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The annual meeting of the Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork, and Somatic Practice Organizations (Federation MBS) took place in Austin, TX on March 29-30, 2019, hosted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).  ISMETA sent two representatives, Elisa Cotroneo, Executive Director and Mary Abrams, Government Relations Consultant. Eleven organizations participate in the Federation MBS and each year one organization chair’s the meeting.  This year it was ISMETA’s turn so Elisa and Mary conferenced numerous times prior to the March meeting in preparation, and then co-chaired the two-day meeting.

Years ago, before I began studying somatics, anxiety controlled me. I feared new situations, people, and conflicts. Constantly trying to cope was exhausting.

During a class moving with the cellular breath brought an experience of bliss, of unconditional love.

With practice, it became possible at any moment to touch on this state. It remains today, a resource underneath all else.

ISMETA Member Jaya Kanal, RSME

Skating on ice can be a subtle, flowing experience. It can also jolt us when we fall or exhilarate us when we fly across the ice with speed. It introduces our body-mind system to a multi-sensory activity in a unique environment. External factors that affect a skater’s proprioception include the equipment, ice surface, environment, and movement of other skaters.

ISMETA Member Kelly Ferris, MFA, RSME
What is somatics though? It often seems to describe so many practices, strategies, movements, choreographic processes, and more in dance and higher education.

ISMETA board members travelled to San Antonio, Texas to present a panel on  ” The Role of Somatic  based Dance Practices – Gateway to Inclusive Access for All Movers”  at the annual National Dance Educators Organization Conference.

Embodied Activism – Reflect. Engage. Resist. Transform. As current social conditions galvanize even more of us to do the work of dismantling oppression, it can be difficult to know exactly where to begin. 

Protecting our Right to Practice and Defining our Profession. This letter was sent to all ISMETA members alerting them to a need to speak out to ensure our distinct professional identity as Somatic Movement Educators and Therapists.

Positive energy and the growing pains of our supposedly new profession: somatic movement education and therapy. Verses of 8th century monk & scholar Shantideva, remind us our profession is one that has been unfolding over many centuries.