James Palmer
James has extensive experience working with both healthy and injured bodies. He trained in the Bowen Technique at the College of Bowen Studies and has also done full practitioner certifications in Zen Shiatsu and Shin Tai Shiatsu as well as a comprehensive teacher training in classical pilates. He studied the Anatomy in Motion (AiM) approach to biomechanics. He is senior teacher at the UK´s largest Romana´s Pilates studio, Kinetic Pilates in London, and the founder of the London Bowen Clinic.
Dr James Palmer
“The onset of serious back pain when I was 13, and then Chronic Fatigue Syndrome when I was 20, meant that my early experience was of my body stopping me doing things in life. It even led me to rethink career plans from being a professional flautist to academia.
After my Chronic Fatigue normalised, my interest in movement kicked in, and once I arrived at Cambridge for my MPhil and PhD I just wanted to move. I took up running and yoga, then cycling (CUCC), swimming and then joined the Cambridge Triathlon Club, taking part in the first Varsity Triathlon. I became fascinated by athletic conditioning, different technical approaches to the triathlon disciplines and yoga. I was also invited to become a member of the Modern Yoga Reading Group, which looked at the origins and cultural context of modern yoga in the west.
From 2005, at the same time that I was doing my post doc and first academic teaching job, my interest in movement shifted to Pilates and the Chinese ‘energy arts’. After I finished my initial lecturing commitment I decided to leave Latin America and academia, and moved to Holland to train in classical Pilates, then on my return to the UK did Shiatsu training. The myofascial release work in one of the shiatsu styles I learned led me to Bowen which I value for its simplicity and versatility.
I have kept up my academic interest, doing research into the History of ‘Alternative’ Medicine in mid C20 Europe, specifically the arrival of acupuncture and the development of psychosomatic bodywork.
I equally enjoy extending my level of professional understanding and practical skill through ongoing courses and reading, as well as learning from the challenges of working with the people who walk through the door with very different issues. Having been through a period of illness which limited how I could engage with the world, I found a way of moving on and having an active lifestyle which has inspired me to help others do the same."
After my Chronic Fatigue normalised, my interest in movement kicked in, and once I arrived at Cambridge for my MPhil and PhD I just wanted to move. I took up running and yoga, then cycling (CUCC), swimming and then joined the Cambridge Triathlon Club, taking part in the first Varsity Triathlon. I became fascinated by athletic conditioning, different technical approaches to the triathlon disciplines and yoga. I was also invited to become a member of the Modern Yoga Reading Group, which looked at the origins and cultural context of modern yoga in the west.
From 2005, at the same time that I was doing my post doc and first academic teaching job, my interest in movement shifted to Pilates and the Chinese ‘energy arts’. After I finished my initial lecturing commitment I decided to leave Latin America and academia, and moved to Holland to train in classical Pilates, then on my return to the UK did Shiatsu training. The myofascial release work in one of the shiatsu styles I learned led me to Bowen which I value for its simplicity and versatility.
I have kept up my academic interest, doing research into the History of ‘Alternative’ Medicine in mid C20 Europe, specifically the arrival of acupuncture and the development of psychosomatic bodywork.
I equally enjoy extending my level of professional understanding and practical skill through ongoing courses and reading, as well as learning from the challenges of working with the people who walk through the door with very different issues. Having been through a period of illness which limited how I could engage with the world, I found a way of moving on and having an active lifestyle which has inspired me to help others do the same."
Professional Training
THERAPY STYLES
Western Techniques
Primary Certification
Bowen Technique Practitioner Certification – College of Bowen Studies (formerly European College of Bowen Studies) parts 1-4 with Michael Morris, part 5 with Julian Baker
Postgrad Courses
Bowen in Motion: Clinical Observation Days - with Graham Pennington and Dr Romney Smeeton
The Importance of Symmetry by Graham Pennington - Instructor: Matt East
The Importance of Symmetry by Graham Pennington (repeat)- Instructor: Robert Smith
McLoughlin Scar Release Technique (MSRT) Certificate of Proficiency - Alistair McLoughlin
Bowen for Sports (1): Injury Assessment & Treatment Techniques – College of Bowen Studies with Michael Morris and Paula Esson
Bowen for Sports (2): Injury Prevention and Gait – College of Bowen Studies with Paula Esson
Flow Motion Model: Biomechanics of Walking - Anatomy In Motion with Gary Ward and Chris Sritharan
Finding Centre - Anatomy in Motion with Gary Ward and Chris Sritharan
Bowen for the Lower Limb: Feet, Ankles, Knees and Hamstrings – College of Bowen Studies with Julian Baker
Bowen for the Spine and Back - College of Bowen Studies with Julian Baker
The "Ultimate" Bowen Course: A Freeform Approach to Bowen – College of Bowen Studies with Julian Baker
Neurological Bowen: Working with Nervous System Disorders – College of Bowen Studies with Michael Morris
Asian Techniques
Primary Certifications
Zen Shiatsu Practice and Theory – Zen School of Shiatsu with Kris Deva North and Liz Butterworth
Zen Shiatsu Practitioner Training – Rosewell Shiatsu Centre with Sue Hix
Shin Tai Shiatsu Practitioner Training – British School of Shiatsu-Do with Liz Arundel and Gill Hattersley
Postgrad Courses
Shin Tai GV/Spine – British School of Shiatsu-Do with Gill Hattersley
Shin Tai Structural Realignment (Spine, Pelvis, Hips) – British School of Shiatsu-Do with Gill Hattersley and Petra Elliot
Shiatsu Techniques of the Masters with Saul Goodman
Chi Kung Tuina: Soft Tissue Techniques – The Tai Chi Space with Paul Cavel
Chi Kung Tuina: Pulsing Techniques - The Tai Chi Space with Paul Cavel
The Art of Chi – College of Integrated Chinese Medicine with Bill Ryan
The Art of Dragon & Tiger Medical Chi Kung for the Helping Professions – CICM with Bill Ryan
MOVEMENT PRACTICES
Western Styles
Primary Certification
Classical Pilates teacher training (all studio apparatus) with Romana´s Pilates:
Francisca Molina Matta (basic level) – Estudio Pilates NYC, Santiago, Chile.
Marjorie Oron and Jane Poerwoatmodjo (intermediate and advanced levels) – The Pilates Studio, The Hague
Workshops
The Three Pilates Chairs with Jay Grimes
Teaching the First Time Client with Jay Grimes
Super-Advanced Reformer with Sari Mejía Santo
The Magic of the Springs with Marjorie Oron
Prepilates for Injury with Majorie Oron
Working the System with Marjorie Oron
Basic System Review seminar with Jane Poerwoatmodjo
Basic System Review seminar with Marjorie Oron
Intermediate System Review seminar with Marjorie Oron
Bringing the Old to the New: Forgotten Variants 1 (advanced mat, advanced reformer 1) with Marjorie Oron
Bringing the Old to the New: Forgotten Variants 2 (magic circle mat, advanced reformer 2) with Marjorie Oron
Con-neck-t the Upper Back, Shoulders and Neck with Marjorie Oron
Building Blocks of the System with Marjorie Oron
Pilates for Injury with Lauren Stephen
Asian Styles
I have worked on the core Energy Arts material with teachers including Jamie Dibdin, Paul Cavel and Bill Ryan in public courses and private lessons in the UK, and on retreat in Crete & Spain:
Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body Chi Kung
The Marriage of Heaven and Earth Chi Kung
Dragon and Tiger Medical Chi Kung
Gods Playing in the Clouds Chi Kung
Wu style Tai Chi Short Form
Yang Style Tai Chi Long Form
Tai Chi Circling Hands
Bagua Circle Walking, with Heaven, Swimming Dragon and Wind Palm Changes
Taoist Longevity Breathing
Taoist Meditation Presence Practices
I also practice meditation within the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
OTHER
Member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists
VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for Complementary Therapies (QCF)
AGSM Performer´s Diploma (Flute) – Guildhall School of Music and Drama
BA – Theology Department, Durham University
MPhil – Divinity Faculty, Cambridge University
PhD – History of Religion, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Cambridge University
