3 day Zebrafish Neuro Foundations Course
Working with
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI):
A Framework for Exercise Selection & Sequencing
This course covers the foundation of the Zebrafish Neuro Approach.
In-depth look and exploration of the ZN Framework for Recovery: a system for building neurological connection and full-body integration, from the ground up. Following the properties of fascial tensegrity, individuals with SCI can access “paralyzed areas” to become more competent in foundational movement patterns, such as rolling over, transitioning to sitting and getting into quadruped. This course follows the ‘typical’ progression for those with C5-T12 SCI, along with mention of other neuro diagnosis, through applied systems of the Motor Development Progression and Pilates principles.
Scroll down to learn more about Learning Objectives, Continuing Education Credits & Upcoming Events
You and your clients don’t have time to waste when it comes to figuring out what does - and doesn’t - work for SCI rehab.
This course will make exercise selection, execution and sequencing clear for you - and your clients.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Click on the EVENT title to learn more about the curriculum & venue location — and to register!
Looking to bring ZN Education to your team?
ABOUT THIS COURSE
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Working with individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) can feel clinically complex due to complete or incomplete paralysis, resulting in movement dis-integration and multi-system impact. Clinicians are often left asking: Where do I start, and how do I progress safely and effectively?
Through a clinically applicable framework, clincians will learn a system for intentional and appropriate exercise selection and sequencing/progression, starting with optimizing the most accessible area of the body: the shoulders.
Leveraging the unique properties of fascia (which does not need neural input from the CNS!) in combination with exercises and sequencing inspired by the Motor Development Progression, participants will learn how to use the shoulders and upper extremities as an accessible entry point to influence trunk stability, postural control, and lower-extremity integration.
Participants will apply concepts in real time with demonstration models, developing skills in movement analysis, clinical reasoning, and program design for both cervical- and thoracic-level SCI.
Emphasis is placed on translating theory into practical strategies that enhance motor learning, improve functional outcomes, and build client confidence across rehabilitation and performance contexts.
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Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Exercise Physiologists
Neuro Rehab/Exercise Specialists
See below for ConEd approval for various boards.
I’ve also had caretakers/partners of SCI attend this course!
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By the end of the course, clinicians will have a structured framework for exercise selection and progressions that they can immediately integrate into any rehabilitation (physical therapy, occupational therapy) and/or performance (activity-based therapy, pilates, yoga) program.
This course follows the ‘typical’ progression for those with C5-T12 SCI.
Participants will be able to:
Easily observe missing links (integrations) with a simple - and fun - movement analysis system.
Design targeted movement sessions and programs for cervical- and thoracic-level SCI - primarily using floor-based exercises with simple props like balls, bands and sliders.
Have a clear criteria for progression and regression of exercises.
Improve client motor learning and performance with strategic coaching cues and sensory inputs.
Leverage fascial tissue properties to improve trunk, pelvic, and lower-extremity stability and function.
Confidently support & cue clients in executing floor-based functional movements, specifically handing skills for rolling over, sitting up, seated balance and getting into quadruped.
Translate clinic-based exercises into functional, meaningful home exercise programs that support sustainable progress.
Optimize the use of equipment and external supports to reduce clinician physical burden while maintaining safe, effective, and client-centered intervention.
Note: This course does not cover specific use of Pilates Equipment. If you are interested in learning about using Pilates Equipment for Neurological clients/patients, please refer to the Optimizing Pilates Equipment private in-service presentation or complete this Foundational 3-Day course so you can attend an Advanced Applications Course: Pilates Equipment (currently under development).
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In a jam-packed three days, participants will:
Discuss theory in lecture/powerpoint
Experience concepts (motor development progression, fascial lines, pilates principles) as well as all exercises through personal practice.
Practice handling skills in clinician partner labs.
Work through all exercises in small lab groups with real demonstration models (4:1 ratio).
Plenty of hands-on practice and deep discussionson clinical reasoning specific to client cases within lab groups and as a larger group.
The pre-course module will introduce the Framework structure and Applied Systems so we have more time for interactive labs in person!
See below for curriculum breakdown over the three days.
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This course is highly interactive - and ACTIVE - experience.
Real understanding, competence and confidence comes from full in-person immersion. Come ready for a lot of movement, partner labs, and hands-on practice.
SMALL LABS w/ DEMO CLIENTS:
8 hours of hands on lab practice with real demo clients provides opportunity for real-time troubleshooting, observation of the quick outcomes from optimal cueing and builds confidence for execution after the course.
HIGH TOUCH GUIDANCE:
Due to the extensive hands-on learning components of this course, we maintain a strict student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 to provide a high-touch learning experience and comply with many state APTA standards. A Course/Lab Assistant is added to the course for 16+ participants.
DIVERSE LEARNING STYLES:
I strive to deliver the curriculum for a variety of learning styles:
Kinesthetic (feeling)
Auditory (discussion)
Visual (PowerPoint & client demonstrations)
Experiential (hands on practice)
Theory/Intellectual (printed Guidebook)
THE PRINTED GUIDEBOOK:
A 60-page printed and bound Guidebook hosts the concepts, theory, and exercises with plenty of space for clinical reasoning notes, application to YOUR clients and reflection prompts to establish deeper integration of the material.
CONTINUED SUPPORT & COMMUNITY:
All course participants are invited to stay connected through the Professional Community social network - a place to ask questions and share client case success.
Participants can also join Office House events, scheduled quarterly, to discuss client cases and gain insights from other professionals in the ZN Network. View the reply of one of our events here.
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…how Learning Outcomes are measured and course completion is evaluated.
Earning all CEU’s/Contact Hours require the following:
PRE-COURE LEARNING MODULE:
A one-hour self-paced pre-course module must be completed prior to the in-person course (knowledge check embedded in the module & checked on arrival).
ATTENDANCE:
Course participants must be present for all in-person presentation & lab (3 days, 21 hours). There is no partial credit available for this course.
COURSE COMPLETION QUIZ/KNOWLEDGE CHECK:
An eleven question quiz is completed at the end of Day 3 of the course, along with a session planning template to complete. Participant quiz answers are reviewed during session planning time.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION:
Upon completion of quiz and session design, participants certificates are signed by the course presenter. The certificate in the back of the Course Guidebook is not valid unless signed by the presenter in their signature color.
COURSE & PRESENTER EVALUATION:
All participants are asked to provide evaluation and feedback using the form (see included in syllabus). Evaluations are reviewed by the presenter and Course Lab Assistant (CLA) for future curriculum development. Participants can also request additional resources to support their learning in this form.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Click on the EVENT title to learn more about the curriculum & venue location — and to register!
5 Live Calls in May - replays accessed through Course Portal
Looking to bring ZN Education to your team?
What course grads are saying about the course:
CURRICULUM BREAKDOWN
Pre-Requisites
Participants must have at least 6 months of working directly with spinal cord injury, or complete the 8-hour online self-paced The Groundwork course to get up to speed on SCI.
Pre-Course Learning
1 hour, asynchonous
ONE hour of continuing education is credited to pre-course learning. A Pre-Course Quiz will check for understanding and completion.
DAY 1
in-person 9-5pm, 7 hours
Day 1 introduces the ZN Framework for Recovery along with two of the three applied systems discussed in this course: Fascial Tensegrity and Motor Development Progression.
Specifically, we will cover:
The three components of the motor development progression (MDP): positions, travels & transitions - discussion, experience and clinicial application of these components.
Fascial function and health for optimal use of fascial lines.
The six fascial lines and how to access them through position and movement.
DAY 3
in-person 8-4pm, 7 hours
The morning module introduces the Pilates method and examples of how strategically placed dynamic equipment can improve motor learning, movement quality and performance. Participants will spend the rest of the day applying the framework and exercises with demonstration clients in small lab groups (4:1 clinician to client, 4 hour lab).
Specifically, we will cover:
Pilates Contrology priniciples and movement foundations through movement experiences.
Discovery of how suspensory support with bands can make positions more accessible for clients - exploration of lines of pull, tension and placement changes the experience.
Exploration of different types of props and supports (balls, sliders, carts, etc) can create novel movement experiences while honoring established programming.
Floor-based exercises with simple props (bands, balls, towel sliders) appropriate for thoracic SCI: addressing trunk control, lumo-pelvic control and lower-extremity movement - practiced on demonstration clients.
Accessible and impactful home exercise program ideas.
The day ends with a discussion/review on session planning, program progressions and specific client case applications.
Participants will also complete their Course Quiz during this time.
DAY 2
in-person 9-5pm, 7 hours
Participants will start the day learning and practicing handling skills that leverage fascial lines and empower the development of independent movement. The second half of the day, concepts and skills will be applied to demonstration clients in small lab groups (4:1 clinician to client, 3.5 hour lab).
Specifically, we will cover:
Review of shoulder complex anatomy and function, and importance of scapular control for optimizing ADLs and postural control.
Specific handling and spotting strategies to support positions and movements, such as rolling over, sitting up, and in seated balance, maxmizing client contribution and minimizing clinician physical burden.
Programming considerations to create accessible programming and stratgies to empower.
Floor-based exercises with simple props (bands, balls, towel sliders) appropriate for cervical and high-thoracic SCI: addressing shoulder stability and control, upper extremity weight-bearing, postural control - practiced on demonstration clients.
Accessible and impactful home exercise program ideas.
CONTINUEING EDUCATION
for neuro rehab professionals
This 3-day Course offers
22
CONTACT HOURS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION
Approved* through:
*List updated February 2026. This list changes frequently with new approvals and expired approvals. Inquire with questions.
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CALIFORNIA (CPTA) - expires 3/21/2026
MARYLAND - expires 8/21/2029
ARIZONA - expires 5/22/2026
OKLAHOMA - no expiration
& states that honor reciprocity*
GEORGIA
OREGON
OHIO
NORTH CAROLINA
… your state?
Check your state’s reciprocity: Google search “[your state] physical therapy association CE provider course approval”. See syllabus above to submit for credits.
*Please check with your state board on reciprocity details before enrolling.
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MARYLAND - expires 6/30/2026
OKLAHOMA - expires 10/31/2026
State boards in these locations* will accept other states’ approval:
AK, AR, AZ, DC, DE, GA, HI, ID, IN, KS, MA, MI, MO, MS, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VA, VT, WI, WY
*Please check with your state board on reciprocity details before enrolling.
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The only third-part accreditation for Pilates teachers.
Learn more here: https://nationalpilatescertificationprogram.org
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Submit the provided course syllabus to petition for CECs directly with your accreditation board. This is quite an easy process with the right paperwork! I’m happy to assist.
We can’t wait to learn with you.
FAQs
about the 3-Day Foundations Course
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Our 3-day course offers 22CECs through:
APTA in California, Oklahoma, Ohio (19.5 units) & any state that honors approved courses in other states - see below for how to apply directly with your board.
AOTA in Oklahoma, and any state that honors approved courses.
HOW TO GET PTA CREDITS: Google search “[State] physical therapy course approval” and you’ll probably be taken right to the application site. Take the syllabus (found here) and apply for credits directly through your state board. It’s usually free to submit (or a very small fee) + a simple form to fill out.
All of the past attendees who have retroactively applied for credits like this were granted 19-22 contact hours from their board.
For ACSM, NASM, ACE, ESSA, etc.:
Submit the provided course syllabus to petition for CECs directly with your accreditation board. This is quite an easy process with the right paperwork! I’m happy to assist.
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Due to the building curriculum from day to day, this course is designed to be completed in the full 3-days (no single-day attendance options).
You must attend all three days to receive a certificate of completion for continuing education credits.
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Due to the hands-on, interactive nature of these courses, attending in-person is imperative. There is no online/remote learning option.
And let’s be real - the only way to really build confidence in your skills, especially with neuro clients/patients, is through hands-on learning… Don’t shortchange your education - your clients deserve the best!
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We encourage you to transfer your registration to a colleague if you cannot make it.
If you are unable to transfer your registration, cancellations will result in a refund minus a 20% administration fee. We are unable to credit your registration to a future course.
Thank you in advance for understanding.
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Yes, please! We will need “model” bodies to work with, and what better way to learn than on your own clients.
Have your client/patient learn more about this experience + submit an application here.
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If you work or are interested in working with neuro and SCI patients, this course is for you.
I have had all types of allied health professionals attend this course and get so much out of it - both from the curriculum and from collaborating with all the other attending professionals:
Acute care Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist
In-patient Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist
Recreational Therapist / adaptive rec
Massage therapist
Yoga teacher
Personal Trainer
Neuro exercise specialist
I love having multiple disciplines in the course so we can establish a common continuum of care through our client’s journey.
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One of the best ways to support your person (and ultimately save so much $ and time in the long run!) is by thinking like a rehab professional yourself.
Yes, there is a bit of anatomy in the course, but I teach it very simply - pretty much as I would teach it to a client - so it’s easy to follow.
I’ve had caregivers attend the course and then implement the strategies with great success.
Plus, I’m always there to side-bar or review deeper if you need!
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Yes, we can arrange private in-person courses for your team. Learn more about hosting private events here.
ABOUT THE COURSE PRESENTER
Stephanie Comella has engaged in over 30,000 hours working directly with individuals with spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders since 2011. She blends her formal education in movement science, Pilates and other mindful movement modalities with neurological science to provide an intuitive, hands-on style of teaching focused on body re-connection.
Stephanie graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2011 with a B.S. in Exercise Biology. She studied sports medicine and exercise-based rehabilitation as an intern with the university's Division I athletes. After graduation in 2011, Stephanie worked for a spinal cord injury & neurological disorder activity-based therapy facility in Pleasanton, CA for four years.
She was first introduced to Pilates in 2014, where she attended a workshop presented by Alejandra Monsalve of Body Wellness Hawaii, which forever changed her thinking about spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Stephanie quickly transitioned to this new model: becoming a Comprehensively Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) in 2016 through Balanced Body Education and started a pilates-based SCI recovery program at Absolute Center in Lafayette, CA in 2015.
Stephanie formally created Zebrafish Neuro with client-turned-business partner Theo St. Francis (C6 incomplete SCI) in 2017 to consolidate formal research and clinical findings into a 300-page text, From the Ground Up.
She opened her brick-and-mortor studio in 2020, working one-on-one with individuals with SCI and other neurological conditions both virtually and in-person.
Stephanie is now located in Bend, Oregon where she continues to offer remote consultation and 5-day in-person training intensives at her home studio. She continues to teach professional development to neuro rehab and exercise professionals all over the world.
She continues to educate herself through courses focused on neurological rehabilitation and healing.
Your course may also have a Course/Lab Assistant!
Due to the extensive hands-on learning components of this course, we maintain a strict student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 to provide a high-touch learning experience and comply with many state APTA standards.
A Course/Lab Assistant is added to the course for 16+ participants.
