Fascial embodiment in movement, training and dance education: Insights from a somatic workshop

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe how students exploring fascia through somatics experience its embodiment. This is done by discussing their written impressions of the somatic workshop: ‘Fascia & movement’, which I taught in dance institutions in Bogotá and Barcelona as of 2015. This narrative material will serve to look for further connections between fascia research and the dance education field. The article begins by reviewing some core findings of fascia research and the Anatomy Trains1 model. It discusses the concepts of somatic movement (SM), embodiment and the place of writing within classes, offers a specific class example and describes the methodology and limits of the workshop design and the narrative approach. Then, I compare the main qualities and functions of the fascia with the subjective experiences of fascial embodiment. The most relevant experience found is a sensation of wholeness that comes from within, while a new awareness of internal connections and adaptability takes place. Finally, I will present some contributions, tactics and precautions of integrating fascial understanding into dance, movement education and self-development.