Essential Somatics Fundamentals Course
In person comprehensive weekend course for anyone who wants to live a pain-free full and active life.

Essential Somatics Fundamentals Course
In person comprehensive weekend course for anyone who wants to live a pain-free full and active life.
Move Freely Again
The truth is that you can feel good in your body again and move well for the rest of your life. Join us for a LIVE Fundamentals course to learn why you’re in pain and most importantly what you can do about it.
Are you tired of not feeling good, no matter your age?
Does your back pain make it hard to focus at work and keeps you from sleeping well?
Are you stiff and sore when getting up from sitting or lying down?
Have you tried everything but nothing gets rid of your pain?
Here’s What You’ll Learn
Discover the root cause of your pain by understanding how stress creates chronic muscle tension and limited movement. Receive live instruction with practical application that will equip you with a daily practice that meets your specific needs. Gain the education and tools you need so you can move forward towards a more vibrant life of awareness, movement, and self-agency.
What People are Saying
Our Fundamentals Course Curriculum Includes
Two Full Days of Interactive Training & Guidance
Meeting from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day with breaks in the morning, afternoon and for lunch
DAY ONE
INSTRUCTION
- ^Understand how new-to-you concepts (somatics, pandiculation, sensory motor amnesia) work better than other methods.
- ^Discover how personal responses contribute to stress and muscle tension
- ^Identify your own pattern of Sensory Motor Amnesia
- ^Experience the benefits of nature’s reset button (pandiculation)
MOVEMENT
- ^Experience and identify the stress reflexes: Green Light, Red Light
- ^Learn movements to release the front and back of the body, and release tension in the periphery
- ^Learn movements to improve rotation, reconnect to your legs, and breathe more easily
DAY TWO
INSTRUCTION
- ^Uncover how your brain develops habits
- ^Connect with a new awareness of your body and your habits
- ^Interactive group sharing that lead to learning moments
- ^Identify principles and strategies for self-care
- ^Create your personal daily practice
MOVEMENT
- ^Discover a-ha moments in your movement and awareness
- ^Experience seated movement for At-Work Strategies
- ^Experience and identify the stress reflex: Trauma
- ^Learn walking movements to restore a free and easy gait
COURSE MATERIALS INCLUDE:
The Essential Somatics Fundamentals Workbook is an easy-to-follow guide that contains helpful tips and photos for creating and maintaining your personal home movement practice. With space for taking notes, articles about the history of somatics, and much more–this workbook helps you stay on point, focused, and inspired.
Upcoming Courses
Discounts are available for students who have taken a previous Fundamentals course
and for ESMTT graduates.
Email info@essentialsomatics.com for more information.

Ventura, CA Fundamentals
Instructor: Martha Peterson, CCSE
Dates: February 4 and 5, 2023
Location: Musclespazm Studios: 315 South Borchard Drive Ventura, California 93003
Cost: $425 USD

Edmonton, AB Fundamentals
Instructor: Martha Peterson, CCSE
Dates: April 1 and 2, 2023
Location: Roots on Whyte – 8135 102 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4, Canada
Cost: $425 USDÂ
How to Prepare
Bring paper and pen, water, and a yoga mat. Wear loose, comfortable clothing (no jeans, skirts, or dresses) that is easy to move in, as this is a movement-based course.
Fundamentals FAQs
I don't have a lot of movement experience. Is that okay?
Absolutely. This course is open to all ages and backgrounds. Anyone who wants to learn how to feel better and move their body pain-free is welcome.
I have scoliosis. Is this course appropriate for me?
Yes. You will be guided to go slowly and gently. You may find that smaller movements are best for beginning to address the muscle tension inherent in scoliosis. We will show you what to do so it works well for you and your needs.
Do I have to get down on the floor?
Yes. While we will do a seated routine towards the end of the weekend, most of the movements will be done on the floor.
Do I need to attend the entire weekend?
Yes. To understand and experience the power of Essential Somatics Fundamentals, you need to be fully present for the entire weekend. We strongly encourage arriving on time and staying through to the end.
Am I responsible for my transportation, accommodations, and meals?
Yes. When you register, you will need to make your travel arrangements, including transportation to/from the meeting and finding a hotel or AirBnB near our meeting venue. You will also need to purchase your meals.
Do you offer scholarships?
No. We’ve made the price point for this positive life-altering class as affordable as possible in the hopes of accommodating everyone.
Do you offer an online version of this course?
We are focused on building up a full roster of live, in-person sessions throughout the year. If you are not ready or are unable to attend the Fundamentals Course in person, we invite you to attend the Online Intro to Somatic Movement Series instead.
There are just three dates and locations listed right now. Do you plan to add more dates and locations?
Absolutely. We will continue to build out the live, in-person class options. As they become available, we will update everyone who is on our email list and connected with us through social media.
What type of payment do you accept?
We accept credit cards and Apple Pay using PayPal and Stripe.
Are these movements guaranteed to work for me?
Essential Somatics Fundamentals Course works from the inside out. Like anything in life, you have to put in the time and effort to experience results consistently. While the methods and movements you will learn are not a magic pill, most people walk away feeling better than they have in years.
More questions? Visit the FAQs page