Ortho-Bionomy® - the Gentle Bodywork Revolution
Practitioner Training 2026-2028
Do you dream of a new career in therapeutic bodywork helping people recover from acute and chronic pain?
Or do you already have a massage therapy practice that helps your clients feel better but leaves you aching and exhausted at the end of every day?
Ortho-Bionomy - a leading somatic therapy - is a revolution in bodywork. It uses gentle positioning and subtle movements to activate the body’s own self-healing reflexes, supporting nervous system calming. It offers lasting relief from pain, tension and stress without hurting the practitioner’s body in the process.
You can start as a beginner or as an experienced massage/myotherapist or other therapist, take classes at your own pace or complete the 500 hour training program to become a qualified Ortho-Bionomy Practitioner. You can even add Ortho-Bionomy techniques to your existing practice after the first class!
How to get started
Click the button below to subscribe to my Ortho-Bionomy Mentor newsletter and receive your free copy of the Ortho-Bionomy Melbourne Training Calendar for 2026-28
Download the Ortho-Bionomy Australia training ebook for an overview of the training & curriculum
Download the OBA Practitioner Training Handbook or Advanced Practitioner Training Handbook from the OBA website
Attend one of my free online info sessions to learn all the details and ask questions about the professional practitioner training program. These are offered 4 times each year but if you miss one you can book a free 20 minute call with me anytime
Join one of my entry-level classes to get started on your new career. Look for Fundamentals/Phase 4, Exploration of Movement Patterns or Self-Care - see class listings below
Training Calendar
Students say…
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Janine McCarthy
Advanced Practitioner & Instructor of Ortho-Bionomy
Hi, I’m Janine McCarthy
I’m a registered Instructor with Ortho-Bionomy Australia, Ortho-Bionomy New Zealand & Society of Ortho-Bionomy International. I have over 20 years in practice and 9 years teaching Ortho-Bionomy. I guide students as their Advisor through their practitioner and instructor training and I offer classes, study groups and 1 to 1 mentoring sessions in-person and online.
I have in-depth knowledge of Ortho-Bionomy training from my 8 years of service on OBA’s Board of Directors (7 years as Chair), the Instructor Review Committee (IRC) of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International (SOBI) in the USA and my current role heading OBA’s IRC.
The Ortho-Bionomy principles, concepts and techniques are life-affirming and nurturing and my classes are relaxed, immersive, accessible and fun for all learning styles.
I sometimes travel to teach classes in regional Victoria and interstate, as well as in New Zealand. If you’d like me to teach in your area and are interested in coordinating a class, get in touch via the Contact page. Class coordinators are usually eligible to attend the class free of charge, along with other benefits.
I’d love to see you in one of my classes soon! And if you’re already in the Practitioner Training Program and don’t yet have an Advisor, contact me to discuss how I can support you.
BOOK A FREE CALL
If you’d like to discuss your training needs before joining a class, book a free 20 minute zoom consultation with Janine to find out if this is right for you.
Training FAQs
Why study Ortho-Bionomy?
Ortho-Bionomy follows simple principles and uses clear techniques that are easy to learn and become more effective with practise.
It is gentle and non-forceful for the client while being easy on the practitioner’s body too so you can feel great at the end of each day and enjoy a more sustainable career.
I have no experience in bodywork, can I study Ortho-Bionomy as a beginner?
Yes - Ortho-Bionomy can be studied as a stand-alone practice by beginners - no previous bodywork training is required
Where do I start? How long will it take to complete the Practitioner Training course?
Begin with one of the foundational classes: Fundamentals (Phase 4) or Exploration of Movement Patterns.
After this you can take the other classes in any order and at your own pace.
Training is offered around Australia online & in-person and you can take classes with any of OBA’s registered instructors.
The Practitioner Training Program is 512 units/hours of study including classes, tutorials, supervised clinic sessions and written work.
Can I incorporate Ortho-Bionomy into my massage practice (or somatic therapy, physiotherapy & more)
Yes, Ortho-Bionomy combines well with any other therapeutic massage or bodywork practice.
You can easily add it to your existing practice after taking one of the foundational 2-day classes: Fundamentals (Phase 4) or Exploration of Movement Patterns.
How will Ortho-Bionomy benefit my clients?
Ortho-Bionomy is a leading trauma-informed somatic therapy that relieves tension, pain & stress by gently activating the body’s natural self-corrective reflexes. It supports your clients to feel safer by avoiding forceful adjustments and painful deep pressure techniques.
It also empowers your clients to achieve lasting recovery – not just temporary relief.
“Change can only come about when the self-corrective instincts of the body are summoned in such a way that the body does not resist change.”
Dr Arthur Lincoln Pauls