Module Code - Title:
MD6061
-
INTRODUCTION TO SOMATICS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
PF
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module will ensure that students are educated in somatics practices that promote a healthy and mindful approach to movement. The continued development of an integrated mind/body approach will enable students to perform with greater efficiency and will minimize their risk of injury.
Syllabus:
Students will attend workshops during which they will study how somatic practices can support them in developing an enhanced awareness of embodied movement. These workshops will be based on principles drawn from: Pilates, Yoga, Feldenkrais, Body-Mind Centering and T'ai Chi
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Demonstrate an understanding of the key theoretical principles that underpin the field of Somatics.
Display a critically engaged understanding of somatic practices.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Demonstrate an embodied understanding of somatic principles and practices.
Identify the role and function of somatics in injury prevention.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Perform somatic activities with a clear sense of embodiment.
Adapt somatic practices, as appropriate, for a range of contexts: performance, choreography, teaching.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be taught through a series of workshops from specialists in the field of somatic education and supported by ongoing classes such as yoga and body awareness techniques. It will reflect current good practice in conservatoires and educational establishments worldwide where performance programmes are taught ( see Wilson, Batson and Quin 2012). It will contribute to the body based skills of all performers and also facilitate creativity through increased mind-body awareness. It will become a platform for responsible independent learning as these students continue their studies and performance careers after graduation. It will render them somatically articulate and allow for fluid, informed, extended and safe expression of artistic outputs.
Prime Texts:
Eddy, M. (2009)
'A brief history of somatic practices and dance: historical development of the field of somatic education and it's relationship to dance'
, Journal of Dance and Somatic Practices Volume 1 Number 1, pp. 5-27, doi: 10.1386/jdsp.1.1.5/1 available in http://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/journals/view-journal,id=160/
Feldenkrais, M. (1985)
The Potent Self: A Study of Spontaneity and Compulsion
, California: North Atlantic Books.
Hanlon-Johnson, D., ed (1995)
Body, Bone and Gesture - Practices of Embodiment
, California: North Atlantic Books.
Batson, Glenna1; Quin, Edel2; Wilson, Margaret3 (2012)
Integrating somatics and science
, Journal of Dance & Somatic Practices, Volume 3, Numbers 1-2, 27 April 2012 , pp. 183-193(11)
Hartley, L. (2004)
) Somatic Psychology, Body Mind and Meaning
, London: Whurr Publications.
Kleinman, J and P. Buckoke (2013)
The Alexander Technique for Musicians
, London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama.
Reeves, S., ed. (2013)
Body and Performance
, Devon: Triarchy Press
Hartley, L. (1995)
Wisdom of the Body Moving
, California: North Atlantic Books
Other Relevant Texts:
Bainbridge Cohen, B (1993)
Sensing, Feeling Action
, Northampton, Massachutes: Contact Editions.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MASTER OF ARTS IN CLASSICAL STRING PERFORMANCE
MASTER OF ARTS IN COMPOSITION AND CREATIVE MUSIC PRACTICE
MASTER OF ARTS IN DANCE PERFORMANCE
MASTER OF ARTS IN DANCE STUDIES
MASTER OF ARTS IN DANCE STUDIES - BY DISTANCE
MASTER OF ARTS IN ETHNOCHOREOLOGY
MASTER OF ARTS IN FESTIVE ARTS
MASTER OF ARTS IN IRISH DANCE STUDIES
MASTER OF ARTS IN IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE
MASTER OF ARTS IN MUSIC THERAPY
MASTER OF ARTS IN RITUAL CHANT AND SONG
MASTER OF ARTS IN SONGWRITING
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Spring
Module Leader:
Jennifer.Roche@ul.ie