Learn Ortho-Bionomy®
with Melissa Malm and Jim Berns
Phase 4 Classes
For all Phase 4 Classes:
Phase 4 classes are a requirement of the Associate, Practitioner, and Advanced Practitioner Training Programs of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International® (SOBI).
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For all Online Phase 4 Classes:
When taking our hands-on classes online, a practice partner is required unless otherwise noted in the full class description. SOBI's policy regarding online classes can be found here.
The Foundation Classes
Ortho-Bionomy Phase 4 foundation classes teach painless, comfortable positions to relieve tension patterns through proprioceptive reflexes of the neuromuscular system. It is amazing how such gentle techniques can give such deep releases. Ortho-Bionomy can create the safety needed for an injury to
release its holding patterns. It is easy on the practitioner and can easily be integrated into any massage or bodywork session.
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We offer these Phase 4 classes in the standard 16-hour in-person format in locations across the United States, as well as online. Melissa also offers these classes as an in-person series of four 4-hour “Mini-Classes.”
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Our In Depth Phase 4 Classes take the principles of Ortho-Bionomy and apply them to specific regions of the body, which can include the ribs, pelvis, and neck/thoracic outlet.
Introduction to Ortho-Bionomy 3-Hour Class
This class is NCBTMB approval pending.
This Ortho-Bionomy foundation class uses osteopathic-based, painless, and gentle body positions to work with both general and specific tension patterns. This method is practical, structure oriented, and works with neuromuscular self-correcting reflexes. The techniques of this class can alleviate musculoskeletal tension patterns within 10-30 seconds. It is amazing how such gentle and simple techniques can give such deep releases. It is easy on the practitioner and can easily be integrated into any massage or bodywork session.
This three hour class can be taken as a stand-alone class or as preparation for a 16 hour Ortho-Bionomy class. It can be used for Phase 4 requirements for the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International® Associate and Practitioner training programs.
These three Phase 4 foundation classes teach the standard Ortho-Bionomy release techniques for the muscular tension patterns around all the major joints of the body. They may be used to fulfill the Phase 4 requirements for SOBI’s Training Programs.
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Releases for the Spine & Pelvis (Phase 4)
This Foundation Class teaches releases for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, plus the psoas, ilium rotation, and sacrum through proprioceptive reflexes of the neuromuscular system.
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Releases for the Upper Extremities (Phase 4)
NCBTMB approved
This Foundation Class teaches releases for the shoulder, elbow, scapula, clavicle, wrist, and hand through proprioceptive reflexes of the neuromuscular system.
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Releases for the Lower Extremities (Phase 4)
NCBTMB approved
This Foundation Class teaches releases for the femur head, patella, knee, ankle, and foot through proprioceptive reflexes of the neuromuscular system.
Four-Hour Phase 4 “Mini-Classes”
with Melissa Malm
Each 4-hour mini-class is NCBTMB approved.
These 4-hour “Mini-Classes” can be taken singly or combined. They can be used to fulfill Phase 4 requirements for SOBI’s Training Programs.
Class tuition includes access to a prerequisite online video series with necessary information about Ortho-Bionomy, so that we can spend more class time doing hands-on work. If you have recently taken an Ortho-Bionomy class, this requirement may be waived; please ask Melissa for more details.
The Cervical Spine, Thoracic Spine, Lumbar Spine, and Pelvis mini-classes below are, when combined, the equivalent of the 16-hour Releases for the Spine & Pelvis (Phase 4) class.
Releases for the Cervical Spine (Phase 4)
The Releases for the Cervical Spine 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the upper, middle, and lower neck.
Releases for the Thoracic Spine (Phase 4)
The Releases for the Thoracic Spine 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the upper, middle, and lower Thoracic Spine.
Releases for the Lumbar Spine (Phase 4)
The Releases for the Lumbar Spine 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for all five lumbar vertebrae.
Releases for the Pelvis (Phase 4)
The Releases for the Pelvis 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the psoas, ilium rotation patterns, and the sacrum.
The Anterior Shoulder, Posterior Shoulder, Elbow & Wrist, and Hand mini-classes below are, in combination, the equivalent of the 16-hour Releases for the Upper Extremities (Phase 4) class.
Releases for the Anterior Shoulder & Clavicle (Phase 4)
The Releases for the Shoulder - Anterior & Clavicle 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the general ghoulder, two specific shoulder points, and the clavicle.
Releases for the Posterior Shoulder & Scapula (Phase 4)
The Releases for the Shoulder - Posterior & Scapula 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for six specific shoulder points and the scapula.
Releases for the Elbow & Wrist (Phase 4)
The Releases for the Elbow & Wrist 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the periosteal points for the elbow, general elbow, general wrist, and general hand.
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Releases for the Hand (Phase 4)
The Releases for the Hand 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges.
The Greater Trochanter & Hamstrings, Knee, Ankle, and Foot mini-classes below are, in combination the equivalent of the 16-hour Releases for the Lower Extremities (Phase 4) class
Releases for the Greater Trochanter & Hamstrings (Phase 4)
The Greater Trochanter & Hamstrings 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the hip joint, greater Ttrochanter, and hamstrings.
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Releases for the Knee( Phase 4)
The Knee 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the patella, general knee, and periosteal points for the knee.
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Releases for the Ankle (Phase 4)
The Ankle 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the general ankle and general foot.
​Releases for the Foot (Phase 4)
The Foot 4-hour class will include hands-on techniques for the tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges, as well as for hammertoes and bunions.
In-Depth Phase 4 Classes
with Melissa Malm and/or Jim Berns
In Depth Releases for the Ribs (Phase 4)
NCBTMB approved
This class takes the principles of Ortho-Bionomy and applies them to the rib region. When properly applied these releases can affect the thoracic vertebrae, breathing, shoulders, neck, digestion, intercostals, quadratus lumborum, and psoas.
In Depth Releases for the Pelvis & Low Back (Phase 4)
NCBTMB approved
This class takes the principles of Ortho-Bionomy and applies them to the pelvic & low back regions, going beyond the standard moves taught in the Spine & Pelvis (Phase 4) class. When properly applied these releases can affect the bony structure and musculature of the entire pelvic & low back regions. Class techniques will include working with the pelvic floor, ischium attachments, pubic symphysis, pubic ramus attachments, coccyx, and piriformis.
In Depth Releases for the Neck & Thoracic Outlet (Phase 4)
NCBTMB approved
This class takes the principles of Ortho-Bionomy and applies them to the neck and thoracic outlet, going beyond the standard moves taught in the Spine & Pelvis (Phase 4) class. When properly applied these releases can affect the bony structure and musculature of the entire region. Class techniques will include working with the Anterior Neck (Scalenes, SCM), Jaw, Clavicular Attachments, Pectoralis Minor, and Ribs 1-3.
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In Depth Releases for the Shoulders & Ribs (Phase 4)
NCBTMB approval pending
In this class we will explore how to release deeper patterns in the shoulders and ribs. We will look at patterns of individual constrictions and how the tension patterns of the shoulders and ribs affect each other. When combination moves are used, they can support deeper and fuller releases. We will also explore the reflexive nature of the shoulders and ribs to the rest of the body.
Classes and Study Groups
Phase 4 Classes Phases 5, 6 & 7 Classes Additional Required Classes Electives Study Groups