Functional Awareness® Mindfulness Practices in Embodied Anatomy for the Dance Educator

Asynchronous Online Learning:

Summer Course: June 12-July 23 2025

Course Description:

Functional Awareness® (FA) is a practical approach to dance pedagogy using anatomical imagery and reflective practices to enhance movement potential, facilitate ease in action, and improve dynamic alignment. This 6-week course curriculum is an opportunity to reinvigorate teaching practices and renew personal movement practices for self-care.

The course utilizes engaging lectures, readings, and active movement explorations that present current research on motor learning skills for core strength, improving standing leg balance, and other dance skills. The course is conducted as weekly sessions. The sessions include asynchronous webinars and optional opportunities to meet synchronously with the instructors and cohort to share insights and questions. Learning outcomes include the ability to utilize FA verbal, tactile, & visual cues to enhance efficacy in action, employ FA rubrics to assess student learning, and acquire a language for providing feedback to students that encourage student agency. Each week, participants learn strategies to improve movement skills while employing tools for dancer wellness and injury prevention. The course content is appropriate for all movement populations and is applicable for all dance styles. The modules integrate practical applications in functional anatomy and somatic mindfulness practices to support inclusive learning and diverse perspectives in dance.

For further course details & enrollment: https://www.ndeo.org/Learn/Online-Courses/Upcoming-Courses