Year One

1. Embryo, Prevertebral Patterns & Touch

The focus of this first SBT workshop is the pre-birth development that takes place in the oceanic environment of the womb. Students are introduced to the methods of somatic inquiry, movement exploration, and touch. The workshop will be both meditative, somatic as well as offer times to move/ dance as well as support processes through hands-on touch.

The body begins creating its form during embryological development. As tissues and structures develop, some will remain within the body,  some are transformed into other structures, and yet others fade into the background, no longer existing or recognizable as the original structure. As with all development, the original processes leave deep-rooted patterns and templates that affect movement, mind, and spirit. The somatic exploration of the embryological developmental process leads to the discovery of the primal roots of the body-mind's structure, perception, presence, and flow.

In this workshop, there is a deepening of various themes of in utero development, including fertilization, cellular choice-making, circulation and heart development, placenta, the three layers of the body, neurulation, kidney development and rotation of the limbs. Also included are explorations of how cells flow and change, differentiating while in the process of becoming, and the oceanic Developmental Movement Patterns will be introduced. This workshop is for movers, dancers, yoga practitioners, bodyworkers, and those from other body-mind disciplines interested in unraveling the mystery of embryological development as it relates to cellular consciousness, and movement.

2. Spine Skeletal/ Intro to Land patterns

The focus of the second SBT workshop is the journey of leaving the ocean and moving onto land, leaving the pre-spinal pattern behind and growing our cartilage into bones! The support provided through the bones and joints against gravity allows for easeful movement in space.

Students will examine the actions at the joints and how this is integrated across the body, including how the mind is supported in perceiving clarity and structure in space. The bones and joints provide the basis for the structural repatterning techniques that will be taught throughout the program, adding in ligaments, muscles, and organs along the way.

Learning from bones has applications in everyday life. Bones harbor and protect the creation of blood in the marrow, and it is possible to embody this depth. Movement in relationship to gravity incites bone growth, and this module offers a learning about the aliveness and ability to rebuild and reform in bone tissue. Redefining the resilience of bone tissue, students and clients can experience this sense of resilience for themselves.

3. Organs/ Homologous / Ribs

In the third SBT module, students will explore the organs. Each organ has its own function for the functioning of the body, expressing itself in dance and through emotion in a wide range of ways: the digestive tract expresses the relationship of taking in and letting go;  lungs offer the exquisite and delicate act of breathing; the spiral heart grows from blood circulation of the embryo. Organs also have their methods of communication. This module will tap into the enteric nervous system, which is independent of the brain and operates with a wide range of chemical and microbiome choice-making and collaboration. The Autonomic Nervous system will also be investigated, with a focus on the vagus and sympathetic nerves, which provide the rhythm of wellbeing and trust from within the body. 

The study of embryonic development will continue, and focus on the development of organs, heart, and sexual organs. The sexual organs eventually harbor the germ cells that protect the DNA from mutations and changes in order to pass them on to the next generation. The pathway of the germ cells is a fantastic journey through the body.

Organs are useful in diagnosing clients well being and alignment. Specific organs support developmental movement patterns.The organs FILL us, they provide a fullness and depth to our movement and expression in life

4. Tensegrity/Ligaments/Fascia

The somatic understanding of fascia is a gateway to understanding self and the relationship between inner and outer space. Fascia separates and connects our organs, muscles, nerves, and ligaments provide close connection and guidance for action. Exploring this layer of tissues can dramatically shift the ways that individuals hold themselves and act in the world.

The inherent molecular structure of fascia and ligaments allows for rebound - the elasticity and strength are in the fabric and do not need extra effort. When the ligaments are in flow, awake, alive they provide a support for our actions, which are orchestrated by our muscles. Muscles get to 'ride' on the tensegrities cohesion of ligaments through the body.

Students are invited to discover not only the aliveness in tensegrity-- the inner guiding strength-- but also how fascia supports connection into the web of community. 

This is a movement and touch exploration class based on anatomical research. Exploring how memory is laid out along fascial lines, students can 'surf' their fascial memories and free themselves into a new facial shaping, allowing for new possibilities in their lives. Students will learn through movement, touch, and discussion, and dive into how scientifically-based information can be embodied into experience and somatization.

5. Senses & Perception

In this fifth SBT class, students will travel through the senses, from embryological origins to their function and integration in life. Students work with the 7 senses of touch, taste, smell, balance, proprioception, hearing, and vision, learning the anatomy and exploring the actions of each of the senses.

 Somatizations and movement explorations will allow students to discover their own pathways of these special senses and their role in development.  Other learning methods include movement, touch, discussion, and the on-going exploration of how scientifically-based information is embodied in experience and somatization.

6. Muscles and Kinesthetic Integration

In this sixth SBT class, students dive deep into the core of the somatic field: conscious movement and the ability for action in their lives and in relationships with family and the natural world. Students will explore ways in which movement awareness, measuring, fine motor skills, and strength are acquired. 

Muscles are the way individuals interact with the world, creating life and play! Muscle cells are multi-nucleated, and one muscle fiber reaches from bone to bone. Balance is found in the joints, enabling readiness to tip into motion and acceleration.

Students will learn how muscle fibers and muscle spindles interact, learn how specific muscles and muscle groups coordinate and how the whole body integrates. This module is the culmination of the first year of the training and the completion of the Developmental patterns that were introduced throughout the year: movement re-patterning skills are introduced utilizing the developmental matrix to be honed throughout the 2nd year of training.