Certified Movement Analyst – Somatic Practitioner CMA-SP

500-Hour Certification Program
2025-2027 in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, England

Venue: Wainsgate Chapel first floor studio (please see here for access and travel information for Wainsgate Chapel)

Somatic movement therapist/ educator

Module 1 – BODY: Sensing, Imagination, Relationship (in-person): 7-25 July 2025 (15 days – Mon-Fri x3)
Module 2a – SHAPE: Relationship, Communication, Interaction (in-person): 5-14 January 2026 (8 days – Mon-Fri & Mon-Wed)
Module 2b – SHAPE: Relationship, Communication, Interaction (synchronous online): one (1) weekend per month, 45 hours, February-June 2026
Module 3 – EFFORT: Interaction, Embodied Action, Expression (in-person): 6-17 July 2026 (10 days – Mon-Fri x2); 20-24 July 2026 (synchronous online) 35 hours
Module 4a – SPACE: Expression, Orientation (synchronous online): one (1) weekend per month, 90 hours, September 2026-June 2027
Module 4b – BESS Integration + Somatic Practice (in-person): 5-16 July 2027 (10 days – Mon-Fri x2)

In addition to training in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies (LBMS/LMA) this program builds skills needed for working as a Somatic Practitioner, including study in Bartenieff Fundamentals, elements of body systems, witnessing and processing experience in Authentic Movement, and developmental aspects included in the Kestenberg Movement Profile.

All modules are approached through phenomenological, somatic methodologies and perspectives, and include hands-on training for practice as a Somatic Movement Therapist and/or Educator. Graduates receive a Certificate from LSSI as a Movement Analyst and Somatic Practitioner. This program meets the standards of practice as outlined by the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA) as an approved training program, and all faculty are registered with ISMETA. Graduates qualify for fast-track registration with ISMETA without need for further somatic training hours. See Janet speaking more about ISMETA qualifications HERE

For application form and instructions, click below
Programme deadline: 1st April 2025

Program application
What Students Receive
  • Thematic Modules in Body/Shape/Effort/Space (BESS) that allow for deep immersion into each category of BESS, building on a cumulative, developmental model of learning.
  • 500 total hours in professional training in Movement Analysis and Somatic Practice.
  • One-to-one meetings with an Advisor/ faculty member, as well as small group practice sessions between in-person sessions.
  • An Advisor’s feedback on interim homework projects, assignments, and assessments.
  • Individual peer and group feedback in class sessions; as well as personal time for exploration, discovery, reflecting, and writing during class hours.
  • Learning in a dynamic group environment with a high teacher-to-student ratio, in both online and in-person sessions
  • Final Research Application Project shared as formal presentations with your training group.
  • Hands-on re-patterning practice and training in Bartenieff Fundamentals practice; as well as other extended developmental and body systems approaches to movement experience and re-patterning.
  • Training in comprehensive movement and language skills used in dance, theatre, performance, movement research, teaching, clinical work, bodywork, yoga, Pilates, and dance movement therapy.
  • LSSI Certificate in Movement Analysis and Somatic Practice – CMA-SP.
  • CMA-SP fulfills the requirements for fast-track registration with the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA) as a Somatic Movement Therapist and/or Educator.
  • Potential new career paths as a movement analyst and somatic practitioner, as well as supporting current work in yoga, Pilates, acting, dance training, performance, coaching, therapy, etc.
FEES
$3,500 USD per module
There are Four (4) IN-PERSON MODULES PLUS ONLINE WEEKENDS INcluded in MODULES 2 and 4, and a week of online hours in module 3.

$500 USD due 60 days prior to each Module start date. $3,000 USD due 30 days before start date.


To apply for the program, please click below
Programme deadline: 1st April 2025

Program application

PREREQUISITES

  • Introduction to Bartenieff Fundamentals
  • Introduction to Laban Movement Analysis
  • Introduction to Experiential Anatomy (including functional anatomy)

Note: If you have not had the above introductory level trainings, (minimum 15 hours in each), please write to info@labaninternational.org to inquire about Introductory courses available, and see the Prerequisites page for more information.

ACCOMMODATION

For some self-organised local accommodation options in and near Hebden Bridge, please see here

Accommodation