VMI Somatic Practice
Foundation Program
Interfacing creative practice and integrative somatic movement, voice, and bodywork.

29th Annual VMI Somatic Practice
Certification Program
in Amsterdam

New Revised Program Level 1 In-Person Training - Begins January '24
in Amsterdam

Aims - The VMI Foundation Program is Level 1offering participants a well-rounded and in-depth study of the body as it applies to somatic movement practice, expressive voice and movement integration, and fundamental bodywork protocols for working individually with people and in a larger group process.

We have completely revised the program to reduce the number of hours and costs required to complete the VMI Somatic Practice Certification Program. We are continuing to fulfill our high standards and the professional requirements for accreditation to become a registered somatic movement educator/therapist ismeta.org), somatic bodywork practitioner, and expressive arts practitioner.

The VMI Program is open to people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences that have some training and experience in related professional fields.

It is of particular relevance to somatic practitioners, educators, movement therapists, dance/movement artists, voice practitioners, interdisciplinary performers, yoga and Pilates teachers, holistic health and wellness coaches, body psychotherapists, and public speakers.

It offers a holistic approach actively linking voice and movement with body presence through integrating breath, movement, voice, therapeutic touch, and expressive improvisation practice.

The entire VMI Certification Program is 500 hours combining in-person and online training spread out over 2 years with a 2-week immersion course at the end of the 2nd year program to complete the somatic practice integrative process.

Both Level 1 and Level 2 in-person training are 4 long weekends of 5 days from Friday – Tuesday for a total of 20 days for Level 1 and 20 days for Level 2. Level 3 integrative completion process is 10 days.

The Active Breath online modules are integrated into the VMI Certification Program. This means participants in the VMI program will need to complete the online modules as an introduction to the major body systems. This can be done independently with the uploaded modules or by participating in the live-stream format.

For the VMI Certification Program, there are 10 modules in the Active Breath online program, and Modules 1 to 5 need to be completed for Level 1 of the VMI Program, and Modules 6 - 10 need to be completed for Level 2. Each module can be taken independently and in any order. The uploaded videos of each module will be available for students participating in the VMI Somatic Practice Certification Program.

The first section starting in Autumn '23 of the VMI Somatic Practice Level 1 Program will be an introduction to the principles and practices incorporated in VMI Somatic Practice.

This includes somatic movement and voice practice covering the skeletal structure, organ system, and developmental movement, Active Breath, VMI Bodywork principles of hands-on practice, and Vocal Dance creative practice.

Patricia aims to shape and blend the online learning and the in-person training to fully integrate and guide the participant to develop their somatic practice as educators, holistic naturopaths specializing in somatic bodywork, and creative arts practitioners.

Long-distance partner work, mentoring, and self-study

Patricia will guide the students to partner up with at least one other person to build a relationship of exchange online and/or in person. Since distance learning is now so important, she is looking at how this interaction can be fulfilling and productive to facilitate and support one another’s professional development.

Each student will need to complete the independent study requirements of the material. We will provide consistent guidance and supervision to enhance the development of your holistic somatic practice.

VMI Somatic Practice course hours

We are continuing to fulfill our high standards and the professional requirements for accreditation to become a registered somatic movement educator/therapist (www.ismeta.org).

The entire VMI Certification Program is 500 hours of in-person and online learning that is spread out over 2 years with a 2-week immersion course at the end of the 2nd year program to complete the somatic practice integrative process.

The in-person training consists of:

Level 1 - Foundation Program - 5 days in 4 sections from Friday – to Tuesday every 2 months for a total of 20 days.

Level 2 - VMI Somatic Practitioner Development 5 days in 4 sections from Friday – to Tuesday every 2 months for a total of 20 days.

Level 3 - VMI Somatic Practice Integrative Completion Process is 10 days.

The entire program aims to fulfill ISMETA - International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ismeta.org) requirements to be a registered somatic movement therapist/educator. Their guidelines thus far require 500 hours of study and 350 hours need to be in-person. The VMI Certification Program also fulfills the professional standard to be a holistic naturopathic practitioner specializing in somatic bodywork.

VMI offers a defined holistic somatic approach that combines creative expression, embodied voice and movement, therapeutic touch, and somatic bodywork to deepen your self-awareness & open your creative choices and responses that can inspire and enhance your sense of self, creativity and expressive powers with voice and active movement.

Upon completion of the Level 1 - Foundation Program - a participant needs to continue to participate in Level 2 - VMI Somatic Practitioner Development and Level 3 - VMI Somatic Practice Integrative Completion Program to fulfill the in-person and online training requirements to become a qualified VMI Somatic Practioner and registered Movement Therapist/Educator (ismeta.org).

VMI offers a defined holistic somatic approach that combines creative expression, embodied voice and movement, therapeutic touch, and somatic bodywork to deepen your self-awareness & open your creative choices and response that can inspire and enhance your sense of self and creativity and your expressive creative powers.

Upon completion of the Level 1 - Foundation Program - a participant needs to continue to participate in Level 2 - VMI Somatic Practitioner Development and Level 3 - VMI Somatic Practice Integrative Completion Process to fulfill the in-person and online training requirements to become a qualified VMI Somatic Practioner and registered Movement Therapist/Educator.