Learn Ortho-Bionomy®
with Melissa Malm and Jim Berns
2026 Residential Retreat
"Putting It All Together:
Journey Deeper into the Many Facets of Ortho-Bionomy"
New Dates to be Announced Soon!
Auburn, CA, USA
Class Description
Join us for the immersive experience of an Ortho-Bionomy Residential, where you will have the opportunity to learn, deepen, and live Ortho-Bionomy for a 7 day/6 night retreat.
2026 Residential Retreat
"Putting It All Together:
Journey Deeper into the Many Facets of Ortho-Bionomy"
Northern California
Fall 2026 Dates to be announced soon!
Jim Berns, Registered Ortho-Bionomy Advanced Instructor
Melissa Malm, Registered Ortho-Bionomy Instructor
Deborah Crawford, Coordinator
You will be able to learn & experience more about the different facets of Ortho-Bionomy and Put It All Together:
~ Deepen your understanding of and confidence with the techniques
~ Explore the many layers of Ortho-Bionomy
~ Gain deeper sensitivity in your hands and body
~ Become more comfortable & excited about human anatomy
~ Integrate into your practice the many aspects of Ortho-Bionomy
Interspersed with the 40 hours of formal classroom time will be ample opportunities for walking outside, sitting by the pool, journaling, meditating, practicing and receiving bodywork with classmates, being in community, laughing, moving, and other activities that take care of you.
You will be given the chance to step away from your daily distractions, obligations, and commitments and really focus on YOU, both personally and professionally.
~ Practice how to take care of yourself more fluidly
~ Explore parts of the body that may be new for you
~ Find more comfort with “Less is More”
~ Track patterns in your client’s body
~ Ask questions you haven’t had time for in class
Jim & Melissa have spent the last couple of years looking for a location that has the beauty of nature and is priced appropriately. We have found a wonderful retreat just east of Sacramento, California, tucked into the Sierra Nevada foothills. It has easy freeway, airport, and Amtrak/bus access. Now we are finalizing details and finding the perfect date!
We look forward to sharing Ortho-Bionomy with you in Fall 2026. Stay tuned for more information about registering early for the discount and reserving your place!
Course Fee
To be announced
Prerequisite Requirements
Instructor Approval
I have approval from an instructor to take this class
One 16-Hour Hands-On Ortho-Bionomy Class
I have taken at least 16 hours of hands-on Ortho-Bionomy class(es)
Important Registration Information
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A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to hold your space in the class. At the instructor's discretion, this deposit may be applied to a future class if you cannot attend.
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Balance is due by the first day of class.
In-Person Safety Practices:
Due to the instructors' health histories, we strongly request (but don't require) that everyone in class wear N95 masks or equivalent. Masks can be provided. If you have any health symptoms on the day of class, please contact us immediately. You may be eligible for a full refund or credit for a future class if you need to stay home due to illness.
Instructors
Melissa Malm
Melissa Malm has been a practitioner of massage and bodywork since 1997. She studied at the National Holistic Institute and the Acupressure Institute in the San Francisco Bay Area. Melissa is an Advanced Practitioner and in 2020 became a Registered Instructor of Ortho-Bionomy. Melissa's teaching encompasses deep anatomical knowledge, curiosity to explore new options, and refreshingly specific descriptions of hands-on techniques that can lead to further student insights.
Jim Berns
Jim Berns has taught internationally for over forty years. He is co-author of Ortho-Bionomy: A Practical Manual. Jim was trained by Arthur Lincoln Pauls, D.O., the founder of Ortho-Bionomy. A certified massage therapist since 1979, he was named 2013 Educator of the Year by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA.) Jim brings to his teaching detailed information, a compassionate heart, and a unique sense of humor.