For more than 30 years, Leigh Ankrum continues to say yes. After decades of training around the world, she has brought together multiple modalities into one comprehensive, paradigm-shifting program. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren speak with Leigh Ankrum, founder, and director of the Ankrum Institute, about functional bodywork and how it differs from a normal bodywork session, her approach to health intake, and why massage therapy education should be broader and more holistic.

Ankrum Institute’s founder and director, Leigh Ankrum, is a Functional Bodywork practitioner with 34 years of experience in teaching and private practice. After decades of training around the world, she has brought together multiple modalities into one comprehensive, paradigm-shifting program that takes students through every system of the body in just over two years. Her knowledge of anatomy and physiology is deepened by her holistic understanding of the body’s organizing principles.

Resources:

Ankrum Institute: https://www.ankruminstitute.com/

Hosts:

Darren Buford is senior director of communications and editor-in-chief for ABMP. He is editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine and has worked for ABMP for 22 years, and been involved in journalism at the association, trade, and consumer levels for 24 years. He has served as board member and president of the Western Publishing Association, as well as board member for Association Media & Publishing. Contact him at editor@abmp.com.

Kristin Coverly, LMT is a massage therapist, educator, and the director of professional education at ABMP. She loves creating continuing education courses, events, and resources to support massage therapists and bodyworkers as they enhance their lives and practices. Contact her at ce@abmp.com.

Sponsors:

Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com 

Fascia Research Society: www.fasciaresearchsociety.org

Elements Massage: http://www.elementsmassage.com/abmp

Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function.    

Website: anatomytrains.com    

Email: info@anatomytrains.com          

Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA  

Founded by a massage therapist for massage therapists, the Elements Massage® brand is a network of independently owned and operated studios dedicated to changing lives–including yours! The Elements Massage brand believes massage therapists deserve a supportive team, business and marketing resources, and the chance to learn as much as they want, so many Elements Massage studios offer and reimburse continuing education on an ongoing basis. It's no surprise Elements Massage therapist and client satisfaction leads the industry. That's because from day one, the brand has kept an unmatched commitment to deliver the best therapeutic massage experiences possible for both clients and massage therapists. Elements Massage studios expects the best. So should you. If this sounds like a fit, reach out. Studios are hiring! Visit ElementsMassage.com/ABMP for more information.

Website: https://elementsmassage.com/ABMP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elementsmassage

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elementsmassage

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLHkAYMgmA6_MJ8DSEZm-A

Disclaimer:

Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Franchise owners (or their designated hiring managers) are solely responsible for all employment and personnel decisions and matters regarding their independently owned and operated studios, including hiring, direction, training, supervision, discipline, discharge, compensation (e.g., wage practices and tax withholding and reporting requirements), and termination of employment. Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (ETM) is not involved in, and is not responsible for, employment and personnel matters and decisions made by any franchise owner. All individuals hired by franchise owners’ studios are their employees, not those of ETM. Benefits vary by independently owned and operated Elements Massage® studios. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.

Fascia Research Society (FRS) was established as a membership organization to facilitate, encourage, and support the dialogue and collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and academicians, in order to further our understanding of the properties and functions of fascia.

Every three years, FRS hosts the International Fascia Research Congress (IFRC). Beginning in 2007 with the first IFRC, and triennially since, the IFRC has been the premier fascia congress in the world. No other fascia congress brings together the very latest in fascial discovery and the diversity of the leaders in fascia. Registration closes August 31, 2022 – don’t miss out!

For more information on FRC, or to register for the 2022 IFRC please visit us at www.fasciaresearchsociety.org

Questions about either FRS or IFRC? Email us at info@fasciareserchsociety.org

Ep 261 – A Functional Approach to Bodywork with Leigh Ankrum

The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession