Exploring Biotensegrity and its Applications to Movement

This 3-hour workshop, taught by Elizabeth Larkam, combines lecture and guided movement practice to explore the concepts of biotensegrity and its applications in movement. Using props such as the Oov, Balansit, and Rotator Disc, participants will engage in hands-on learning to deepen their understanding of the tension-compression network within the human body.

The workshop begins by exploring embryological development, ground reaction forces, and biotensegrity principles, emphasizing their application to movement and Pilates. Participants will engage in guided movement practice, focusing on the head, neck, eyes, and cranium, using mat exercises, the Oov, and Balansit. The final hour addresses gait, refining patterns through analysis and practice, and concludes with strategies for integrating biotensegrity into teaching.

By the end of this workshop, you will:

• Develop tools to incorporate biotensegrity concepts into your teaching and practice
• Gain a foundational understanding of biotensegrity and its relevance to movement
• Learn practical movement sequences to apply biotensegrity principles

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Elizabeth Larkam, NCPT
National Certified Pilates Teacher and Handspring author

Elizabeth Larkam, National Certified Pilates Teacher and Handspring author, wrote Fascia in Motion: Fascia-focused movement for Pilates (2017) and the Pilates chapter for Fascia in Sport and Movement (2015, 2e 2020). She co-edited the forthcoming book Pilates Applications for Health Conditions (2024) and is co-author of the book in preparation, Movement practices for hypermobility and connective tissue spectrum disorders.  

Elizabeth was awarded the Medal of the Danish Society of Military Medicine in recognition of her efforts to improve the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. As a Dance medicine Pilates Specialist at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco Elizabeth created Pilates programs for orthopedic, spine and chronic pain diagnoses. As Director of Pilates & Beyond for Western Athletic Clubs, she was a developer of the internationally acclaimed Mind & Body Center. Elizabeth served as a Pilates Specialist with San Francisco Ballet and Cirque de Soleil, a lecturer at the University of San Francisco in Exercise and Sports Science, and a lecturer at San Francisco State University in Dance.

She is a Feldenkrais® practitioner and a Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis ® teacher. Elizabeth has studied in dissection labs directed by Carla Stecco, Gil Hedley, Todd Garcia and Tom Myers. She participated in the Fascial Net Plastination Project sponsored by the Fascia Research Society at the Plastinarium in Guben, Germany.  Elizabeth hosts ‘Moved to Learn!’ the Handspring Publishing webinar. As co-founder and former co-owner of Polestar Education Elizabeth created the curriculum and videos that launched the Balanced Body Allegro Reformer, making the valuable experience of Pilates equipment practice effective and accessible worldwide. Elizabeth is a Balanced Body Master Instructor and Mentor

Find Elizabeth’s on-line classes on pilatesanytime.com, pilatesfusion.edu, and bewellstaywell.net. Now in her fourth decade as an international educator, Elizabeth presents for The Fascia Hub, The British Fascia Symposium, Pilates on Tour, Bonum Pilates in Seoul, and VOLL Pilates Brazil. Body Concept Movement Academy in Shanghai launches ELARKAM Movement Systems in China Spring 2025. Elizabeth is in private practice in Georgetown, Texas in a historic home built 1898. 

Want to register for more than one? Click here to bundle up and save!