Kinetic Awareness(R) Center - Teacher Training Program - Application & Prerequisites
Kinetic Awareness®Center
The Ball Work®
The Kinetic Awareness® Center is not-for-profit organization dedicated to
  research, education, and development in the kinetic arts and sciences.

Kinetic Awareness® Teacher Training Program
February 2021

                <download here as a pdf>


GENERAL NOTES:
The trainer is the certified teacher teaching the training program.
The advisor/mentor is the certified teacher who advises the student throughout their learning and teaching process, and this could be the same person as the trainer, or it could be a different person. If it is a different person, the trainer and advisor/mentor will be in contact frequently during the training process regarding the trainee′s progress.

All requirements can be fulfilled with prior life experience, at the discretion of the trainer.
 

NOTE 2022:
This Program has now been approved by ISMETA as a 500-hour Training Program which allows certified (Master) teachers fast-track application to become members and enjoy the many extra benefits of this large and diverse organisation. Please visit their website for further information: https://ismeta.org
 
Prerequisites 

I.    Bachelor's degree from any university in any subject or equivalent
      (BA in progress OK)

       Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the trainer
       after consultation
with 2 other certified Master Teachers.

II.   Kinetic Awareness study: 20 hours minimum with a certified teacher
                                          (private or class)

III.  Documents to be submitted to 3 certified Kinetic Awareness® teachers
        A.  Written recommendation by a certified Kinetic Awareness® teacher
        B.  Letter from candidate stating:
              1) Completion of prerequisites
              2) Name of Kinetic Awareness® teacher who will write recommendation
              3) Reasons for wanting to join the program
              4) Resume

IV.   Conference with a trainer (who must be a certified teacher) which includes a        
       discussion of the candidate's prerequisites and goals for teaching Kinetic
       Awareness®, the principles of Kinetic Awareness® and an overview of the program, 
       including the responsibilities of the student.

V.    Sign a simple contract stating mutual responsibilities.



The Program    

I.   Kinetic Awareness study:  Total time: 64 hours

        A.  The Introductory Course (20 hours)
             Or private sessions (20 hours) with a certified teacher
             who will structure it so that these sessions cover the material
             of the introductory course
        B.  4 Intensives: 2 days minimum, 6 hours each (24 hours total)

   
II.  Foundations: Total time:  12 hours

        A. History of Kinetic Awareness®      
        B. The principles of Kinetic Awareness® 
        C. Components of body language, perceptual modes and learning styles    
        D. Teaching skills:  structuring sessions and communication skills                                                      (includes the pain test, not approaching things negatively, etc.)
        E. Touch  (what is communicated, types of touch)
        F. Legal, ethical and administrative responsibilities     


III.  Reading the Body: Total time: 18 hours, 3 hours each

       Review of relevant experiential anatomy, common injuries and structural        
       imbalances for each area, Kinetic Awareness® techniques for each body part,
       viewing the body and application of techniques:

        A. Spine (lumbar, thoracic)
        B. Breathing   
        C. Head, neck, face, and shoulders-pt. 1
        D. Shoulders, arms and hands-pt. 2
        E. Abdomen and pelvis (includes hip joints)
        F. Legs and feet
       

IV. Psychological Foundations:  Total time: 6 hours
 
      Client-Student/Teacher issues (6 hrs).

(Through work with, or selected readings   supervised by Robin Powell and/or Meg Chang)

        A. Agenda, creating a safe space, personal space, boundaries, disclosure,                         memories, touch
        B. Transference, counter-transference, ego needs, personality disorders, PTSD
        C. Personal and group dynamics
        D. Racial/ cultural awareness and sensitivity in KA® sessions


V.  Curriculum to be pursued outside the program: 
     Total time: 45 hours without therapy category, 105 hours with therapy included.   
     A report of each section is submitted to trainer.  

        A. Anatomy / kinesiology - one semester at college level
            or 20 hour intensive course or equivalent study.  
        B. Psychotherapy (any time in life)  
                   1.  Individual sessions - 30 sessions
                   2.  Group therapy - 30 sessions  
        C. Resource lectures or DVD's:  Presentations by experts in any field whose work                has a bearing on Kinetic Awareness theory/practice. 
            6 total, pre-approved by the advisor.  Written 1 page abstract of each.

        D. Reading List: Includes both books and articles on list and suggested by trainer.


VI.  Observation and Supervision:  Total time:  50 hours
        
        A.  Observe / assist one introductory course    
        B.  Observe 12-16 hours of intensive work in total
            (may be divided into several shorter ones or one longer one.)
        C.  Observe at least two different certified teachers conduct private sessions,
             4 sessions total. (Can be done with one teacher if travel it is a hardship.)

        D.  Be observed teaching 3-6 private sessions by trainer.
        E.  Be observed teaching a group of at least 4 students for at least one and a half               hours by trainer. Setting and topic by mutual agreement.    

        Note:
        Each observation is followed by a discussion period with the certified teacher.
        Immediately after the session, there is a reflective and subjective time to honor             the emotional flow of what occurred, including non-verbal cues.
        Other points of discussion to be mutually determined by the candidate and the
        certified teacher:  

        A. What was the rapport like between the teacher and the student? 
        B. What was the content of the session? 
        C. How did the student(s) react to what was done in the session?
        D. What follow-up would be appropriate?


        Written documentation will be sent to the trainer.
        It is up to the trainee to do this in a timely manner.



VII.  Electives:  Total time: 24 hours      

        Hours: May be divided according to student needs after pre-approval of the trainer
        (e.g., 3 electives at 8 hours each or 2 electives at 12 hours each)

        Candidate writes a 5-6-page paper explaining how this work intersects with Kinetic         Awareness®. This requirement may be fulfilled by prior life experience or a
        performance project at the discretion of the trainer.
   
   

VIII.  Final Work:  Total time: 221 hrs

        A. Summary / documentation of all requirements specified above.
            (Note: start keeping records at the beginning of the program)

        B. Personal statement of Kinetic Awareness® experience: 
            between 500 - 1500 words

        C. Final project, with prior approval of topic by the trainer.  This project can draw
            on the candidate's individual skills and experience, and does not have to be
            written work.  If the project is not in text form, a written description of how it
            relates to Kinetic Awareness® is required.

            Examples:  Videos, publications, writing about Kinetic Awareness®,
                            performance project, Kinetic Awareness® curriculum design,
                            and case study.  

            This project includes 3 hours of paid consultation/coaching with the trainer.



IX.    Evaluation

        A. Confirm that all requirements have been completed.
        B. A final committee existing of the trainer and one or two other certified Kinetic                 Awareness® teachers (two must be Master Teachers) read the papers and meet             with the trainer to give approval.


X.     Certification


Total hours: 500. 
Total price:  approximately $2500, not including prerequisites, electives or therapy costs. 

"There are many applications and levels of Summers' Kinetic Awareness work. Most individuals, including those who eventually incorporate Kinetic Awareness into their own work, initially come to study because they have an injury or other problem with their bodies. Training and maintaining the body is the central concern of dancers and the reason why many major dancers in New York have ended up on Summers' floor.

Kinetic Awareness does not substitute one system of movement for another, but by learning how the body works-physically, physiologically and psychologically-students can reclaim their bodies as their own.

Trisha Brown believes all dancers should study with Summers because of the sensitivity to the body Summers' training imparts and Summers' ability to analyze error in dance movement."

- By Ann-Sargent Wooster
The Drama Review DANCE/MOVEMENT ISSUE VOL. 24 #4

"Summers uses anatomy and kinesiology to help students connect their subjective experiences with objective understanding of physical structure and function. KINETIC. AWARENESS should find a place in every body therapist's library and in the classrooms of movement educators".

- Prof. Martha Myers, book review of "Kinetic Awareness: Discovering Your Body/Mind"
by Ellen Saltonstall, in KINESIOLOGY AND MEDICINE FOR DANCE
Spring-Fall, 1991