Site last updated 15/06/2008


Relevant training and memberships

Key relevant courses:

  • Foundation Biodynamic Massage Certificate
    Cambridge Body Psychotherapy Centre, with Kathrin Stauffer and Gill Westland, September 2002-May 2003 (exemption from Anatomy and Physiology due to previous training)

  • First year Body Psychotherapy Training
    Cambridge Body Psychotherapy Centre, with Gill Westland and Janet Croft, October 2002-July 2003

  • Second year Biodynamic Massage in Psychotherapy
    Cambridge Body Psychotherapy Centre, with Gill Westland, September 2006-May 2007

  • 'Basic' Zero Balancing Courses
    1) Penzance, Cornwall, with Tim Newman, August 2002
    2) Purbeck, Dorset, with Zanna Heighton, September 2003

Professional memberships:

Other relevant trainings and courses (in chronological order):

  • Bachelors degree (BSc Hons) in Physiology
    First class, University of Liverpool, 1988

  • Bachelors degree in Veterinary Science (BVSc)
    with distinction, University of Liverpool, 1991

  • Traditional Acupuncture (non-completed)
    College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading, spring 2001-summer 2002 (complete course would be just over three years)

  • Practitioner Certificate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming
    Nine day intensive training based on Tad James' training tape series, with 'Blue Tree', Huntingdon, Cambs, summer 2001

  • Somatic Experiencing
    Introductory weekend to this form of therapy which is used for trauma, with Larry Heller, Dublin, spring 2002

  • Trauma Energetics
    Weekend course with the originator of this therapy, advanced rolfer and Reichian therapist William Redpath; Dorking, Surrey, summer 2002

  • Energetics of Relationship
    Day course with Fritz Smith and Aminah Raheem, Oxford, summer 2002

  • Introduction to Biodynamic Massage
    Weekend with Kathrin Stauffer, Cambridge Body Psychotherapy Centre, summer 2002

  • Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy
    Weekend course with the Institute of Craniosacral Therapy, London, summer 2002

  • 'Getting better at the CF'
    A day exploring our constitutional type, with John and Angela Hicks, College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading, autumn 2002

  • Talk and Demonstration on Chakras
    Brian Snellgrove at the Mind Body and Soul festival at Chilford Hall, Linton, Cambs, autumn 2002

  • The Extraordinary Meridians
    Study day with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee and Peter Firebrace, London, autumn 2002

  • Five Element Course
    Day course exploring the origins of the five element acupuncture style in the Chinese classics, with Peter Mole, College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading, winter 2003

  • Introduction to Biodynamic Psychotherapy
    Two weekend courses, one with Carlien Van Heel and the other with Clover Southwell, London School of Biodynamic Psychotherapy, September and October 2003

  • Talk and Demonstration on Chakras
    Brian Snellgrove at the Mind Body and Soul festival at Chilford Hall, Linton, Cambs, autumn 2003

  • Zero Balancing with Horses
    Day course with Elliott Abhau, Oxfordshire, October 2003

  • Spiritual Healing Development Course Part 1
    Weekend training with Pamela Lyons (National Federation of Spiritual Healers), Kings Lynn, February 2004

  • AHBMT Spring Meeting
    Presentation and discussion of biodynamic massage case studies, Cambridge, March 2004

  • 'The Listening Hand'
    Weekend course with Laura Steckler; an introduction to Rubenfeld Synergy Method (a therapy originated by Ilana Rubenfeld, drawing from roots including Alexander Technique, Gestalt therapy and Feldenkrais), Chiron Centre for Body Psychotherapy, London, May 2004

  • Energy Flow and Chakras
    Day course with Bernd Eiden, Chiron Centre for Body Psychotherapy, London, May 2004

  • Introduction to Tui Na (Chinese massage)
    Day course at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading, July 2004

  • Beyond the Protocol
    A five day exploration of zero balancing principles in freely movable joints, with Tim Newman, Penzance, Cornwall, July 2004

  • AHBMT AGM and Meeting
    With presentation by members of the London School of Biodynamic Psychotherapy, Cambridge, September 2004

  • Qi in Medicine
    Study day with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee, Neals Yard, London, October 2004

  • The Five Spirits
    Study day with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee, College of Traditional Acupuncture, Leamington Spa, November 2004

  • Bone-breathing Chi Kung
     Graham Kennedy, Reading, November 2004

  • Microcosmic Orbit
    Graham Kennedy, Reading, September 2005

  • Bi-Aura Therapy Pre-Training Day
    London, September 2005

  • Chi kung and Taoist breathing
    Chris Chappell, Newmarket, November 2005

  • Standing Chi Kung (weekend)
    Chris Chappell, London, November 2005

  • Dragon and Tiger Chi Kung (weekend)
    Damien Lowe at     Real Taoism, London, January 2006

  • Standing Chi Kung (weekend)
    Chris Chappell, London, February 2006

  • Zero Balancing local review day
    Norwich, February 2006

  • Hsing-I and Ba Gua (one day each)
    Chris Chappell, London, March 2006

  • The Water Element
    Bruce Frantzis, Reading, March 2006

  • Taoist meditation (5 days)
    Bruce Frantzis, Brighton, March/April 2006

  • Taoist Chi Kung Tui Na healing
    Bruce Frantzis, Brighton, April 2006

  • Original Yang family Tai Chi retreat (5 days)
    Chris Chappell, Samye Ling (Scotland), April 2006

  • Heaven and Earth Chi Kung
    Chris Chappell, Newmarket, May 2006

  • Spiralling Chi Kung (weekend)
     Chris Chappell, London, June 2006

  • Heaven and Earth and Standing Chi Kung/Meditation retreat
    Chris Chappell, France, June 2006

  • The Five Elements
    Study day with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee, SOFEA, London, October 2006

  • Review of Dragon and Tiger Chi Kung set
     Chris Chappell, London, November 2006

  • Silent Retreat with Adyashanti
    see www.adyashanti.org, Feb/Mar 2007 (one week)

  • Hun Yuan Chi Kung with Chris Chappell, London, August 2007

  • CABP Conference, Cambridge, September 2007

  • The Eight Extraordinary Meridians
    with Sandra Hill, College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading,  December 2007
  • The Spiritual Development of a Healer
    Jeffrey Yuan,     College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading, April 2008
  • Jin Shin Do 1st level training
    with Margot Messenger; various dates in London throughout 2008

Future courses:

  • None currently planned

Ongoing professional and personal development:

  • Supervision for biodynamic massage
     Maryline Gagnere, Lincoln

  • Counselling
    Stephan Bodian, Texas, USA

  • Craniosacral therapy
    Danny Hilton, Ely

  • Traditional acupuncture
    Alan Hext, Swanage, Dorset

  • McTimoney chiropractic
    Steven Aronson, Cambridge

  • Chi Kung, Tai Chi, Ba Gua
    Chris Chappell, London

My biodynamic psychotherapist, Sally Byford, died suddenly in August 2007. The following poem is by Don Ethan Miller and appears on his Tai Chi Inspirations calendar for the month in which Sally died: I read it at her funeral. She is very much missed.

Do not seek to become powerful.
Seek only to release fear from the body-mind.
Do not chase after joy.
Only breathe out your pain, your grief, your loss.
Do not ask for mastery.
Ask only to shed that which is unnatural and disharmonious.
Darkness and day follow each other.
Heavy is the root of light.
Stillness is the mother of movement.
Emptiness is the source of ten thousand things.
Release, breathe, shed, stand still, un-do.
Let your tears fall into the earth beneath your feet.
Let your sorrow sink and become your root.
What you thought was weakness will become your strength.
Where fear has been dissolved, laughter blooms;
After looking inward
the spirit rises.