This program is a fun and inspiring introduction for educators of all levels to experience basic somatic practices, learn simple pedagogy principles, and build their own inner resources for both personal growth and professional development.
Next Offered in Winter 2025 (click here for more info)
Embodiment begins with you.
In this training, you experience specific somatic activities developed over 30 years of working with teens and young adults by Susan Bauer (founder of Embodiment in Education and the author of The Embodied Teen). You also learn key methods for bringing somatic practices to youth and young adults in meaningful and accessible ways. Engage with innovative pedagogy and learn sample activities to fully explore and embody the material yourself—essential preparation for teaching to others.
In this 25-hour program, you deepen your own embodiment and learn concrete, practical activities to integrate into your teaching. Along with sample pedagogy, this introductory immersion also gives you a feel for the longer Embodiment in Education Teacher Certification program.
Join this course to become part of a dynamic community of like-minded progressive, holistic educators involved in bridging the fields of somatics, mindfulness, and social and emotional learning.
Core Skills you gain in this course
Learn how to support students to:
- Create lifelong habits for well-being within a trusting environment
- Slow down and focus within, while honoring students’ need for active movement and social interaction
- Recognize and appreciate the interrelationship of body, mind, and emotions
- Learn basics of anatomy / physiology that are relevant to their growth and self-awareness
- Use breathing to enhance a sense of ease and well-being
- Gain practical tools for self-expression and self-regulation
- Appreciate our common humanity, while encouraging awareness and respect for individual diversity
- Expand their comfort zone of movement and expression
The program includes
- 12 teaching lessons
- Supplemental teaching materials
- Adaptations to teaching with specific populations (such as dancers, athletes, middle and high school students).
- Adaptations for teaching online
- Study groups for review and discussion
- Certificate of Completion
- Pre-requisite for the Teacher Certification Training
"Susan’s voice is of need in the educational conversation. Her approach to embodied education is clear, deeply considered and draws on a wealth of knowledge and experience. She asks us first to stand on the earth and from there to listen, feel and experience our bodymind. She teaches that we care for what we love, making this a practice of learning to love over and over again."
— Hetty King, NYS Dance Educator PreK-12, Dance Education Doctoral Student, Teachers College, Columbia University, RSDE, certified Topf Technique®
"Susan is a masterful teacher and author, modeling focus, passion, deep listening, and the ability to hold a safe space for personal exploration and expression and professional application! Her book, The Embodied Teen and the Embodiment Essentials course are valuable and timely resources for educators yearning to deepen their personal practice and expand their teaching skills."
— Aaron Ford, Elementary and Middle School Music and Movement Teacher, The School at Columbia University, NYC, NY
"Meeting with your own wisdom while you move, rest and listen…this is the core of Susan’s work mainly for all ages, and she gives great support to how to interact and hold a space with teenagers while they are changing anatomically, emotionally and cognitively as well. It enriches my world, my teaching, and my own flexibility in teaching and in life."
— Lerna Babikyan/ Dancer, Trainer, Education Organizer, Researcher; Istanbul, Turkey
"Susan helped me to explore movement from various origins, such as the bones, organs, and muscles. I learned to make space for learning to deepen and linger. The sense of community created within the group let me trust that I could safely explore many areas and issues collaboratively, such as equity and agency, and allow for a spectrum of learning styles. Susan was our guide. She allowed the group to share their expertise and learn from each other."
— Elizabeth (Bonnie) Lavin-Hughes, Performing Arts/Dance (PADA) Lecturer: California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) , L.A., California
Who is this program for?
This program is for professionals with a background in teaching movement or somatics who work with youth and young adults, and/or want to expand their reach to working with them. Dance teachers, physical educators, yoga teachers, theater teachers, mindfulness leaders, somatic practitioners, and those who teach social and emotional learning programs with youth find this program extremely beneficial.
Participants also include counselors, parents, physical therapists, dance therapists, and a wide range of community members who are inspired to learn more about somatic education and share embodiment practices with our next generation.
This course provides a taste of these somatic approaches and is a pre-requisite for joining Module I of the Embodiment in Education Teacher Certification Training.
Why take this course before joining the full Teacher Training?
In teaching embodiment practices, your movement and physical presence speak louder than your words. Your own embodied experience–past and present–is central to your ability to facilitate the material.
For those with previous experience in somatic education, the course also provides an inspiring model for simplifying complex embodied anatomy material in a way that is scaffolded and accessible. You also have an opportunity to work with Susan and discover if you are interested to join the Teacher Certification Training.
Learn more about the upcoming Embodiment Essentials course
More about core faculty Susan Bauer, MFA, RSME/T, RSDE
For more information please contact Susan at