Training Programs

Photo by Don Pier A beginning Ortho-Bionomy^® student has many choices: take a few classes; become a Student member of the Society; become an Associate member by completing the required 114 hours of training; or enter the Practitioner Training Program and work toward becoming a Registered Practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy.

The Society has developed and oversees professional training programs for Ortho-Bionomy Practitioners and Instructors. The Registered Practitioner Training Program (505 hours) and the Registered Advanced Practitioner Program (504 hours) are designed to give students a thorough understanding of the principles and philosophy of Ortho-Bionomy in addition to providing extensive hands-on experience in both classes and supervised practice. The Instructor Training Program and Advanced Instructor Training Program offer additional training for those who are drawn to teach Ortho-Bionomy.

Trainees choose an Instructor as an advisor(s) during their training. The advisor(s) assists the student while they complete their curriculum through one-on-one discussions, feedback, and evaluation sessions.

The Practitioner Review Committee (PRC) and the Instructor Review Committee (IRC) meet quarterly to review paperwork submitted by students for appointment as Registered Practitioners, Advanced Practitioners, and Associate Instructors through Advanced Instructors. The dates are:

March 15, June 15th, September 15th, December 15th

Unlike a school setting, trainees choose the pace they wish to complete a program. They can complete the program in a short time, or slowly complete the training over years. They can take their classes in a variety of locations and with a variety of Registered Instructors. A 16-unit or weekend class cost ranges from $250 - $400, depending on the costs to host a class in that location. Visit the Find a Class page for an up-to-date listing of Ortho-Bionomy classes currently scheduled.

The emergence of online classes created a need for SOBI to have an Online Class Policy in place. This allows for a number of online classes to be counted for our training programs in a way that insures Ortho-Bionomy students receive the training they need to be grounded in the principles and practice of Ortho-Bionomy, but flexible enough to allow for virtual training as well.

With input from the Curriculum Review Committee and the SOBI Instructor community, the Board of Directors has approved the policy below.

SOBI Online Class Policy

Only credit from active Registered Ortho-Bionomy Instructors of the Society will be will be recognized when students request evolvement to Associate, Practitioner, Advanced Practitioner or any Instructor level.

Associate Training and Membership

Practitioner Training Program

This program is designed to give individuals a thorough understanding of the art and practice of Ortho-Bionomy. The focus is on providing the trainees with an understanding of applying the principles of Ortho-Bionomy to the techniques. The student also learns to present and demonstrate Ortho-Bionomy to use in their own practices and communities. Becoming a Registered Practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy is an on-going process. It is both a personal process and a process of coming to understand the work and how to utilize it.

The Practitioner Training Program is a 505 unit training program consisting of classroom study, residential/intensive study, mentorship and practical experience.

330 Curriculum Units of classes and study groups including Philosophy, Principles, Technique, Anatomy & Physiology, Ethics,Body Mechanics and more
20 Tutorial Units of sessions received, mentorship with Ortho-Bionomy Instructors, Consultations, and Feedback
5 Evaluation Units of sessions for evaluation, lecture demonstration and an essay
150 Units of Documented Sessions

Download the Practitioner Training Program handbook below. The handbook includes detailed information of the program, from course requirements to program completion. All forms needed to complete your training are located in the PTP Handbook.

The required classes Anatomy & Physiology, and Elements of a Successful Practice may be waived with qualifying documentation. See the PTP handbook for more info. The Waiver Request form is included in the PTP handbook. If needed, additional Waiver Request forms can be downloaded through the links below.

Waiver Request Form (Fillable PDF)
Waiver Request Form (Fillable Word)

In order to complete registration for the Practitioner Training Program you must be an active member of the Society or become a member after applying to the program.

Please Note: The Handbook has been updated with the new SOBI contact information for submitting your forms. Please do not use any Handbooks that you have downloaded prior to 20 December 2018. Doing so may delay your approval process.

Practitioner Training Handbook PDF

Apply to the Practitioner Training Program

Advanced Practitioner Training Program

Instructor Training Program

The Instructor Training Program (ITP) offers training for those who are drawn to teach Ortho-Bionomy. Instructor trainees have completed 1,000 hours of training in the Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner Programs. Our Instructor Training Program embodies a commitment to excellence in education and high standards. This ensures that students are receiving not only training on the techniques and principles, but also the philosophy, mood, and energetics of Ortho-Bionomy.

The Instructor Training Program is a mentorship program that includes:

Mentorship with experienced instructors
Two Instructor Training Seminars
Bench Assists, Co-Teaches, and Supervised Teaching experiences

Instructor trainees are approved to teach by the Society upon recommendation of their program advisors and the Instructor Review Committee.

Instructors are registered by the Society of Ortho-Bionomy and are required to co-teach or be observed teaching every two years to maintain their Registered Instructor status.

You may use the links below to download a PDF of the Instructor Training Program Handbook. This includes detailed information of the program, the application form, and program forms for the course requirements.

Please Note: The ITP handbook has been updated as of April 2024 with the new information. Please do not use any handbooks that you have downloaded prior to this date. Doing so may delay your approval process.

Instructor Training Program Handbook

Submission Forms for the Instructor Training Program

The ITP handbook explains the following forms. Each form is individually downloadable as either a fillable PDF (requires a PDF reader program, such as Adobe or Mac Preview) or fillable Word document (requires Microsoft Word). If you choose to print out your forms to bring to class download the PDF versions. Do not use Google Docs or similar programs to fill out your forms as they distort the formatting.

The forms are grouped by packet submission. Several forms, such as the Instructor Training Program Record, are linked in two places since they are submitted as part of more than one packet but they are not separate forms.

All Instructor Training Program Forms (PDF only)

Forms for the Application to Enter the Instructor Training Program Packet

Application to Enter the Instructor Training Program
PDF WORD
Advisor Recommendation to Enter the Instructor Training Program
PDF WORD
Instructor Recommendation to Enter the Instructor Training Program
PDF WORD
Advisor Selection for the Instructor Training Program
PDF WORD
Advisor Review of Instructor Training Program Application Packet
PDF WORD

Forms for the Associate Instructor Evolvement Packet

Request for Evolvement to Associate Instructor
PDF WORD
Instructor Training Program Agreement--Instructor Training Seminar Part I
PDF WORD
Advisor Recommendation for Evolvement to Associate Instructor
PDF WORD
Instructor Recommendation for Evolvement to Associate Instructor
PDF WORD
Instructor Training Program Record
PDF WORD
Trainee Observation/Bench Assist Self-Evaluation
PDF WORD
Instructor Evaluation of Trainee
PDF WORD
Advisor Review of Associate Instructor Evolvement Packet
PDF WORD

Forms for the Instructor Evolvement Packet

Request for Evolvement to Instructor
PDF WORD
Instructor Training Program Agreement--Instructor Training Seminar Part I
PDF WORD
Instructor Training Program Agreement--Instructor Training Seminar Part II
PDF WORD
Advisor Recommendation for Evolvement to Instructor
PDF WORD
Instructor Recommendation for Evolvement to Instructor
PDF WORD
Instructor Training Program Record
PDF WORD
Trainee Observation/Bench Assist Self-Evaluation
PDF WORD
Trainee Co-Teach Self-Evaluation
PDF WORD
Trainee Supervised Teach Self-Evaluation
PDF WORD
Instructor Evaluation of Trainee
PDF WORD
Advisor Review of Instructor Evolvement Packet
PDF WORD

IRC Procedure (Effective 5/1/2011)

SOBI Instructor list of who can teach which classes

Advanced Instructor Training Program

Testimonials for Training Programs

“After successfully recovering from a car accident with Ortho-Bionomy, I knew I needed to know more about Ortho-Bionomy, both for my own self care, and to support my bodywork clients. I began taking classes and was hooked. The blend of demonstration, hands on practice and handouts made the learning process easier for me. I am now an Ortho-Bionomy Practitioner and have transitioned my practice from Massage Therapy to almost exclusively Ortho-Bionomy. By working with my clients instead of “fixing” them, they seem to recover faster and stay well, even from issues that had been chronic. And, in a challenging economy, my client book has remained full.” - D.S.