Expressive Movement Facilitator Program
Our EMF program maintains the high standards of an Approved Training Program of the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA). Movement Arc EMF program graduates can, after program completion, apply to become an Associate Somatic Movement Professional (ASMP). For more information on ISMETA, visit https://ismeta.org
Next Course: February 6th – November 30th 2026
HOURS: 250 hours over 10 months
TIME: See Program Details
LOCATION: Online & In Person
INSTRUCTOR: Instructors are all registered through ISMETA and members of The Movement Arc’s teaching staff.
In the Expressive Movement Facilitator (EMF) training we explore somatic and expressive movement, dance and embodiment through a developmental, physical , social-emotional, relational and community development lens. The program prepares you the student to become a skilled facilitator of somatic and expressive movement. Through the EMF program, you will learn how to use dance, movement and somatic embodiment practices in a range of applications for different ages, needs and facilitation goals.
Whether you are a yoga, dance or movement teacher/facilitator, body-oriented psychotherapist/counsellor, or other professional with a strong background in movement, this professional development training provides tools and skills to step by step integrate into your professional practice. Expressive Movement engages creativity to support people to connect with and bring their inner world into outer form and a felt sense of connection with others.
Somatic Movement engages mindfulness of one’s body and increases your interoceptive ability by moving with awareness of sensation, feelings, thoughts and conscious intent for a new or fresh experience of one’s body. Somatic and Expressive Movement are forms of wellness practice that engage body awareness and movement in order to increase well-being, self-understanding, embodiment and connection. The Movement Arc offers a unique program taught by expert and inspiring teachers, that draws from a few different modalities.
Testimonials:
”This program was so beautiful, the courses were well paced and really modeled bringing the body and kinesthetic learning into the practice.” -S.L., Nelson, BC, Educational Dance Facilitator
“Through the EMF program I’ve reconnected with movement as an expressive language, and feel myself so deeply in this place. Finding this connection is more accessible to me again, familiar, but also exists at a much deeper level now.” -J.M. Calgary, Alberta, founder of a social-emotional learning through movement school program
Current students 2025:
“This program has given me exactly what I came for; more knowledge, tools and material for my teaching. LBMS has given me a much more solid and tangible method of teaching and has helped me to feel more confident in the how of what I am doing.” – R.S., dance teacher, California
“This training has been deeply transformational!” – S.J., movement facilitator, Montreal
“The EMF program has been great! The course planning and structure is very good in terms of progression, logic, assimilation. Developmental needs charting felt fruitful and the feedback instructors offered on our facilitation was great. Being able to work in different constellations, group sizes and with partners was great too. We got to shift through different modes of processing and integration.” – S.J., yoga teacher, Vancouver
(If you are highly interested in the program and have already interviewed, and you wish to speak to one of our past EMF program student graduates, we can likely facilitate this connection. We are now in our 5th year of offering this training and have many satisfied graduates who continue to stay connected to each other and to The Movement Arc)
What we offer:
- A 10-month long 250 hour training culminating in receiving an Expressive Movement Facilitator Certificate from The Movement Arc. (This is a non-clinical training).
- With successful completion of the 250 hour program requirements, you will be eligible to apply for ISMETA credentialing as an Associate Somatic Movement Professional.
- 1/1 support from instructors to help you apply the curricula to your practice area.
- Connection to a growing global community of Expressive Movement Facilitators and allied somatic movement practitioners, as well as ISMETA’s global community.
What you will gain from this training is knowledge and skills in:
- The Movement Arc 5-Stage Expressive Movement Facilitation process
- Understanding movement’s important role in human development through the life-span
- Experiencing the natural intelligence of the Body-Mind including exploration of experiential anatomy and developmental movement progressions
- Facilitating expressive movement for children, teens, adults, and elders
- Facilitating somatic movement explorations for individuals and groups
- Introductory Movement Observation using the Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies framework
- Deepening your own embodiment and movement “repertoire”
- Understanding processes and portals for embodiment practice
- Understanding and utilizing a specifically Somatic approach to movement
- Embodiment for self-regulation and self-care
- Trauma-informed practices and awareness
- How to bring expressive movement into different environments that interest you
- Engaging different abilities and developmental differences
- Cross-cultural considerations, ethics and being in right relationship to power and privilege
- Have professional experience and training working with people in community, in some kind of professional practice; for example, in teaching/instructing dance, yoga or other movement arts, community outreach/activism, therapy or other healthcare modalities. The main idea here is that you have a pre-existing practice to integrate your EMF learning into.
- Have a strong background in some kind of movement practice, somatic or expressive or other. (If you are looking to access more movement and embodiment skills, please consider taking other classes in our offerings before applying to EMF).
- Are emotionally mature enough to do well in a 12-14 person group learning environment.
- Have time and energy to commit to this (part-time) 10 month Certificate program.
- We recommend all students applying to the EMF program have taken our introductory workshop Dipping Your Toes In as a way for instructors and students to meet and get to know each other through movement and dialogue. If you wish to apply to the EMF program without attending that workshop (ie if dates are not lining up), just email us, no problem.
- Prospective students should arrange a 1hr interview/meeting with the program director, through the Contact form on website (you will be sent a link to an online scheduler website Calendly).
- After that conversation with the program director, If invited to apply to the program, you would then submit by email a short letter of intent for enrolment that includes information about your current work and background in somatic movement or dance or yoga etc as well as how you might envision applying the EMF program to your current practice or work in the world. (Maximum two pages in length please).
- Along with that letter of intent, you would also submit a short 2-3 minute video of a dynamic dance created by you. We ask for something current (created in the now) and not historical. The movement can be spontaneous or choreographed as you like. We suggest the dance be an expression of your interest and passion for movement/dance and working with people, or another theme or story that is personally meaningful to you, something that “moves” you. It should include some level change (floor to vertical and back down to floor), some dynamics of movement as you might understand that to mean to you, and your eyes being open for most of your dance. Please consider this more of a sharing than performance. We will be receiving this expression with care and non-judgment and really just want to get a sense of your comfort with and love of movement expression. 🙂
- After this is received then two program instructors review the letter and video and information is shared about your previous meeting with the program director. We will then confirm your enrolment in EMF or suggest another program that might better serve your needs or scope of practice.
- After acceptance into the program, you will be given a program enrolment contract to sign and make a 50% deposit of course fees. This deposit holds a spot in the upcoming program for you. (Our group size is normally limited to 12-14 participants max).
- By January 6th, we send you a login and password to access the online learning platform of the training so you can begin to read and prepare for program start in February.
If you have any questions about this admissions process, please contact us!
All questions and application submissions can be sent to:
Melissa Flagg, Administrative Coordinator info@themovementarc.com
What is involved in the 250 hour training?
The Following Themes. Courses and Topics:
Foundations of Expressive Movement Facilitation
EMF Methods, Approaches and Themes
Human Movement Experiencing and Observation (LBMS)
Lifespan Applications ~ Movement for Developmental Needs
Professional Preparedness
Deepening Skills with Individuals and Groups
Trauma Informed Expressive Movement Facilitation Practices
EMF Community Application Projects
Diversity, Power and Cultural Sensitivity
* Courses include mainly synchronous (live) learning time, with some asynchronous assignments such as watching films, engaging in partner work and additional tutorials etc.. Readings and other resources are also connected to classes.
In addition to class instruction hours, students also need to complete:
- 6 sessions with an ISMETA credentialed RSMT or RSME somatic movement professional. Sessions are 1hr long, either online or in person and focused on the student’s own embodiment practice and body connectivity development. (*We can provide a list of practitioners trained in LBMS or BMC and you can always look for someone local to your area via ISMETA’s website). Some Movement Arc instructors are also available for these sessions. (Note: Students pay fees directly to the practitioner; these hours are not included in your tuition. Estimated cost is $600.)
- 6 hours of 1/1 instructor support time (Included in your tuition); 30 minute meeting at conclusion of each course, plus 2 hours of supportive coaching for the Community Project assignment).
- Community Project (hours do not count towards the 250 but are considered asynchronous assignment): This has to be minimum 2hours of EMF leadership in community or professional setting.
In Person Classes on Saltspring Island: 91 hours (July 10-25, 2026 with days off being July 15, 16 and 22) Time: 9am-5:30pm
Online Classes Live on Zoom: 98 hours (February 6 through Nov 20, 2026, with no classes in July or August) Day/Time: Fridays 12:30-3:15pm Pacific Time Zone
Meetings with Instructors (can be in person or online, flexibly scheduled): 5 hours
RSMT/RSME sessions (can be in person or online, flexibly scheduled) : 6 hours
Online Classes Pre-Recorded (work at your own pace during months of Feb, March, April): 50 hours
Additional expectations:
1. Students will need to purchase 2 textbooks; approximate cost is $100.00 USD (price can vary due to inflation).
2. Students will have required readings for each course (often provided if articles) as well as suggested supplemental readings (student choice to read or not). Required readings will need to be completed by Nov 15th before the student knowledge assessment instructor meeting.
3. Students will prepare and present a 15 minute oral presentation about applying The Movement Arc’s Expressive Movement Facilitation within their community for a group or for an individual case study (during November at program end).
4. Students will have various assignments to complete during the program, including 3 or more movement facilitation opportunities with peers during in person and online class time.
Recommended to do as part of your EMF training: Students are recommended to explore a minimum of 2 different dance styles or somatic movement practices (online or in person) while in this program over the 10 months in order to expand their own movement repertoire and knowledge. These hours do not count towards your 250 program hours. This is just simply what The Movement Arc recommends to get the most out of your training and feel confident as an EMF. Anytime you can take an extra class in a movement modality that expands your own range of movement, the better!
**In-person courses are dependent on COVID safety protocols; if we cannot meet in person then we will meet online. We may request mask wearing and Covid home testing in order to participate in person. We honour medical exemptions for mask wearing. At this time in British Columbia there are no Covid measures/restrictions in place. If you are sick during an intensive, we ask you to stay home or at your Saltspring accommodations and monitor symptoms and to not attend class.
We also request that you remain at home for one day after your symptoms 100% pass and in conversation with instructor decide when to return. We also request that any student who has been sick and away from class will social distance when returns and wear an N-95 mask for 2 days post symptoms (in order to keep the group safe from infection). We also recommend that if you are immune compromised, you wear your own N-95 mask if worried about picking up something from peers, and consider staying alone instead of with many people in shared accommodations. This is up to you to decide for yourself.
Attendance Policy:
**Students are expected to attend the intensive in person. We are not able to accommodate hybrid learning by filming an intensive. If you were to miss an intensive due to illness or other emergency, you would be welcome to attend the following year’s in-person intensive free of charge and would receive your Certificate after all coursework is completed during that following year. We cannot provide certificates of completion for those who have not attended all courses, completed all coursework and attended the in-person intensive time. Thank you for understanding, as we wish to keep our trainings at a high level and with ongoing skills assessment.
A minimum of 80% of all classes need to be attended live when they are happening live online (not watched as recordings). All online classes will be recorded and accessible to students for up to one year after program completion. So if you have missed more than 80% of live online classes, you will be invited to return the following year to attend live online any classes above/beyond the 20% that you have missed live. We are happy to make this accommodation, though our preference is that you attend classes only during the year in which you are registered.
Tuition fees for 2026 (250 hour program)
Total 10 month program tuition: Canadian dollars: $7250.00 plus 5%GST tax $362.50 = $7612.50 (This fee works out to approximately $29 Canadian dollars per teaching hour, or $21 USD ).
Please note: Our tuition fees are consistent or even below similar 250 hour training programs such as those in the United States. We do our best to keep fees low and make a payment plan available up til March 1st, 2026 (with an added 2.5% fee for the payment plan).
Support: Many of our students have found support for tuition from their workplaces, unions, community organizations, governments, and universities, etc. We encourage you to look at all your options for funding support. We are not a university or college, so you will likely not qualify for govt student loans for the EMF training. Some provinces and states have training grants available for self-employed or small businesses.
The Movement Arc does however qualify as a private institution eligible for WorkPlace BC professional training funding grants potentially for self-employed or even company employees in BC. Please inquire with appropriate government offices and programs.
Travel, accommodations, food, textbooks, and your 6 hours of 1/1 RSMT/RSME sessions should be budgeted for separately.
Low-cost camping is available during the in person intensive and relatively low-cost shared housing as well. Please inquire with us once registered.
All intensives will take place on Saltspring Island, BC, a close trip from Vancouver BC. The Movement Arc will provide a list of camping, glamping and residential homes for rent, these range from $25/night to $150/night for a more private indoor accommodations.
We are happy to help you to estimate your unique travel costs.
Early Bird Discount
Pay the full tuition before October 15 and receive a discount of $200.
Discounted tuition: $7050.00 + $352.50 (5% GST) = $7402.50
Registration
Students are invited to register once they have applied and been accepted into the EMF Certificate Program. The application process will involve an interview, letter of interest, and movement video submitted. The application process is usually completed within two weeks.
A 50% deposit is required to register and to hold your spot and is due once accepted into the program. We accept 12-14 students each year.
Deposits and Tuition can be paid through Etransfers to info@themovementarc.com. We can also facilitate credit card payments through Quickbooks, Wise, or a bank wire transfer can be arranged.
For credit card payments, please note we charge an additional 2.5% fee.
For payment plans extended to March 1, 2026, there is an additional fee charged of 2.5%.
*Deposits are non-refundable (please review our policy). In case of severe illness or emergency, deposits can be held and put towards courses for 1 additional year, minus a $250 admin fee to The Movement Arc.
2026 Training Schedule
ONLINE TRAINING COMPONENT (By Zoom): Begins first week in February.
Classes are from 12:30-3:15pm weekly on Fridays (Pacific Time Zone) (2.5 hours total teaching time per class, with a 15 minute break)
Additional Asynchronous Assignments are assigned for either before or after class: approximately one hour per week of time involved). Students should plan to arrive at 12:25pm for class to begin right at 12:30pm.
Dates for online classes are: Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6-7, 13-14, 21-22, 28-29 (6 hour days), April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19, 26. (July is in person training and August is time off). Sept 4, 11, 18, 25, Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov 6, 13, with Nov 20 as a make-up day if needed (2026). Some of these hours include some of the 50 pre-recorded lessons, but most is live.
IN PERSON INTENSIVE: July 9- 24, 2026 (@Beaver Point Hall, Saltspring Island, BC): 91 hrs, 13 days, 9am-12:45pm – 1:45-5:30pm Pacific Time Zone
Winter 2026
Introduction/Greetings &
The EMF Foundations Course
Online classes through Zoom:
February 6, 13, 20, 27
12:30pm-3:15pm PacificTime Zone
Asynchronous Learning Assignments (to schedule time for weekly at approx 1hr per week): total of 4hrs
_______________
It is also highly recommended that students will want to pre-read ahead for their textbook chapters assigned for March classes.
Spring 2026
Human Movement Experiencing & Observation Course: from the framework of Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies.
Online classes through Zoom as well as pre-recorded lessons to review.
March 6-7-8, 13-14-15, 20-21-22, 28-29-30
2.75hours online each of these days from 12:30-3:15pm Pacific Time Zone
Asynchronous Learning Assignments: Approximately 1hr per class that can be completed pre or post classes.
EMF Approaches, Methods and Themes Course (online)
Online classes using Zoom:
April 3, 10, 17, 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 5, 12, 19, 26
12:30pm-3:15pm Pacific Time Zone
Asynchronous Learning Assignments (to schedule time for weekly at approx 1hr per week): total of 13 hours
Summer 2026
EMF Lifespan Applications Course ~ Movement for Developmental Needs across all ages.
& Reviewing and Deepening EMF Skills Course
In person classes: Beaver Point Hall, Saltspring Island, BC
July 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (days off on 14th, 15th) 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 (day off on 21st), 22, 23, 24 (2026)
9am-12:45pm & 1:45-5:30pm Pacific Time Zone
(This is non-residential, so students take care of travels, food and accommodations. List of options is provided.)
Asynchronous Learning Assignments: 20hrs for Intensive can be completed pre or post in person intensive
August is free of classes and is a month for rest, integration and planning for your Community Application Project for fall. Also time to catch up on readings and assignments! 🙂
Fall 2026
Community Application Project (Students are leading sessions in their own communities; with 1/1 support calls scheduled with instructors and connection with peers).
& Professional Preparedness Course continues online on Fridays back on Zoom
Online classes through Zoom:
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13, 20 (as possibly needed class make up date)
12:30pm-3:15pm Pacific Time Zone
Asynchronous Learning Assignments are extra hours: approx 12 hours
1/1 Final Meeting with Instructors
Between Dec 1-10
Assignments due by 12pm Nov 30, 2024.
Program Completion Certificates sent by Dec 19 if not before. We will celebrate with you. You can then begin your application to ISMETA for your ASMP credentials!
Instructors:
- Amanda Peñaloza-Banks, CMA-SP, RSME
- Hana Kamea Kemble, MA, RSMT, RCC, BC-DMT, CLMA
- Veronica Berezowsky, RCC, MA-DMT, RSMT
- Danielle McCulloch, RSMT, DEP
- with guest teaching on ISMETA Ethics by Dr. Martha Eddy, co-founder of ISMETA
With the potential for invited guest teachers specializing in different aspects of somatic facilitation or business practice.