- Initiation

Didactic Principles of the Somatics Basics Training

In the interplay of different methods such as Continuum, Feldenkrais Method, Middendorf's Breath Experience, Body-Mind Centering®, experiential anatomy, Authentic Movement and Somatic Yoga, experiences and cognitive processes arise that are of great value for one's own development.

On the basis of each content-related module focus, we research and experience the corresponding body systems, effective principles, movement patterns, biological and emotional stages of development as well as their personal and social relevance. We make use of the fact that our physical development is in direct connection and interaction with our development of consciousness. Experience and reflection give us access to this. We create a space of emotional security and integrate group dynamic processes as support in the individual learning process.

Structure of the Somatics Basics Training
The Somatic Basics Training is part of our Somatic Practitioner education program. It forms Part A comprising 30 days (240 teaching units) over 6 five-day modules spread over one year. Part A is primarily for personal growth. Building on this, parts B, C and D can be chosen. They enable the student to teach and work with individuals and/or groups.

Curriculum Overview

• Module 1: Ground
• Module 2: Space
• Module 3: Individuation
• Module 4: Communication
• Module 5: Change
• Module 6: Initiation

Subjects

The Somatic Basics Training combines knowledge from 8 different somatic approaches in the following subjects:

• Body - practice & experience
• Body - applied theory
• Philosophy / context / orientation
• Application / research / integration
• Processing / individual and social relevance
• Contained open practice
• Hands-on

Module 1: GROUND

• Contents: Beginning - being there - focusing sensory attention - the experience of the ground that supports from below - encounter with gravity and its counterforce
• Principles: Arriving - Trust / Surrender - Yielding - Tensegrity - Being carried by the ground / the earth
• Body Systems: Fascia-Skeleton-Musculature Synergy #1 / Cell & Cell Respiration / Developmental Movements Overview

Module 2: SPACE

• Contents: Distinction interior / exterior space - spatial perception + spatial experience Alignment in space - recognition of possibilities, multidirectionality - silence - potency
• Principles: directions / orientation - kinaesthesia / tensegrity - synaesthetic interaction of the senses in the perception of space - being carried by space
• Body Systems: Fascia-skeletal-musculature synergy # 2 / diaphragms - horizontal planes / sensory motor loop / organs / front-middle-back body

Module 3: INDIVIDUATION

• Contents: I / others / experiencing uniqueness - being separated / being connected - diversity / integration part 1 - making decisions - balance
• Principles: limits - wanting + choosing - yes / no - center + periphery - balance
• Body Systems: developmental movements / proprioception / skin - membranes / ear labyrinth

Module 4: COMMUNICATION

• Contents: Communication with oneself, with others, with the environment - perceiving, sensing, feeling, thinking, acting - regulation processes - conflict management
• Principles: closeness / distance - diversity / integration part 2 - flexibility + assertion - fear + solution - empathy - logic - improvisation
• Body Systems: nervous system / polyvagal theory / head, larynx, mouth, hands / fluids / blood

Module 5: CHANGE

• Contents: withstanding emptiness / creating space - being changed / changing - transitions / part 1
• Principles: flexibility + hold - wish / desire / inspiration - confusion / irritation / disorientation - not knowing / carried in being
• Body Systems: fluids - lymph / heart / lungs / rib cage

Module 6: INITIATION

• Contents: birth + dying - transitions / part 2 - releasing attachments - celebrating change
• Principles: death / birth - embeddedness - basic trust - transcendence - energy - activity / passivity - being - surrender - sexuality - love
• Body Systems: uprightness, flexion, extension / embryology - sexual organs / birth