Six-Day Intensive Hands-On Human Dissection Workshop^tm

Dissection is an act of introspection. By unwrapping the layers of the donor's gift, participants uncover hidden layers of themselves.

Schedule
Overview
Format
Prerequisites
Costs & Terms
CE Info
Enrollment
Deposits
Comments from Participants
Workshop Handbook Excerpts

Overview: I have been creating these workshops since 1994, and they have been intensely appreciated and memorable experiences for all involved. My approach is to work with group participants as whole persons coming to a deeper awareness of themselves and the wonder that is the human body through their encounter with each other and the donor’s gift. The workshop is also fun! These workshops are excellent opportunities for anyone who has studied anatomy in their professional training, and who uses that knowledge in a hands-on practice, to deepen anatomical knowledge, palpation skills, and love of life. Top of page

Format: The workshops meet from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday (except for London, which is Mon.-Fri.). Expect the first hour of each day to be committed to group discussion and reflection. Under the instructor's guidance, participant teams of 8 per cadaver accomplish specific dissection goals each day, layer by layer, to reveal the whole form. I prefer to work with 7 or 8 participants at a table whenever possible, as my particular goals and dissection methods are best facilitated and accomplished with this many hands at work on each team. We are studying integral anatomy, as opposed to regional anatomy, and participants will appreciate the difference. Top of page

Prerequisites: These workshops are fun but also intensive undertakings on many levels, requiring personal maturity, professional decorum, good health and physical stamina: consent of instructor is required. The workshops are designed for professionals who have completed their training and engaged in the practice of their trade. A ready working knowledge of the language of anatomy and the map of the human body is the foundation upon which this course is built. Together, we will explore the territory. Persons with disabilities may inquire as to how their study can best be facilitated. Somanautics Workshops, Inc., does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Top of page

Costs and Terms: Tuition is $1,500. A $400 non-refundable deposit secures a spot on a first come, first qualified, first served basis. Returning student tuition balance is $150 off. Tuition balance is due in-full one month prior to the first day of the workshop. If balance is not received in a timely manner, deposit and space are subject to forfeiture to persons on class wait-lists. Balance refunds prorated after due date, $100/day (eg., if you left sometime the 1st day, you would be refunded 5x100=500). After 1st day of class, 0% refunded. Deposits may not be transferred to another person. A person may transfer their own deposit, in its entirety, once, from one class to another (within a twelve month plus one week period) as long as the request is made eight weeks prior to the class for which the deposit was originally made. Receipt of deposit is taken to represent agreement to these terms. Top of page

CE Info: Rolf Institute elective CE credit with an administrative fee. Somanautics Workshops, Inc. is an NCBTMB Approved Provider for continuing education. (Provider #152827-00) Somanautics Workshops, Inc. is also an approved NCCAOM Provider (#ACHB 122-001). The course is approved for credit under the FL Massage Therapy Board (Course#20-55639). Certificates of Attendance are issued based on attendance hours. The complete workshop represents 42 contact hours. Please inquire regarding specific CE needs. Top of page

Enrollment: Before sending any deposit, please call 1-201-358-0882 to contact the instructor, Gil Hedley, Ph.D. Top of page

Make deposits payable to: Somanautics Workshops, Inc., PO Box 908, New Paltz, NY, 12561. Top of page

Comments from participants:

"Hi Gil, I took your class in Newark in May. I just wanted to let you know that I think of and use what I saw/experienced in class every day in my practice. I feel like my palpation skills are better, and I feel so much clearer about the different tissues that I am working with through out the day. These are good "flashbacks" to have and I wanted to thank you for the wonderful experience and let you know that it has truly changed how I work and think about the body!" Jennifer Gerber, Massage Therapist

"Gil was tremendous. I can't even think of anything he (personally) could have done to better the class. His intellect, wisdom, spiritual sense, discipline, sense of humor and skills were more than I expected." G.L., Muscular Therapist/Spinning Instructor,Gloucester, MA Top of page

"You allow us to use our creativity while learning facts. It's probably the most balanced style of learning I've ever experienced. I would love to come back next year, after I dive into my book list (which has now tripled). This class has given me the courage to pursue an M.S. in Midwifery." J.F., LMT, NJ

"I feel as if this workshop was truly life changing. Close friends have even said I look different. Besides being much more confident about anatomy, I am more confident in my work. And then there's the spiritual side of it all. I approach each body I work on with much more wonder and awe, love and respect. Add on top of that a new self love and respect. I love my amazing body in a way I haven't since I was a child, before I started comparing it to society's idea of ideal. That has been a wonderful gift. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime, oh, and my x-ray eyes! I am definitely promoting you in my area and hope you return to Chicago. Again thank you so much." C.W., Massage Therapist, Springfield, IL Top of page

"Profoundly altered my understanding of fascial planes, visceral structures, and spinal structures." Raymond Bishop Ph.D., Rolfer, Woodstock, GA

"This experience was far different than the 1st, just as I'm sure the next will be from this. I feel so blessed by receiving that post card two years ago." K.M., LMT, CO

I really appreciated Gil's sense of humor and humbleness. I felt as it we were all on this Great Exploration together, instead of having designated "teachers" who supposedly have all the answers." C.M.T., USA Top of page

"I'm much more aware of needing to look for viscera where they are and not where they are supposed to be--I can visualize much better what I am working on." James Schwartz, Rolfer/ Visceral Manipulator, Novato, CA

"He encourages dissection as an art form. While encouraging each of us to communicate our states of mind, he was free about sharing the depths of his own experience. Because of Gil's way of presentation, I was able to let down my guard and be open to how I work inside myself. With every layer I excised, I also self dissected. The cadavers were not impassive pieces of data, awaiting entry into my information system--they made me into their own image, and vice versa. I saw them inside myself. I now carry their images inside me now, in the most intimate profound ways imaginable for me and for the others who shared their stories." D.P.-K., LMT, WA Top of page

"Thank you again for the most profound and incredible experience of my life-really! "Coming back" and integrating it all has been interesting and challenging to say the least. I believe what was most impactful to me was to "see" each "body's" "signature" even in its death state. Whew! I really felt like I was at a smorgasboard wanting to try everything in sight that was offered. I look forward to the next class when I can spend more time and give myself more permission to stay longer in certain areas." T.M., Healer, CA

"Thank you so very much for another incredible opportunity to explore myself deeper (and to release some more layers). I am still very much in the process of the class and I'm still enjoying it." N.K., Licensed Massage Therapist, NYC, NY

"I love your brilliant exuberance Gil--and your open minded creative approach provided the most exciting way to study anatomy for me. Thank you!" J.B., Muscular Therapist, Bearsville, NY

"I am still enthralled by the resounding effects of class. I may be addicted to the thrill. I have spent half my time massaging and half telling people about class. Almost everyone wants to know something, even people who are not quite sure how to take the whole idea. My friend tried to explain to someone else what I was doing, and called it "(W)Holistic Dissection." Thought I'd pass that on..." L.M.T., Missoula, MT Top of page