Dance of Awareness Training 2026
Tutors: Tim Brown and Clare Osbond
9th/10th/11th October and 20th/21st/22nd November 2026
Are you interested in training in Dance of Awareness? By now you will have read our Dance of Awareness page. DoA has different applications - from drop-in classes to more therapeutically oriented work with groups, both in community and clinical settings. DoA graduates are now offering classes and groups across the UK and beyond. Would you like to join our growing DoA community?
Who is the training for?
It is designed for anyone who is looking for a therapeutic model to support working in non-verbal group settings – particularly movement work, group process and conscious dance. We particularly welcome anyone already engaged in group or movement work who is interested in applying the DoA developmental model within your particular work setting, client group or community. We also welcome therapists who are looking to develop and incorporate non-verbal interactive skills, movement and body awareness more fully into their practice.
What to expect…
The training takes place over two weekends and during that time you will be both a participant and a trainee. Some of the time will be spent in immersion in the dance, as you experience Dance of Awareness first-hand. And some of the time will be spent learning about the theory underpinning DoA. The tutorials will be a mix of theory and experiential work, and will include the following: the psychoanalytic and developmental background to DoA, and the practical skills in group facilitation through working with movement and attunement in a predominantly non-verbal way. The curriculum and summary of the programme is shown below. Graduates will receive a certificate in DoA theory and practice, and be licensed to offer DoA classes.
Curriculum
Background theory:
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Introduction to Dance of Awareness
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The role of awareness
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The developmental cycle
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Psychoanalytic theory (including Reichian character structure)
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Developmental and somatic psychology
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Spiritual vs developmental model
Holding a DoA group:
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Group safety
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Empathic reflection / mirroring
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Affect attunement, attachment and regulation theory
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Person positioning
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Group handling overview
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Choice and use of music
Summary programme
You can expect to experience the following:
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Warm-ups
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Check-ins (group circle and small groups)
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Theory sessions
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Experiential work
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A full one-day DoA workshop
- Examples of shorter DoA forms
- Questions and feedback
Please note, about one-third of the time will be spent dancing /moving through the DoA cycle as a participant, one-third will be taught theory and one-third will be experientials. To qualify as a DoA practitioner, you must attend all six days of the training at the times given.
How to apply:
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First read this training page thoroughly;
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If this model of working with dance, movement and somatic awareness appeals to you, a prerequisite for booking is for applicants to read the paper Dance of Awareness in Theory and Practice (2012) which is also on the Resources page of our website;
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If you are still interested… read on! We assume you have an interest in working with group process, movement and awareness. Please apply by email, with a short paragraph telling us about (i) your relevant background and (ii) your interest in Dance of Awareness.
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Once we have confirmed your place on the training, we will send you the bank details for booking.
Location: Ashburton Town Hall, North St, Ashburton, TQ13 7QQ
Ashburton is a small lively town on the edge of Dartmoor with a range of accommodation and eating out options. It is easily accessible by bus from Exeter, Newton Abbot and Totnes.
Dates: 9th/10th/11th October and 20th/21st/22nd November 2026.
Times: Fridays, 15.30 - 19.30; Saturdays, 10.30 - 17.30; Sundays, 10.30 - 17.00.
Cost:
Full price: £690
Earlybird (payable in full by Sept 12th 2026); £640
To book: Places are limited. Please apply first, as above, prior to making your booking. A deposit of £100 is required on booking with the balance payable on the date of your chosen early bird. Please pay by bank transfer (email for bank details). On booking you will receive a booking confirmation. In case of financial difficulty, we are willing to negotiate a payment plan - please contact us. Our cancellation policy can be found here.
If you want to discuss anything by phone, please email us to arrange a time to call one of us.
We have run nine previous Dance of Awareness trainings. Many of our graduates are now offering DoA classes and workshops - see the Facebook Dance of Awareness (Core Group) page to see what they are up to.