 with sagittal plane focused exercises.

On Day 2 we started with a heavy discussion on lateralized gait and understanding early-->mid stance and mid-->late stance in regards to the L AIC/R BC pattern. There may have been some dancing involved....like some sagittal pelvic tilts, frontal plane "hula hips" and transverse plane "salsa twists." Then we went through The Reformer Side lying Stance Test that really looks at the frontal plane followed by a lab of frontal plane exercises on the reformer. We finished up the day with talking about the principle of sensing, including cuing and special reference points for the hands and feet to promote L AF IR and R upper trunk rotation. The final lab added transverse plane integration including a personal favorite exercise of mine, scooter. We wrapped up the day having a frank logistical discussion on how does one start implementing these concepts without getting too overwhelmed, starting with getting a L ZOA and mastering the sagittal plane with a L hamstring. A big thank you to Kristin Procopio and Studio U, for hosting this rendition of our Pilates course at her beautiful new facility, and a shout out to Christine Peh who traveled all the way from Kuala Lumpur to be with us over the weekend!

In the later part of 2004 I met with Stan Babel through Karen Jiran MPT, PRC and Carrie Langer MPT, ATC, PRC. Stan who owned and managed Physical Medicine Diagnostics Rehabilitation (PD Midway) and wanted to build a pool. At that time I was really interested in hydrodynamics and had countless discussions with my brother who is an engineer regarding pump power, jet nozzles, etc. And more importantly I wanted to design a pool for patterned neuromuscular isolation and inhibition through the use of directional water to maximize specific aquatic afferentation, as well as compensatory push and pull recognized by the autonomic and central nervous systems. My first PRI Sequential Movement (PRISM) pool design was developed and constructed through Stan. All eight of the stations provide neuromuscular isolation and feed forward activation of groups of muscles to resolve postural related dysfunctional autonomic and physiologic behavior through the flow of water. With the arrival of this pool and its science, PDR Midway, became IMPACT Physical Medicine and Aquatic Center.

Presenting course material that is related to the brain’s lateralized hemispheric specialization and the autonomic nervous influence on our central nervous system’s compensatory behavior, fifteen years later, made my amygdala related emotional, sentimental and nostalgic feelings flow uncontrollably. Stan and his wonderful staff over the years has enabled me to continue to move in directions that I patiently outlined, ballooned and flowed with. I feel so indebted and grateful to him and his staffs over the years. Many of those affiliated with this integrated minded center were in this class.

This particular class also made me feel somewhat sentimental, because I have known most, if not all of them, for so many years. They were watched, observed, tested and judged by me. They were my independent, dependent and constant variables for my research effort on knowing when, how and what to deliver to get where we were on November 2nd, 2019. There were 18 Credentialed providers in the room that affectionately tolerated me being somewhat unfiltered regarding autonomic and central nervous systems and their influence on each other and our patterned behavior.  

This course is such a joy for me to teach and resonate around. Just as aquatic flow can re-balance, re-engage, and re-tense us, so can mandibular latero- molar trusive contact, sphenoid (pterygoid) and temporal (temporalis) oscillation, and palatopharyngeus  (diameter of the pharynx) and tensor veli palatine (diameter of the eustacian tube) ANS control. Before Stan, before the pools, before PRI certification, I remember a quote by Socrates that remains with me today. “I cannot teach anybody, I can only make them think” and I am grateful for those who continue to flow and follow thought processes that make them sequentially think.  

The staff at IMPACT are always such wonderful hosts. The morning breakfast, break food and afternoon warm cookies (thank you Stan) are so appreciated. Christie Amundson PT, DPT, HFS,PRC and Mara Brandsoy OTR/L, PRC have a system in place for courses like this. Their and their fellow team-mate’s effort does not go unnoticed.  I also want to thank Amy Pennaz PT and Catherine Shelton PT for their willingness to work with me in demonstrating how to resolve postural related dysfunctional autonomic behavior.

Phoenix Arizona is a beautiful place to visit just about any time of the year, but early November in the Valley of the Sun is just about perfect. A big thank you to Jimmy Southard and the amazing staff of the LA Dodgers for hosting Postural Respiration, our flagship course. Also thank you to all of our wonderful course attendees and a special thanks to Aaron DeBord and Jim Wittekind for assisting me as lab instructors.

The recently updated Postural Respiration course is fun to teach for many reasons. First of all, the research associated with the presentation on day one is comprehensive and clarifies concepts that have been fundamental to this institute since its onset. Emphasis on powerful PRI principles like Left Posterior Mediastinal Expansion, Right Apical Chest Wall Expansion, Autonomic Sense and Limited Functional Patterns take on new meaning in context with these newly included research articles.

Another highlight is a new test to assess Standing Posterior Mediastinum Expansion. This group took the time to appreciate the the critical nature of this concept and to experiment with this new test and it really paid off. Many new ideas for utilization in a variety of settings were discussed and shared. Many eyes were opened up to what this institute has always been able to offer upright rotational performance and the autonomic variability for athletic performance and standing upright training activities. Fun to see and experience.

Thank you Jimmy Southard and thank you LA Dodgers! Always a world class organization with world class hospitality.

Lima, Ohio. Home of the KewPee Burger!

This weekend I travelled to Lima Ohio to teach my last course of 2019. It is not the easiest site to get to, but it was so worth the effort. This course had 18 attendees of varying backgrounds. It’s nice to teach to a group of professionals with different perspectives. There were PT’s, PTA’s, Chiropractic Physicians, Athletic Trainers, Strength Coaches and a Pilates Instructor.  

We spent the weekend discussing optimizing patterns, breathing and compensations of the Pelvic girdle as they relate to frontal plane control of Inlets and Outlets. Most of the attendees were new to the science so teaching this integrated introductory course allows us to explore the integration of thoracic diaphragmatic breathing with Pelvis respiration to balance posture and gait.  Pelvis Restoration is known for its complex acronyms. I tried to move away from overuse of acronyms, and discussed proper position of inlets and outlets during upright function. I think this helped the new learner shift their perspective from orthopeadic thinking to the neurologic ANS control of patterns.

On Sunday, “Treatment Day!”, we discussed a pathway for treatment of the L AIC, PEC and the  Patho PEC patterned individual. We explored the triplanar position of the iliacus as it relates to swing and stance and sacro-iliac dysfunction. This is always an awesome opportunity to bring concepts of inhibition and activation of the same muscle in different planes of movement. This course allows me to dive deep into rabbit roles of pelvic respiration and thoracic diaphragm position. We had a great time integrating breathing throughout the weekend. By Sunday afternoon, the light bulbs were going off as were the “Ah-Ha” moments.

I enjoyed the banter with both Jason Russell, DC and Nick Goins, DC throughout the weekend. They were my Glut Gait guys! Jason, be nicer to Nick!
Carri Baumback, PT took her first course 10 years ago with Ron and brought her co-worker and friend Cynthia Nieberding, PT. It was great having them in the front row, not afraid to ask questions! Next time we have dinner ladies!

Alex Maag and his staff took very good care of me and our class. The interest in PRI in that great state of Ohio is growing. I look forward to seeing these clinicians grow and develop their PRI knowledge.

“When you go to Lima, you eat a KewPee Burger and rub the babies belly” - James Anderson
Well, I ate the burger but couldn’t reach the belly. Next time…..