WHEREÂ Art & SCIENCe MeetÂ
Creative, evidence-based resources at the intersection of biology, sustainability, and movement research
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SPIRAL SYLLABUS
    BY
    DR.
  KAREN KIRKNESS
- KINEASTHETIC EDUCATION · EMBODIED NEUROPLASTICITY · RESEARCH MEETS RHYTHM ·
- KINEASTHETIC EDUCATION · EMBODIED NEUROPLASTICITY · RESEARCH MEETS RHYTHM ·
WELCOME TO SPIRAL SYLLABUS!
HI, I’M KAREN
My creative practice draws on the spiral form in nature and movement. With masters degrees in Art and Human Anatomy, and a PhD in Medical Sciences, I work in the triangulated space of art, the body, and nature. Through my book, Spiral Bound, and programs like the Five Filaments, I help teachers integrate spiral motion into their work with clarity and confidence.
I’M here TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE & MOVEMENT... offering practical, FASCIA-INFORMED TOOLS that connect and inspire.
Published In
MOVEMENT
    MENTORSHIP
FASCIA-INFORMED GROUP MENTORSHIP FOR MOVEMENT EDUCATORS
Join a fascia-informed mentorship for experienced movement educators.
Includes:
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twice-monthly live sessions
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recorded practices
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& a supportive network to
refine your teaching.
Just ÂŁ10 for your first month, then ÂŁ28/month.
MY TRAININGS:
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FOUNDATIONS YOGA
TEACHER TRAINING
Karen Kirkness Yoga School offers a 200-Hour, Yoga Alliance-accredited Advanced Training Qualification that prepares you
for your vocation as a qualified Yoga Teacher.
This program takes place in person in the Scottish Borders, plus online modules.
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ADVANCED YOGA
TEACHER TRAINING
Karen Kirkness Yoga School offers a 300-Hour, Yoga Alliance-accredited Advanced Training Qualification that deepens your teaching with a fascia-informed, spiral motion-based curriculum.
Delivered largely online (with optional in-person weekends in the Scottish Borders).
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FIVE FILAMENTS
SPECIALIST
A fascia-informed training for movement educators with self-paced and live modules covering spiral anatomy, sequencing, and applied kinesiology. Earn your 5FS badge and join the global community.
This is a self-paced online training course.
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COMMUNITY LOVE
In addition to being a highly accomplished
yogini, Karen is an incredible teacher who illuminates anatomy with fascia at its foundation. Karen’s breadth of knowledge and methodology
is a true asset for anyone looking to approach traditional yoga from an evidence-based spiral fascia lens! Last but not least, Karen is a very
warm and kind person, making every interaction with her a pleasure.
-VIDYA VENKATESWARAN, FIVE FILAMENTS SPECIALIST
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COMMUNITY LOVE
Karen embodies her knowledge with such passion and infectious enthusiasm, each class is a “perma-grin” experience throughout. Personally speaking, after 30+ years in the therapeutic industry, I have rarely been so excited about finding a new teacher; so that professionally, I can learn so much from Karen, and my patients benefit in turn. Karen is a shining example of “pass it on…”
-DARREN HARRIS MSC, BODY THERAPIST / DR. ROLF STRUCTURAL INTEGRATOR / SOMATIC MOVEMENT THERAPIST
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COMMUNITY LOVE
Over the past few years, I have had the joy of attending Karen's Spiral Syllabus CPD workshops and Advanced Teacher Training. Her syllabus strikes the perfect balance between exploring new movements and taking a fresh look at familiar yoga asanas. Karen has a wealth of knowledge and experience that shines through in her teaching, and her passion is evident in everything she does.
-SARAH BRANNEN, KKYS ADVANCED TRAINEE (300 HOURS)
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COMMUNITY LOVE
Karen’s mentorship classes are an informal, creative playground of movement. Her deep knowledge of the body and anatomy makes for skilful sequencing and her use of language is inspiring and refreshing. I’ve found there are plenty of moves that I can share with my students and Karen always gives scaling up and down options so the work is inclusive and accessible for everyone.
-CLAIRE RUSSELL, YOGA TEACHER & MENTORSHIP MEMBER
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COMMUNITY LOVE
Working with Karen has brought my body to life and helped me realise the individual miracle that we all are. Karen offers it all in a way that's easy to understand and very accessible. I've found her teaching style to be fun, inspiring, nurturing, knowledgeable, humble, encouraging and kind.
-LESLEY BELL, KKYS ADVANCED YOGA TRAINEE (300 HOURS)
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COMMUNITY LOVE
I signed up for Karen’s advanced training at a time when I was looking for something to reignite my passion for teaching and to deepen my knowledge of yoga. The training delivered what I was looking for and more. Karen is so knowledgeable and she delivers her training in a way that is very engaging and hands on. I wholeheartedly recommend this training to anyone looking to advance their teaching and personal yoga practice.
-LAURA RICE, OWNER OF STUDIO 70 AND YOGA INSTRUCTOR
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ANATOMY & ART:Â LEARNINGÂ in LIVINGÂ COLOUR.Â
Ditch boring anatomy videos. Karen's pedagogy creates vivid, active learning that forms lasting emotional memories... transforming passive students into engaged participants.
Get Anatomy Inspired, the self-paced online experience created for movement course leaders.
MY MOST LISTENED-TO
     INTERVIEWS
TUNE IN AS I UNPACK
FASCIA, SPIRALITY, AND MOVEMENT SCIENCE IN REAL-WORLD TERMS.
THE SPIRAL
    SYLLABUS BLOG
Each post blends science, story, and movement insights with links to Karen's peer-reviewed publications
READ THE ARCHIVE:
- 1. THE WINDMILL WITHIN: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY MEETS PLANETARY TRANSFORMATION
- 2. WHY YOUR FASCIA EMERGES FROM MANIFOLDS & STOCHASTICITY (NOT RANDOMNESS)
- 3. THE CALCIUM AND HYALURONAN FEEDBACK LOOP: A SELF-ADJUSTING COMPLEX SYSTEM
- 4. THE SPIRAL THREAD: WHY NATURE’S MOST ELEGANT PATTERN HOLDS THE KEY TO MOVEMENT
- 5. YOUR BRAIN ON FOREST: DOPAMINE-SERATONIN-METABOLISM UPWARD SPIRAL
AS SEEN ON:Â
THE FASCIA HUB
Explore spiral movement and fascia awareness with me as we blend anatomy, yoga, and holistic practice into empowering, healthier movement.
- RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \
- RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \ RESOURCES FOR YOU \
SPIRAL BOUND:
INTEGRATED ANATOMY FOR YOGA
This book explores the concept of spirality in anatomy and embryology, offering unique insights tailored for yoga practitioners, from Handspring Publishing.Â
It integrates subtle body principles with Western scientific evidence to support the Five Filaments spiral motion rubric—an essential teaching tool for confidently teaching rotational movement in theory and practice.
YOU NEEDÂ THIS ESSENTIAL REFERENCE!
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WHAT READERS ARE LOVING:
"To truly understand movement, you need to know how we are formed. The book Spiral Bound by Karen Kirkness is mind-blowing. There is no other book like it. It takes you from the beginning and will forever change the way you look at your own movement and how you help your clients. Absolutely stunning work."
-OLIVIA KAMPE, PILATES TEACHER
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WHAT READERS ARE LOVING:
"Karen Kirkness has written a highly individual and intensely interesting book. If you have not been exposed to the 'new' anatomy, Karen will definitely expand your concepts about our unfolding life-long dance between stability and mobility."
-THOMAS MEYERS, AUTHOR OF ANATOMY TRAINS
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WHAT READERS ARE LOVING:
"Karen Kirkness has created a trailblazing paradigm of human anatomy. She provides a brilliant new model that will transform how you experience and view yourself. Reading this book will absolutely elevate your yoga practice and offer movement practitioners a clear framework to better harness the benefits of yoga."
-MERCEDES (DIDI) VON DECK, MD, ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON, FELDENKRAIS PRACTITIONER
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WHAT READERS ARE LOVING:
"Answers questions I didn't even know needed to be asked. In today’s evolving world of science, Karen’s questioning of the current biomechanical model resonates loudly. Spiral Bound isn’t just a yoga book—it’s a clearly referenced anatomical journal of movement. It’s now my go-to resource for fascia, embryology, and spirality."
-MARK FLANNIGAN, NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPIST & EXERCISE SCIENTIST
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WHAT READERS ARE LOVING:
"An adventure, both fun and exhilarating. This book is a paradigm shift in our understanding of biological systems, and a huge bonus for all curious yoginis and yogis. It bridges embryology, natural geometry, and biotensegrity in a beautifully illustrated, humor-filled journey through the living body."
-BRIAN COOPER, PHD, YOGA ALLIANCE PROFESSIONALS
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WHAT READERS ARE LOVING:
"This book builds a bridge between the outdated classical biomechanical anatomy and the concept of human posture and movement as a holistic manifestation of a self-organizing and shaping organism. With that, this book is not only an enrichment for yoga-oriented people but is warmly recommended for anyone who really wants to delve into what moves us. And that is spirit."
-JAAP VAN DER WAL, PHENOMENOLOGIST, MORPHOLOGIST & EMBRYOLOGIST
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WHAT READERS ARE LOVING:
"A must-read for every anatomy-minded yoga teacher. Karen delivers a refreshingly holistic, embodied, and contemporary approach to anatomy. Spiral Bound is beautifully presented and jam-packed with wisdom that makes complex science feel personal, relevant, and accessible."
-TRINA ALTMAN, AUTHOR OF YOGA DECONSTRUCTED
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WHAT READERS ARE LOVING:
"This book bridges the subtle and the scientific. More than a translation of ancient concepts, Spiral Bound is a pioneering exploration of the relationship between subtle and gross systems. Karen’s lens on spirality offers a new framework for understanding the body across disciplines."
-ELISE HILL, AYURVEDIC COUNSELLOR
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