Open Floor Foundational Programs

• The key concepts and foundational principles of Open Floor movement practice.
• An understanding of how the body moves and shapes our experience of life from an embodied perspective.
• With an experiential session dedicated to each of ten Open Floor Movement Resources, you will practice moving with intention and self awareness and understand how to call on these resources to build resilience, flexibility and ease both on and off the dance floor.
• A taste of how we move on the Open Floor through the Four Dimensions of Embodiment (the body, the mind, the heart and the soul) and the Four Relational Hungers (solitude, connection, belonging and spirit)
• Each movement session includes a look ‘behind the scenes’ from a professional perspective for an understanding of the intention, structure and purpose of each experience.
• An overview of the philosophy and core values that inform the Open Floor teachings. This includes Dynamic Governance, our non-hierarchical, transparent organizational structure.
• You’ll have ample opportunity to ask the teachers questions and to make connections with your peers.
• For those wishing to take the Open Floor training path further, this foundational training fills the requirement for acceptance.

Our Ground Floor Labs attract people from a wide range of backgrounds interested in expanding their skills and knowledge of embodiment and mindful movement for both personal and professional reasons. This training is particularly suited to:

• Dedicated, long-term movers interested in knowing more about Open Floor movement practice and how it works
• Coaches, trainers or teachers of an embodiment, movement or conscious dance practice looking for inspiration and new skills
• Professionals in social care, health, mind-body therapies, education, and first response services, who want to integrate embodiment and mindful movement into their work
• Mental health professionals who already work with an embodied approach, or want to do so and are interested in the Open Floor Therapy in Motion training
• Anyone considering the Open Floor Advanced Training

A Ground Floor Lab is an excellent opportunity to experience and explore the Open Floor approach and decide if it is for you. Attending a Ground Floor Lab is a prerequisite for the Open Floor Teacher Training.

The tuition for attending a Ground Floor lab is USD $650 (€590 / £530 / AUD $985). Travel, accommodation, and meals are not included. If you cancel after acceptance and payment there will be a $25 processing fee. Please note that Open Floor International donates into a scholarship/ bursary fund to support those with challenging financial circumstances wishing to attend this lab. If you’d like to donate to our scholarship fund to help make this Ground Floor Lab available to those who can’t afford it, please do so by clicking here.

FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Open Floor realizes that the current world situation affects everyone differently, and we are committed to making our programs available to the people who want to attend, regardless of socioeconomic status. The Scholarship Fund has been established to help those in need. If finances will keep you from attending, we encourage you to apply. After acceptance, you may request scholarship information.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

OFI gives scholarships to increase the diversity of OFI students and teachers as a first step in becoming a move inclusive movement. Priority is given to applicants who belong to racial, religious, cultural, sexual identity, geographic, and ability groups that have traditionally been underrepresented populations in the field of mindful movement and conscious dance. To qualify for the scholarship, prospective students demonstrate a commitment to diversity as it relates to their interest in mindful movement for personal healing, professional growth, and community building.   

We are actively working to make our trainings more attractive to people who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LBGQT+, gender fluid, differently abled, and people living in less wealthy regions, by lowering the price to encourage participation. If you identify as or serve such a population, we would like to hear from you! There is no need to prove financial need.