About Us
The Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) was established in 2000 to explore and explain the science of postural adaptations, asymmetrical patterns and the influence of polyarticular chains of muscles.
The Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) is a continuing education institute that was established in 2000 to explore and explain the science of postural adaptations, asymmetrical patterns and the influence of polyarticular chains of muscles. We offer 12 post-graduate level courses, in addition to an annual PRI Interdisciplinary Studies Summit, and we welcome any licensed healthcare or certified fitness professional to attend our courses. Professional credentialing opportunities (PRC, PRT and PRP Japan) are available to qualified professionals.
The human body is not symmetrical. The neurological, respiratory, circulatory, muscular and vision systems are not the same on the left side of the body as they are on the right, and vice versa. They have different responsibilities, function, position and demands on them. This system asymmetry is a good thing and an amazing design. The human body is balanced through the integration of system imbalances.
The Postural Restoration Institute® was established in 2000 to explore and explain the science of postural adaptations, asymmetrical patterns and the influence of polyarticular chains of muscles.
Are you a healthcare or fitness professional who continues to see the same dysfunctional patterns of movement, pain presentations, or habitual patterns of postural behavior associated with a dominant side of the body?
Are you interested in learning how different systems, including the visual and stomatognathic systems can influence asymmetrical tendencies and patterns?
If so, we invite you to consider beginning your PRI educational journey and learn how to recognize and manage these asymmetrical imbalances and typical patterns associated with system disuse or weakness that develops because of dominant overuse.
The Postural Restoration Institute® offers 12 post-graduate level courses, in addition to an annual PRI Interdisciplinary Studies Summit, and we welcome any licensed healthcare or certified fitness professional to complete our courses. Professional credentialing opportunities (PRC, PRT and PRP Japan) are also available to qualified professionals.
PRI offers 3 primary courses (Myokinematic Restoration, Postural Respiration and Pelvis Restoration), which are introductory to the science and do not require pre-requisites. The three primary courses can be taken in any order; however, we generally recommend beginning with either the Postural Respiration or Myokinematic Restoration course. Primary courses are available as an online home study, live stream or live in-person.
The secondary and tertiary level courses each have pre-requisite coursework that must be successfully completed prior to attending these courses, which is defined on each course page. Secondary and tertiary level courses are available for live stream or live in-person attendance.
Learn more about the many courses that PRI offers for licensed healthcare and certified fitness professionals, in addition to the two professional credentialing opportunities, PRC and PRT.
Expand your knowledge of PRI through this video subscription platform where we discuss topics related to PRI course material, techniques, case studies, interdisciplinary management and more.
Explore our growing collection of free webinars discussing integrative application of the science of Postural Restoration®, and learn more about upcoming webinars with Ron Hruska.
Listen to PRI faculty members, credentialed providers and integrative specialists tell their story, and learn how they apply the science of Postural Restoration® in their healthcare or fitness setting.
Check out the products available for purchase to compliment your application of PRI course material, including non-manual and manual technique programs, patient guides, illustrations, and more.
Peruse a growing collection of additional resources designed to further educate you on topics outside of the standard PRI course work, including articles, recent emails and more.
Our Community
“Situs Inversus: Brain versus Body?”
Presented by Dan Houglum and Donna Parise Byrne on Day 2 of this year’s Interdisciplinary Studies Summit.
Join us on April 24-25th for this and many other topics presented by 13 speakers over 2 days!
Feb 25
“Situs Inversus: Brain versus Body?”
Presented by Dan Houglum and Donna Parise Byrne on Day 2 of this year’s Interdisciplinary Studies Summit.
Join us on April 24-25th for this and many other topics presented by 13 speakers over 2 days!
Thanks to @newyork_funcphysio for hosting “Visual Vestibular Refinement” in Midtown!
Ron and Torin had a great weekend with #prination in New York City! Thanks to the movement providers and Optometrists who joined to expand their views on upright integration of our visual vestibular system in space!
Thanks for the clips! @aleenakanner 📸
Feb 24
Thanks to @newyork_funcphysio for hosting “Visual Vestibular Refinement” in Midtown!
Ron and Torin had a great weekend with #prination in New York City! Thanks to the movement providers and Optometrists who joined to expand their views on upright integration of our visual vestibular system in space!
Thanks for the clips! @aleenakanner 📸
Thanks to @drmariasokolina for inviting us on! Full interview available on YouTube @mariasokolina
#repost
“Mouth breathing = anxiety? Let’s find out! 🤔
I am thrilled to welcome Ron Hruska, founder of the Postural Restoration Institute, for an exclusive interview 🎤
🗓️ OUT NOW
📍 Comment to get the links 🔗
Special thanks to @aleenakanner and @bradgilden “
Feb 20
Thanks to @drmariasokolina for inviting us on! Full interview available on YouTube @mariasokolina
#repost
“Mouth breathing = anxiety? Let’s find out! 🤔
I am thrilled to welcome Ron Hruska, founder of the Postural Restoration Institute, for an exclusive interview 🎤
🗓️ OUT NOW
📍 Comment to get the links 🔗
Special thanks to @aleenakanner and @bradgilden “
Attendees gathered with curious minds to learn about the human species’ propensity for patterned, inefficient respiration that directly leads to patterned, inefficient movement for our recent Postural Respiration rendition. PRI experience among attendees ran the gamut, from in-person attendee Jodi Reerink, PT, PRC, who has been around since PRI’s inception, to Drake Krogh, PTA, who was in-person for his very first continuing education course out of school.
Attendees gained newfound respect for the most important, and arguably least-understood, skeletal muscle in the body: the thoracic diaphragm, with its left-side/right-side differences in form and function. The diaphragm partners with other key muscles to direct airflow in and out of the body. This alternating, cyclical compression-decompression is sensed, not only within the lung tissue and rib cage, but also within our extremities and its corresponding joints and muscles. This sense informs the brain about position so that the brain, in turn, can direct the neuro-muscular system to preserve upright orientation.
When we lose hemi-diaphragm form and function, our movements become hijacked by overactive chains of muscles – namely, the right brachial chain, left anterior interior chain, and bilateral posterior exterior chains. As these chains exert their over-influence on movement, we become vulnerable to many of the syndromes that we treat: shortness of breath, headaches, thoracic inlet/outlet, and chronic overuse injuries. Our PRI tests and observations reflect these chains’ overactivity. Our PRI techniques re-establish the hemi-diaphragms’ form and function, the key to subduing these chains. If you aren’t incorporating airflow assessment and treatment into your patients’-clients’ programs, then you are depriving them of the key piece to rehab and recovery.
I am grateful for Katie Hedlund, Hannah Horne, Dale Jensen, and Megan Kirwan, for their willingness to act as patient models for lab demonstrations of assessments and techniques. Thank you to all who asked questions, allowing deeper discussion of concepts. I hope to see many of you again at future courses!
-Louise Kelley
Feb 18
Attendees gathered with curious minds to learn about the human species’ propensity for patterned, inefficient respiration that directly leads to patterned, inefficient movement for our recent Postural Respiration rendition. PRI experience among attendees ran the gamut, from in-person attendee Jodi Reerink, PT, PRC, who has been around since PRI’s inception, to Drake Krogh, PTA, who was in-person for his very first continuing education course out of school.
Attendees gained newfound respect for the most important, and arguably least-understood, skeletal muscle in the body: the thoracic diaphragm, with its left-side/right-side differences in form and function. The diaphragm partners with other key muscles to direct airflow in and out of the body. This alternating, cyclical compression-decompression is sensed, not only within the lung tissue and rib cage, but also within our extremities and its corresponding joints and muscles. This sense informs the brain about position so that the brain, in turn, can direct the neuro-muscular system to preserve upright orientation.
When we lose hemi-diaphragm form and function, our movements become hijacked by overactive chains of muscles – namely, the right brachial chain, left anterior interior chain, and bilateral posterior exterior chains. As these chains exert their over-influence on movement, we become vulnerable to many of the syndromes that we treat: shortness of breath, headaches, thoracic inlet/outlet, and chronic overuse injuries. Our PRI tests and observations reflect these chains’ overactivity. Our PRI techniques re-establish the hemi-diaphragms’ form and function, the key to subduing these chains. If you aren’t incorporating airflow assessment and treatment into your patients’-clients’ programs, then you are depriving them of the key piece to rehab and recovery.
I am grateful for Katie Hedlund, Hannah Horne, Dale Jensen, and Megan Kirwan, for their willingness to act as patient models for lab demonstrations of assessments and techniques. Thank you to all who asked questions, allowing deeper discussion of concepts. I hope to see many of you again at future courses!
-Louise Kelley
What is PRI?
Stop by booth #1017 if you’re at this year’s Combined Sections Meeting to chat about how airflow, asymmetry and autonomics dictate how you position yourself upright and move forward through space!
APTA CSM 2025!
Feb 13
What is PRI?
Stop by booth #1017 if you’re at this year’s Combined Sections Meeting to chat about how airflow, asymmetry and autonomics dictate how you position yourself upright and move forward through space!
APTA CSM 2025!
I had the pleasure of traveling to the West Coast this past weekend to teach Pelvis Restoration. This course is an amazing integrated primary course to introduce concepts of respiration that affects not only the thorax but also the pelvic floor AKA pelvis diaphragm. I was joined by my husband Chris Poulin. Chris is an Athletic Trainer and strength coach. I am always happy to have him join me, but especially to be able to answer application questions for the wellness providers in the class.
It was an awesome weekend teaching concepts of Pelvis Restoration to a diverse group of clinicians. We enjoyed discussing inlets and outlet position of the Left AIC, PEC and Patho PEC patterns. An important concept we delved into was how these neurologic patterns created compensatory movement patterns that can affect internal pressures of air and gas.
These faulty breathing patterns can result in a variety of pelvic floor conditions as well as IS dysfunction and lower back dysfunction.
It was great to see an area of our country that was so tragically affected by the wildfires beginning to heal from the devastation. Thank-you @hmfitnesshealth and all the course attendees for making Chris and I feel so welcomed!
– Jennifer Poulin
Feb 11
I had the pleasure of traveling to the West Coast this past weekend to teach Pelvis Restoration. This course is an amazing integrated primary course to introduce concepts of respiration that affects not only the thorax but also the pelvic floor AKA pelvis diaphragm. I was joined by my husband Chris Poulin. Chris is an Athletic Trainer and strength coach. I am always happy to have him join me, but especially to be able to answer application questions for the wellness providers in the class.
It was an awesome weekend teaching concepts of Pelvis Restoration to a diverse group of clinicians. We enjoyed discussing inlets and outlet position of the Left AIC, PEC and Patho PEC patterns. An important concept we delved into was how these neurologic patterns created compensatory movement patterns that can affect internal pressures of air and gas.
These faulty breathing patterns can result in a variety of pelvic floor conditions as well as IS dysfunction and lower back dysfunction.
It was great to see an area of our country that was so tragically affected by the wildfires beginning to heal from the devastation. Thank-you @hmfitnesshealth and all the course attendees for making Chris and I feel so welcomed!
– Jennifer Poulin
Should you reach with the Right or Left hand?
Left Arm Reach,
- holds L hemi-thorax back
- done on inhalation
- establishes L post. mediastinum expansion
- enables R trunk rotation
- inhibits lat
Right Arm Reach,
- moves L hemi-thorax back
- done on exhale
- helps establish/maintain L ZOA
- frees clavicle from 1st rib
- lengthens Sibson’s fascia
- enables R scapular compressive sense on ribcage & simultaneous L heel sense
- inhibits lat
(“Right or Left Reach with PRI Non-Manual Techniques” full white paper authored by PRC Kurt Weidauer, can be found by searching his name on our site listed under his provider page!)
Feb 10
Should you reach with the Right or Left hand?
Left Arm Reach,
- holds L hemi-thorax back
- done on inhalation
- establishes L post. mediastinum expansion
- enables R trunk rotation
- inhibits lat
Right Arm Reach,
- moves L hemi-thorax back
- done on exhale
- helps establish/maintain L ZOA
- frees clavicle from 1st rib
- lengthens Sibson’s fascia
- enables R scapular compressive sense on ribcage & simultaneous L heel sense
- inhibits lat
(“Right or Left Reach with PRI Non-Manual Techniques” full white paper authored by PRC Kurt Weidauer, can be found by searching his name on our site listed under his provider page!)
“My daughter recently asked, “Why do I want to talk about movement ‘techniques’ that I wrote many years ago?”
She didn’t know that having the opportunity to review the human history behind each technique, is as gratifying as was the question.
I responded by saying each technique has a personal application. They were processes I created for specific reason. Each one has unique intent and should provide an appreciative behavior. In many ways, they are as important to me as is she. They are, all my ‘children.’
And she responded, “Ohhh”.”
—
Non-Manual Techniques Workshop 2025
Feb 5
“My daughter recently asked, “Why do I want to talk about movement ‘techniques’ that I wrote many years ago?”
She didn’t know that having the opportunity to review the human history behind each technique, is as gratifying as was the question.
I responded by saying each technique has a personal application. They were processes I created for specific reason. Each one has unique intent and should provide an appreciative behavior. In many ways, they are as important to me as is she. They are, all my ‘children.’
And she responded, “Ohhh”.”
—
Non-Manual Techniques Workshop 2025
“The Influence of Upright Orientation On Patterned Adjustment, Accommodation, Adaptation and Compensation - A PRI Perspective”
Ron’s recent white paper thoughtfully considers the evolution of these terms and how we as humans transcend them through patterned developmental behavior.
Influenced by Sutherlands book titled “Contributions of Thought” PRIVY Episode 393 goes even deeper!
White paper available in profile 🔗
To read any of Rons white papers or any other faculty’s writings, simply visit their faculty page on our website by searching their name!
Feb 4
“The Influence of Upright Orientation On Patterned Adjustment, Accommodation, Adaptation and Compensation - A PRI Perspective”
Ron’s recent white paper thoughtfully considers the evolution of these terms and how we as humans transcend them through patterned developmental behavior.
Influenced by Sutherlands book titled “Contributions of Thought” PRIVY Episode 393 goes even deeper!
White paper available in profile 🔗
To read any of Rons white papers or any other faculty’s writings, simply visit their faculty page on our website by searching their name!
Don’t miss the 2025 Interdisciplinary Studies Summit as we look forward to celebrating 25 years alongside YOU!
This event is proving to be one of our favorites each year largely because of the people involved, their areas of interest and all those in attendance.
Collaboration at its highest!
Check out this year’s speaker lineup and register early to ensure your seat! This event is held IN PERSON only, by design and is limited to 90 seats!
Early Registration Ends March 27th.
#prination
Jan 29
Don’t miss the 2025 Interdisciplinary Studies Summit as we look forward to celebrating 25 years alongside YOU!
This event is proving to be one of our favorites each year largely because of the people involved, their areas of interest and all those in attendance.
Collaboration at its highest!
Check out this year’s speaker lineup and register early to ensure your seat! This event is held IN PERSON only, by design and is limited to 90 seats!
Early Registration Ends March 27th.
#prination
Positional orientation, directs our patterned adaptation, which is predictive of our (over) accommodation…….
Cervical Revolution Remarks
With Ron Hruska
Stay Tuned for PRIVY episode #393 for a deeper dive!
“The influence of upright orientation on patterned adjustment, accommodation, adaptation and compensation”
Jan 22
Positional orientation, directs our patterned adaptation, which is predictive of our (over) accommodation…….
Cervical Revolution Remarks
With Ron Hruska
Stay Tuned for PRIVY episode #393 for a deeper dive!
“The influence of upright orientation on patterned adjustment, accommodation, adaptation and compensation”
Functional Cortical Dominance from the left hemisphere of our brain can often be hard to overcome.
Our right sided compression and heightened sensory awareness of it, make leaving these sites of Impingement difficult.
When your sense of self, your identity to YOU, are directed via the lateralized hemispheric activity that we are all designed to have, it makes sense that many people would rather function from this state than leave it for another.
But this reliance often causes our right hemispheric activity to be minimized, leading to over activity on one side of the body. Relying on a state of compression, and instability to move forward in life.
This is Impingement & Instability driven by our functional cortical dominance and neurologic patterning.
Give it a try: If you’ve never looked at the bottom sole of your shoes, take a look. What is the information from the GROUND UP providing you? Is it equal on both sides? What can these wear patterns tell us? Better yet, what are they telling you?
Jan 13
Functional Cortical Dominance from the left hemisphere of our brain can often be hard to overcome.
Our right sided compression and heightened sensory awareness of it, make leaving these sites of Impingement difficult.
When your sense of self, your identity to YOU, are directed via the lateralized hemispheric activity that we are all designed to have, it makes sense that many people would rather function from this state than leave it for another.
But this reliance often causes our right hemispheric activity to be minimized, leading to over activity on one side of the body. Relying on a state of compression, and instability to move forward in life.
This is Impingement & Instability driven by our functional cortical dominance and neurologic patterning.
Give it a try: If you’ve never looked at the bottom sole of your shoes, take a look. What is the information from the GROUND UP providing you? Is it equal on both sides? What can these wear patterns tell us? Better yet, what are they telling you?
RETHINK POSTURE
In the webinar titled ‘A Historical Perspective and Rationale Behind the Hruska Adduction Lift Test’, I discussed dissymmetrical asymmetry, as related to human posture and postural control. All of us have different horizontal planes of rotary function at different regions along our spinal column. I have outlined these levels and regions in the Advanced Integration course.
Depending on the degree of polyarticular chain influence on our spinal movement, our spinal curvatures
in all three planes reflect neuromuscular balance, or imbalance, generated usually during early ages of
development in the pre-adolescent and adolescent years. Refinement or modification of this movement
continually limits function in areas where freedom to rotate is limited as we age and adapt to patterns
of habit, desire and adaptation.
Human dissymmetrical asymmetry reflects the organization of neuromodulation, visceral and
integumental location, gravitational influence on hemi-cavities that are over or under compressed.
There are normal ranges of physiologic, neurologic and physical movement at these horizontal levels or ‘sections ’of the body that correspond to rotational forces that are above or below these ever-changing
regions. Movement of these regions, such as the area between T1 and T8, require concomitant anti-rotational forces above and below T1 and T8, for isolated function that neuromechanically is responsible for nonpatterned outcomes. The Postural Restoration Institute®, relates undesirable functional outcomes to patterned neuro-mechanics that do not isolate one region or section of the body from one below or above it.
-Ron
Jan 7
RETHINK POSTURE
In the webinar titled ‘A Historical Perspective and Rationale Behind the Hruska Adduction Lift Test’, I discussed dissymmetrical asymmetry, as related to human posture and postural control. All of us have different horizontal planes of rotary function at different regions along our spinal column. I have outlined these levels and regions in the Advanced Integration course.
Depending on the degree of polyarticular chain influence on our spinal movement, our spinal curvatures
in all three planes reflect neuromuscular balance, or imbalance, generated usually during early ages of
development in the pre-adolescent and adolescent years. Refinement or modification of this movement
continually limits function in areas where freedom to rotate is limited as we age and adapt to patterns
of habit, desire and adaptation.
Human dissymmetrical asymmetry reflects the organization of neuromodulation, visceral and
integumental location, gravitational influence on hemi-cavities that are over or under compressed.
There are normal ranges of physiologic, neurologic and physical movement at these horizontal levels or ‘sections ’of the body that correspond to rotational forces that are above or below these ever-changing
regions. Movement of these regions, such as the area between T1 and T8, require concomitant anti-rotational forces above and below T1 and T8, for isolated function that neuromechanically is responsible for nonpatterned outcomes. The Postural Restoration Institute®, relates undesirable functional outcomes to patterned neuro-mechanics that do not isolate one region or section of the body from one below or above it.
-Ron
It’s time to “Think Again”
@adamgrant
Reanalyze, Reevaluate, Reweigh, Reappraise, Reprocess, Reconceptualize, Readdress, Revise, Reestablish, Reconsider, Reconceive, Rediscover, Reenvision, Reexamine.
See you in 2025! #prination
Dec 30
It’s time to “Think Again”
@adamgrant
Reanalyze, Reevaluate, Reweigh, Reappraise, Reprocess, Reconceptualize, Readdress, Revise, Reestablish, Reconsider, Reconceive, Rediscover, Reenvision, Reexamine.
See you in 2025! #prination
So proud of you @kimberlywilliamspaisley and the amazing team that helped you be able to share your cover story OUT LOUD!
Head to PEOPLE at the link in our bio to listen to the full interview as Kimberly explains the multitude of treatment approaches utilized in restoring her voice from the ground up!
In print and online today!
Dec 20
So proud of you @kimberlywilliamspaisley and the amazing team that helped you be able to share your cover story OUT LOUD!
Head to PEOPLE at the link in our bio to listen to the full interview as Kimberly explains the multitude of treatment approaches utilized in restoring her voice from the ground up!
In print and online today!
Some of us were a little rough around the edges but new skills don’t always come easy…….unless your @torinberge
Happy Holidays from our Clan to yours!
Dec 18
Some of us were a little rough around the edges but new skills don’t always come easy…….unless your @torinberge
Happy Holidays from our Clan to yours!
Advanced Integration Day 2 & 3
A deep dive on triplanar activity of the pelvic and thoracic diaphragms followed by the brachial chains influence on thoracic scapular kinematics and airflow leading to conditions like the superior T4 syndrome and others.
Dec 17
Advanced Integration Day 2 & 3
A deep dive on triplanar activity of the pelvic and thoracic diaphragms followed by the brachial chains influence on thoracic scapular kinematics and airflow leading to conditions like the superior T4 syndrome and others.
Congratulations to the PRC class of 2024!
PRC credentialing is the result of completing multiple advanced PRI courses, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the science through completion of the PRC application, and successfully participating in practical and analytical testing. Earlier this week, 7 clinicians earned the designation of Postural Restoration Certified™ (PRC) under the direction of Ron Hruska, Kasey Ratliff, Skip George, and Jennifer Platt.
Back Row: Robert “Skip” George, Yoshi Fujii, Marlyn Bravo, Desiree Parham, Joshua Speckman, Jennifer Platt
Front Row: Ron Hruska, Mayami Oyanagi, Brynn Babb, Saundra Brogan, Kasey Ratliff
The Postural Restoration Institute® established this certification process in 2004 as a way to recognize and identify those individuals with advanced training, extraordinary interest and devotion to the science of postural adaptations, asymmetrical patterns and the influence of polvarticular chains of muscles on the human body as defined by the Postural Restoration Institute. The PRC credentialing program is available to physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and chiropractors who have attended PRI courses, demonstrated a thorough understanding of the science through completion of the PRC application, and successfully participate in both clinical and analytical testing.
Dec 11
Congratulations to the PRC class of 2024!
PRC credentialing is the result of completing multiple advanced PRI courses, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the science through completion of the PRC application, and successfully participating in practical and analytical testing. Earlier this week, 7 clinicians earned the designation of Postural Restoration Certified™ (PRC) under the direction of Ron Hruska, Kasey Ratliff, Skip George, and Jennifer Platt.
Back Row: Robert “Skip” George, Yoshi Fujii, Marlyn Bravo, Desiree Parham, Joshua Speckman, Jennifer Platt
Front Row: Ron Hruska, Mayami Oyanagi, Brynn Babb, Saundra Brogan, Kasey Ratliff
The Postural Restoration Institute® established this certification process in 2004 as a way to recognize and identify those individuals with advanced training, extraordinary interest and devotion to the science of postural adaptations, asymmetrical patterns and the influence of polvarticular chains of muscles on the human body as defined by the Postural Restoration Institute. The PRC credentialing program is available to physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and chiropractors who have attended PRI courses, demonstrated a thorough understanding of the science through completion of the PRC application, and successfully participate in both clinical and analytical testing.
A decade later and “Retro” is finally being Re-explored!
Standing Integration (104)
“Retro Walking” ca. 2012
Article available via @womenshealthmag
Dec 10
A decade later and “Retro” is finally being Re-explored!
Standing Integration (104)
“Retro Walking” ca. 2012
Article available via @womenshealthmag
Listen to
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