E V O L V E M E N T O F T H E O R I G I N A L C O N C E P T

ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

ORTHO-BIONOMISTS INC.

Mission Statement:

To Practice, Promote, Inform, Develop and

Research the Concepts of Ortho-Bionomy

Self-Correction Techniques and Philosophy

For the Wellbeing of All.

CODE OF ETHICS

Of the Association of New Zealand Ortho-Bionomists inc.

Members shall -

a) Uphold the dignity and status of the Association at all times.

b) Conduct themselves professionally at all times with regard to legal, moral and ethical standards.

c) Render their professional services only for the wellbeing of their clients.

d) Only offer services or therapies for which they are specifically trained, and only claim knowledge, skills or qualifications actually possessed.

e) Refer clients with conditions beyond their experience and education to other qualified professionals.

f) Update their professional skills by ongoing education.

g) Not abuse their position by taking advantage of clients for the purpose of professional, political, financial or sexual gain.

h) Be responsible for setting and monitoring the boundaries between Ortho-Bionomy and any other kind of relationship and for making such boundaries as clear as possible for clients.

i) Respect the rights to privacy and confidentiality of their clients as to the content and documentation of sessions in accordance with legislation (including the Privacy Act).

j) Clarify for their clients the principles of Ortho-Bionomy and differentiate this from other methods they may use in the session, so as to preserve the integrity of the work.

k) Maintain their clinic in a clean, hygienic condition and follow personal hygiene principles at all times, and allow inspection by a member of the Association executive.

l) Return the client to the referring practitioner, on completion of any referred treatment.

m) Not denigrate any other practitioner’s treatment.

n) Not use their connection with the Association to secure personal gain through any product endorsement or similar activity.

o) Use Association trademarks only in accordance with the prevailing guidelines.

p) Contribute to the integrity of Ortho-Bionomy by advising the Association of any action of any other member, which contravenes this Code of Ethics.

q) Clearly display in their clinic, a copy of these Ethics and current membership for their clients.

Association of New Zealand Ortho-Bionomists Inc.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Mr/Mrs/Ms	First Name	Middle Name		Surname
Gender	Daytime phone no.	After hours phone no.		Mobile
E-mail
Address	Street	Suburb	City and Country
Postal Address (if different from above)	Street	Suburb	City and Country

1. I would like to apply for membership as: ÿ Student

ÿ Associate

ÿ Practitioner

ÿ Visiting Instructor

2. I have read the Code of Ethics of the Association of New Zealand Ortho-Bionomist Incorporated, and agree to abide by the rules of therein.

Signature of applicant Date

Professional Qualifications (nationally recognised diplomas, degrees and completed training):

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1993, the Association of New Zealand Ortho-Bionomists Incorporated advises that by completing this application any accepted applicant agrees to the retention of this data for use within the Association of New Zealand Ortho-Bionomists Incorporated.

Please send fully completed form and membership fee to Association Secretary:
Mike Maclarn
1177 Maungakawa Road
Te Miro
RD 4
Cambridge

(07) 827 7118

Ortho-Bionomy

“Evolvement of the Original Concept”

What is Ortho-Bionomy?

Ortho-Bionomy is a gentle, non-invasive form of body therapy which is highly effective in working with chronic stress, injuries and pains or problems associated with postural and structural imbalances. The practitioner uses gentle movements and positions of the body to facilitate the change of stress and pain patterns. A strong focus is placed on the comfort of the individual, no forceful manipulations are used. The practitioner also suggests home exercises that individuals can do to further facilitate the neuromuscular re-education process begun in the session. Ortho-Bionomy is very effective in helping alleviate both acute and chronic pain and stress patterns by reducing chronic muscle tension, soothing the joints, increasing flexibility, improving circulation, and relaxing the entire body.

Ortho-Bionomy was developed by Dr Arthur Lincoln Pauls, a British osteopath, who wanted to find a way to work with the body, which honoured the body’s inherent wisdom. From his experience as a Judo instructor and through his training as an osteopath, he found ways of working with the body by exaggerating the body’s preferred postures, thereby permitting the body’s self-healing process to create greater balance and alignment. He discovered that by working WITH the body and not against it, the body could find balance on its own without having to use force to correct it.

The term “Ortho-Bionomy” comes from “ortho” meaning correct or straight, “bio” meaning life, and “nomy” meaning the laws of or study of. Dr Pauls defines the term then as “the correct application of the laws of life.” He states “Ortho-Bionomy is really about understanding your whole life cycle. Naturally, we focus on the structure because that is the literal skeleton upon which our life is built. When your structure works right, your circulation works better, you feel better, you think better.” (Kain and Berns, 1992)

How does Ortho-Bionomy work?

Ortho-Bionomy stimulates the body’s self-correcting and self-balancing reflexes by way of the proprioceptive reflexes located in our joints and muscles. The practitioner uses movement and gentle compression to find positions of comfort, which allow the body to change the stress and pain patterns, which are causing the discomfort. Ortho-Bionomy also employs the homeopathic concept that what cannot be cured from within cannot be cured from without. Using gentle positioning and light touch, Ortho-Bionomy stimulates inner awareness to awaken with the individual a sense of natural balance and well-being, both physically and emotionally. The inner wisdom of the body is recognized and affirmed. Self-healing occurs as the person remembers their natural ability to move away form pain toward ease.

Description of Ortho-Bionomy Classes

Phase Four:

This foundation class covers the history, philosophy and concepts of Ortho-Bionomy and provides an overview of the basic release techniques for each major joint in the body. Movements and positions of comfort are demonstrated to facilitate the release of muscular tension and overall stress by stimulating the inherent, self-corrective reflexes of the body which help the body create structural alignment and balance from within.

Phase Five:

The focus of Phase Five is to move to a more subtle level of awareness of the practice and principle of Ortho-Bionomy. Specific techniques develop and increase the student’s understanding and proprioceptive sensitivity to the self-corrective movements initiated by the client. Through the practice of observing, following and supporting subtle movement patterns, muscular tension is released, range of motion is increased and pain is reduced. In Phase Five, students are encouraged to do less and let the client be the guide for his/her exploration of change.

Prerequisite: one or two Phase Four classes.

Phase Six:

This class is designed to help participants access and track sensation and energetic perception in themselves and in their clients, and to learn how to make contact without necessarily engaging physically. Techniques will be presented that monitor and acknowledge the inter-relationship between energetic, emotional and physical levels, and that demonstrate how energetic shifts can affect changes in physical patterns.

Prerequisite: Phase Four and Phase Five.

Phase Seven:

This class demonstrates the principles and applications of the Phase Seven pattern to assist with self-correction. The pattern addresses all levels of human experience and teaches participants a non-forceful, elegant way to approach problems of many kinds.

Prerequisite: Phase Four, Five and Six.

Exploration of Movement Patterns:

Exploration of Movement Patterns adds a dynamic dimension to the positional release techniques. Participants will learn to recognize and palpate patterns of joint and muscle movement in order to facilitate increased range of motion to promote a general sense of well-being in the body. By gently exploring and supporting preferred patterns of movement or stillness, the client is invited to actively participate and recognize their patterns.

Prerequisite: Phase Four.

Isometrics and Isotonics

Taught from an Ortho-Bionomy perspective, isometric and isotonic exercises are used to release imbalances in opposing muscle groups.

Prerequisite: Phase Four.

Postural Re-Education and Post Techniques:

In this class participants learn to evaluate and address inefficient postural habits through accurate observation and simple exercises. Techniques to work with spinal curvatures and scoliosis are presented and practiced. Post techniques focus on assessing and releasing areas of tension as well as integrating the work done in a session. In addition, exercises are taught to facilitate the client’s ability to maintain balance through the neuro-muscular re-education of postural habits.

Prerequisite: Phase Four.

Anatomy and Physiology:

Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology. The New Zealand College of Massage offer this course by distance learning plus attendance at one weekend at the College in Auckland or Wellington. Assessment is based on 6 assignments plus end of course test. Practical hands on knowledge of surface muscles is also tested during the weekend at the College. NZQA unit standards at level 3-4 (110hours). Further information phone: Auckland (09) 522 5522

Wellington (04) 916 0200 (automatic transfer to Auckland)

Residential

Residential training programs provide participants with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their understanding of Ortho-Bionomy techniques and principles through an in-depth immersion for five or more days of uninterrupted study. Residentials allow time for learning and personal growth as well as relaxation to facilitate the integration of technique, philosophy and the qualities of “Be-ing” rather than “doing”.

Study Groups:

Study groups are tailored to the participants needs and give students a chance to review techniques, receive clarification about the application and principles of Ortho-Bionomy and to gain insight about specific client cases or situations that concern them.

Electives:

The principles and techniques of Ortho-Bionomy can be applied in many different circumstances and situations. Elective courses provide participants with more specialized techniques and applications. Elective topics include: Self-Work, Cranial, Whiplash, TMJ and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Visceral, Women’s Care, Men’s Care, Witnessing and Clear Presence, Shock and Trauma Resolution, Beyond Techniques, and others.