B Ed, Grad Dip in Ex and Sp Sci, DNS Exercise Trainer. Post Grad Seminar in Treatment and Prevention of Soft Tissue Dysfunction.
Advanced Coach: Strength & Conditioning. Advanced Coach: Tennis.
Over the last 25 years, I have been experimenting with an optimal approach to freedom in movement by understanding the forces acting on the body, coupled with the investigation of the body from within.
When I look at the directionality of my career, it is evident how I have been influenced in my thinking by important pioneers who have been original thinkers and stimulated by understanding the fundamental aspects of human functioning and its relationship to their particular discipline.
My professional investigation started in exercise science and resistance training and expanded to encompass the field of movement, and the development of form. As upright organisms, the movement problem we need to solve is how to take a step without a lateral lean strategy, and to be aware of how our global strategy changes as we age. The big picture solution lies in the understanding of central organisation of posture and stability into moving and movement forces.
In evolving my own approach I have sat with open-ended enquiry, while looking from a cross-cultural and trans-discipline perspective to integrate information that is global and has been checked out in experience. We only truly know, when it is clear in experience.
This forms the basis for creating practices to suit people and their situation because what is being worked with is central. When one considers Foundational Health as our birthright, it becomes clear that the important practices we need in daily living will have an ecological connection linked with our curiosity.
The event that triggered my own transformation in terms of the work I was doing with athletes and physical preparation, was a workshop I attended with Professor Janda from the Czech Republic in 1998 on Motor Control. Janda’s central message was that the brain gets its information from the body and that if we want the best possible movement, we need to give the brain the best possible information. Since then I have studied with the lineage of Czech Pioneers in the following areas; Muscle Balance and Motor Control with Professor Janda. Developmental Kinesiology and Locomotor System Postural Function with Professor Kolar and the team of Prague Physiotherapists and the Yogic basis of Locomotion with Jiri Cumpelik PH.D.
I work in conjunction with Troy Simmonds in our Retreat Business Skilful Means. Skilful Means is interested in teachings and practices that enable long term growth, development and transformation for individuals, teams and business.
I have been inspired by two teachers who are the embodiment of their respective art forms. Glenn Ceresoli in Yoga and Sensei Joe Thambu in Aikido. Being in different disciplines allows for contrast in ones seeing and experiencing, which in turn stimulates creativity and development of sophistication.
My background in this area started in 1995 at the Victorian Institute of Sport, where I worked with State, National, International and Olympic level athletes in the area of Physical Preparation until 2002. In 1996 I began working with the AIS Tennis Program being responsible for the athletes’ physical preparation and providing training and treatment during competition. This included being Physical Preparation Consultant to Tennis Australia from 2000-2003. By the time of Tokyo Olympics, I will have prepared athletes over 7 Olympic cycles in Rowing, Track and Field and Swimming.
In 2003, I started with Bluearth Foundation as Program/Coach Development Manager responsible for the design of the worlds first Integral Movement Education Approach and training the Coach Team who have trained teachers to deliver the approach. There have been over 30,000 children who have undertaken the program in Australia.
My work now involves an integrated approach to freedom in movement combining postural stability, breath awareness and neuromuscular coordination. The practical aspect of this view that we work with is an understanding that ones breathing, walking pattern and dominances are central to how all movement is performed.
In our sessions together we learn to apply the scientific method subjectively, so that one learns to observe and work with self. This learning is essential if our goal is to take responsibility for full function through a life-span.