I had the great opportunity to participate in a very special 6-day intensive hands-on human dissection workshop hosted by Gil Hedley at the Bastyr University this summer. I was pleasantly surprised that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience while I was there. As part of the curriculum, every summer Boucher second year students join Gil at the Somanautics Workshops to embark on the journey of exploration of human form. 
 
Having never had any experiences with human dissection, I felt trepidation before leaving for the workshop. Knowing that I’m studying to become a naturopathic doctor, I realized this experience will further solidify my knowledge of the human body and the appreciation of what we do as doctors when I actually saw how intriguing our body is. Lo and behold, everything unfolded as I expected and I truly treasured every moment I had to combine my textbook knowledge with actual hands-on experience on the different forms we dissected.  
 
I feel this workshop was a pivotal moment in my path of becoming a doctor. Close friends have even said I look different. Besides being much more confident about anatomy, I have a renewed confirmation of why I’m doing what I’m doing. It was amazing to see that once all the superficial fascia was removed with only muscles and bones remained from each form how much they all look alike. This reminds me of how much we are alike physically without our skin and our subcutaneous fat. On the other hand, once you got into the visceral part of the body, how much variations you get from each form. It really makes me appreciate each person I know with more wonder, awe, love and respect. Add on top of that a new self love and respect. This has been a wonderful gift and journey.