"Movement is the doorway into the body-mind relationship" (Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen)
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Why Practice Somatic Movement Education
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Learn more about your own body, no matter your age!
Feel more alive and present in your body
Find new levels of ease and comfort
Uncover new sensations
Discover new levels of connection with your dance partners
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No previous experience in somatic movement or in dance is required.
Somatic Movement
Embodied Anatomy
Can I feel my organs?​
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our organs sustain the internal processes that keep us alive (breathing, nourishment, elimination),
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they give us a sense of volume and organic authenticity, and
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they are the primary seat of our emotions, aspirations, and the deep memories that shape our personal history.​
​I will invite you into Somatic Movement explorations, a type of bodywork that helps us sense in our minded bodies what we don’t normally think is possible.
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What to Expect
Somatic movement unfolds through slow, guided explorations of mindful movement, sitting at the intersection of:
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Health
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Self-regulation
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Consciousness
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Self-transformation
These gentle explorations are open to all, regardless of age. No previous experience in somatic movement or dance is required—this is for anyone with a body, and lots of curiosity!​​
Mondays, Jan. 5 - Feb. 9, 2026, 7 - 9pm
The Old Town Hall @ 61 Main St., Ottawa
Click here to sign up with the Community Activities Group (CAG) of Old Ottawa East
Practicing Consent Through Touch
Guided Experiential Workshops​
Touch plays an essential role in how we relate to one another, yet it is rarely examined with care and intention. This experiential workshop offers a structured, supportive space to explore how we give and receive touch, with an emphasis on awareness, choice, and communication.
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Working exclusively with hand-to-hand touch, participants are guided through simple, time-limited explorations with different partners. These experiences are supported by reflection and discussion, allowing insights to be integrated gently and at one’s own pace. No prior experience is needed.
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In this series of 6 workshops, inspired by the book "The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent" by Dr. Betty Martin, you will be invited to:
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Develop greater sensitivity and embodied awareness
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Identify and express personal boundaries with clarity
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Stay connected to your own experience and pleasure during touch
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Practice asking for and responding to what feels supportive
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Cultivate attentiveness and responsiveness in connection with others
All activities take place within a clearly defined framework designed to support safety, respect, and consent.​​
Practical Information
Dates and time
Mondays
February 24th to March 30th, 2026
7 - 9pm
Cost
• $180
• Sliding scale available
Location
Studio near downtown Ottawa
(Exact address shared upon registration)​
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Facilitators
Marlene Neufeld (MSW - retired)
Marlene is a relationship teacher, facilitator, and body-centered educator committed to supporting people in developing meaningful, life-changing relational skills. Her work is grounded, curious, and welcoming.
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Isabelle holds a Master’s degree in dance from UQAM and is certified in Body-Mind Centering®. She explores how embodied awareness can deepen connection between partners in tango and contact improvisation.
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Frithjof Lutscher
Frithjof has spent decades exploring dance as a relational practice, with over 30 years dedicated to contact improvisation. His work centers on the subtleties of a touch that “listens” within improvised movement.
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Tango Private Lessons
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