A detailed analysis and three dimensional exploration of the upper body segments including arms and the impact these structures have on the surrounding body tissues and the way you move in every day life.

Course contents

    1. Welcome

    2. How Much Will You Learn & Understand?

    3. An Introduction To Finding Centre

    4. Abdominal Muscles

    5. Planes Of Motion

    6. Planes of Motion Quiz

    7. Big Rule One

    8. Big Rule One Quiz

    9. Big Rule Two

    10. Big Rule Two Quiz

    11. Big Rule Three

    12. Big Rule Three Quiz

    13. Rules One, Two & Three Applied to the Abdominals

    14. Rule One, Two & Three applied to the Abdominals Quiz

    15. Section 1 - PDF Manual

    1. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Pelvis (Sagittal Plane)

    2. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Pelvis Sagittal Plane Quiz

    3. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Pelvis (Frontal Plane On Axis)

    4. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Pelvis (Frontal Plane On Axis) Quiz

    5. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Pelvis (Frontal Plane Off Axis)

    6. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Pelvis (Frontal Plane Off Axis) Quiz

    7. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Pelvis (Transverse Plane)

    8. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Pelvis (Transverse Plane) Quiz

    9. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Ribcage (Sagittal Plane)

    10. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Ribcage (Sagittal Plane) Quiz

    11. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Ribcage (Frontal Plane)

    12. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Ribcage (Frontal Plane) Quiz

    13. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Ribcage (Transverse Plane)

    14. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Ribcage (Transverse Plane) Quiz

    15. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Skull (Sagittal Plane)

    16. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Skull (Sagittal Plane) Quiz

    17. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Skull (Frontal Plane)

    18. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Skull (Frontal Plane) Quiz

    19. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Skull (Transverse Plane)

    20. Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Skull (Transverse Plane) Quiz

    21. Introducing The Cogs (Sagittal Plane)

    22. Introducing The Cogs (Sagittal Plane) Quiz

    23. Introducing The Cogs (Frontal Plane)

    24. Introducing The Cogs (Frontal Plane) Quiz

    25. Introducing The Cogs (Transverse Plane)

    26. Introducing The Cogs (Transverse Plane) Quiz

    27. The Eight Body Shapes

      FREE PREVIEW

    28. The Eight Body Shapes Quiz

    29. Section 2 - PDF Manual

    1. Scapula & The Ribcage's Influence (Sagittal Plane)

    2. Scapula & The Ribcage's Influence (Sagittal Plane) Quiz

    3. Scapula & The Ribcage's Influence (Frontal Plane On Axis)

    4. Scapula & The Ribcage's Influence (Frontal Plane On Axis) Quiz

    5. Scapula & The Ribcage's Influence (Frontal Plane Off Axis)

    6. Scapula & The Ribcage's Influence (Frontal Plane Off Axis) Quiz

    7. Scapula & The Ribcage's Influence (Transverse Plane)

    8. Scapula & The Ribcage's Influence (Transverse Plane) Quiz

    9. GHJ, Elbow & Wrist (Sagittal Plane)

    10. GHJ, Elbow & Wrist (Sagittal Plane) Quiz

    11. GHJ, Elbow & Wrist (Frontal Plane)

    12. GHJ, Elbow & Wrist (Frontal Plane) Quiz

    13. GHJ, Elbow & Wrist (Transverse Plane)

    14. GHJ, Elbow & Wrist (Transverse Plane) Quiz

    15. Introduction To Cogging Exercises

    16. Introduction To Cogging Exercises Quiz

    17. Wall Cogs

    18. Sagittal Cogs

    19. Frontal Cogs (On and Off Axis)

    20. Section 3 - PDF Manual

    21. Transverse Cogs

    1. The Eight Shapes - Introduction & Objectives

    2. The Eight Shapes - Introduction & Objectives Quiz

    3. Rectus Abdominus

    4. Rectus Abdominus Quiz

    5. External Oblique

    6. External Oblique Quiz

    7. Internal Oblique

    8. Internal Oblique Quiz

    9. Quadratus Lumborum

    10. Quadratus Lumborum Quiz

    11. Erector Spinae

    12. Erector Spinae Quiz

    13. Multifidus

    14. Multifidus Quiz

    15. Latissimus Dorsi

    16. Latissimus Dorsi Quiz

    17. Trapezius

    18. Trapezius Quiz

    19. Rhomboids

    20. Rhomboids Quiz

    21. Sternocleidomastoid

    22. Sternocleidomastoid Quiz

    23. Spinal Mechanics - Type 2

    24. Spinal Mechanics - Type 2 Quiz

    25. Spinal Mechanics - Type 1

    26. Spinal Mechanics - Type 1 Quiz

    27. Biceps & Triceps

    28. Biceps & Triceps Quiz

    29. Section 4 - PDF Manual

    1. Psoas

    2. Psoas Quiz

    3. Adductors

    4. Adductors Quiz

    5. Hamstrings

    6. Hamstrings Quiz

    7. Glutes

    8. Glutes Quiz

    9. Vastus

    10. Vastus Quiz

    11. Section 5 - PDF Manual

    1. Just a note before you jump into this final 'Putting It Together' chapter.

    2. WTF Book Chapter 3 PDF

    3. Putting It All Together - Sagittal Plane

    4. Putting It All Together - Frontal Plane

    5. Putting It All Together - Transverse Plane

    6. WTF Aliens

    7. WTF Aliens: Now It's Your Turn!

    8. WTF Aliens: Sagittal Plane Example (With Exercises)

    9. WTF Aliens: Frontal Plane Example (With Exercises)

    10. WTF Aliens: Transverse Plane Example (With Exercises)

    11. WTF Aliens Quiz Instructions

    12. WTF Aliens Quiz

    13. Section 6 - PDF Manual

Course Details

  • £129.00
  • 120 lessons
  • 12 hours of video content
  • This programme follows on from the Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Lower Limb course – it is advised that you complete that course first before embarking on this one.
  • Though it’s not strictly necessary, it is recommended as the two programmes come together at the end of the upper body programme to enable us to start looking at the mechanics of the whole body. The detail included in the Lower Limb programme is NOT included in this programme. Both together will form the pathway for future learning with Anatomy in Motion.

Tell Me More About The Biomechanics Of The Upper Body In Motion Course!


The intention of this online course is to introduce you to the three dimensional movements of the Upper Body so as to begin to understand the simplicity of whole body movement and how the body is perfectly set up to effortlessly move through the gait cycle.

We operate in a world where neutral spine is important, even vital for good spinal health. My interpretation of this is that to find neutral, or as I like to call it, centre, it is vital that the human body is capable of moving evenly to both sides of centre to stimulate all muscle’s and maximise the movement of all joints so that the brain may begin to recognise where exactly that centre is, where exactly neutral spine is and begin to perform all movements from close to that point.

There are 24 bones that make up the cervical (7), thoracic (12) and lumbar spine (5). In order to achieve efficient movement of the structures, there can be no limitations in the movement of any of the relevant joints. Where limitations are present so the overall shape of the upper body and the quality of movement in the spine is immediately compromised. Did you know that there are a limited number of body shapes that optimise the movement of the spine when observed through the motion of the pelvis, the ribcage and the skull. Add on the shoulder girdle which responds directly to the ribcage and vice versa and you can see the integrated and inter-connected movement potential of the structures of the upper body.

  • For information, I walk you through the detail of each structure (pelvis, ribcage and skull) in each of the three dimensions and how the movement of each impact directly on the relative spinal segment.

  • This not only enhances your appreciation of spinal motion but gives you specific reference points to use in observation and your assessment thereof. This creates the baseline to build out our eight body shapes.

  • Using my second big rule of motion “Joints ACT: Muscles REACT”, we then begin to observe a multitude of muscles and how they respond to these body shapes giving us a real chance to observe each muscle’s role in motion.

  • Our next step is to bring the LOWER BODY course back to the fore and in essence place the upper body shapes on top of the leg shapes we previously observed. Finally we use my What The Foot?

  • Aliens to create an example of how I work in the assessment of resting posture, to make sense of a person’s resting whole body position, make sense of why certain discomforts are present in a person and what we are able to do to unwind these postures and create movement specific exercises to help us all find centre once again.

  • Natural support for this programme comes in the form of my book “What The Foot?”, and our other online self-assessment programmes.

Student Testimonials

5 star rating

Insightful and Well-Delivered Course!

Sonya Lo

Like Gary's other courses, this course is exceptional. It offers a clear and detailed understanding of the upper body biomechanics. The concepts are well-exp...

Read More

Like Gary's other courses, this course is exceptional. It offers a clear and detailed understanding of the upper body biomechanics. The concepts are well-explained and easy to apply in practice. A must for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of upper body mechanics. Highly recommend!

Read Less
5 star rating

How we should be learning/teaching anatomy and kinesiology

Heather Arnett

The closed chain lower and upper body online courses are how all of us in the fitness industry should have learned musculoskeletal anatomy and kinesiology. S...

Read More

The closed chain lower and upper body online courses are how all of us in the fitness industry should have learned musculoskeletal anatomy and kinesiology. See it, move it, feel it, draw it, repeat!

Read Less
5 star rating

Great course!

Dave Zarn

Material is excellent, the delivery is great and Gary does an amazing job explaining everything so it is easy to understand. I was able to begin applying the...

Read More

Material is excellent, the delivery is great and Gary does an amazing job explaining everything so it is easy to understand. I was able to begin applying the information immediately in the clinic!

Read Less
5 star rating

This course including the teacher are the biggest gift th...

Lucie Boysen

I'm so grateful I came across the AiM approach through my ongoing search for workshop and courses. It's the missing link for many approaches. I'm a sports th...

Read More

I'm so grateful I came across the AiM approach through my ongoing search for workshop and courses. It's the missing link for many approaches. I'm a sports therapist and think AiM is what I expected to learn and never did.I definitely feel prepared for the next clients and can delete many question marks in my head. I just entered into a journey of understand the human body. Thank you Gary and Team!

Read Less
5 star rating

Well presented,very progressive and clear. The quiz secti...

john tobin

very good

very good

Read Less

CPD Certified Course

14 Hours of CPD points with this course

A CPD Certificate of Completion will be issued automatically on 100% course completion (including all quizzes)!

About Gary Ward - Founder of Anatomy in Motion

I am Gary ward founder of Anatomy in Motion and creator of the Flow Motion Model ™. I'm the author of What The Foot & I teach, treat, travel and parent!

This work came about out of a deep curiosity of mine to understand HOW things move..... (read more)

Other courses we offer which directly support the material you will learn in this course are:

  • £129.00

    Phase 2: Closed Chain Biomechanics Of The Lower Limb

    The intention of this online course is to introduce you to the foundations of Gary's work, build on the insight you gained from reading What The Foot? and to put it all together in a format that creates the foundation for further work with Anatomy in Motion.
    Buy Now

  • £129.00

    Phase 2: Lower & Upper Body Assessments For Closed Chain Biomechanics Of The Human Body In Motion

    Here you can purchase all three of our lower body and upper body courses at a discounted rate. A detailed analysis and three dimensional exploration of the principal joints and structures in the whole body and how they a unit in the closed chain.
    Buy Now

ONLINE SUPPORT - PLEASE READ!

We live in an age where social media and the internet which has made it very easy to reach out for support and answers…. while this is a truly remarkable advancement in how we are able to live our lives today, what does it stop us doing?


Unless we are self motivated and independent learners, it can stop us from being with a problem to truly begin to understand it. Do you remember the time when you purchased a textbook to learn from and you were not able to reach out to the author to ask for help? What did you do?

You became resourceful and started to look for ways to get the information you needed to answer your own questions…That was and still is, in our opinion, the real gift of learning…the ability to answer questions by understanding more rather than having the questions answered without really understanding what the answer is or means.

This has been a cornerstone of the teaching in AIM and will remain there whether it is in person or online. We want you to use your body to find the answer… it is not always easy, it is not always fun, but if it leads to better understanding, then we see it as worth the time, challenge and effort.