In-Person Dissection Courses

Fixed refers to an embalmed body, and unfixed refers to an un-embalmed body. Both versions of cadaver study are incredibly useful, and offer a unique perspective on the human body that the other does not.

Fixing a body is helpful because the shape of all soft tissues is maintained. This is useful because it makes visualization more clear, it makes the dissection process technically easier, and you can clearly see spatial relationships of varying structures. The downside is that textures are overly stiff, colors are muted, and movement potential of joints and soft tissues is almost eliminated.

Keeping a body unfixed is helpful because the movement potential of the joints and soft tissues are preserved (even exaggerated), the textures feel more organic/less stiff, and the colors are much more vivid. The downside is that dissection is more technically challenging, soft tissues don’t hold their shape well, and spatial relationships can be difficult to visualize.

Neither fixed or unfixed is better or worse; they are simply different perspectives. Studying both fixed and unfixed, working with living people, then mentally combining all three experiences, is the absolute best way to get a very solid grasp on the human body.

Every day is structured to support participants through their journey. We start each day with a morning circle to set an intention for the process, have a lunch break after noon, and then end every day no later than 5:15pm.  During the day, participants will  gain deeper anatomical knowledge as well as greater self-awareness through conversation, short talks, and the dissection process itself. 

A detailed itinerary will be sent to you after a deposit is submitted.

Curiosity, humility, & appreciation are the crucial ingredients!

Neither myself nor any other participant is here to be the teacher. The cadaver form is 

always the point of focus. To humble ourselves before this perfect and forgiving teacher is one of our main goals. 

You will be dissecting. While observing work done by someone else can be incredibly helpful and insightful, the most important aspect of this type of learning is doing the work yourself. The knowledge gained by texturally uploading this information directly into your hands is unparalleled. With that being said, please feel free to step away from the table to take breaks, watch other people work, or do whatever you need to do.

One layer might be exciting to you and nerve-racking for your table mate, and vice versa. Find it within yourself to allow all of these simultaneously different experiences to exist. Appreciation for all of it makes the experience that much richer. 

I strongly recommend going through the entire “Integral Anatomy Series” by Gil Hedley, PhD on Youtube. It is a complete full body exploration in a 7.5 hour series. 

Some of the material will be review for you, some of it will be brand new, and most of it will be a complete re-frame out of the regional anatomy perspective and into the integral anatomy perspective. You will be exposed to some of the unique language and concepts around anatomy that Gil developed and I have adopted, which will be helpful for us to hit the ground running. 

Also, you will become familiar with the imagery that will fill our consciousness for our weeklong exploration. I am personally very grateful I had the opportunity to expose myself to these images before entering the lab for the first time. 

Specifically reviewing your spinal-related anatomy could be helpful.

Looking through an anatomy atlas (Thieme, Netter, Gray, Platzer, etc) could be helpful but is not necessary. 

No prosection! With anatomy pre-dissected (often standard in medical & chiropractic schools), participants miss out on experiencing the relationships which connect everything together. Taking structures apart yourself is the only way to truly understand how they were previously connected. 

We will dissect as a team, with close guidance & support by me, so that our hands develop a felt understanding of these concepts. The level of this learning is unparalleled because it is texturally uploaded directly into your nervous system. 

Each class will consist of seven participants per table at maximum, with three tables at maximum, myself, and one lab assistant for each table. This intimate setup allows for personalized support throughout the week.

The total cost is $2,500. A non-refundable deposit of $750 secures your seat, and you can finish the rest in increments that work for you. All payments must be complete by May 1st