An International Fascia Dissection Retreat - Cremona, Italy

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.

Dr Wells received her undergraduate training at Yale, medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and internal medicine and gastroenterology/hepatology training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Rebecca did her postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School and the Whitehead Institute. She has been on the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania for 24 years, where she is now Professor of Medicine and Bioengineering.

Dr. Wells studies the matrix and mechanical factors underlying diseases of the liver and bile ducts, particularly the fibrotic response to injury – she has been a leader in appreciating the role of mechanical changes in driving fibrosis.

Along with her collaborator Neil D. Theise, Dr. Wells played an important role in unifying the concept of the interstitium as including large and small interstitial spaces that are continuous throughout the body.