Liberating the Vital Self: Breaking Through Character Armors with Continuum

Welcome to “Liberating the Vital Self: Breaking Through Character Armors with Continuum,” a transformative 10-class series exploring the profound journey of releasing physical and emotional defences known as character “armours.” This program is inspired by the pioneering work of Alexander Lowen in bioenergetics and the fluid practices of Emilie Conrad’s Continuum Movement® and supported by the latest insights in neurobiology, fascia research, and perception pedagogy. Together, we will dive into somatic explorations designed to release stored tensions, awaken the energy flow throughout the body, and cultivate a balanced, fully engaged presence in the world.

Liberating the Vital Self takes you through each of the primary armour patterns in the body, exploring the impact of these patterns on our daily lives, emotions, and relationships. Using Continuum-inspired practices of micro-movements, breath work, and meditative awareness, this series will guide you in discovering and softening these armour zones to experience greater ease, authenticity, and connection with yourself and others. Whether new to somatic work or a seasoned practitioner, this series offers a scientifically informed, spirit-infused path to reconnecting with the vital, fluid self.

After careful consideration, we’ve decided to postpone the start of 'Liberating the Vital Self' from January to Spring 2025, beginning on April 24. At The Living Body Academy, we have a full and exciting schedule as we prepare to launch our new podcast, 'Flow, Move, Change,' early 2025—a project we’re deeply passionate about.

We’re committed to bringing you the best possible experience for this series, and this adjustment will allow us to dedicate the time and energy needed to make it truly transformative.

Begin your journey by learning about character armours and how they develop within the body. Through this introductory practice, you’ll gain an initial sense of the armour’s presence in your body and how you can begin to soften these areas. Experience the power of breath and micro-movements to reconnect with a fluid, resilient state of being.

9-Class Series:

May 1, 2025 - Ocular Armor: Seeing and Welcoming Reality

Relieve tension around the eyes and forehead, cultivate clarity of perception, and learn to see the world without filters.

May 8 - Ocular Armor: Seeing and Welcoming Reality - Oral Armor: Nourishment and Receiving

Soften the mouth and throat region, releasing holding patterns related to receiving and expressing needs.

May 15 - Ocular Armor: Seeing and Welcoming Reality - Cervical Armor: Control and Voice

Free the neck and shoulders, enhance your ability to assert and express yourself truthfully.

May 22 - Ocular Armor: Seeing and Welcoming Reality - Thoracic Armor: Heart and Connection

Release restrictions in the chest and diaphragm to support openness in relationships and genuine emotional expression.

May 29 - Ocular Armor: Seeing and Welcoming Reality - Abdominal Armor: Anxiety and Inner Calm

Soften the solar plexus and abdomen to ease the body’s protective responses, transforming anxiety into calm resilience.

June 5 - Pelvic Armor: Liberation and Vitality

Unlock the hips and pelvis to reconnect with the body’s energy center, opening pathways to creative, vital energy.

June 12 - Pelvic Armor: Liberation and Vitality - Leg and Foot Armor: Stability and Direction

Ground through the legs and feet, enhancing your sense of stability, safety, and support.

June 19 - Pelvic Armor: Liberation and Vitality - Integrative Flow: Harmonizing Body and Mind

Reconnect and balance all armour zones through continuous, fluid movement, creating harmony and flow in the body.

June 26 - Pelvic Armor: Liberation and Vitality - The Vital Self: Embodying Whole-Body Presence

Embody a renewed sense of self through integrated body awareness, inviting a unified awareness and vitality.

Schedule: from 8:30 pm EEST (1:30 pm ET) to 9:30 pm EEST (2:30 pm ET)

This series is designed to guide you in releasing deep-seated tensions and opening new pathways for energy, presence, and self-connection. By engaging in this process, you’ll learn practical ways to achieve a more balanced, peaceful, and empowered existence.

Essential Flow (Basic): €147 – Includes all 9 live sessions, introductory class, and replays.

Flow Mastery (Premium): €197—This program includes all Basic features plus PDF summaries, reflective journaling prompts, and bi-weekly inspirational emails, providing enhanced guidance and continuity.

Early Bird Discount:

Save 20% if you register by April 27, 2025.

Early Bird Pricing: Basic Plan at €117, Premium Plan at €158.

Special Offers:

First Class Free: Join us for the introductory session on April 24, 2025, to experience the practice without obligation. To sign up for the class, select April 24 and 'Get a ticket.' Then, select 'One drop-in class' and insert 'FREE' in the Promo Code window; click 'Apply'. You'll get a 100% discount. We'll be happy to have you on board our exploration.

Drop-In Rate: €25 per session for those who prefer flexibility.

LANGUAGE: English language.

Ready to dive deeper?

Group narrative from participants in our Fall 2024 series

Meet Marc Humpich, PhD: Your Somatic Journey Guide

Born in France, Marc Humpich, Ph.D. in Sciences, an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychosociology and Social Work of the University of Quebec in Rimouski (Canada), is dedicated to change support, somatic therapies, perceptual education and existential development. Initially studying mechanical engineering, biomechanics, and robotics, his academic journey took a pivotal turn while writing his Ph.D. thesis upon meeting Danis Bois (PT, DO, Ph.D. in Science of Education), the founder of a new modality for fasciatherapy and somatic psychoeducation. This encounter with touching life within propelled Marc to transition from his early career in applied mathematics to embrace somatic psychoeducation fully. As a colleague of Danis Bois, he taught anatomy, tissue biomechanics, and perceptual education through touch and movement awareness to healthcare professionals, educators, and movement practitioners across France, Greece, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and the USA.

In the late ’90s, Marc relocated to Quebec to introduce this innovative work to Canadian practitioners. He collaborated with Jeanne-Marie Rugira (Ph.D. in Science of Education), a professor at the University of Quebec at Rimouski, focusing on human change processes. With the support of the Department for Psychosociology and Social Work professors, they developed courses that integrated perceptual work, touch, and movement awareness, aiming to enhance students’ presence to themselves and others while providing self-regulating exercises for stress management.

From 2004 to 2011, Marc served as Assistant Director of the Center for Applied Research and Studies in Perceptual Psychoeducation, under the leadership of Danis Bois (www.cerap.org). Between 2009 and 2015, he was an Associate Professor in perceptual psychoeducation at Fernando Pessoa University (Porto) and has authored numerous scientific publications.

Since 2011, Marc’s spiritual path has deepened, guided by supportive presences within the infinite Life field, where his heart and soul resonate, bringing new light and purpose to his journey. Recovering from a profound burnout and a stroke, Marc realized the crucial need to reorient his career and life goals towards nurturing his distinct abilities, all while ensuring a balance focused on self-love and a compassionate, positive impact on others.

Passionate about somatic approaches, his encounter with Emilie Conrad’s pioneering work and the profoundly transformative modalities of Continuum Movement(R) enriched his multidisciplinary approach to stress management, human development, and change facilitation. Now an Authorized Continuum Teacher and Practitioner, Marc’s interest in the remarkable properties of water in living organisms, bio-intelligence, and the ecological and cosmological dimensions of human beings intersects with the latest neuroscience research through the polyvagal theory of Dr. Stephen Porges, studies on brain plasticity by Dr. Norman Doidge, and advancements in understanding connective tissue (fascia) functions by the international research community.

Gifted with the ability to connect complex data from diverse fields and a skilled educator, Marc offers his clients and students a developmental journey that often begins with a request for pain relief or stress symptom management but quickly evolves into a quest for the true self and the sacred dimension of human existence.

As a somatic coach, mentor, change facilitator, and educator, Marc provides individual and group sessions, workshops, and paths for existential and spiritual growth that are deeply healing, transformative, and meaningful. In our accelerating world, his work nourishes the quest for meaning, facilitating profound journeys of the deep self that free individuals from their most ancient traumas and conditionings, revealing the beauty, gentleness, and strength within, thus allowing relational modalities to emerge from counterproductive patterns and fluidity to take root in our connections with loved ones.

Whether you’re seeking to foster change in your life, explore the depths of your being, or learn more about somatic practices' transformative power, Marc invites you to embark on this journey together. Available in English, French, or Greek, let’s unlock the potential for profound growth and healing that awaits within you.

The LivingBody Academy(R)

The Living Body Academy, founded by Maria-Lhamo Karkosta-Humpich and Marc Humpich, is a testament to their decade-long collaboration and shared expertise in somatics, stress management, and personal development.

The Academy reflects their united conviction in the profound impact of nurturing the living body and movement awareness. They are dedicated to unlocking the immense possibilities of bio-intelligence for holistic health, personal growth, and the realization of one’s spiritual path.

This unique educational sanctuary offers personalized sessions, group workshops, and online courses in multiple languages. The Academy invites you to explore the living body within, fostering a transformative and supportive learning environment.

Host or Publisher The Living Body Academy