Dance and Somatic Wellbeing: Connections to the Living Body MA

This is a unique, visionary and pioneering programme offering professional training in Dance and Somatic Movement Education. On the cutting edge of contemporary international practice, exploring the creative skills required to use movement with sensitivity, imagination and individuality, the course focuses on community facilitation. It offers the opportunity to study individual and group improvisation, kinaesthetic awareness and applied somatic philosophy to dance and movement studies. All sessions are taught in the spirit of self-discovery, non-judgement and reflection. The course develops somatic awareness with a focus on spontaneity, intuition and connection to others.

The MA Dance and Somatic Wellbeing: Connections to the Living Body course is taught on campus in Preston. Each section of the MA course covers the same course module content, and each course has unique dates, fee structure, and application process.

Professional Accreditation

MA Dance & Somatic Well-being is an Approved Somatic Movement Training Programme of the International Somatic Movement Education Therapy Association (ISMETA).

Learning Environment and Assessment

The programme is predominantly delivered through studio work, lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Given this is a body-based vocational course, most classes take place in the studio where creative ideas are explored through movement and other art forms. We provide a lively learning environment and encourage you to participate actively in all aspects of the course delivery.

Methods of assessment include workshop facilitation, essays and other written assignments (Critique of workshops and self-evaluation, Reflective Journal, Chapter review), class presentations and a research project.

Opportunities

On completion of the course it is envisaged that students will go on to work as independent artists-scholars who are able to work within several different body / movement and arts-based contexts. This may be through enhancing their current jobs with the additional embodiment and inter-relational skills developed throughout the programme. It may also be as freelance Somatic Movement practitioner/Educator once additional professional hours have been gained (please visit the ISMETA website for guidelines towards this). There is also the opportunity to pursue further study up to and including PhD.