STILLNESS AND THE HEART
Course Taught by Ian Wright
With interpretation from English into Italian
DATES
May 23-24-25th 2025
VENUE
The course will be held towards Ian Wright’s residence.
Villa Alzato 336 Via Romita 50025 Montespertoli. FI.
Lunches and dinners will be at participants’ expense
Accommodations (AirB&B or B&B) nearby at San Casciano or Montespertoli.
COST AND ENROLMENT
– Course cost: 500€.
– To enrol it will be necessary to pay an advance of 150€ through
◦ Paypal dynamicsofstillness@gmail.com
Or through bank transfer – details available on request
Proof of payment should be sent by email to cardinali_lucia@libero.it.
This course is only open to osteopaths and will feature a series of sensory meditations and practical
sessions.
COURSE TOPICS
We will work with the cardiovascular system ‘The role of the artery is supreme’ (AT Still). In this
deep dive into the development of the cardiovascular system, we will observe its formation first
from stillness and then from movement, which in turn creates form.
We will explore in depth the vascular endothelium – the quiescent inner silver layers, functional
anatomy and function. Infection and the cardiovascular system, organs and angiogenesis of the
vascular endothelium, with a look at the vascular endothelium in Covid 19 and ‘Long Covid’ and
how to manage it, and other conditions in which the vascular endothelium is affected, for example
in atherosclerosis.
Next, we will examine haemodynamics – the dynamics of charge and flow dynamics models
according to Steiner and Swenck et al. – in relation to how flow dynamics creates and recreates the
structure of the heart and vessels both at the embryonic level and during the course of life.
We learn about flow dynamics and charge dynamics, the electrical control of the heart: a look at
Gerald Pollack’s work on ‘water phases’ and also how blood flow is related to electrical charge
dynamics. An exploration of the electrical control of the heart and the problems with the hearts
electrical system.
We will then look at Still’s idea that the ‘role of the artery is supreme’. A look at capillary beds and
how they guide the cardiovascular system, the anatomy of arteries and veins, and capillary beds.
Light and blood (photons and red blood cell capillaries). An examination of the relationship between light and blood, in terms of flow and capillary function. An examination of the role of
power and blood.
We will look at oxygenation, examining the reversal and oxygenation of lung and heart charge.
Then we will learn about venous siphons, the diaphragm and valves. We will explore venous
function, the importance of the diaphragm in venous return, and the functioning of valves. A look at
venous disorders and how to resolve them. We will examine the venous system in more detail with
the aim of addressing venous insufficiency and the dynamics of thrombosis.
Heart valve function and support: we will take a biodynamic look at how valves form and when
there is a problem with valve function.
Congenital heart conditions – Embryonic dynamics of the meeting of the midlines of the heart, when
and how there can be a defect, such as interatrial and interventricular septal defect, and how we can
help and support them. In practice we will learn to perceive the biodynamic fields that create the
heart. Cardiac muscles, myocytes, coronary arteries, flow function, function of the vascular
endothelium, cardiovascular diseases and how to support them in cases of myocardial
infarction/hypertension (renal pathways, renin angiotensin) and effects.
Here we examine pre- and perinatal vascular waterbeds, periventricular leukomalacia, pre- and
perinatal vascular accidents, the development of cerebral palsy, milder vascular problems: the role
of plasticity and our important role in the management of these conditions.
Finally, we will examine
– The vagal connection and cardiac coherence – using the heart to regulate the brain – an evaluation
of 2-way vagal function in the heart.
– Stress and the cardiovascular system.
– The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HIS), stress responses of the cardiovascular system and
how to manage them.
– Practical rebalancing of the SNA/ IIS.
– Migraine and the cardiovascular system: an assessment of migraine, autonomic disturbances and
other factors and the management of migraine.
An assessment of the heart is not complete without considering the heart as an emotional centre,
which connects us to a wider field of wholeness, both within ourselves, nature and humanity.
Here we explore in detail the function of training and osteopathic management of the cardiovascular
system. ‘The rule of the Artery is supreme’ – and here we will see why. We will include the topic of
the Heart as a sense organ that connects and filters the other senses and interfaces with somatic and
‘soul’ experience, the contributions of Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas and Rudolf Steiner are discussed.
TIMETABLES
Friday 23 May
10.00 Introduction and Stillpoint
10.15 -11.00. Cardiac biodynamic development, including congenital and valvular heart disease
11.00 Break
11.30 Experience on cardiac development fields
12-13.00 Practice. Cardiac development fields
13.00-14.30 Lunch
14.30. Umbilicus, circulatory changes in the foetus and at birth. 1st breath
15.30 Pause
16.00. Practice on the first breath and circulatory changes 17.00. Practice/experience of umbilical
fields 17.30 Discussion
18.00 End
Saturday 24th May
9.30. Introduction and Stillpoint
10.15 Angiogenesis, the vascular endothelium as a living organ, management of Long COVID,
including myocytes
11.00 Break
11.30 Experience on Stillness and heart
12-13.00 Practice on vascular endothelium
13.00-14.30 Lunch
14.30-15.30 Study of haemodynamic flow vortices, flow dynamics. Cardiovascular pathologies
15.30 Break
16-17.00 Practice – Flow dynamics
17.00. Experience. Stillness and movement
17.30 Discussion
18.00 End
Sunday 25 May
9.30 Introduction and Stillpoint
9.45. Role of the artery – light in capillary beds, power and blood. Bloodsplitting zones.
10.30 Break 11.00-12.00. Practice. Light, blood and power, watershed zones
12.00 Blood-brain barrier and dementia
12.30-14.00. Lunch
14.00 Practice. Evaluation of the hippocampal vasculature
15.00 Break
15.30 Stress and the cardiovascular system, cardiac coherence, cardiac autonomic system, vagus
nerve, the heart as a sense organ
16.15. Experience. Vagus nerve and the heart as a sense organ.
16.45. Discussion
17.00 End
