Webinar Video with Michael Shea PhD

“Biodynamic Embriology in Clincal Practice“

A three part webinar serie

January 28, February 4 & 18, 2025

Biodynamic is defined as the growth of the whole over time in human embryology. These three embryology webinars will define biodynamic embryology through the four stages of morphology (purposeful movement) based on the work of Eric Blechschmidt, Raymond Gasser, and Jaap van der Wal. The application of biodynamic embryology to clinical practice is taught. The four stages are palpated as follows: compression, expansion, centering and flexion-extension. The first three stages are each seven days long. The last stage, the fourth stage is 5-7 weeks long and finishes the embryonic period when fetal development starts.

Webinar one will cover the first two stages of compression-expansion of the whole embryo. The  relationship of the developing viscera and the cardiovascular system as seen in the second week is taught. The clinical significance and palpatory relevance will be demonstrated especially of the kidneys and bladder as the main fulcrum of the fluid body.

Webinar two is stage three, the seven days of centering a heart in the middle of the embryo and definitive construction of the human heart culminating in the first heartbeat around 21 days post-fertilization. Stage three includes the formation of the notochordal midline. Developmental aspects of the midline and the four stages of the heart in week three is taught along with clinical applications. An introduction to the biokinetics of the embryo is given. Palpation of the eight metabolic fields is introduced.

Webinar three is the fourth stage of morphological development in the human embryo specifically flexion-extension of the whole. The development of the face and cranial base is taught. Differential rates of development (biokinetics) between the brain, heart, gut and pelvis is shown with a specific focus on the influence of the metabolic fields of movement of the foregut (face), neurocranium (vault), and chondrocranium (base).

Demonstrations are included in each webinar. The clinical significance and palpatory relevance of all three webinars will be reviewed in webinar three. The perceptual process of Primary Respiration and dynamic stillness is taught in relationship to the perception of the fluid forces present in the growth and development of the human embryo. Extensive handouts will be given prior to the series for advanced study.

Michael Shea PhD has taught human Embryology in the Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Somatic Psychology doctoral programs at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. He was mentored by Raymond Gasser for five years, the co-author with Eric Blechschmidt of Biokinetics and Biodynamics of Human Differentiations. He edited and published Jaap van der Wal’s early embryology essays and also received supervision from Brian Freeman. During his mentorship with Jim Jealous D.O. in the late 90s, Dr. Jealous introduced him to Human Embryology and it became a lifelong study.