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STRUCTURAL ALIGNMENT MANUAL THERAPIST

Transform your bodywork practice! 

 

Become the “Go To” manual therapist for postural issues, injuries and repetitive stress.

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Learn a leading edge biomechanically therapeutic methodology that incorporates techniques from osteopathic manipulation and Oriental bodywork based on Therapeutic Alignment Principles. 

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This program is suitable for RMT’s, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, bodyworkers, as well as Yoga Teachers and Yoga Therapists interested in learning a highly effective and refined holistic approach to manual therapy.


SAMT can be a stand-alone practice or serve as an adjunct for manual therapists.

Course Dates​

SAMT-1: 

  • (4-Day Intensive) May 25-28, 2019

OR

  • (5 Saturdays once p/ month) May 25th, Jun 15th, Jul 20th, Aug 17th, Sep 28th, 2019

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Testimonials

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"I have been a chiropractor, and RMT for decades, and have had chronic back pain. By the second day attending your course my back pain was relieved for the first time in my life. And it has not returned, because I continue to use your incredible techniques." AA, DC, RMT

 

"Karen, I think you are awesome! So knowledgeable and professional. I loved the course and I am telling everyone about it! Thank you." Dawn Maxner, RMT 

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"Karen is such a gifted teacher and bodyworker! She is so knowledgeable about the human body and creates a fun learning environment. This class was very hands-on. If you are a bodyworker of any kind this class can help take your skills to another level of therapeutics. I learned so many manual therapy techniques to help guide the body towards better alignment. I have already helped several people out of their own painful movement patterns. I am amazed at how well this stuff works! I can't wait to take level two!" ~ Jamette Mongia, 2015

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"Karen my dear, I wanted to say thank you again for your incredible teaching. I feel so blessed to have been able to participle in such great learning!!!! Love you... Beth oxoxox - Beth Rutty, Yoga Teacher-Therapist

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“The course exceeded my expectations! Absolutely great presentations, highly specific and complete information. Karen’s knowledge of structural yoga therapy is broad and refined.” - Daniel Clement, Yoga Teacher-Trainer

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​"I must say firstly Karen, Thank-you for being a memorable mentor & teacher." Heather Clarke, Rehabilitation Therapist

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“I learned a tremendous amount from watching Karen; her presence, gentleness and knowledge was wonderful modelling. She has an attitude of acceptance and focus on details and learning.” - Michele Roy, Life Coach, Yoga Teacher

 

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Faculty​

 

Karen Claffey, DOMP, CAYT,​​ CYT, E-RYT-500 

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Curriculum, Schedule & Fees

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STRUCTURAL ALIGNMENT THERAPY LEVEL 1

 

Prerequisite: Experience in yoga/fitness and/or bodywork is helpful but not mandatory. 

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Learning Objectives:

  • The participant will experience a morning practice each day designed to complement the material and theme covered that day.

  • The participant will gain knowledge of the biomechanically therapeutic Universal Principles of Alignment™

  • The participant will learn what is Optimal Blueprint and the Rubber Band effect

  • The participant will learn effective therapeutic touch techniques for hands-on adjustments (both programs).

  • The participant will learn postural assessment for each segment of the body.

  • The participant will gain principles and techniques for healing respective injuries and pain, postures to strengthen, stabilize, and increase mobility, and basic/essential hands-on adjustments, for each segment of the body.

  • The participant will be versed in how to conduct client interviews for Structural Alignment Therapy.

  • The participant will gain experience in techniques and exercises for self-maintenance programs for your clients.

  • SAYT Program only: 

    • The participant will be proficient in applying exercises and yoga postures for healing respective injuries and pain, for each segment of the body. 

  • SAMT Program only: 

    • The participant will proficient in applying hands-on adjustments for healing respective injuries and pain, for each segment of the body. 

    • ​The participant will understand essential principles of therapeutics for a wide range of manual techniques.

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Topics Covered:

  • Diagnostic tools and postural assessment from both holistic and scientific perspectives

  • Optimal Blueprint and Universal Principles of Alignment™

  • Functional anatomy and therapeutics for the lower limbs, pelvis and spine, spine and torso, upper limbs, head and neck.

  • Art and science of hands-on adjustments.

  • How to deal with the ‘rubber band effect’.

  • How to conduct client interviews.

  • Self-maintenance programs for your clients.

  • In class observation of teacher working on volunteer clients. 

  • How to apply basic and essential biomechanically therapeutic specific exercises, yoga postures, and hands-on adjustments, for healing common and specific injuries (both programs).

  • SAYT Program only: Yoga postures and specific exercises to strengthen, stabilize, and increase mobility, for different conditions, to maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, and/or relieve pain.

  • ​SAMT Program only: Therapeutic manual-adjustments for different conditions, to maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, and/or relieve pain.

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Program Format/Hours:

  • Total of 50 Program Hours: 5 days of 8 contact hours = 40 hours. 

  • The remainder of non-contact hours is a research assignment and documenting 3 case-studies. The assignment is to be presented on the last day of class. 

  • Upon completion of the Level 1 program students are eligible to advance to the Structural Alignment Therapy Level 2.

  • Last day of Level 1: Written Review / Quiz and presentation of assignment. 

  • ​A certificate for Level 1 is awarded upon completion of the above. 

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Daily Schedule: 8:00 am to 5:00 PM (includes daily Morning Meditation and Therapeutic Yoga Practice)  

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Tuition: ​$695.00​ plus HST ($785.35).

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Resources & Text:

  • Student Course Manual is included in tuition. 

  • Additional text: Netters Atlas of Human Anatomy. 

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Optional: Additional mentoring via phone/Skype is possible directly with Karen for an additional fee @ $100 per hour. 

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STRUCTURAL ALIGNMENT THERAPY LEVEL 2

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Prerequisite: Level 1 must be completed prior to Level 2. 

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Learning Objectives:

  • The participant will experience a morning meditation and movement practice each day designed to complement the material and theme covered that day.

  • The participant will gain knowledge of the advanced functional anatomy of the lower limbs, pelvis and spine, spine and torso, upper limbs, head and neck, biomechanics, and physiology

  • The participant will learn refinements and advanced therapeutic alignment principles and techniques for yoga (SAYT) or manual (SAMT) adjustments

  • The participant will learn the procedures for medical history and intake forms

  • The participant will learn modifications and contraindications for common orthopedic and medical conditions, and surgeries

  • The participant will expand and refine their understanding of principles of therapeutics.

 

Topics Covered:

  • Advanced anatomy and biomechanics for specific conditions, prevention and recovery of injuries

  • Essential physiology for manual / yoga therapy

  • Advanced therapeutic yoga or manual-adjustments to address different conditions and issues of the lower limbs, pelvis and spine, spine and torso, upper limbs, head and neck

  • Modifications and contraindications for common orthopedic and medical conditions, and surgeries

  • Medical history, intake and waiver forms

  • SAYT Program only: Client/condition-specific yoga postures and specific exercises to strengthen, stabilize, and increase mobility, for different conditions, to maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, and/or relieve pain.

  • ​SAMT Program only: Client/condition-specific therapeutic manual-adjustments to maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, and/or relieve pain.

  • Last day of Level 2: Written Review / Quiz and presentation of assignment. 

 

Program Format/Hours:

  • Total of 60 Program Hours: 6 days of 8 contact hours = 48 hours. 

  • The remainder of non-contact hours is a research assignment and documenting 5 case-studies. The assignment is to be presented on the last day of class. 

  • A certificate for Level 2 is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the above. 

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Daily Schedule: 8:00 am to 5:00 PM (includes daily Morning Meditation and Therapeutic Yoga Practice)  

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Tuition: ​$825.00​ plus HST ($932.25).

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Resources & Text:

  • Student Course Manual is included in tuition. 

  • Additional text: Netters Atlas of Human Anatomy. 

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Optional: Additional mentoring via phone/Skype is possible directly with Karen for an additional fee @ $100 per hour.

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