weissmann teacher training modules
One module consists of 12 hours of study ( with the exception of * Module 10)
Saturday 10:00 – 13:00 + 14:00 – 17:00
Sunday 10:00 –13:00 + 14:00 – 17:00
Each module will begin with a short class and will continue with either theory, teaching skills or an exploration of the weissmann principles.
Module 1 – February 11. + 12.2023

Arriving and Grounding
- how to arrive in present moment
- yoga and core exercises
- establishing middle axis, spine mobilization
- first weight shifts, awakening a stable yet soft base in feet
- introduction to weissmann principles
- reflections on modern dance history
Module 2 – March 04. + 05.2023

Strength and Expansion
- plies: technical precision, anatomic awareness
- discovering connection between pelvis and floor, increasing weight shifts
- expanding from the center into extremities, arm and leg articulation
- awakening hip rotators + strengthening legs
- deep curves and stretch
- adagio sequences
- anatomy with Nina Wehnert
Module 3 – April 22. + 23.2023

Dancing with Gravity
- quick weight shifts
- relationship of the body with gravity
- three dimensional traveling and changing directions
- gliding + covering space
- swing, release
- percussive, rhythmic movement
- floor work
- airtime
- building stamina
Module 4 – May 20. + 21.2023

Leading and Inspiring
- review of modules 1–3
- giving instructions: exploratory and prescriptive
- using your voice, cueing
- the use of imagery
- analyzing the building blocks of a weissmann exercise
- how to begin a combination, finding inspiration
- integrating class elements in phrasing
- practice teaching parts of a weissmann class
Module 5 – June 24. + 25.2023

Becoming Music
- deepening focus on musicality, creating musical phrasing
- how to create sequences that cycle across the floor
- how to work with a live musician, with Emre Kesim
- choosing music for your class: creating a journey with your playlist
- playing with a wide range of dynamics
- the body is a musical instrument
Module 6 – September 09. + 10.2023

Refining and Experiencing
- reviewing and refining the weissmann principles
- deepening of yoga and mindfulness in relation to the weissmann technique
- including improvisation in your class, introduction to Group Motion structures
- creating a class map: sequencing, theming, intention setting
- Q+A question and answer sessions
- personal feedback
- practice teaching parts of a weissmann class
Module 7 – October 07. + 08.2023

Pathways to Creativity
- deepening improvisation
- composition: developmental movement patterns, spatial planes and laban scales
- learning and experimenting with weissmann repertoire
- practice teaching parts of a weissmann class
Module 8 – November 11. + 12. 2023

Integration
- anatomy with Nina Wehnert
- demonstrating and cueing
- hands on support
- designing a class for different target groups / levels
- creating a syllabus
- principles of learning
- teaching ethics, student / teacher relationship
- practice teaching parts of a weissmann class
Module 9 – December 09.+10.2023

Finding Your Voice
- encouraging discipline and teaching class etiquette
- time management
- seeing and sensing the room
- developing a bag of tricks
- input / output: how to refuel as a teacher
- clarifying your vision as a teacher
- marketing and networking
- reflection on relationship between our modern dance ancestors and the contemporary dance world
- how to give and receive feedback
- practice teaching parts of a weissmann class
Module 10 – January 12.–14.01.2024 *3 day intensive module

Culmination
- final teaching demonstration of a 45 min. weissmann class
- written reflection about your journey
- feedback from fellow students and mentors