Somatics and Dance:
A Historical, Pedagogical, 
and Philosophical Overview

​Day 1:  Historical Overview

The first class addresses a historical overview of somatics and how somatics trickled into dance. This class also look at and discusses the differences between a somatic dance class versus a non-somatic dance class.

• Your asynchronous learning between class 1 and 2 will be to self-reflect upon your own dance history and training and to create a 'somatic tree' of your somatic influences. 

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​Day 2:  Pedagogical Approaches

The second class addresses a pedagogical approach to teaching somatic dance. Learn some tools and approaches to put into practice in order to teach a class that is somatic-based.​

• ​Your asynchronous learning between class 2 and 3 will be to self-reflect upon your teaching 'habits' and to practice offering a somatic approach to teaching based on some of the tools discussed on Day 2 of this course. 

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Day 3: Underlying Philosophies

The last class addresses the philosophical underpinnings of somatic dance,  while continuing the discussion around pedagogical approaches to dance.  Ethics, scope of practice, and the type of training necessary to be a teacher of somatic-based dance is also discussed. ​

• Your asynchronous learning, after class 3, is to get clear about your philosophical approach to teaching dance and how you would articulate this and share it with others. You will also self-reflect upon what is needed to continue your own growth and development as a somatic-based dance teacher. 

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The course is delivered on Zoom through slideshow sharings and facilitated group discussions:  The course also involves practical assignments. Articles and handouts, with highlights from the slideshow, are provided!

 

Those students who complete the online course, as well as assignments, receive a certificate of completion from Moving Arts and Somatic Studies (MASS). ​Students must attend the schedule course online to receive the certificate of completion.  

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"Donna presented in an informative, yet personal manner, which gave the group a safe place for discussion and contemplation."

 

"She doesn't just "know" the information but lives it. I highly recommend this course for those wishing to adopt a somatic approach to their practice."

 

- student testimonial​

Learn:

• a historical overview of somatics 

• how and when somatics trickled into dance.

• how somatics can be brought into the dance studio in the 21st century to support difference, change, and personal autonomy. 

• how to use some basic pedagogical approaches for teaching somatic-based dance.

• philosophical underpinnings related to somatics.

 

Explore:

• putting some somatic-based practices into action within your own teaching practice, or your own personal dance practice.  

• sharing ideas together. 

 

Receive:

• Readings and articles.

• PDF handouts created by Donna, with highlights from the slideshow, to support your teaching practice. 

 

Together we ask the question... What is possible when we allow ourselves to shift the paradigm within dance practice, towards a somatic approach?
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This is a course geared to dance teachers who are interested in a somatic approach to dance.

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Online Via Zoom, 7 hours of Synchronous Learning as follows:

Sunday Sept. 27th:  9:30-12:00 PST (10 min break)

Sunday Oct. 4th: 9:30-12:00 PST (10 min break )

- no class Sunday October 11th -

Sunday Oct. 18th:  9:30-12:00 PST (10 min break)

 

Plus: 3 hours of Asynchronous Learning (min):  approximately 1 hr after each class. 

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Course Fee:  $225 Canadian

Full-time Students, Seniors, Under-employed or Second Time Around Students*:  $175 Canadian

*second time around students are those who did this course already but would like to do it again.

Registration Deadline September 20th

payment by E transfer (or Pay Pal)​​​​

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This professional development course is for Dance Teachers, Dance Facilitators,

Movement Educators and Dance artists who are interested in a somatic approach to dance.​

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Photo at top of page by Tonya Ng: taken in a somatic dance class taught by Donna Redlick

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