James Palmer
James has extensive experience working with both healthy and injured bodies. He has trained extensively in Western and Asian styles of manual therapy, influenced especially by the work of Tom Bowen (via Graham Pennington) and Sharon Wheeler. His movement studies include Classical (Romana's) Pilates, the Anatomy in Motion (AiM) approach to biomechanics, and the Chinese internal martial arts and qigong.
He was senior teacher at the UK´s largest Romana´s Pilates studio, Kinetic Pilates in London, and the founder of Body Kinetics Therapy. He is in private practice in North and West Central London
He was senior teacher at the UK´s largest Romana´s Pilates studio, Kinetic Pilates in London, and the founder of Body Kinetics Therapy. He is in private practice in North and West Central London
Dr James Palmer
“The onset of serious back pain when I was 13, and then Chronic Fatigue Syndrome when I was 20, meant that my early experience was of my body stopping me doing things in life. It even led me to rethink career plans from being a professional flautist to academia.
After my Chronic Fatigue normalised, my interest in movement kicked in, and once I arrived at Cambridge for my MPhil and PhD I just wanted to move. I took up running and yoga, then cycling, swimming and then joined the Cambridge University Cycling Club and the Cambridge Triathlon Club, taking part in the first Varsity Triathlon.
From 2005, at the same time that I was doing my post doc and first academic teaching job, my interest in movement shifted to Pilates and Chinese martial arts. After I left Latin America and academia, I moved to Holland to train in classical Pilates, then on my return to the UK did training in therapeutic bodywork.
I am constantly upgrading my understanding and practical skill through courses and reading, but even more from the challenges of working with the people who walk through the door with very different issues. Having been through a period of illness which limited how I could engage with the world, I found a way of moving on and having an active lifestyle which has inspired me to help others do the same."
After my Chronic Fatigue normalised, my interest in movement kicked in, and once I arrived at Cambridge for my MPhil and PhD I just wanted to move. I took up running and yoga, then cycling, swimming and then joined the Cambridge University Cycling Club and the Cambridge Triathlon Club, taking part in the first Varsity Triathlon.
From 2005, at the same time that I was doing my post doc and first academic teaching job, my interest in movement shifted to Pilates and Chinese martial arts. After I left Latin America and academia, I moved to Holland to train in classical Pilates, then on my return to the UK did training in therapeutic bodywork.
I am constantly upgrading my understanding and practical skill through courses and reading, but even more from the challenges of working with the people who walk through the door with very different issues. Having been through a period of illness which limited how I could engage with the world, I found a way of moving on and having an active lifestyle which has inspired me to help others do the same."
Professional Training
THERAPY STYLES
Western Techniques
Core Training
ScarWork: Integrating Scar Tissue into the Fascial Web with Sharon Wheeler with Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
BoneWork: Integrating Bone Tissue into the Fascial Web. Sharon Wheeler with Jannie Cnossen and Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
Structural Integration of the Cranium Sharon Wheeler with Jannie Cnossen and Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
The Tail End. Structural Integration for the Sacrum and Pelvis Sharon Wheeler with Jannie Cnossen and Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
Teaching assistant for BoneWork: Integrating Bone Tissue into the Fascial Web. Sharon Wheeler
Teaching assistant for Structural Integration of the Cranium Sharon Wheeler with Jannie Cnossen and Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
Teaching assistant for The Tail End. Structural Integration for the Sacrum and Pelvis Sharon Wheeler
Sharon Wheeler's ScarWork: Integrating Scar Tissue into the Fascial Web - Instructor: Jan Trewartha
Targeting Primary Dysfunction - Graham Pennington
Teaching Assistant for Targeting Primary Dysfunction - Graham Pennington
Bowen in Motion: Clinical Observation Days - Graham Pennington and Dr Romney Smeeton
The Importance of Symmetry by Graham Pennington - Instructor: Matt East
The Importance of Symmetry by Graham Pennington [repeat]- Instructor: Robert Smith
Other Training
Bowen Technique Practitioner Certification – College of Bowen Studies (formerly European College of Bowen Studies) parts 1-4 with Michael Morris, part 5 with Julian Baker
Bowen for Sports (1): Injury Assessment & Treatment Techniques – College of Bowen Studies with Michael Morris and Paula Esson
Bowen for Sports (2): Injury Prevention and Gait – College of Bowen Studies with Paula Esson
Bowen for the Lower Limb: Feet, Ankles, Knees and Hamstrings – College of Bowen Studies with Julian Baker
Bowen for the Spine and Back - College of Bowen Studies with Julian Baker
The "Ultimate" Bowen Course: A Freeform Approach to Bowen – College of Bowen Studies with Julian Baker
Neurological Bowen: Working with Nervous System Disorders – College of Bowen Studies with Michael MorrisSports Injuries (Lower Body): Joint Assessment, Analysing Muscles in Action, & Functional Movement Screening - Sports Therapy UK with Tim Paine.
McLoughlin Scar Release Technique (MSRT) Certificate of Proficiency - Alistair McLoughlin
Flow Motion Model: Gait Biomechanics - Anatomy In Motion with Gary Ward and Chris Sritharan
Finding Centre: Upgrading Movement for Therapy and Performance - Anatomy in Motion with Gary Ward and Chris Sritharan
Asian Techniques
Core Training
Zen Shiatsu Practice and Theory – Zen School of Shiatsu with Kris Deva North and Liz Butterworth
Zen Shiatsu Practitioner Training – Rosewell Shiatsu Centre with Sue Hix
Shin Tai Shiatsu Practitioner Training – British School of Shiatsu-Do with Liz Arundel and Gill Hattersley
Further Training
Shin Tai GV/Spine – British School of Shiatsu-Do with Gill Hattersley
Shin Tai Structural Realignment (Spine, Pelvis, Hips) – British School of Shiatsu-Do with Gill Hattersley and Petra Elliot
Shiatsu Techniques of the Masters with Saul Goodman
Chi Kung Tuina: Soft Tissue Techniques – The Tai Chi Space with Paul Cavel
Chi Kung Tuina: Pulsing Techniques - The Tai Chi Space with Paul Cavel
The Art of Chi – College of Integrated Chinese Medicine with Bill Ryan
The Art of Dragon & Tiger Medical Chi Kung for the Helping Professions – CICM with Bill Ryan
MOVEMENT PRACTICES
Western Styles
Core Training
Comprehensive Classical Pilates teacher training (all studio apparatus) with Romana´s Pilates:
Francisca Molina Matta (basic level) – Estudio Pilates NYC, Santiago, Chile.
Marjorie Oron and Jane Poerwoatmodjo (intermediate and advanced levels) – The Pilates Studio, The Hague
Workshops
The Three Pilates Chairs with Jay Grimes
Teaching the First Time Client with Jay Grimes
Super-Advanced Reformer with Sari Mejía Santo
The Magic of the Springs with Marjorie Oron
Prepilates for Injury with Majorie Oron
Working the System with Marjorie Oron
Basic System Review seminar with Jane Poerwoatmodjo
Basic System Review seminar with Marjorie Oron
Intermediate System Review seminar with Marjorie Oron
Bringing the Old to the New: Forgotten Variants 1 (advanced mat, advanced reformer 1) with Marjorie Oron
Bringing the Old to the New: Forgotten Variants 2 (magic circle mat, advanced reformer 2) with Marjorie Oron
Con-neck-t the Upper Back, Shoulders and Neck with Marjorie Oron
Building Blocks of the System with Marjorie Oron
Pilates for Injury with Lauren Stephen
Asian Styles
I have worked on the core Energy Arts material privately with my main teacher Jamie Dibdin, and in public classes and courses with Kathryn Komidar, Bill Ryan and Paul Cavel:
Dragon and Tiger Medical Chi Kung
Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body Chi Kung
The Marriage of Heaven and Earth Chi Kung
Bend the Bow, Shoot the Arrow Chi Kung
Gods Playing in the Clouds Chi Kung
Xing Yi Quan (Rose Li, Liu Hung Chieh, BP Chan and Gao Family styles)
Bagua Zhang (Rose Li, Liu Hung Chieh)
Wu Style Taiji (Liu Hung Chieh, Short Form)
Taiji Circling Hands
Taoist Breathing Practices
Taoist Meditation Presence Practices
I practice meditation within the Mahamudra tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
OTHER
Pitch-side Sports First Aid with AED Training - ITC
Emergency First Aid at Work - ITC
VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for Complementary Therapies (QCF)
AGSM Performer´s Diploma (Flute) – Guildhall School of Music and Drama
BA – Theology Department, Durham University
MPhil – Divinity Faculty, Cambridge University
PhD – History of Religion, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Cambridge University
Western Techniques
Core Training
ScarWork: Integrating Scar Tissue into the Fascial Web with Sharon Wheeler with Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
BoneWork: Integrating Bone Tissue into the Fascial Web. Sharon Wheeler with Jannie Cnossen and Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
Structural Integration of the Cranium Sharon Wheeler with Jannie Cnossen and Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
The Tail End. Structural Integration for the Sacrum and Pelvis Sharon Wheeler with Jannie Cnossen and Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
Teaching assistant for BoneWork: Integrating Bone Tissue into the Fascial Web. Sharon Wheeler
Teaching assistant for Structural Integration of the Cranium Sharon Wheeler with Jannie Cnossen and Dr Heike Jäger (Ulm University)
Teaching assistant for The Tail End. Structural Integration for the Sacrum and Pelvis Sharon Wheeler
Sharon Wheeler's ScarWork: Integrating Scar Tissue into the Fascial Web - Instructor: Jan Trewartha
Targeting Primary Dysfunction - Graham Pennington
Teaching Assistant for Targeting Primary Dysfunction - Graham Pennington
Bowen in Motion: Clinical Observation Days - Graham Pennington and Dr Romney Smeeton
The Importance of Symmetry by Graham Pennington - Instructor: Matt East
The Importance of Symmetry by Graham Pennington [repeat]- Instructor: Robert Smith
Other Training
Bowen Technique Practitioner Certification – College of Bowen Studies (formerly European College of Bowen Studies) parts 1-4 with Michael Morris, part 5 with Julian Baker
Bowen for Sports (1): Injury Assessment & Treatment Techniques – College of Bowen Studies with Michael Morris and Paula Esson
Bowen for Sports (2): Injury Prevention and Gait – College of Bowen Studies with Paula Esson
Bowen for the Lower Limb: Feet, Ankles, Knees and Hamstrings – College of Bowen Studies with Julian Baker
Bowen for the Spine and Back - College of Bowen Studies with Julian Baker
The "Ultimate" Bowen Course: A Freeform Approach to Bowen – College of Bowen Studies with Julian Baker
Neurological Bowen: Working with Nervous System Disorders – College of Bowen Studies with Michael MorrisSports Injuries (Lower Body): Joint Assessment, Analysing Muscles in Action, & Functional Movement Screening - Sports Therapy UK with Tim Paine.
McLoughlin Scar Release Technique (MSRT) Certificate of Proficiency - Alistair McLoughlin
Flow Motion Model: Gait Biomechanics - Anatomy In Motion with Gary Ward and Chris Sritharan
Finding Centre: Upgrading Movement for Therapy and Performance - Anatomy in Motion with Gary Ward and Chris Sritharan
Asian Techniques
Core Training
Zen Shiatsu Practice and Theory – Zen School of Shiatsu with Kris Deva North and Liz Butterworth
Zen Shiatsu Practitioner Training – Rosewell Shiatsu Centre with Sue Hix
Shin Tai Shiatsu Practitioner Training – British School of Shiatsu-Do with Liz Arundel and Gill Hattersley
Further Training
Shin Tai GV/Spine – British School of Shiatsu-Do with Gill Hattersley
Shin Tai Structural Realignment (Spine, Pelvis, Hips) – British School of Shiatsu-Do with Gill Hattersley and Petra Elliot
Shiatsu Techniques of the Masters with Saul Goodman
Chi Kung Tuina: Soft Tissue Techniques – The Tai Chi Space with Paul Cavel
Chi Kung Tuina: Pulsing Techniques - The Tai Chi Space with Paul Cavel
The Art of Chi – College of Integrated Chinese Medicine with Bill Ryan
The Art of Dragon & Tiger Medical Chi Kung for the Helping Professions – CICM with Bill Ryan
MOVEMENT PRACTICES
Western Styles
Core Training
Comprehensive Classical Pilates teacher training (all studio apparatus) with Romana´s Pilates:
Francisca Molina Matta (basic level) – Estudio Pilates NYC, Santiago, Chile.
Marjorie Oron and Jane Poerwoatmodjo (intermediate and advanced levels) – The Pilates Studio, The Hague
Workshops
The Three Pilates Chairs with Jay Grimes
Teaching the First Time Client with Jay Grimes
Super-Advanced Reformer with Sari Mejía Santo
The Magic of the Springs with Marjorie Oron
Prepilates for Injury with Majorie Oron
Working the System with Marjorie Oron
Basic System Review seminar with Jane Poerwoatmodjo
Basic System Review seminar with Marjorie Oron
Intermediate System Review seminar with Marjorie Oron
Bringing the Old to the New: Forgotten Variants 1 (advanced mat, advanced reformer 1) with Marjorie Oron
Bringing the Old to the New: Forgotten Variants 2 (magic circle mat, advanced reformer 2) with Marjorie Oron
Con-neck-t the Upper Back, Shoulders and Neck with Marjorie Oron
Building Blocks of the System with Marjorie Oron
Pilates for Injury with Lauren Stephen
Asian Styles
I have worked on the core Energy Arts material privately with my main teacher Jamie Dibdin, and in public classes and courses with Kathryn Komidar, Bill Ryan and Paul Cavel:
Dragon and Tiger Medical Chi Kung
Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body Chi Kung
The Marriage of Heaven and Earth Chi Kung
Bend the Bow, Shoot the Arrow Chi Kung
Gods Playing in the Clouds Chi Kung
Xing Yi Quan (Rose Li, Liu Hung Chieh, BP Chan and Gao Family styles)
Bagua Zhang (Rose Li, Liu Hung Chieh)
Wu Style Taiji (Liu Hung Chieh, Short Form)
Taiji Circling Hands
Taoist Breathing Practices
Taoist Meditation Presence Practices
I practice meditation within the Mahamudra tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
OTHER
Pitch-side Sports First Aid with AED Training - ITC
Emergency First Aid at Work - ITC
VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for Complementary Therapies (QCF)
AGSM Performer´s Diploma (Flute) – Guildhall School of Music and Drama
BA – Theology Department, Durham University
MPhil – Divinity Faculty, Cambridge University
PhD – History of Religion, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Cambridge University
