As part of my reflexology training, I had to study for a secondary exam:  Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology  and Pathology for Complementary Therapies. I’m very much a hands on learner, so when the rare opportunity arose to attend a Dissection Workshop at the prestigious King’s College in London – I jumped at the chance! This was possible through my student membership with the Federation of Holistic Therapists.

The beautiful Kings College London

In 1829, King George IV and the Duke of Wellington founded King’s College London.  It is one of the UK’s most prestigious universities, renowned for its excellence in research and teaching, particularly in medicine and health sciences.

 I was excited to have the opportunity to spend time at the college itself, so I arrived early to explore and photograph the grounds.

The Dissection Workshop

The class was tutored by Jane Johnson, a physiotherapist and author of six books. It was a three hour hands-on learning opportunity for therapists, to learn and explore the very structures that support, move and sustain us.  

After putting on our lab coats and gloves we were guided through this fascinating world that has been keeping us alive every single day. The specimens were pre-dissected by lab technicians, allowing us to study various systems of the body. The workshop was not for the faint-hearted, but it was undertaken with the utmost respect and sensitivity. Understandably, no photos were allowed inside the lab or pathology museum.

The Gordon Museum

After the workshop,  we were taken to The Gordon Museum,  a large, on-site pathology archive with approximately 8,000 specimens.  We were free to wander and explore, an honour usually only granted to students studying medicine (again, no photos allowed).

A Fascinating and Memorable Experience

Afterwards, I sat quietly in the grounds, my brain buzzing and reflective of what I had experienced on the day…

The human body is quite simply – amazing. Being able to physically see and touch the muscles, bones, nerves and organs – things I’ve merely read about in my books – gave me a much deeper appreciation for how our bodies function on a daily basis and what an incredible amount they have to cope with. And our feet have to carry the entire weight of our bodies along with all the impact of daily life, day after day. We owe it to ourselves to protect and support our bodies – and one of the most effective ways is to receive regular therapies and treatments that bring balance, release and care.