Dance Facilitator Training 2024 • UK

✤ Learn the art of embodiment and develop somatic skills to confidently guide people deeper into their bodies through the transformative power of dance.

Have you ever attended a conscious dance event and wondered how such a powerful and cohesive feeling of community is created? This potent group field is due, in large part, to the somatic skills of an embodied facilitator. This role is called by many names: "Ceremony Leader'', "Space Holder" or "Dance Facilitator". Regardless of the name, the role is the same: guide dancers, in an embodied way, into a dance journey, stay present with them throughout, and guide them back out again while grounding and integrating the experience. 

Get ready for an immersive 7-day experience at the Embercombe Eco Retreat Center. Here, nestled within 50 acres of rewilded countryside, we'll dive into an intensive exploration of the 5 Pathways, DTM’s flexible framework designed to simplify the creation of exercises and classes while inspiring new ideas to lead dancers in conscious dance sessions, including but not limited to Ecstatic Dance. This isn't just any training; it's a journey towards self-embodiment and an opportunity to hone the facilitation skills you already possess while learning new concepts to level up your offerings.

Imagine confidently stepping into the role of trusted facilitator, guiding others to let loose and experience healing, connection, and joy through dance. As part of our vibrant learning community, you'll enhance your existing skills with proven somatic tools and our 5 Pathways Framework, shaping you into a unique, embodied dance facilitator. In this fun and yet respectful environment, you'll not only develop your skills, but also build lasting friendships and a supportive network that extends beyond the training. You'll be joining a diverse cohort, from fellow dancers to DJs, psychologists, yoga teachers, and breathwork instructors, all eager to weave embodiment and somatic techniques into their work.

✤ Is our Dance Facilitator Training for you?

→ Are you a passionate dancer eager to become more involved in the conscious dance scene? 

→ Do you have mad leadership skills, but lack the embodiment training you need to confidently hold space for dance events?

→ Perhaps you're a seasoned dance facilitator looking to diversify your skills, be inspired, and find new opportunities? → Are you in the wellness or movement profession keen to deepen your connection with dance and embodiment? → Are you a therapist curious about integrating movement-based practices into your sessions?

→ Have you been running conscious dance events like Ecstatic Dance and feel the need to enhance the overall experience for your dancers?

→ Do you host events and want to boost your facilitation skills to capture that distinct feeling of containment for which Ecstatic Dance is celebrated?

If the answer is YES to any of these questions, join the DTM Dance Facilitator Training. Combine your own unique skill set with potent facilitation techniques and somatic tools designed to get people into their bodies, create transformative experiences, and build a sense of community and belonging.  

✤ What to Expect at our in-person Dance Facilitator Training? Our 7-day In-Person Dance Facilitator Training is delivered in a harmoniously integrated structure:

Kick-off with 3 Pre-Training Modules:

8+ hours of pre-recorded content to lay a robust foundation in facilitation theory before we come together in person. Each module is paired with assignments from the course manual. We will recap this content together on the first day of the in person training. 

Deep Immersion, Embercombe Eco Retreat Center in Devon, UK (27 May to 02 June):

For 7 transformative days and 6 nights, we immerse ourselves in an interactive learning environment. We'll deep dive into the essence of our 5 core modules learning experientially first, then later pulling back the curtain to explain in detail what was done during the facilitation and why. We call this time together the '5 Pathways Intensive'. Keep reading for a comprehensive overview. 

Round-up with 2 post-training sessions online via Zoom on Wednesday June 12 and September 18

After the in-person portion of the training, we come together two more times in 3-hour online sessions. We do this to allow time to integrate the learning, provide fresh teachings and foster personal growth. This space also serves as a hub for ongoing support, enabling interactive discussions, addressing questions, and presenting further assignments to deepen understanding.

The Curriculum

PRE-RECORDED TRAINING MODULES 

✤ Module 01 • EMBODIMENT

→ Explore the science of dance/movement and its intersection with the body-mind connection 

→ Learn why dance and music are so effective at creating meaningful community experiences and how to harness this potential

→ Uncover your unique leadership skill-set and create a plan to incorporate somatic methods and embodiment techniques.

✤ Module 02 • CONTAINMENT

→ Explore the role of facilitator; from the moment they walk into a venue until they walk back out again 

→ Move from the theoretical into the practical; discussing what is necessary to contain the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual dance space in real, tangible ways

→ No-nonsense methods to deal with the everyday joys and struggles which are common in conscious dances (e.g. how to encourage people to remain non-verbal)

✤ Module 03 • HOMEBASE 

→ Explore the foundational role of facilitation, which is to hold a reverent opening and closing, while steering the collective experience during the dance journey.

→ Tangible skills to stay grounded and present even when things don’t go as planned.

→ Practical ways to prepare your facilitation ideas and create timelines 

7-DAY IN-PERSON TRAINING (@ Embercombe Retreat Centre in Devon, UK)

✤ Module 04 • BODY EXPLORATION

→ Introduction to DTM's 5 Pathways

→ Diving into Body Exploration, the most straightforward of the pathways

→ Ways to explicitly draw attention to body parts, movements, sensations, and impulses. AKA "getting dancers into the body".

✤ Module 05 • PSYCHO-SOMATIC EXPLORATION

→ Explore the second pathway, integrating body and mind by embodying emotions and key themes through dance.

→ Using shared human experiences to encourage connection, coherence, and community

→ Linking emotions to sensations, postures and movements—the foundation of embodiment

✤ Module 06 • VISUALISATION

→ Tapping into the realm of imagination to move beyond time, space, and abilities
→ Visualization techniques that encourage dancers to translate their visions into expressive physical movement 

→ Facilitation that ignites imagination, while leaving space for dancers to fill in the blanks 

✤ Module 07 • SOCIAL ACTIVATION

→ Explore social activation, its vital role in collective action and the universal need for human connection

→ The comfortable and uncomfortable aspects of social activation, acknowledging the need for both in a healthy community.

→ Facilitators as community leaders to encourage non-political community action

✤ Module 08 • RITUALISATION

→ Demystifying the base meaning of the word "ritual" and applying it to the act of facilitation
→ Using gestures, words, actions, and/or objects within sequences to create meaningful experiences and connection between community members
→ Getting real, and learning to ritualize without religious, dogma or cultural appropriation

✤ Module 09 • INTEGRATION 01 

→ Integrate learnings from the six days at Embercombe

→ Review in-person experience, extract foundational principles, and receive post-training assignment  

→ Graduation ceremony

POST-TRAINING SESSIONS (Online via Zoom)

✤ Module 10 • INTEGRATION 02 (12 June)

→ Review assignment, discuss implementations, and Q&A

→ SPECIAL GUESTS! A panel of seasoned dance facilitators share insights and stories

→ Enhance your facilitation skills by filling in the gaps and addressing unexplored topics

✤ Module 11 • ONWARD (18 Sep)

→ Update and expand knowledge bases and Q&A

→ Final tips and words of wisdom

→ A final ritual to mark the end of our shared journey... or until we meet again in Level 02.

More Info

✤ ARRIVAL

On Monday, May 27th please arrive after 3pm but before 5pm to allow time to check in, explore the grounds and settle in before we begin. 

✤ DEPARTURE

The retreat ends on Sunday, June 2nd. Following a final nourishing lunch together  we will depart from Embercombe.

✤ WHAT TO BRING

→ Clothing & other

- Headlamp or head torch to walk around at night

- Clothing suitable for dancing (we’ll dance numerous times a day, both inside and outside)

- Clothing suitable to bring outside
- Bring layers, especially if you are in a yurt. It can get cold at night!

- Swimsuit

- Comfortable and appropriate outdoor shoes to walk/dance outside (lots of nature to explore)

- Dress up for a fun night; not fancy, just fun. Bring something if you enjoy dressing up.

- Towel

→ Other

- Toiletries (only natural, biodegradable products please)

- Talisman (or sacred item) for the community altar

- Pens and markers

- Ear plugs (if sharing accommodation)

✤ PAYMENT

A non-refundable deposit is required to book and secure your place. Balance due 15 days before the retreat starts. Please carefully read our Retreat Terms & Conditions as by booking on our retreat, you become legally bound by these terms.