MODULE 1

INTRODUCTION – Necessary integration

• The complexity of human workings: from cellular responses to thoughts, to the most sophisticated behaviour
• Innovation and the latest scientific reinterpretations that change care and change perspectives 
• Some widely accepted theoretical concepts and models, that in reality need revision
• Current systemic aggravating factors: social, cultural, technological, environmental dysfunctions and more
• Everything is connected: thoughts, movements, identities, emotions, microbiome, immune system, etc. are inseparable
• The huge resources of modern sciences: multiple opportunities for analysis and operative access routes
• A first interoceptive test to understand the various connections
• Stress responses: an updated scientific reinterpretation of the 3 (and more) stress axes that integrate thoughts, nervous system, and immune system
• Emotions and adaptation systems: rethinking traditional models to achieve a complete and multi-dimensional view
• Print out plans, practical models, tables, and other tools to use in your own work
• Develop a multi-system, inclusive, and integrative vision and intervention process
• Develop an effective and flexible working method

MODULE 2

Aiming for flexibility and development

Switch 1 - part 1

• Introduction to group 1 Switches
• The 3 levels of neural plasticity
• Inside the cell: the origins of physical and mental energy
• Optimized Breathing Technique to develop better cellular oxygen utilization, bringing more energy, mental clarity, motivation and self-regulation to anxious states or other adaptation processes
• Inside the cell 2: about the epigenetics of health, disease, and change and how it works
• High Intensity for Short Periods (HISP) exercises to promote epigenetic change, create vitality and increase the effectiveness of any other intervention for change (increasing the chances of shifting epigenetic "bookmarks" relating to the activation and regulation of inflammation, stress, emotions, etc.)
• How to support and enhance epigenetic processes to promote change, learning, and mental flexibility
• Inter-cellular plasticity: memory, flexibility and the ability to overcome resistance to change (analysed in their various implications, from daily life to specific pathologies)
• Inter-cellular Plasticity and enriched environments
• Extra-cellular Plasticity, its relevance and effects at every level
• Long-step test to understand body flexibility and its implications on emotions, identity, and thought

MODULE 3

Returning to physiological state to recover physical and mental energy

Switch 1 - part 2

• The importance of every breath: Energy and Oxygen (...and carbon dioxide), how they work, and how to make them work optimally
• Crossed-Cycles Breathing Technique
• Energy metabolism: how to increase available energy (both mental and physical)
• Physical activity, lifestyle and health: suggestions and specific neurobiological advantages (with related emotional and cognitive implications)
• Circadian rhythms, internal and external clocks, Chronobiology
• Exercise with the Circadian Rhythms Chart
• Managing interfering factors (e.g., blue lights, endocrine disruptors, etc.)
• Practical guidelines regarding schedules, sleep-wake cycles, daily habits, etc.
• The central role of nutrition in supporting and promoting basic physiology, metabolism, and plasticity
• How our body works
• Energy metabolism and the various metabolic pathways of the body
• Initial practical guidelines on nutritional style and habits

MODULE 4

Mind-body relations in health and pathology

Switch 2 - part 1

• Modern scientific psychosomatics: the bi-directional and multi-factor relationship between mind and body
• An integrative multi-disciplinary approach: the principle of Minimum Free Energy
• Stress and emotion muscle chains
• Dysfunctional Synergies that obstruct movements, posture, and emotions
• Rethinking Homeostasis and Allostasis: two well-known concepts whose understanding has changed radically in recent years
• Allostatic Load: the price to pay for conditions of hyper-adaptation and chronic stress
• Measuring allostatic load
• Emotional Buffer Technique
• Reboot Techniques (to terminate adaptation responses)
• Practical suggestions and precautions to apply to daily life, physical activity, and notes regarding activities (specific sports, oriental disciplines, meditation, etc.) that can intervene on the process in question

MODULE 5

The key role of inflammation in every dysfunction or problem

Switch 2 - part 2

• Chronic Inflammation: What it is and why it is central to change
• Mapping inflammatory processes in their complexity: Mental and Physical Pain, Mood and Cognitive Alterations, etc.
• The connection between Emotions, Trauma, and Inflammation
• The central role of the Immune System in response to emotions, stress, and trauma
• Acute and Chronic Inflammation at the heart of all pathological processes
• Neuro-inflammation, Anxiety, Stress, and Behavioural Disorders
• Inflammation and Insulin Resistance
• Nutrition that supports or counteracts inflammatory processes
• Pro-inflammatory Foods
• Practical Guidelines and Nutritional Habits to consider

MODULE 6

Networks & Hubs: behaviour and emotion control centres

Switch 3 - part 1

• Rethinking Emotions, Adaptation, and Development from an integrated perspective
• It all starts with Perception and Sensations (and they can often be distorted)
• Neuro-Hacking Techniques to restore “untainted” perceptions
• From Allostasis to Predictions (both conscious and non-conscious)
• The cycles of Prediction, Interoception, Correction at the core of emotion and behaviour
• Reboot Techniques for more accurate initial assessments
• Integration between physical and emotional sensations technique

MODULE 7

Networks & Hubs: behaviour and emotion control centres II

Switch 3 - part 2

• Introduction to Networks and Hubs: the control centres of emotions and behaviour
• The key role of the Body in assessing Risk and Resources (even when the body seems to play no role)
• The Switch between Networks that saves our lives
• How the brain evaluates and manages Danger and Resources (Default, Salience, and Executive Networks)
• Self-Assessment Exercise: how do I move between the 3 networks?
• Resource Balance Techniques
• Practical guidelines, strategies to apply in everyday life, balancing the activation times of different networks, types of training, sports, writing, painting, theatre, musical instruments, etc., that act on these processes

MODULE 8

Predictability and Uncertainty between personal adaptation and development processes

Switch 3 - part 3

• Uncertainty and Unpredictability: two key elements underlying choices, relationships, and emotional experiences
• Networks that analyse the Environment, Goals, and Self-Image
• The central role of Action Plan Flexibility
• Working on Expectations
• Modular Thinking Technique
• Self-Assessment Exercise II: Awareness and Development

MODULE 9

2 Transversal Exercises

Switch 3 - part 4

• NB: the two exercises in this section are very effective and work across all the previous modules
• Postural Self-Assessment Exercise
• Vagal Reset Technique
• Variations and In-depth Analysis

MODULE 10

The brain (but also the body) is a prediction engine

Switch 3 - part 5

• Predictions in all adaptation and development  processes
• The difference between 'Predictions' and 'Forecasts'
• Predictions are also interoceptive
• The struggle between (incorrect) Predictions and the Perception of objective data (i.e. the neural reason why it's difficult to remain anchored to the here and now)
• An Evolutionary and Advantageous Mechanism, which often turns into a disadvantage and pathology
• Sensing the Boundaries of Perception Exercises
• How to use other exercises from the master’s course to work on predictions

MODULE 11

The Microbiome, health and behaviour

Switch 3 - part 6

• The concept of Metabolic Switch at the basis of change
• The crucial role of the Gut Microbiome
• What is the microbiome?
• Functions of the microbiome
• The concept of Eubiosis and Dysbiosis
• The relationship between the Microbiome and the Brain
• Gut-Microbiome-Brain Axis
• How to restore the microbiome

MODULE 12

Evolutionary relationships, Primary Social and Interpresonal Systems

Switch 4 - part 1

• Introduction to Area 4 Switches
• Rethinking Touch and Physical Contact entirely
• Attachment dynamics re-evaluated in light of Epigenetics, Stress, Trauma, and behavioural Neuroscience
• Changing perspective on Attachment: Detachment
• Training to Distance oneself from people or things to regain Mastery and Self-Regulation power
• Parallel Worlds Technique (full version + variations)

MODULE 13

Timing, Relationships and Aggression

Switch 4 - part 2

• We have been designed and built to Interact in Real Time
• The importance of Synchrony in Interpersonal Emotional Regulation
• Deep emotional-relational dynamics: Trust, Cooperation, Challenge, Conflict, etc.
• The link between Interpersonal Security Systems and the Immune System
• The Facing Technique
• Emotion Modulation Technique
• The constructive importance of Aggression: modulating anger and other emotions
• The 3 Circuits of Aggression: intra-species (social regulation), extra-species (survival), when combined with pain
• Returning the 3 circuits to proper functioning
• Practical guidelines, strategies to apply in everyday life, use of personal and interpersonal Timings, different Interaction Styles, analogies with the animal world, Group Activities, sports or artistic, that are aligned with the new dynamics, readings, and movies on the theme

MODULE 14

At the heart of needs and motivations

Switch 4 - part 3

• Ancestral Needs: a model that integrates and develops all other models
• Neurobiological and ethological origins of needs and motivations
• Psychosomatic Dynamics when needs are satisfied or denied
• 3 Starting Questions
• Exercise with video analysis
• Detailed analysis of the 6 need areas
• How to create space and balance to recreate Motivation and positive Relationships, and avoid Somatizations
• Operational insights

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  MODULE 15

  Nutrition and Metabolism

  Switch 4 - part 4

• Nutrition in History
• The key role of Insulin in Change processes
• Insulin Resistance and Hyperglycaemia - A widespread problem
• The crucial role of Vitamin D3
• Functions of vitamin D3
• How to supplement Vitamin D3: the scientific research

MODULE 16

Getting everything Flowing optimally and naturally 
(General Flow + Mental Flows)

Switch 5 - part 1

• Introduction to Area 5 Switches
• The concept of Flows (Behavioural, Relational, and Communicative, Postural, etc.): what they are and how they help us maximize processes of change, care, and development
• When things don't Flow: Impediments, Inhibitions, Hyper- or Hypo activations, and other dysfunctions that prevent an idea, a behaviour or an emotion from Flowing freely
• Observing Flows with a specific worksheet
• Connecting Flows and Ancestral Needs
• Two exercises to practice Observing Flows and giving them meaning
• Creative Flows: improving the ability to Self-Judge with real-time Feedback, Mirrors (in session), and Videos (recorded specifically or using those made spontaneously, e.g. for social networks)
• Creative Flows: knowing how to Change your mind vs. Thought Rigidity
• Placebo and Nocebo Effect, mechanisms to work on in session and in everyday life
• How and why to use Imagination in synergy with other Flows
• The Turn your Mind Technique to make thought flexible and perfect the ability to voluntarily focus on a theme

MODULE 17

Physical Flows: posture & movements with their related connections with other Flows

Switch 5 - part 2

• Movement and Posture Flows
• Freedom of Movement = Emotional and Mental Freedom
• Analysis of a Practical Case Study (complete example of work on body Flows)
• Practical Insights to train for work with body Flows
• The physiology of Emotional Movement
• Emotions and Posture
• Test: the Direction of Movements (with implications on a sense of efficacy, mastery, and emotional experiences)
• In-depth study of Rotational Movements and Physiology
• Connections between Movement, Feeling of Effectiveness, Emotions, HRV, ECG
• In-depth study of HRV and overall health
• The Fascia: the connecting tissue
• Myofascial Release (with mental and emotional impacts)
• The Breathing Extremes Technique
• The Isometric Emotions Technique
• Psychosomatic Stretching
• Interpersonal Accommodation
• Practical guidelines, strategies to apply in everyday life, habits and routines, body care, activities (specific sports, disciplines, writing, painting, theatre, musical instruments, etc.) that can promote processes in these switches

MODULE 18

Nutrition as a lifestyle

Switch 5 - part 3

• The various Metabolic Pathways of the body
• How to effect the Metabolic Switch
• Meal-Fasting Phases: what happens in the body when we eat and when we don't
• The Ketogenic lifestyle: what it is and how to do it
• The central role of ketones
• Brain and Ketones
• Sugar and the brain
• Energy Metabolism of the Brain
• The Cholesterol myth
• The various aspects and applications of Fasting
• Physical Activity, ketones, and fasting

PRACTICE MODULES

Online group and individual practice sessions

(for those unable to join, a video recording will be made available)

All the switches

• Hands-on experience with all techniques
• Individual exercises to experience the effects and mechanisms of different tools and techniques firsthand
• Partner exercises to learn how to present and conduct different exercises effectively
• Analysis of practical case studies and concrete applications
• Personalized feedback
• Moments of getting to know each other and in-depth exploration