I have no hesitation in recommending Moving Soma, my first session covered so much. I left feeling much calmer, lighter and relaxed and able to cope with life. Amanda is very welcoming and friendly and wants to tailor her teaching to the needs of the client. The studio is beautiful, a very safe place". 
Gillian Povey

Welcome to 'The Centre for Embodiment and Bio-Somatic Dance Movement Therapy'.  We provide Somatic Movement Education & Therapy for individuals and community groups; specialised retreats for those experiencing work related stress; research groups; professional training programmes in 'Bio-Somatic Dance Movement Naturotherapy' and 'Holistic Somatic Movement Dance Therapy'; and international conferences and health symposiums. ​​ Bio-Somatic Dance Movement Naturotherapy is rooted in relational anatomy and experiential  physiology, self-awareness, self-regulation and neuroplasticity. This approach to embodied therapy supports those experiencing work related stress, anxiety, depression, menopause, grief, neuro-muscular tension, back pain and fatigue, and more general feelings of isolation and feeling lost. 

Rooted in self-regulation, emplacement, creativity and agency, somatic movement can enhance the choices we make in our lives, decrease feelings of isolation and anxiety; and restore connection to self, other and  community.
​
'We offer a two-year professional graduate training programme in, ‘Bio-Somatic Dance Movement Naturotherapy'  & 'Holistic Somatic Movement Dance Therapy' ©: Registered Somatic Movement Educator & Therapist’.  We welcome mature students and people from diverse backgrounds. Bio-Somatic Dance Movement Naturotherapy is a multi-dimensional embodied therapy that combines expressive movement underpinned by conscious awareness of anatomy and physiology, the expressive arts (reflective writing, poetry, painting and moving/dancing), neuroscience and talking therapy. Therapists work with all ages and abilities, with clients one-on-one, and with community groups. 

We work within 'The International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association's' (ISMETA) international scope of practice, regulations and ethical guidelines. https://ismeta.org/​​

Dr Amanda Williamson (biography)

Our student library: eco-somatic community learning 

Studio 1: our main teaching room: experience relational anatomy and physiology 

Studio 2: lecture room 

Slow-time supportive spaces for the community and personal growth 

Learn about self-regulation: physiological processes that help you to feel better

Learn about the physiology of emotion: what is the difference between emotion and feeling?

Feel into your nervous system and learn about polyvagal theory: experience methods of self-regulation to re-pattern stress and anxiety 

Experience & learn why gravity is so important for health

Pain & Self-regulation: how can developing a conscious sensed relationship with your body radically alter your sense of well-being?

Sharing through music and dance: Arts Health: Laura Shannon & Kostantis Kourmadias, Musiko Scholeio Iliou, Athens, Greece 

Laura Shannon sharing her research 

 Experiential anatomy: contacting body systems that function beneath everyday consciousness 

Being present with self and other: learning to listen to self and another

Learn about fascia: The floating tensegrity of the skeletal-muscular system; a dynamic web of tensegrity 

Learn about the healing nature of transpersonal art (drawing, poetry, dance & music) 

International Scope of practice:
The purpose of Somatic Movement Education & Therapy is to enhance human function and body-mind integration through movement awareness. Professional practice combines experiential anatomy, sound, breath, touch and imagery to bring awareness to the self-regulatory intelligence of the body. Somatic movement practitioners work sensitively and gently with the human body,  acknowledging that movement affects dimensions of psyche and spirit as well. As a result, practice facilitates improved vitality,  creativity,  easeful movement functioning, and a restful embodied experience. The profession, as represented by ‘International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA)’ helps students and clients in some way to:

• ​​​recognize habitual patterns of perceptual, postural and movement interaction with the environment
• improve movement coordination that supports structural, functional and expressive integration
• experience an embodied sense of vitality and create both meaning for and enjoyment of life
• focus on the body both as an objective physical process and as a subjective process of lived consciousness
• refine perceptual, kinesthetic, proprioceptive, and interoceptive sensitivity that supports homeostasis, co-regulation, and neuroplasticity

Bio-Somatic Dance Movement Naturotherapy ©: Registered & Insured Somatic Movement Educator & Therapist Prospectus 2019/2021

Bio-Somatic Dance Movement Naturopathy & Therapy
​ Individual & Group Sessions  for Clients​

Conferences, Health symposiums 
&
​International Courses

Hire Our Space

Lizzy Le Quesne
★★★★★ 
This is inspirational and humane work that offers routes to real change in our ways of being within our own skins and minds, amongst others and in the world... cultivating true wellbeing and emancipatory embodied process. I am thrilled to be undertaking the training to become an ISMETA registered bio-somatic dance movement educator and therapist at Moving Soma with Dr Amanda Williamson and Anna Morris, setting creative somatic processes in active relationship to Western medicine / general health practice and in times of mental and physical health, social, cultural, political and ecological crises.Google reviews
​Vanessa Tucker 
★★★★★ 
 I have recently started my somatic movement and dance therapy training at Moving Soma in Cheltenham. This dance and movement therapy and educational centre is excellent, I highly recommend. It offers educational courses, somatic dance and movement therapy for individuals and groups and dance/movement and community based workshops and conferences for educational development and community sharing. The training I have received from Dr Amanda Williamson and Anna is beautifully blended; a fantastic balance of experiential learning with high quality educational research and skill based work. They offer a very good rate for people who are suffering with chronic pain - it's powerful stuff do book a session. 
Lisa Fasullo
★★★★★ 
I'll begin with saying... it is worth the small investment of time and resources it take to get yourself to this somatic movement center from anywhere and wherever you are in the world! It was my experience that it will make a long lasting, positive impact on your life, both personally and professionally, if you do.

I was honored to be a participant in a recent movement conference led by Amanda Williamson and the 5 days were truly life-transforming. What do I mean by this? Well... the physical location is very welcoming, friendly, calming and beautiful sanctuary where you can let go, feel free and be encouraged to allow your 'best self' to come out and have some fun!

Everyone I met was lovely and also appeared to be honored to be spending time at Moving Soma and taking advantage of the many creative and effective somatic practices and teachings they offer as well as spending time with Amanda and her spirited and talented team. It was super easy booking a small, bright and clean hotel room in Cheltenham just 4 or so blocks from the Moving Soma. I found both the town and people to be vibrant, playful and friendly!

I returned to the US feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, having increased my professional repertoire of movement practices I now use with clients. And also full of memories I will treasure forever. I love things that I can FEEL positively impact me... and from start to ending... this whole experience was definitely one of them.
​
Adam Hussain
★★★★★ 
I first came to know of Moving Soma by attending a dance conference here. The studios are spacious, calm and have a warm and inviting atmosphere. There are so many possibilities available here for these studios to be transformed into presentations, workshops and performances. A well-being hub for the local, national and international community.
Macarena Ortuzar
★★★★★ 
3 days ago-
I am a dancer. I have just started the two year program on Somatic Movement Therapy and education with Moving Soma. Just after our first module I can happily say how wonderful it has been moving and learning in such an inspiring, creative, open and safe environment. I felt great honour to the be lead by the generous and knowledgeable teachings of Anna and Amanda Williamson, founder of the Center. It is a very cleverly put together program that is leading and empowering a movement that can truly reach and support our community and society.
Cathy Washbrooke
★★★★★ 
a day ago-
I have just begun the Movement Education & Therapy course at Moving Soma - what a delight it has been. Amanda & Anna’s knowledge, sensitivity & empathy are second to none. Not only is the somatic work deeply healing and rejuvenating, Amanda’s studios are calming and restorative. I am so looking forward to the next two years of study.
Marin Leggat
★★★★★ 
a week ago-
Amanda has created a space that supports Wholeness and transformation through somatic-based movement therapy and education. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the weekend at Moving Soma, learning more about the connection between somatics, movement and spirituality. Looking forward to returning!
Vicky Wright
★★★★★ 
a week ago-
It has been a delight to spend time at Moving Soma this weekend & participate in the conference. Dr. Amanda Williamson is a leader in the field of somatics in the UK, and I leave deeply inspired by the depth of knowledge and research unfolding here.
helen kindred
★★★★★ 
a week ago-
I had simply the most wonderful experience at Moving Soma. I attended the centre for the first time recently for the conference they were hosting 'Dialogues in Dance and Spiritualities'. Moving Soma offered such a vital space for embodied thinking, processing and being. The culture of the centre created by Dr Amanda Williamson is one of love, learning, respect and development and I look forward to future experiences and continued growth in my own learning with others through the philosophy of Moving Soma. Thank you.

Suzan Tunca
★★★★★ 
this place is a power house of bright minds, inclusive, expansive and generous hearts as well as inspired and inspiring bodies
​
Elaine Westwick
★★★★★ 
2 weeks ago-
I am back from spending a weekend at Moving Soma and I am still glowing. A beautiful and inspiring place.

Arran Stibbe
★★★★★ 
5 months ago-
Dr Amanda Williamson is one of the top international scholars and practitioners of somatic movement education. It’s fantastic that she has opened a studio here in Cheltenham. The studio itself is an oasis of tranquillity, a perfect environment for a harmonious blend of relaxation and movement that is surprisingly rejuvenating and healing. As well as individual and group sessions, the Centre offers a superb professional accreditation course in bio-somatic education. I highly recommend everything about Moving Soma.

June Gersten Roberts
★★★★★ 
3 September 2019
The Moving Soma conference on Cultural, Intercultural and Transnational Dialogues in Dance and Spirituality offered truly enlightening opportunities to share research, insights, explorations and discoveries in areas of wisdom knowledge that link soul practices and movement. Thank you to Amanda and Scott at Moving Soma for organising such a welcoming and nourishing event. The complexity and scale of this project is awesome and you handled it all with warmth, elegance and grace. I am truly enriched by the experience of attending.

Wendy Frost
★★★★★ 
I spent a day in the space with Amanda and it was so calming. I'm feeling the benefits in my body over the last 48 hours. Will definitely try and return.

WendyF-71
★★★★★ 
I attended a full day of practice with Amanda and found it incredibly fulfilling. You are given the space and time to consider your own needs and listen to your body and I totally got lost in the time and practice. I am hoping to find time to do more of this and would definitely return.
Vicky Wright
★★★★★ 
a week ago-
It has been a delight to spend time at Moving Soma this weekend & participate in the conference. Dr. Amanda Williamson is a leader in the field of somatics in the UK, and I leave deeply inspired by the depth of knowledge and research unfolding here.
Rachel Anderson
★★★★★ 
I visit Amanda at Moving Soma every Saturday for a private one to one session.  Over the weeks we have tried all different forms of movement, therapy and meditation together, all of which are proving invaluable to my recovery/rehabilitation. 

Last weekend we tried some cranial sacral movement therapy - I have been blown away by the results as not only have I been pain free in my back - which is unheard of!  I set about a project to replace my turf in my garden which involved a lot of strenuous activity and I have suffered no aches or pains whatsoever in my back as a result.. I am absolutely amazed by how I have felt this week thanks to this treatment.  Would highly recommend.

GROWING THE FIELD OF SOMATIC MOVEMENT EDUCATION AND THERAPY