Formative support and connection: somatic movement dance education in community and client practice

This article articulates some of the key features and philosophical standpoints currently employed by Somatic Movement Dance Educators in community and client-based practice. Community and client practice is a newly formed profession in the UK. This article explains some of the defining features of community practice, particularly formative processes of connective support such as: biologic movement, relaxation support, heart-felt connections, inter-connective support and open-ended models of self-discovery. In doing so, the article also addresses many unspoken elements of international practice namely the cultivation of human qualities such as companionship, gentleness, heart, vitality, pleasure, empathy and compassion. Further to this, there is a discussion of key skills required to work within contemporary practice and generic international concerns pertaining to the field at large.