Explore fascia not as a static structure, but as a dynamic unfolding - a process of becoming. Guided by world-renowned experts, this 3-day cadaveric dissection retreat delves into fascia’s embryological origins, functional forms, and the elegant, adaptive intelligence that shapes the human body.
This isn’t just professional development - it’s a paradigm shift.
Experience dissection as insight, not just instruction. Explore fascia not as tissue to be labelled or removed, but as a living process - fluid, formative, and embodied. This retreat invites you to engage with fascia as a dynamic continuum of motion and meaning.
Learn from John Sharkey and international experts. Guided by the originator of the phrase “Fascia is a process”, this course blends anatomy, ontology, and philosophy, offering a rich integration of science and somatic understanding.
Dissect in a state-of-the-art lab in Cremona, Italy. With access to fresh human cadaver specimens and a respectful, contemplative approach, this retreat is designed for professionals seeking profound anatomical and personal insight.
More than learning - this is where anatomy meets meaning, and knowledge becomes transformation.
Discover why professionals from around the world call this retreat “life-changing.”
(You can also check the FAQs at the bottom of this page.)
The Fascia Focused Dissection Retreat 2026 takes place at Trecchi Human Academy in Cremona, Italy - a state-of-the-art facility where anatomy becomes insight, and dissection becomes discovery.
Led by clinical anatomist John Sharkey and an international team of fascia pioneers, this immersive experience invites participants to explore fascia not as a static structure, but as a living process which is fluid, responsive, and deeply embodied. This year’s theme, “Fascia as a Process: Unveiling the Architecture of Becoming,” reframes fascia as a dynamic continuum shaped through time, motion, and meaning.
Each day blends thought-provoking presentations with hands-on dissection of fresh human cadaver specimens. Participants won’t simply label structures, they will engage with tissue as something to be listened to, interpreted, and honoured.
This retreat challenges the traditional reductionist lens of anatomy. Instead, it offers a contemplative, somatic, and ontological perspective on fascia that is one rooted in connection, responsiveness, and becoming.
Designed for healthcare professionals, movement specialists, neuromuscular therapists, manual therapists, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human form, this course is both scientific and experiential. It supports the application of fascial insight in clinical, educational, and movement-based practices.
Ultimately, this is not just a course. It is a return to origins, a chance to deepen your anatomical understanding, expand your professional vision, and experience fascia as it truly is: a process of becoming.
Some of the key objectives for this immersive fascia-focused dissection retreat are:
As fascia-focused dissection continues to reshape how anatomy is understood and applied, those who attend this course will return with rare insight, embodied experience, and a new professional edge. While others are still working from static models, you’ll be seeing - and practicing - anatomy in motion.
Fascia, Form, and Embodied Anatomy in Practice - A day-by-day view of how the course is typically structured.
The retreat runs over three full days. Day One begins with registration at 8:30am, followed by a comprehensive introduction to the course and the foundational principles of fascia as a dynamic, living process. Days Two and Three run from 9:00am to 5:00pm, beginning with short presentations that lead into guided, hands-on dissection sessions.
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
This approach offers a meaningful alternative to traditional dissection by inviting presence, reflection, and experiential insight- rather than reductionist observation alone.
Throughout the course, participants will work with fresh human cadavers under the guidance of clinical anatomist John Sharkey and his experienced team. There will be ample time for questions, reflection, and somatic inquiry, allowing for a truly immersive educational experience.
Across all three days, there will be a dedicated focus on Embryological Origins and BioTensegrity architecture. You’ll explore the body as a responsive, tensioned network shaped through load, motion, and time - an integrated whole in constant adaptation.
Whether you’re refining your anatomical understanding or expanding into new embodied territory, this course offers a transformative experience that blends hands-on learning with conceptual depth.
This is your professional turning point. Whether you’re deepening your anatomical insight, refining your therapeutic skills, or expanding your movement practice, this retreat will repay your investment many times over.
Pre-Sale Invitation - €2,350.00
Early Bird Registration – €2,650.00
Standard Registration – €2,790.00
Booking and Payment
All payments are processed in EURO via PayPal.
If you have questions or would like to speak directly with John Sharkey before registering, feel free to contact us at +353 (1) 882 7777.
The Fascia Focused Dissection Retreat is designed for individuals who are deeply curious about the fascia system and its role in human anatomy. With a rich blend of conceptual teaching and hands-on dissection, the course supports a wide range of professional backgrounds and levels of experience, offering each participant a meaningful and engaging opportunity to deepen their understanding.
Led by a world-class faculty of anatomists and fascia specialists, the retreat blends conceptual exploration with hands-on dissection of fresh human cadavers, offering profound insight into the body as a responsive, integrated system.
This course is especially relevant for:
The learning environment is inclusive and collaborative, with participants contributing to the creation of bespoke anatomical fascial specimens for educational and research purposes.
If you are committed to advancing your knowledge of the human body through meaningful, hands-on inquiry, this retreat will offer a transformative step forward in your professional and personal development.
Public Registration Is Open. Reserve Your Spot Today
General registration is now open for our in-demand dissection retreat. Secure your place today to ensure you don’t miss this unique learning opportunity.
STARTS
APRIL 29th 2026Trecchi Human Academy, Cremona, Italy
Wednesday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm
April 29th 2026 – May 1st 2026
Please note that although unlikely, dates may be subject to change
This unique educational course will be delivered by John Sharkey, MSc., Dr. Joanne Avison, Mark Flannigan, Dr. Karen Kirkness and Professor Andrez Pilat. Further guest presenters may yet be announced.
John Sharkey is a well-known international educator, author, and expert in various fields such as Clinical Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, human movement, and manual treatment of chronic pain using European Neuromuscular Therapy. He is a graduate of the University of Dundee, University of Liverpool, and University of Chester, completing both undergraduate and post-graduate studies in Exercise Physiology and Clinical Anatomy. He also holds a post-graduate certificate in education.
John is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Life Sciences at the University of Chester/NTC, Dublin. Additionally, he serves as the programme leader for the highly acclaimed series of Human Anatomy Dissection programmes , delivered past, present and future at King’s College London (England), The University of Dundee (Scotland), The Ohio State University (USA), Trecchi Human Academy (Italy) and The University of Witwatersrand School of Anatomical Sciences (South Africa). These courses are delivered teaching the geometry of anatomy and movement from the unique perspective of Biotensegrity-Anatomy for the 21st Century. His presentations are informative, entertaining, respectful, and insightful.
John is a proponent of the “Biotensegrity-Anatomy for the 21st century” model, which incorporates the groundbreaking work of his mentor, Dr. Stephen Levin MD. John is recognised as one of the foremost experts in the world on fascia and Biotensegrity. He specialises in teaching European Neuromuscular Therapy using living anatomy to address chronic pain conditions. Furthermore, he serves on the editorial board of professional journals such as the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (JBMT) and the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine.
Joanne Avison is a certified Structural Integration practitioner (IASI) and a graduate of Tom Myer’s KMI school (1999-2001), with a wealth of experience in both movement and manual therapy. Joanne is a certified teacher of Kinesis and teaches applied structural anatomy for movement and manual practitioners in various fields internationally.
Joanne is the Director of the Art of Contemporary Yoga Teacher Training in London, UK, and a Senior Yoga Teacher (E-RYT500) and Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) with the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
As a member of the BioTensegrity Interest Group (B.I.G.), Joanne is deeply interested in the application of BioTensegrity principles to the understanding of the human blueprint and natural biomotional organisation. She is dedicated to making this emerging context for human movement more accessible and understandable through her writing and workshops.
Joanne is also a CMED Graduate (2004) and has extensively studied human development, with a particular focus on soft tissue and the connections between archetypal behavior and physiology. Her rigorous studies include Human Dissection and movement research in Fascial Fitness with Robert Schleip.
Karen Kirkness obtained her PhD in Medical Sciences at Hull York Medical School. She also holds two master’s degrees – one in Fine Art and the other in Human Anatomy from the University of Edinburgh Biomedical Sciences. Karen is the author of Spiral Bound: Integrated Anatomy for Yoga, which is a multidisciplinary book that explores the anatomical basis of spirality in human movement.
Karen is a Senior Yoga Teacher, E-RYT 500, and YACEP, accredited with the Yoga Alliance Professionals. She founded Meadowlark Yoga, a social enterprise studio, in 2008. Karen has embraced an inter-lineage approach to yoga that is focused on healing, facilitating a constraints-led journey towards self-care and personal growth for all levels of practitioners.
Karen is an active participant in both art and science festivals where she presents her work in creative ways. She is a member of the Anatomical Society and the International Symposium of Clinical and Applied Anatomists (ISCAA).
Karen currently resides in the Scottish Borders with her husband Simon and their two young children.
Mark Flannigan is a highly experienced and dynamic teacher and presenter in the fitness and wellness industry, with over 30 years of experience. He has shared his extensive knowledge and expertise in Australia, the United States, Japan, Brazil, and most of Europe.
As a successful competitor and judge for the Federation of International Gymnastics, Mark has gained invaluable experience and skills. He holds a BSc in Exercise Science and is a Neuromuscular Therapist NMT from the National Training Centre.
In 2016, Mark began participating in biotensegrity focused dissections with John Sharkey, a world-renowned anatomist. This experience has led Mark to shift his understanding of human anatomy into the 21st century and has allowed him to apply biotensegrity principles to his work as a Strength and Conditioning trainer and Pilates teacher.
Mark’s expertise and experience have made him a highly respected and sought-after practitioner in his field. His dedication to advancing the field of fitness and wellness and his commitment to incorporating the latest research and techniques into his work have helped many clients achieve their goals and improve their overall health and well-being.
Professor Pilat is a physiotherapist and specialist in manual therapy. Creator of the Myofascial Induction approach. Lecturer on postgraduate and master degree programs in numerous universities in Spain and other European countries, as well as in Central and South America.
Author of the book Myofascial Induction, and co-author of books and papers on manual therapy published in Britain, Spain, Italy and the USA. Director of the Tupimek School of Myofascial Therapies, Madrid, Spain. Dr Andrzej Pilat has undertaken pioneering research on fascial anatomy using non-embalmed cadaver dissections and has used his expertise as a photographer to capture the inner beauty of the body in pictures.
The National Training Centre have been delivering respected educational programmes since 1985 and during that time we have had many questions asked by potential students before registration. Here you can find the answers to the questions we receive most often.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact us!
This course is open to all individuals with a keen interest in fascia and human anatomy.
Due to the nature of dissection courses whereby many items, including cadavers, must be booked and paid for at least six months ahead of the scheduled course date, the refund policy is as follows:.
Where written notice of non-participation is received, fees will be refunded on the following scale:
Refunds cannot be considered in any circumstances less than twelve weeks before the course start date. All fees must be paid in full at least 12 weeks before the course starting date.
In some instances refunds will have the the payment processing company’s transaction fee deducted from any amount due. This occurs when the payment processor will not refund the transaction fee to NTC. In instances where the payment processor do refund the transaction fee to NTC this will also be refunded.
You should not book any non-refundable travel or accommodation until the NTC office of administration has confirmed the course. This will be done once the minimum required number of registrations has been received. Dissection courses are generally oversubscribed and confirmation of the course is generally issued many months in advance.
Our dissection courses offer a mix of fixation methods depending on the venue. This can range from fresh from frozen, Theil Soft Fixed and the more traditional Formalin and Formaldehyde method of fixation. We reserve the right to make changes to the fixation if necessary.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact us!
ONSITE LESSONS
Practical classes take place either at NTC or SPORTSCO, Ringsend, Dublin 4
Saturday from 10:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4:30pm
July 2025 – 26th♦
August 2025 – 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
September 2025 – 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
October 2025 – 4th, 11th, 18th♦, 25th
November 2025 – 1st, 8th♦, 15th, 22nd, 29th, 30th
December 2025 – 6th & 7th
Examinations and/or class will start at 9:30am on dates indicated with ♦
ONLINE LESSONS
Tuesday and Thursday Evenings from 7pm to 9pm
(Recordings available afterwards)
July 2025 – 29th, 31st
August 2025 – 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 26th, 28th
September 2025 – 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th, 30th
October 2025 – 2nd, 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd
OPTIONAL FREE COURSE
National Qualification in Kettlebell Training
November 2nd, 2025 – Sunday from 10:00-17:00