Dynamic Bodies: A Framework for Somatic Engagement in Dance and Movement

By Elizabeth Limons Shea

Movement plays a fundamental role in human life, shaping how we think, communicate, and engage with ourselves and our surroundings. Somatic practice, which focuses on deepening the relationship between body and mind, offers a framework for understanding the human experience. This book examines the theoretical foundations of somatics and introduces SomaLab(R), a system designed to support integrated mind-body learning. Practical applications are offered for dancers, musicians, and others who use movement as a means of expression, interaction, or connection.

The book contextualizes somatic experience by exploring how humans learn, regulate, and respond to different environments. It outlines the SomaLab(R) methodology as a process for developing mindful habits that strengthen the connection between mental and physical awareness. Examples demonstrate how somatic experiences can be designed across educational, artistic, and community contexts, with attention to both shared human capability and individual differences.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1476684847
• ISBN13: 9781476684840
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 269 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up