Active Balance

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Active Balance

Unlock your full potential! The missing piece in your wellness routine
From self help - professional treatment
Ancient wisdom with modern science

01/11/2026

Who’s interested in our retreats that we are planning for next year?! ☯️🌀🌞

29/10/2026

27/10/2026

Budo and medicine - two sides of the same understanding ☯️

“Understanding Budo doesn't give you the medicine. Understanding the medicine doesn't give you the Budo.”

For over 35 years, Dennis Bartram studied with Dr Masaaki Hatsumi, exploring the relationship between traditional Japanese martial arts, natural movement, self-preservation and the healing arts 🌀

Through Active Balance, we're now working to bring these principles back into martial arts, sharing practical self-preservation and hands-on therapeutic skills through our Foundations of Field Medicine workshops.

More information on the workshops coming very soon!

🎥 Watch the full interview with Dennis Bartram on our Active Balance YouTube channel:

The Forgotten Side of Budo | What Hatsumi Taught Dennis Bartram About Medicine
(Link in comments)

25/10/2026

Tingling, numbness or pain down your arm? 💥

The problem might actually start in your shoulder!
The pectoralis minor is a small but important muscle connecting ribs 3, 4 and 5 to the shoulder blade.
Beneath it runs the brachial plexus, a network of nerves supplying the arm and hand.

Repetitive movements, desk work, driving and certain sports can contribute to tightness in this muscle, pulling the shoulder forward and potentially irritating the nerves beneath it.

This can contribute to shoulder and neck tension, tingling, numbness and pain down the arm.

This is why Active Balance looks at the whole body, not just where the symptoms appear!

🎓 WANT TO LEARN ACTIVE BALANCE?

Our next Level 1 Practitioner Course starts soon!
Learn our unique, step-by-step approach to whole-body alignment, working with muscular and fascial restrictions, joint mobility and the relationships between different structures.

Developed from over 55 years of clinical experience, our training is suitable for complete beginners and existing hands-on therapists wanting to expand their skills.

📩 Message us “LEVEL 1” for details and availability!

22/10/2026

What a fantastic few days in Tuscany! ⛰️

Huge Congratulations to our new Active Balance Level 2 Practitioners and Self-Help Instructors! 👏

Over four intensive days, we covered a huge amount, drawing on Dennis Bartram's 55 years of clinical experience and our whole-body approach to health and movement.
From kinesiology and muscle testing, orthopaedic assessments and palpation, to spinal alignment, joint mobilisation and understanding how the body works together as one interconnected system as well as students completing their level 2 assessment.

We also explored self-treatment techniques, cross-patterning, brain integration and breathwork, giving our newly qualified Self-Help Instructors the skills to share these techniques and teach others how to help themselves.

Alongside the practical training, we held a Foundations of Field Medicine workshop, exploring the traditional principles of Amatsu Tatara, Hichi Buko Goshin Jutsu and Budo Taijutsu, drawing on Dennis's training with Dr Masaaki Hatsumi and the philosophy of protecting and preserving the self.

With such a small group, there was plenty of opportunity for hands-on learning, individual guidance and some fascinating discussions that continued well beyond the dojo as usual!
Just the right amount of work and play, with plenty of laughs, great food and a lovely helping of organic red w**e along the way! 🍷

A big thank you to our wonderful hosts and everyone who attended and made it such an enjoyable experience. We hope to see you all again soon!

Exciting things to come! ✨

If you’re interested in our Active Balance practitioner training, drop us a message or send us an email at [email protected]

18/10/2026

Active Balance Practitioner Training | Tuscany 🇮🇹

A little look at our intensive Level 2 practitioner training here in Tuscany, working closely with a small group of therapists to deepen their understanding of the human body and its interconnected relationships.

This week we've been exploring whole-body assessment, structural alignment, fascia, natural movement, self-help methods and hands-on therapeutic techniques.

At the heart of Active Balance are principles Dennis Bartram explored through his years studying Amatsu Tatara / Hichi Buko Goshin Jutsu with Dr Masaaki Hatsumi, alongside more than 50 years of clinical experience and development.

It's about understanding the body as a whole, recognising how different areas influence one another, and learning how to protect, restore and maintain our ability to move and function.

Preservation of the Self — Protect • Restore • Preserve.

A fantastic few days already sharing this knowledge and putting the principles into practice here in Italy! And more to come today!🇮🇹

17/10/2026

Budo Medicine | Preservation of the self | Tuscany 🇮🇹

A great session exploring the relationship between Budo Taijutsu, natural movement and therapeutic practice.

At the heart of Hichi Buko Goshin Jutsu is the principle of preservation of the self

It’s not simply about defending yourself against an opponent. It’s about understanding how to protect, maintain and restore the body, preserving our ability to move, adapt and function through life

From working with the feet and restoring freedom of movement to understanding how the same principles of structure, balance and positioning can be applied through Budo.

These are principles Dennis Bartram explored through his years studying with Dr Masaaki Hatsumi, and has continued to develop through more than 55 years of clinical experience.

Now we’re beginning to share more of this knowledge through Active Balance & Amatsu Field Medicine.

Active Balance •Amatsu Tatara • Hichi Buko Goshin Jutsu

Budo • Medicine • Movement

Preserve the knowledge. Understand the principles. Carry it forward.

17/10/2026

Address

Hartlepool

Website

https://active-balance.co.uk/

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