Open Floor
Open Floor is a dynamic, mindful movement practice that integrates dance, embodied awareness, emotional intelligence, and relational exploration. Rooted in decades of conscious dance lineage and developed by a collective of international teachers, Open Floor invites participants into movement as a resource for healing, resilience, creativity, and connection.[1]
Overview
Open Floor uses movement as both a physical and psychological tool. In an Open Floor class or workshop, participants are encouraged to explore a range of motion anchored in present-moment awareness. Sessions often blend guided movement inquiries with freeform dance, inviting the body, heart, mind, and soul into active dialogue.[2]
The practice draws from somatic psychology, mindfulness traditions, trauma-informed facilitation, and other conscious dance methods such as 5Rhythms and Soul Motion. It emphasizes embodiment not just as a concept, but as a living experience.
Core Curriculum
The Open Floor curriculum is structured around four key dimensions:
- Physical Embodiment: Awareness and exploration of the body through movement
- Emotional Embodiment: Recognition, expression, and integration of feelings through dance
- Mindful Awareness: Cultivating presence, curiosity, and non-judgment
- Relational Intelligence: Engaging with others through movement, boundaries, and empathy
Within these domains, students engage with tools such as:
- Movement Resources (e.g., Grounding, Centering, Articulation)
- Relational Dynamics (e.g., One-to-One, Group, Witnessing)
- The Four Continuums (e.g., Fluidity & Rigidity, Presence & Absence)
Teaching Approach
Open Floor teachers are trained to create safe, inclusive, and generative spaces. Sessions may include:
- Thematic movement inquiries
- Periods of personal reflection
- Verbal guidance and silence
- Partner or group exercises
- Emotional processing through movement
Classes vary in length and style, from weekly drop-ins to multi-day workshops and in-depth training modules.
Mission and Values
Open Floor International is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to make embodied movement practices widely accessible. The school’s values include:
- Honoring diversity and inclusion
- Supporting community and connection
- Promoting embodiment as a vital human capacity
- Using movement to respond to the challenges of modern life[3]
Global Network
Open Floor has trained hundreds of teachers and practitioners worldwide. Its certified faculty offer classes, workshops, and training programs across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania.[4]
The organization maintains a growing network of:
- Licensed Teachers
- Movement Facilitators
- Therapists and Coaches integrating Open Floor into professional practice
Training Pathway
The Open Floor curriculum includes:
- Movement Practice Classes
- Emotional and Relational Intelligence modules
- Group Facilitation and Leadership training
- Therapy-integration training for professionals
It also partners with therapists and educators to develop specialized tracks such as:
- Open Floor Therapy in Motion
- Open Floor for Youth and Education
