Join us for the MDL Geek Out on Neuroscience and Skeletal Muscle Physiology!
Let’s dive deep into how exactly we generate movement
Taught by Bre Dumke Helfrich, MSc, PhD, Certified GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® Trainer, Certified GYROKINESIS® Trainer, & Certified Comprehensive Pilates Teacher
If you're a movement professional wanting to go beyond counting reps, choreography and basic anatomy, this is for you. Similarly, if you're a clinician wanting to fully join team exercise and learn more about how to merge science with embodied movement, this is for you. And if you're a movement geek wanting to connect with other movement geeks, this is for you.
ABOUT:
This course was my first MDL Geek Out. As both a scientist & movement professional, for years, I had been wanting to share my special sauce of blending the geeky side movement science with the beautiful practice of embodied movement. I've found that integrating the two has allowed me to work more fully with my clients. I am able to listen more closely, connect deeper, and and very much teach to the 'body in front of me' all because I am constantly working from a brain that understands the science and a body that knows how to move. We move better and teach stronger when we know the importance of this work from both perspectives. This is why I’m glad you’re here & I am stoked to offer this course.
In this course, we will learn all about how we create movement.
Even though this could easily be split into two separate courses, I think it's important to understand the interplay between the nervous system and skeletal muscle. Without our nervous system, we cannot move. But without skeletal muscle to perform the movement, we cannot move. The two are forever linked relying on one another for generating the same goal: motion.
This is a 3 hour lecture, sans movement, although I promise you’ll never think about moving or teaching movement the same!
CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT WILL BE COVERED IN THE COURSE?
HERE'S A QUICK ROADMAP:
Neurophysiology
A quick anatomy review of the central nervous system
Central Command
Voluntary vs automatic
Body Schema
Neuroplasticity
Emotional Interplay
How do we study the neurophysiology of motion?
Important considerations in teaching movement
Skeletal Muscle Physiology
Types of muscle
A quick anatomy review of skeletal muscles
The physiology of muscle contractions
Skeletal muscle plasticity
How do we study skeletal muscle?
Rethinking skeletal muscle actions
Understanding fascial lines and skeletal muscle
Important considerations in teaching movement
Meet Bre
Bre Dumke Helfrich, MSc, PhD, is the founder of Movement Design Lab in Steamboat Springs, CO. After surviving a mountaineering accident in Southern Colorado that left her with numerous injuries, she left the world of academia on a mission to heal. It is from her own experience rehabbing with both the Pilates and the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® that both systems blended perfectly with her geeky science mind. She is passionate about adapting both systems to fit the needs of her clients. Clients first - choreography second. Bre earned her MSc in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University, is a Certified Comprehensive Pilates Teacher, a Certified GYROTONIC® Teacher, and a Certified GYROKINESIS® Teacher. She also earned her PhD from the University of Utah in Kinesiology specializing in Cognitive & Motor Neuroscience. To say she is a movement geek is a bit of an understatement.
Outside of the teaching, Bre loves all things mountains. From trail running to backcountry skiing, from climbing to simply going on a hike, Bre feels most at home in the high alpine. She feels lucky to call Colorado home where she lives with her husband and two young boys.