WORKSHOP

Ethical AI Integration for Somatic Practitioners
with Martha Eddy and Florian Filtzinger 

Saturday, March 7, 2026 • 10am–2pm Eastern U.S. time
Find  your local time here.

The registration deadline is March 1st, 2026.

Live participation is strongly encouraged. However, if you are unable to attend a session, the recordings will be available to all who have registered for the course.

"Ethical AI Integration in Somatic Practices" is a 4-hour workshop designed for somatic movement educators and therapists interested in ethically incorporating AI tools into their practice. This hands-on session explores practical applications of AI in somatic work, focusing on enhancing client experiences while preserving the integrity of embodied practices. Participants will learn where AI can be effectively utilized in somatic fields, such as client management, session planning, and personalized exercise suggestions. The workshop offers practical guidance on using accessible AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity and others to streamline administrative tasks and potentially enrich client interactions. We'll dedicate significant time to addressing critical questions about data security and client confidentiality when using AI, ensuring practitioners understand how to navigate these technologies responsibly. Throughout the session, we'll integrate principles from Dynamic Embodiment and include short eye-nurturing breaks to maintain our somatic awareness. Through interactive discussions, practical exercises, and collaborative problem-solving, participants will gain insights into ethically leveraging AI while preserving the human-centered core of somatic work. This workshop aims to bridge the gap between traditional somatic practices and emerging technologies, helping practitioners explore how to adapt to an evolving digital landscape while maintaining the deep, embodied connection that is central to somatic education and therapy.

Offering this workshop will significantly enhance professional development by:

• Introducing them to AI tools relevant to somatic practitioners
• Providing practical skills for streamlining administrative tasks
• Addressing ethical concerns and data security in the digital age
• Fostering critical thinking about technology integration in somatic work
• Encouraging innovation while preserving core somatic principles
• Facilitating peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing
• Preparing them for evolving client expectations in a tech-savvy world
• Enhancing their marketability and service offerings

This workshop will empower practitioners to confidently navigate the intersection of somatics and technology, ultimately improving their practice and client outcomes.

If you are not an ISMETA member, you can join as a Friend of ISMETA, a Student Member, or a Professional Member. Click here to learn about becoming a member soon!

Dr. Martha Eddy

DEP, CMA, MSMT, EdD

Dr. Martha Eddy, DEP, CMA, MSMT, EdD, and Licensed TBMC, is an international advocate of Somatic Movement Education & Therapy and speaker on Health, Wellness, and the BodyMind connection for over 30 years. The author of Mindful Movement: The Evolution of the Somatic Arts and Conscious Action, and Dynamic Embodiment of the Sun Salutationm, she is also a lecturer on embodied cognition, eco-somatics, the interaction of neuro-motor and socio-emotional development, and the role of the body and movement in peace education and violence prevention. She is the Founder and Director of the Dynamic Embodiment Somatic Movement Therapy Training program, Co-Founder and Director of Programming and Research at Moving for Life, and Co-Founder and Director of Somatic Studies at Moving on Center. Since 1981, she has served at Laban Institute as faculty of special programs, certification programs, President, Executive Director, Advisory Council member and Senior Research Associate. Dr. Eddy has served on the certification program faculty for the School for Body-Mind Centering® and on the boards of CORD, NDEO, and as President of ISMETA. In 2017, she received the National Award for Outstanding Leadership in Dance Education from NDEO.

Her teaching positions have been at universities including but not limited to: New York University, Princeton University, Teachers College, Columbia University graduate program, Barnard College, University of Connecticut, Hope College, Hampshire College, San Francisco State University in the Kinesiology department, and with low-residency programs at Montclair State University, St Mary’s College (Bay Area) MFA, UNC-Greenboro Masters in Dance Education.

Florian Filtzinger

MSME/T

Florian Filtzinger, MSME/T, has studied Anthropology & Communication Science and worked on various projects in Berlin since 2007. His professional journey has led him to explore the nuanced connections between technology and somatics.

Throughout his experience, Florian observed that bodies were often viewed merely as tools to be used or fixed when malfunctioning. This realization sparked his interest in somatics, which he began studying at the Somatische Akademie Berlin. Now, as a certified practitioner, he offers classes and experiences that elevate the body as a true resource of wisdom, joy, and depth in our lives.

Florian's main research focuses on ableism and working with youth, as well as individuals with traumatic histories and experiences of discrimination and violence. He is currently working in the German psychosomatic clinical field, where he applies his expertise to help patients navigate the complex interplay between mental and physical health.

In addition to his educational and therapeutic certifications, Florian continues to expand his expertise as a somatic movement therapist, incorporating principles from Dynamic Embodiment into his practice. This ongoing development allows him to offer a holistic approach to healing and personal growth, integrating modern therapeutic techniques with somatic wisdom.

Florian's work aims to bridge the gap between contemporary healthcare practices and somatic awareness, creating innovative approaches to treatment and well-being in the psychosomatic realm.

Course Information