SOMATIC DIALOGUES ACADEMY
SODA 500-hour Somatic Movement Educator Training Program
The curriculum covers the fundamentals/ foundation of somatics, including movement principles, movement processes, somatic awareness, movement repatterning, somatic organization, verbal and non-verbal communication, and movement analysis. The program incorporates materials from Body-Mind Centering®, Laban Bartenieff Movement Analysis®, Skinner Releasing Technique®, and Contact Improvisation and brings an emphasis on the additional information and resources that emerge from the ”dialogue” of these schools.
The curriculum was genuinely developed in accordance with ISMETA guidelines and requirements to provide adequate information that meets the ISMETA professional standards described in the Scope and Standards of Practice and the Core Competencies, enabling graduates to eventually be registered with ISMETA.
The SODA program consists of two consecutive parts. The first partconsists of 300 hours and focuses on the mastery of body and movement awareness.
The second part consists of 200 hours and focuses on the application of somatic principles to teaching & facilitation, and integration of somatic knowledge into professional contexts and independent practices.
Structural format:
SODA_300
Classroom teaching: 8 modules, 267 hours
Online teaching: 4 modules, 30 hours
3 individual hours
Self-studies: min 30 hours*
SODA_200
Classroom teaching: 6 modules, 178 hours
Online teaching: 3 modules, 20 hours
2 individual hours
Self-studies: min 20 hours*
*Self-studies:
The 500-hour training program requires a minimum of 50 hours of self-study, which is not included in the program’s contact hours but is an essential component of the education. Self-study assignments are given as homework and are mandatory to be completed outside of the modules.
These include the following:
• individual somatic practices
• self-organized study groups for studying professional literature
• preparation work necessary for teaching and co-teaching practices
• movement observation practices (analyzing animal and human movement patterns)
• practices/preparation/research for the midterm and final projects
Completion of the self-studies is monitored through submitted writings and a shared somatic diary, a written summary and process reflection of the midterm and final projects, and submitted class/lesson plans before each teaching practice. Monitoring also occurs during sessions when working with and reviewing essays and research papers from the professional library.
The mastery of body and movement awareness
SODA_300 / Module 1 - 2026 febr 15-21
Bodily experiencing and Introduction to Somatics
Introductory classes to four different approaches to the body. Getting to know each other as a group. Organizational aspects for the program. Introducing primary movement principles of the four somatic approaches. Exploring posture and somatic organization in support of raising somatic awareness.
SODA_300 / Module 2 - 2026 március 26-29
Me & Others and ethical touch
Movement explorations by using guided hands-on work and the practice of attentive touch.
SODA_300 / Online Module 1 - 2026 április 24 -25
History of Somatics
Introduction to the history of Somatics, including the background, general approach, fields of research, and basic techniques.
SODA_300 / Module 3 - 2026 május 7 -10
Body and Space
Learning about the different spatial concepts through verbal and non-verbal learning processes. Exploring inner and outer space from the different perspectives of four different somatic practices. Enhancing spatial awareness.
SODA_300 / Online Module 2 - 2026 május 29 - 30
Overview and Reflections
Overview of the first 100 hours learning experience, processing in small groups, and summary.
SODA_300 / Module 4 - 2026 - 2026 június 25-28
Somatics in Nature; Ecosomatics
Observing movement processes in connection with nature. Developing somatic awareness within the broader context of our environment.
SODA_300 / Module 5 - 2026 szeptember 10-13
Body structures and connections
Exploring and observing posture and somatic organization in oneself and others. Introducing the concept of repatterning in working with the structure of the body. Exploring connections between different aspects of movement.
SODA_300 / Online Module 3 - 2026 szept 25, október 2, 9, 16
Somatic Movement Classes in the Online space
Verbal and non-verbal communication in the online space. Experiencing and reflecting on movement processes online. Exploring the possibilities and limitations of working somatically online.
SODA_300 / Module 6 - 2026 november 12-15
Dynamics of Movement
Observing and experiencing movement processes from the perspective of movement dynamics. Using verbal communication to describe different movement qualities. Raising awareness of how different movement dynamics are articulated. Analyzing and differentiating movement qualities. Developing Movement Analysis skills.
SODA_300 / Online Module 4 - 2026 december 4-5
Mid-term Project group-work
Reviewing the assigned professional literature, comprehensive reading practice, collecting keywords, and examining the specificities of the language of somatic movement facilitation. Developing Movement Analysis skills.
SODA_300 / Module 7 - 2027 január 14-17
Connectivity through movement
Connecting the different aspects of the material visited in the first six modules. Reviewing and examining the connections through a creative, reflective process. Raising awareness on how the parts of the different approaches come together.
SODA_300 / Module 8 - 2027 febr 27 - március 6
Mid-term Project
Mid-term project presentations and learning and practicing modes of giving verbal feedback. Practice using verbal communication to discuss one’s own somatic experiences and processes. Using the new material to integrate somatic knowledge and awareness. Demonstrating Movement Analysis skills by presenting the assigned video observations. Demonstrating the primary movement principles of the SODA Somatic Schools.
Individual work with a teacher
• experiencing somatic movement work
• consultation connected to the Mid-term project
Teaching and facilitation skills, integration of somatic knowledge into professional contexts
SODA_200 / Module 1 - 2027 április 15-18
Introduction to the pedagogy of Somatic Movement Education
Introducing the pedagogical and methodological content of the second part of the training program. Discussing the framework, criteria, and the assessment process of the teaching practices. School-specific pedagogy. Introducing the Feldenkrais method. Distinguishing the activities that are inside or outside of ISMETA’s Scope of practice by differentiating Somatic Movement Education from Dance Movement Therapy. Starting to explore movement repatterning in practice.
SODA_200 / Online Module 1
Class plan
Discussing the topic of planning a somatic movement class and designing its content according to a specific theme. Leading experiential explorations online. Creating class plans, sharing ways of note-making, and documenting somatic processes. Mastering verbal communication of movement.
SODA_200 / Module 2 2027 május 27-30
Facilitation skills, use of voice, movement observation, teaching practice & critical feedback
Exploring the use of voice in facilitating movement processes. Students begin their practice in designing and facilitating somatic movement processes, developing lesson plans, and leading experiential explorations. Presentation of the partner movement observation process and findings, sharing creative reflections.
SODA_200 / Module 3 2027 június 24-27
Facilitation skills, use of space in movement facilitation, teaching practice & critical feedback
Preparing students to master their skills in movement facilitation. Offering specific information and practice on the somatic educators’ spatial awareness, use of music. Presenting the requirements and the framework of the final project.
SODA_200 / Module 4 2027 szeptember 9-12
Facilitation skills, group dynamics, teaching and co-teaching practice & critical feedback
Understanding and specifying the different approaches to somatic education. Indulging in the essence of movement groups by learning about group dynamics and various client groups. Experiencing the use of supervision and professional support. Continue developing lesson plans by integrating feedback. Starting co-teaching practice.
SODA_200 / Online Module 2
Introducing ISMETA and final project group work
Introduction to ISMETA: website, history, pillars of profession, scope of practice. Working on final projects in small groups. Engaging in a somatic professional future: directions, motivation, business plans.
SODA_200 / Module 5 2027 november 4-7
ISMETA Core Competencies, Scope of Practice, co-teaching practice & critical feedback
Comprehensive reading and discussion of the ISMETA Core Competencies and Scope of Practice. Mastering skills for leading experiential explorations. Reflecting on the role and special tools of the facilitator. Further discussions on how to create a supportive somatic community.
SODA_200 / Online Module 3
Teaching practice and integration
Preparing for finishing the training program (final projects, written assignments). Practicing movement facilitation online. Summarizing keywords and how to use language in somatic work. Discussing the specificities of one-to-one client work.
SODA_200 / Module 6 2028 január 23-29
Final project; business & marketing; Evaluation
Program closure and integration: presenting final projects, final feedbacks, and movement integration. Becoming a Somatic Movement Educator: identity, business and marketing, communication. Group farewell, rituals, and evaluation of the training program.
Individual work with a teacher
• bodily experience
• consultation connected to the Final Project
Content areas:
SODA_300
- studying the principles of the somatic systems: BMC®, LBMS®, SRT®, CI
- observing and describing movement processes
- movement anatomy and physiology
- supporting somatic awareness
- Authentic Movement
- practicing movement repatterning
- hands-on work and ethical touch
- Consent work
- CDP – Contemplative Dance Practice
- Ecosomatics
- articulating observation of posture and somatic organization
- Butoh
- movement analysis practice
- mid-term project
SODA_200
- Feldenkrais Method
- designing and facilitating movement activities
- practicing fostering movement repatterning
- leading experiential explorations
- developing lesson plans
- teaching / somatic facilitation practices
- verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- practicing giving critical feedback
- group dynamics and ethical considerations
- ISMETA’s Scope of Practice, organization & network, membership
- articulating observation of posture and somatic organization
- professional ethics and business skills
- final project
SODA_300
- Increased self-awareness, sensitivity to inner movement experience
- Ability to demonstrate the process for engaging in ethical touch
- Ability to articulate movement sensations and qualities
- Foundational understanding and demonstration of somatic movement principles
SODA_200
- Competence in facilitating somatic movement processes and leading experiential explorations
- Skillful use of verbal/non-verbal cues in facilitation
- Ability to analyze, describe, and reflect on movement patterns
- Ability to develop lesson plans
- Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate somatic movement sessions
- Finding a personal teaching and/or practice approach within the field of Somatics
All these outcomes are to be applied to group and individual client work.
Modes and formats of learning
- classroom and online teaching and seminars
- theory and practice (interlacing)
- guided discussions
- mentoring
- reflective journaling
- individual sessions (somatic experiencing and consultation)
- experiential exploration in small and big working group formats
- presentation of assignments
- hand-outs and review of professional literature
- projects
- individual work and self-study
Participants/Students
The program is suitable for professionals from diverse backgrounds, including those in the fields of therapy, care, the arts, and movement. By the end of the program students will be enabled to integrate, use and apply their knowledge and skills in Somatics according to their field of interest.
Entry requirements
- Participation in one of the Open SODA Workshops in Budapest as part of the entrance process, where the applicants will show their potential in working with
- somatic awareness
- movement with a somatic focus
- effectively as part of a group
- Applicants interview with two members of the core faculty
- Profound dedication and interest in somatics and in free movement exploration
Assessment and Evaluation
- Ongoing assessment through participation and reflection
- Teaching and co-teaching practices, submitting class plans beforehand
- Completion of movement observation tasks and research in writing. Presenting findings verbally and in movement
- Written assignments and self-reflective journals
- Mid-term and Final project presentations and the submission of the accompanying written assignment (meeting the criteria)
- Final written self-assessment
- Evaluation based on embodiment, progression, integration, and facilitation skills
Certification Requirements
- Completion of all training modules
- Completion of all the assignments
- Final project presentation and submission of the required written assignments
- Demonstration of professional readiness and ethical awareness
- Attendance: minimum 90% presence in all the Modules and in case of absences: completion of the missing assignments
Faculty and Mentoring
SODA_300
- Reading list and online materials
- Hand-outs and related articles, research papers
- Booklist and SODA collected professional library on-site
- Video material
- Practice manuals and movement journals
- Mentoring sessions
- Access to the alumni network
