01/16/2026
Perception and the Living Anatomy: An International Osteopathic Gathering, October 2025
From October 3–5, 2025, osteopaths from around the world gathered along the coast of Massachusetts for Perception and the Living Anatomy, part of the Osteopathic Exploration Series. Practitioners traveled from Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, New Zealand, and across the United States to engage in a shared inquiry into Traditional Osteopathy and the living nature of the human body.
Led by biodynamic faculty members William Foley, DO, MSc, Stefan Hagopian, DO, FAAO, and Gregory Yesensky, DO, MS, the course explored the intersection of perception, anatomy, and osteopathic principles as a means of deepening clinical presence and understanding the body’s innate wholeness. Set within the quiet, reflective atmosphere of coastal Massachusetts, the environment itself supported a slowing down, inviting participants to listen more deeply with both hands and awareness.
The weekend unfolded through a series of experiential lectures and hands-on explorations, including Introduction to Perception and Living Anatomy, Divergent Functions Converging into Structure, and Exploration of the Living Anatomy of the Ear. Participants examined the dynamic relationships that underlie form and function, engaging anatomy not as static structure, but as a living, responsive continuum.
Central themes such as Tissue – Fluid – Potency: The Substance of Us and The Cranial Vault Revisited – Perceiving Wholeness invited practitioners to refine their ability to perceive the subtle ordering forces within the body. Scientific and anatomical principles were woven with experiential learning, allowing participants to access structure through space and function through time using the principle of divided attention.
Further explorations, including Voltage Considerations in Secondary Embryology and Breathing – More Than Just a Bunch of Hot Air, expanded the inquiry into embryological forces, bioelectric phenomena, and the role of breath in physiological balance. Throughout the course, emphasis was placed on conscious listening and the cultivation of perception as a primary clinical tool.
Grounded in the teachings of osteopathic pioneers, the course reflected James Jealous, D.O.’s reminder that “when you touch the Tide, you touch the intention of the Divine,” alongside A.T. Still’s guiding principle that “to find Health is the goal of the Osteopath,” and William Sutherland’s insight that within the fluid lies the invisible element he called the “Breath of Life.”
Designed as an advanced course for experienced osteopaths, all material was taught at the tables in a way that remained accessible to practitioners at any level of experience. The diversity of backgrounds and international perspectives enriched the collective learning field, reinforcing the sense that Traditional Osteopathy continues to thrive through direct transmission, shared exploration, and a commitment to presence.
For many participants, this gathering was more than a course. It was a reaffirmation of Osteopathy as a living tradition, one that asks us to perceive more, listen more deeply, and continually orient toward health.
