The uniqueness of Body‑Mind Centering® (BMC®) lies in the specificity with which each of the body systems can be personally embodied and integrated; the fundamental groundwork of developmental repatterning; the utilization of a body‑based language to describe movement and body‑mind relationships; and the almost unlimited number of areas of application of Body-Mind Centering®.
The underlying educational process in studying this work involves the experiential embodiment of the material. It is this exploration of embodiment that makes the work transformative and allows us to deepen our appreciation of how we express who we are, how we perceive the world, others and ourselves, and how we learn. Courses include a combination of experiential and intellectual approaches and may include movement, touch, voice, theory, demonstration and discussion.
There are two types of trainings: Programs and Immersion Series.
PROGRAMS AND IMMERSION SERIES
Programs lead to a certificate from the School for Body-Mind Centering®. There are three core programs that build upon each other:
- Somatic Movement Education Program (SME)
- Practitioner Program
- Teacher Training Program
There is one application program:
- Infant Developmental Movement Education Program (IDME)
There is one Immersion Series:
- School for Body-Mind Centering® Yoga Immersion Series
Many courses in the SME and IDME programs and the immersion series can be taken individually without commitment to an entire program or series.
TRAINING ORGANIZATIONS
All programs and immersion series are offered through licensed training organizations and use curriculums developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. You can see a list of training organizations around the world on our locations page. To see a worldwide list of all courses and programs currently offered, please see our calendar.
SELF STUDY
Students are expected to continue their exploration of the material through the year. During each course a large amount of information is presented. Embodiment is guided in the classes but in‑depth experience takes place over time in the process of one’s explorations outside the class structure. This includes the time at home as you work with the material on your own, apply it with others, and let the experience from your class time deepen and grow.
STUDENT BACKGROUND
Programs and immersion series are designed for people who already have some experience with movement, dance, yoga, martial arts, bodywork or other body‑mind disciplines. The level of experience among students varies. However, there are several qualities that are important:
- strong interest in the body‑mind relationship
- responsibility for working on the material through the year when classes are not in session
- responsibility for one’s own process and learning
- being able to work within a community of other students, faculty and administration
Photo © Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen