About Ben Calder

Ben Calder

Ben Calder

Founder, BEd(Hons) MIPTI, ACHO, CBS, & GRCCT registered

A little potted history of how I got to where I am now.

I found as a child I was very into the natural world, how it ticked and how people ticked, how you could affect them and their behaviour by your own action or inaction.

By my mid-teens I had decided that I wanted to be a teacher, as saw this, in my limited experience then, as one of the best ways to achieve, on a large scale, the development and growth of people.

I had already been introduced to a large number of spiritual concepts in the early 90’s New Age movement, which inspired me to start Qigong and gave me the impression that there was more to approaching life and the world than meets the eye.

Contact Me
  • My History
  • My Development
  • My Exposure
  • My Hobbies
  • My Training
Ben Calder History

I studied as a teacher at university, doing a four year Honours degree in Education, but felt that was the wrong direction for me to take at the time.

I moved into doing youth support work at a centre in Weymouth where I was lucky enough to do an NLP diploma course over 9 residential weekends with Reg Connelly, a certified Trainer and Master Practitioner of NLP.

This went on to be a great help when I worked as an instructor on the high ropes courses, as you could literally talk people into trying things they couldn’t believe they could do, and have them feeling great for it.

I then went onto working residentially with children with extreme behaviour and then children with autism, down syndrome and extreme behavioural and learning difficulties.

These were great stepping stones for me, and the stress I found in the work also pushed me to see a kinesiologist for symptoms I was experiencing at the time. The changes this created for me were so profound that it inspired me to start my training in (Health) Kinesiology, which I then started practicing after qualifying at the beginning of 2003.

My working life in kinesiology always seemed to come up with questions of, why does what I know not solve this riddle for that one client (when it had helped so many others) and what else could do it? It has led me on what is still an incomplete journey to keep learning new ways of working, integrating new perspectives, learning new tools and discovering all the things I didn’t know about how we as beings function and interact. I learned many advanced aspects of Health Kinesiology, Assimilation Kinesiology, Quantum Kinesiology and Touch for Health

As other major tools I added Bowen Fascia Release Technique in 2011 and Access Bars in 2016. I taught Health Kinesiology (HK) from 2007-2011 and was one of the first UK practitioners to achieve the Advanced Kinesiology Federation Registered Professional (AKFRP) status. I was also the joint deputy head of HKUK training from 2010-2011. I studied many other aspects of health, details in the training history below.

My Qigong practice started in 1990 when I was introduced to Master Lam Kam Chuen’s Zhan Zhuang (Standing Like a Tree) and have since then kept this as a major part of my personal practice. I have further studied the work of Grandmaster Wong Kew Kit, Grandmaster Mantak Chia, Dr Yang Jwing-Ming and personal study with Grandmaster Jimmy Heow in Wuji I Liq Chuan and Grandmaster Sam Chin of Chin Family I Liq Chuan and most recently with Simon Calder in LifeForce Dynamics Qigong and many other teachers inbetween.

My Yoga practice began in 1998 when I was introduced to hatha yoga. In 2000 I started studying ashtanga and had classes and workshops with Bhavani Maki and Richard Adamo and at the same time was studying at the Abhedashram run by the Universal Confluence of Yoga-Vedanta Luminary (U.C.Y.L.) Trust, at the time led by Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya Shrimat Svami Turiyananda Sarasvati until her passing in 2003 and with several of the other key disciples at the ashram. After maintaining my personal practice intermittently over the years, I was fortunate enough to spend time studying with Beta Lisboa in Myofascial Yin Yoga in Turkey in 2015 and yin yoga now tends to be my favoured form of practice. But this is still second to my Qigong, but the two are seen as important supports for one another.

My introduction to Integral Theory and Ken Wilber began in 2011 after a massive change in personal and professional circumstances. I’m so grateful for all this taught me about lines and levels of development, shadow work and Integral Life Practice. I studied with Core Integral to gain my Foundation and Advanced Level training.

In 2011 I also began sitting in zazen when introduced to the Big Mind Zen work of Genpo Roshi, who’s work I have been studying and sitting with since. Incorporating much of the voice dialogue techniques created by Hal & Sidra Stone that Genpo uses in his process.

The Integral All Quadrant, All Level (AQAL) approach has been instrumental to the development of my practice since 2011 and I have read much of Ken Wilber’s work on the subject. The timing of this study I certainly feel helped me to remain sane and progressing during the most challenging time of my life to date.

Ben Calder exposure

I have been part of a number of radio broadcasts. Including BBC Radio Shropshire, several times and an almost monthly appearance for over an 18 month period on Calon FM for their Diet, Health and Fitness programme, Talking Business programme, Now for Something Different and Empowerment Hour, having a whole month of weekly programmes dedicated to me at the end of 2016. You can find replays of all of these on my Blog, my Spreaker Podcast and some on my YouTube channel.

I have spoken at many events and conferences, including medical conferences on Cystic Fibrosis and the Bowen Technique Conference. People who know me know I love to talk about my practice and theories and I get great pleasure in sharing considerations and questions for which a little personal enquiry can lead to great insight.

Ben Calder hobbies

On a more personal level, I have for many years enjoyed the great outdoors, trekking, exploring and climbing many great places in the world from the Jungles of Borneo, the Himalaya, South Africa, India, Bali, Spain, Austria, Romania, Canada and more.

It has always been a real delight to see how other cultures express their humanness, what it is that makes their society thrive. Plus I’ve been to all ends and sides of our own country, enjoying the delights that it has to offer in the same way.

I love my climbing, something that I have done on and off since my eldest brother first took me on the Cornish sea cliffs of Sennen Cove at age 11.

It’s a joy that has taken me to many places, geographically, emotionally and physically and I love the challenge it creates for me in every moment. I worked for a period of time as an instructor and taught high ropes courses along with climbing and abseiling, something which I intent to revive with the 1-2-1 climb feature, so that others get the chance to understand all the benefits climbing can bring to body and mind, while being guided by an experienced personal facilitator. Being in the great outdoors is a really important part of my joy in life.

I’m a really big fun of live guitar music, seeing gigs, dancing. I was in a band for a few years and still enjoy playing the guitar at times. I love to read and usually have 3-4 books on the go and my head into a whole range of lectures and learning through various media.

Qualification & Certification List

BEd(Hons) Degree June 1998

Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioners Diploma June 2000

Health Kinesiology Training Levels

  • HK1 October 2001, January 2007, April 2007
  • HK2 January 2002, September 2006, April 2007
  • HK3 March 2002, January 2007, June 2007
  • HK4 June 2002, July 2006, July 2009
  • HK5 September 2002, July 2007, October 2009
  • Health Kinesiology Professional Practitioners Certificate February 2003 (HK1-5)
  • HK6 March 2005, November 2010
  • HK7 June 2003, November 2009
  • HK8 July 2009
  • HK9 March 2009, August 2011
  • Body Bioenergetics March 2009
  • HK 16p class March 2009, April 2010
  • Intrusive Energies October 2009, May 2011
  • Scott Protocol October 2009, May 2011
  • Nutritional BioEnergetics 1 May 2010
  • Nutrition for Kinesiologists July 2002
  • Foundation Kinesiology February 2003
  • Assimilation Kinesiology Pt 1 March 2003
  • Assimilation Kinesiology Pt 2 August 2003
  • Geopathic Stress November 2004
  • Authorised Health Kinesiology Teacher April 2007
  • Authorised Research Associate May 2011
  • Integrated Course for Health Kinesiologists June 2011

PMDD with Functional Kinesiology February 2024

  • Health Skin Masterclass with Functional Kinesiology June 2024
  • Harmonising QiFlow 1 IASK Ondrej Bursik Sept 2024

Epigenetics Modules via AK with Chris Astill-Smith

  • From Memory Loss to Dementia March 2015
  • Protocols Module 2 March 2015
  • Protocols Module 3 April 2015
  • Annual Update January 2016, September 2019, September 2020, September 2021, September 2022, September 2023, September 2024
  • Epigenetics & the Human Biome March 2016
  • Epigenetics & the Chemistry of Pain April 2016
  • Seven Ages of Man & Woman July 2016
  • Essential Minerals, Toxic Metals & Radiation July 2016
  • Platinum Practitioners Workshop January 2017, January 2018, January 2019, January 2020, January 2023, January 2024
  • Masterclass July 2017
  • Volatile Organic Compounds July 2017
  • The Epigenetic Management of Autoimmune Disorders March 2018
  • Epigenetics v's Genetic Determinism June 2018
  • Essential Nutrition & Functional Biochemistry Module 7 & 8 February 2019
  • Essential Nutrition & Functional Biochemistry Module 9 & 10 March 2019
  • Essential Nutrition & Functional Biochemistry Module 13 & 14 May 2019
  • Optimising your immune system against the COVID-19 virus May 2020
  • Epigenetics Hormone Update Novemebr 2020
  • Epigenetics Comprehensive Diagnostic Biomarkers in Clinical Practice January 2021, January 2022
  • Epigenetics and Methylation February 2021
  • Epigenetics: Sailing through the Menopause March 2021
  • Epigenetics: Oxytocin and other hormones of love and hate April 2021
  • Epigenetics: The Hypothalamus June 2021
  • Epigenetics: Nutrition and Physical Degeneration November 2021
  • Epigenetics: Neurological Disorders March 2022
  • Epigenetics: Do all diseases begin in the womb? July 2022
  • Epigenetics: The Heart of the Matter May 23
  • Epigenetics: The Heart (Extended Module) July 23
  • Epigenetics: Cognitive Decline Sept 23
  • Epigenetics: Autonomic Nervous System January 24
  • Epigenetics: Collagen - The Glue that holds us Together March 2024
  • Epigenetics: Viruses, Toxic Metals, Allergies and Subconscious Emotions May 2024
  • Epigenetics: Sugar and Spice November 2024

Bowen Technique

  • Pt1-5 February-December 2011
  • Certified Practitioner December 2011
  • Sports Injury Level 1 December 2012
  • Red Flag Assessment June 2013
  • Kinetics Workshop November 2013
  • Bowen Technique Explored with Ultrasound November 2014
  • TMJ & Respiratory Workshop 2015
  • Sports Injury Level 2 April 2017
  • Importance of Symmetry (IOS) August 2021
  • The Art of Bodywork November 2022
  • Pregnancy & Birth with John Wilks October 2023 BTPA PDD Day
  • Safeguarding with Bowen College UK March 24
  • Targeting Primary Dysfunction - Graham Pennington Aug 24
  • Empowering Movement with Jihan Adem & Rebecca Willis Oct 24 BTPA PDD Day
  • Hormone Release The Bowen Way October 2024

Access Consciousness

  • Access The Bars July 2016, October 2016, November 2016
  • Access Bars Certified Facilitator January 2017
  • Access Consciousness Body Process Class November 2017
  • Access The Foundation December 2017
  • Access 3 Day Body Class January 2019

Other Trainings

  • LifeForce Qigong Foundation Weekend November 2018
  • LifeForce Qigong Module 1 Jing March 2018, November 2018
  • LifeForce Qigong Module 2 Qi June 2018, October 2019
  • LifeForce Qigong Module 3 October 2020
  • LifeForce Qigong Module 4 Shen March 2019
  • LifeForce Qigong Module 1 Teaching Certification September 2019
  • LifeForce Qigong Module 2 Teaching Certification October 2019
  • Dao of Man September 2020
  • LifeForce Qigong 5 Element Dao Yin February 2021
  • Trauma and the Wisdom of the 5 Elements August 2023
  • Waking the 5 Element Spirits: A Light of the Inner You September 2024

 

Healing Trauma with Peter Levine July 2022

Introduction to Public Health and Wellbeing with Glyndwr University May-July 2021

Level 3 Mental Health First Aid April 2022

Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity July 2021

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Working in Mental Health November 2021

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Dignity & Safeguarding in Adult Health & Social Care October 2021

Practical Safeguarding - Bowen College March 2024

Integral Relationships Certified Facilitator Training November 2020

Core Integral Foundation Training 2011

Core Integral Advanced Training 2012

  • McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release July 2019
  • Introduction to Non-Violent Communication June 2019
  • Advanced Shadow Mastery Diploma 150hr training passed with Distinction April 2020
  • Chinese Nutritional Therapy Diploma with distinction August 2020
  • Flower Remedy Diploma February 2004
  • Aromatherapy Diploma May 2004
  • Hopi Ear Candling April 2004
  • Anatomy & Physiology Level 3 July 2004
  • Sekhem Level 1 May 2003
  • Sekhem Level 2 August 2003
  • Sekhem Advanced Level October 2008
  • ICGT Crystal Certificate February 2013
  • Tree Spirit Healing March 2007
  • Herbal Medicine Study Course Jan-June 2006
  • Shamanic Journeying June 2009
  • Introduction to Alexander Technique May 2009
  • Dragon in the Land, Wizard in the Stone October 2010
  • Yin Fascial Yoga – 100hr Subtle Body Module August 2015
  • SURE for Mental Health: Managing Change and Self Care During Covid19 Spring 2021

  • SURE for Mental Health: Male Victims of Sexual Violence Spring 2021

  • SURE for Mental Health: Managing Your Mind: Anger Spring 2021

  • SURE for Mental Health: Male Suicide Awareness Spring 2021

  • SURE for Mental Health: Introduction to PTSD Spring 2021

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