The Course
The 2019 Embodied Facilitator Course is now full and has a waiting list. The information below is for information only. We will add details about the 2020 course as soon as they are available. Applications are likely to open in summer 2019. The best way to be kept informed is to sign up to our mailing list.
Overall, the time commitment for EFC 2019 will be as follows:
- Attendance of two week-long residential modules – one in July and one in September (both will take place in Somerset, UK).
- Around six hours of coursework per week throughout the rest of the course (this includes practice, webinars, reading and more).
Starting from our 2019 course, suitable EFC graduates will also have the option of a second EFC ‘integration year’ for a small fee (TBC). This will include further mentoring and reflection. More details to come.
See below for further information.
Dates for 2019
Pre course work: April
Module 1 (online): Fundamentals of embodiment 30th April – 1st July
Module 2 (in person – Somerset, UK): Fundamental teaching tools 8th – 14th July
Module 3 (online): Embodied teaching journey 16th July – 15th September (includes a mandatory midpoint call on 13th August and an optional one-day workshop in the UK on 14th August)
Module 4 (in person – Somerset, UK): Facilitation excellence 23rd – 29th September
Module 5 (online): Creative practice 1st October – 18th November
Graduation day (online or in person): 23rd November
Module info
Module 1 – online:
- Six (approx) webinars, usually weekly and on Tuesday evenings at 6-7.15pm (UK time) – we require you to attend a minimum of four and listen to recordings of the others.
- Opening webinar on 30th April 2019, 6-9pm (UK time) – mandatory to attend.
- Optional bonus webinars.
Module 2 – in person
Both of our in person modules will be held at Sparkford Hall in Somerset, south west England.
This is a beautiful stately home (a grade II listed building) in the English countryside, set in 23 acres of land – and all to ourselves! The module emphasises living in community with nature and each other. Accommodation and meals are provided. You can camp (we encourage this) or there are ample beds. Cooking is also a communal affair, and the food is plentiful, healthy and vegetarian, with options for those on vegan and gluten-free diets.
For those coming from abroad, the nearest airport is Bristol, but Sparkford Hall is also within three hours of London (by road or rail).
Start and finish times are to be confirmed.
Module 3 – online:
- Six (approx) webinars, usually fortnightly and on Tuesday evenings at 6-7.15pm (UK time) – again, we require you to attend a minimum of four and listen to recordings of the others.
- Mandatory midpoint webinar on 13th August 2019, 6-8pm (UK time).
- Optional bonus webinars.
Module 5 – online:
- Six (approx) webinars, usually fortnightly and on Tuesday evenings at 6-7.15pm (UK time) – again, we require you to attend a minimum of four and listen to recordings of the others.
Graduation – online or in person
It is mandatory to attend the graduation day on Saturday 23rd November 2019, 9am-6pm (UK time). There will be a variety of activities and plenty of breaks. You can choose to get together in person at various locations or you can participate from home.
NB: For those who wish to deepen their learning, there are optional ‘bolt-on’ trainings on offer throughout the year in different countries.
Coursework requirements
- Pre-work – Videos, tasks and other preparation
- Core embodied practice (after initial practice experiments) and meditation – 3 hours per week (throughout course)
- Weekly tasks (written and practical, including embodied yoga forms), with peer accountability (module 1)
- Core and suggested texts and videos (throughout course)
- Weekly small group calls (throughout course)
- Online participation in Facebook community (throughout course)
- 20 hours of facilitation ‘experiments’ (modules 3-5)
- Final video exam (NB: as with all course work, this must be in English)
NB: Most of this work is mandatory and some is recommended. And there will be rest weeks!
Course Content
NB: This is not definitive and may change slightly.
Module 1 (online)
Fundamentals of embodiment
- Opening ritual / Responsibility / The journey ahead
- Practice
- Trolls of learning
- Meditation
- 4 elements
- Cycles
- Centring
- Form vs freedom
Module 2 (in person – UK)
Fundamental teaching tools
Includes:
- Going deeper into self-awareness and the core models
- One-to-one embodied feedback
- Declaration of your core embodied practice
- Improv
- Embodied Yoga Principles
- Building your personal presence
- Embodied shadow work
- The science/neuroscience of embodiment
- Dance/free movement work
- Partner work
- Ethics and trauma basics
- Teaching embodiment fundamentals
- Embodied coaching fundamentals
- How to take the body to business
- Models, tools and practice of embodied coaching
- The legendary ‘No talent’ show
- Embarkation ritual (to mark transition to teaching others)
Module 3 (online)
Focuses on facilitation practice, ie putting the learning into action, with peer feedback and support.
Module 4 (in person – UK)
Facilitation Excellence
Includes:
- Return ritual
- Renunciation practice: no phones, alcohol/drugs, sex, less privacy
- Space to share, play and connect in nature and community
- Excellence in embodied facilitation
- Deeper underlying principles of embodied facilitation
- Trauma and embodiment
- Working with intuition
- Nature connection and embodiment
- Body reading clients
- The body and adult development
- Nature connection
- Voice
- Marketing embodiment
Module 5 (online)
Focuses on creative facilitation practice. This is about making the work your own and breaking new ground.
Perspectives
We draw from a wide range, but to give you an idea, these include:
- Integral theory – this is the framework of EFC: the ‘I’, ‘we’ and ‘it’ of embodiment
- Four elements typology
- Martial arts (especially aikido)
- Bodywork (eg massage, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique)
- Body psychotherapy
- Buddhism/mindfulness
- Embodied Yoga Principles
- Trauma theory
- Yin and yang polarity (Uzazu influenced)
- Adult development (eg Spiral Dynamics)
- 5 Rhythms and other models of cycles
- Linguistics
- Improv and theatre
- Body psychotherapy/dance movement therapy
- Eco psychology
- Leadership Embodiment
- Models of effective, embodied teaching and coaching – what differentiates rigorous ‘second generation’ practice from outdated ‘new age’ methods
- Business applications and marketing – how to talk about, sell and make this stuff work in ‘no nonsense’ environments
Applications
Every student is unique and can apply embodied learning in ways that suit them. Here are some examples:
- Coaching
- Leadership presence – building impact and influence
- Emotional intelligence training
- Stress management / resilience training
- Team building
- Communication skills training
- Culture change / organisational development
- Confidence and assertiveness training
- Activism and social change
- Enhancing teaching of other embodied practices, eg yoga, dance and martial arts
- Personal growth courses
- Human resources management
- Creativity training and the arts
- Spirituality
Commitment
To participate in EFC you must be fully committed. This is not a Micky Mouse course. To summarise, certification as an Embodied Facilitator requires the following:
- Full attendance of two in-person modules (14 days total)
- Live attendance of opening webinar, midpoint webinar and online graduation day
- Live attendance of at least four other webinars for each online module
- Watching recordings of any webinars not attended
- 3 hours of documented embodied practice a week, including one hour’s meditation
- 1-2 additional hours each week, which includes: small group calls, practical and written work, reading texts (5 core texts minimum) and watching videos
- 20 hours of teaching/coaching practice (modules 3-5)
- Passing a final practical exam (you’ll send us a video)
- Paying course fees in full
You also commit to being teachable. Beginner’s mind is essential to get the most from EFC.
Investment
- Super early bird – ends 1st Dec 2018: £1,000 deposit + £2,000
- Early bird – ends 1st Feb 2019: £1,000 + £2,500
- Standard: £1,000 deposit + £3,000
- Corporate: £4,500
Final bookings must be made by 1st April 2019.
Your place is confirmed by paying the deposit (after getting through the application and interview stages, and signing the course contract). We find roughly half of those who apply are a good fit for the course.
You will need to consider additional costs, including embodied practice classes, books and travel (for modules 2 and 4). If you camp during modules 2 and 4, you will need to bring camping equipment (although it’s possible you could borrow).
Please note: There are no refunds on this course. In the event of sickness or family emergency, participants may join relevant modules in the next year’s programme to complete the course (at no extra charge).
Payment Plans
We are happy to discuss and agree a payment plan for the course fees.
Charity Places
We’re committed to supporting the use of embodiment for good in the world, so we offer two reduced rate places to participants in the charity/not-for-profit sector, who would not be able to afford the course otherwise. NB: There is a lot of competition for these places. Contact us for information.
Team
Between us, our team have over 200 years of embodiment training and have studied many body practices such as:
- Martial arts including aikido (four black belts), tai chi, capoeira and karate (two black belts)
- Feldenkrais, yoga and many other movement practices
- Dance forms including 5 Rhythms, contact improvisation and tango
- Theatre and improvisation
- Body psychotherapy
- Meditation, spirituality and mindfulness – numerous forms from many traditions
The breadth and depth of experience on this team is unparalleled.
See below for details, but note that some team/trainer details are being finalised and are subject to change.
Core Team
Mark Walsh
Director and Co-lead Trainer
Alexandra Vilvovskaya
Co-Lead Trainer
Rachel Blackman
Co-lead Trainer and Performance Expert
Karin van Maanen
Room Manager
Catherine O'Mahony
Course Manager
Guest Webinar Trainers
Please note: We have not yet confirmed guest trainers for 2019.
The list below is for our 2018 course, but should give you an idea. We hope to have many of these trainers back for EFC19.
Stuart Heller, PhD
Coach, Trainer, Author and Martial Arts Teacher
Wendy Palmer
Founder of Leadership Embodiment and Author
Adam Barley
5Rhythms Teacher
Ginny Whitelaw
Embodied Leadership Expert
Paul Linden
Trauma Educator, Embodiment and Aikido Teacher
Jamie Catto
Facilitator and Creator
Miles Kessler
Mediation, Aikido and Integral Practice Teacher
Dylan Newcomb
Coach, Trainer and Researcher
Daniel Ludevig
Facilitator and Coach
Martin Aylward
Meditation Teacher
Guest Retreat Trainer
Lawrence Warry
Certified Samurai Game® Facilitator
Other course information
Food, Accommodation and Visas
For information on food and accommodation, see descriptions for modules 2 and 4, above (‘Module Info’).
We are happy to provide a letter confirming your place for visa requirements. If you need a visa, we strongly recommend you apply as soon as you have accepted a place on EFC, as processing can sometimes take longer than expected.
Health and Diversity
The course content is almost entirely non-athletic. However, during our intensives, days are long. Therefore, a basic level of stamina and fitness is strongly advised. We can and do work with all body types and abilities.
EFC is challenging. As part of the course, we work with stress responses. With this in mind, we ask applicants to let us know about any mental health issues or trauma history, so we can offer the right support. We value diversity and welcome participants from all situations and backgrounds. We will do what we can to support your application and journey through the course.
Standards
Accreditation
Our one-day course, ‘Working with the Body for Coaches & Trainers’, is approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coach Education Units (click here for info). We have decided not to apply to have EFC approved by the ICF this year.
The Embodied Facilitator Course is not an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) because we do not train people to become coaches.
If you would like to train to be a coach, we recommend the following coach training organisations: Newfield Network, CTI and Integral Coaching Canada
Privacy
Apply
Read all the info? Ready for a practical, transformative, broad and guru-free embodiment course that will empower you to work in a range of settings?
What now?
If you haven’t already experienced our work, we recommend you attend one of our short courses or watch some of our videos.
If you’ve read the information on this site, but still have questions, you are welcome to message us. If you want to chat, you can book a Skype or phone meeting with Catherine, our course manager, here.
When you’re ready, complete the online application form. Afterwards, you will be directed to a page where you can book your course interview.
Upon successfully completing the interview stage, your place will be secured by paying a deposit and signing the training contract.