Terms Of Service

Somatic Dance International

Last Updated: October 2026
Governing Law: New Zealand

1. Welcome & Our Shared Agreement

Welcome to Somatic Dance International.

Our teacher trainings are immersive educational experiences designed to cultivate embodied awareness, personal inquiry and the skills required to facilitate Somatic Dance.

These Terms of Service outline the agreements and shared responsibilities that support a safe, respectful and professionally held learning environment.

By enrolling in a training, you agree to these Terms, our Refund & Cancellation Policy and our Privacy Policy. Before attending, you will also be required to complete our Participation Agreement & Informed Consent form.

We encourage all students to read these documents carefully so they understand their commitments and what they can expect from us.

2. Registration, Enrolment & Payments

2.1 Registration & Securing Your Place

To apply for a Somatic Dance International training, students must complete the registration form and pay the required deposit, ordinarily 15% of the total training fee.

Your place is provisionally reserved upon receipt of your registration and deposit, subject to acceptance of your application.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. On rare occasions, we may determine that a particular training is not the appropriate fit for an applicant at that time.

If Somatic Dance International does not accept your application, all payments received will be refunded in full, including applicable payment processing fees.

Once your application has been accepted, your place is confirmed and the payment arrangements outlined in these Terms apply.

2.2 Payment Options

Students may pay their training fees in full or select an available payment plan.

Our standard deposit option requires an initial payment of 15% of the total booking cost, with the remaining balance ordinarily divided into six monthly instalments.

Your individual payment schedule, including payment amounts and due dates, will be confirmed at enrolment.

Alternative payment arrangements may occasionally be agreed upon in writing with our administration team.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all training fees must be paid in full before the training begins.

2.3 Payment Processing

Payments may be processed through our designated payment providers or other approved methods.

By choosing an automatic payment plan, you authorise the agreed instalments to be charged according to your confirmed payment schedule.

Students are responsible for keeping their payment details current and ensuring sufficient funds are available.

2.4 Missed or Unsuccessful Payments

We understand that unexpected financial circumstances can arise.

If a scheduled payment is unsuccessful, we will notify you and provide 15 calendar days to resolve the outstanding amount or contact us to discuss an alternative arrangement.

If payment remains outstanding after this period and no alternative arrangement has been agreed upon, we may suspend access to training materials or, where reasonable and lawful, cancel your enrolment after providing written notice.

Any cancellation, outstanding balance or refund will be assessed in accordance with our Refund & Cancellation Policy, applicable law and the circumstances of your booking.

We encourage students experiencing financial difficulties to communicate with us early.

3. Nature of the Training & Shared Responsibilities

3.1 Experiential Learning

Somatic Dance International trainings involve experiential movement, somatic inquiry, breath awareness, music, creative expression, group learning and reflective practices.

Some experiences may be physically demanding or emotionally evocative.

We are committed to facilitating our trainings with reasonable care, skill and sensitivity, while recognising that each student's experience and capacity will be different.

Students are encouraged to participate within their own physical and emotional capacity, communicate their needs and honour their personal boundaries.

3.2 Health, Safety & Informed Consent

Before attending, all students are required to complete our Participation Agreement & Informed Consent form.

This agreement provides further information about the nature of the practices, relevant risks, consent, personal boundaries and shared responsibilities.

Students are encouraged to inform our facilitation team of any relevant health considerations or accessibility needs that may affect their participation, so that appropriate support or adjustments can be considered.

Participation in touch-based practices is subject to informed and ongoing consent.

Our responsibility to provide services with reasonable care and skill remains in place alongside each student's responsibility to participate mindfully and communicate their needs.

3.3 Educational & Therapeutic Boundaries

Somatic Dance International provides professional education and experiential learning in somatic dance and facilitation.

While our trainings may support personal growth, emotional awareness and wellbeing, they are not intended to replace medical treatment, psychotherapy, psychiatric care or other professional healthcare services.

Students remain responsible for seeking appropriate professional support when needed.

Our facilitators will work within the scope of their training and professional responsibilities.

4. Student Wellbeing, Attendance & Certification

4.1 Commitment to Attendance

Our trainings are immersive learning experiences, with each session contributing to the development of students as Somatic Dance Facilitators and DJs.

We ask students to commit to attending the full programme, including scheduled teaching sessions, practical explorations, group learning and final teaching offerings.

4.2 Illness During Training

We understand that illness and unexpected circumstances can arise.

If you become unwell during a training, please inform a member of our facilitation team as soon as possible.

Where an illness may be contagious, or where rest is needed to support recovery, we may ask you to take time away from group sessions until it is appropriate for you to return.

This decision will be made with consideration for your wellbeing and the health of the wider training community.

We will make reasonable efforts to support you in catching up on essential learning content missed during your absence.

4.3 Missed Training Hours & Catch-Up Requirements

For each 100-hour training programme, students may miss up to four hours of scheduled training without being required to complete a formal catch-up session.

Where more than four hours are missed:

Every additional four-hour block of missed training, or part thereof, requires one hour of supported catch-up learning.
Catch-up sessions must be facilitated by a 300-hour certified Somatic Dance Facilitator and DJ.
Each one-hour catch-up session costs $125 NZD.
Depending on the material missed, additional independent study, practical work or assessment may be required.

The first four-hour allowance applies separately to each 100-hour training programme and does not accumulate across training levels.

Catch-up tutorials support the integration of missed learning but do not automatically replace the equivalent number of scheduled training hours where specific practical or contact-hour requirements apply.

4.4 Arranging Catch-Up Sessions

Where practical, catch-up sessions may be arranged during the training without interfering with scheduled learning, essential rest or preparation for final teaching offerings.

Alternatively, sessions may be completed after the training within an agreed timeframe.

We recognise that students may need time to recover from illness and do not expect catch-up learning to compromise their wellbeing.

4.5 Certification Pathway & Post-Training Requirements

Somatic Dance International offers a progressive 300-hour teacher training pathway across three levels:

Level 1 — SOMA: 100-hour foundational training
Level 2 — PSYCHE: 200-hour cumulative certification pathway
Level 3 — SOUL: 300-hour cumulative certification pathway

Each level combines immersive learning, practical experience, personal inquiry and post-training requirements designed to support the development of skilled, reflective and responsible facilitators.

LEVEL 1 — SOMA | 100-HOUR CERTIFICATION

Upon completing the Level 1 SOMA immersion and its attendance requirements, students receive a Certificate of Attendance.

To become a Certified 100-Hour Somatic Dance Facilitator, students must complete the following post-training requirements.

Five Somatic Dance Offerings

Facilitate five Somatic Dance classes or practice offerings for friends, family or members of your community.

After each offering, submit a written reflection addressing:

The theme and embodiment focus of your offering.
What you felt went well.
What you learned and would refine or develop for your next offering.

Reflections are to be emailed to the Head of School, Sarsha Hope, for review.

One Mentoring Session

Complete one mentoring session with a certified 300-hour Somatic Dance Facilitator and DJ.

This session may take place before, during or after your five practice offerings.

The mentoring fee is $125 NZD for the session.

Upon satisfactory completion and review of these requirements, students receive their 100-Hour Somatic Dance Facilitator Certification.

Certified graduates receive access to our shared graduate resources, including the approved Somatic Dance logo, which may be used in accordance with our branding guidelines.

LEVEL 2 — PSYCHE | 200-HOUR CERTIFICATION

To become a Certified 200-Hour Somatic Dance Facilitator and DJ, students must complete both Level 1 SOMA and Level 2 PSYCHE, together with their applicable certification requirements.

Students who have not yet completed their five Level 1 practice offerings, reflections and required mentoring must complete these before receiving Level 2 certification.

Six-Week Online Programme

Students must design a six-week online programme demonstrating their ability to structure and develop a progressive learning journey using the principles and practices of Somatic Dance.

The programme may be delivered or submitted as a completed programme design for review.

Programme Review & Mentoring

The programme must be reviewed by a certified 300-hour Somatic Dance Facilitator and DJ.

The required review and mentoring process totals 90 minutes:

30 minutes for the certified facilitator to review the submitted programme.
60 minutes for feedback, discussion, mentoring and questions with the student.

The total fee is $187.50 NZD.

Upon satisfactory completion of all Level 1 and Level 2 requirements, students receive their 200-Hour Somatic Dance Facilitator and DJ Certification.

Somatic Dance International strongly recommends the 200-hour certification as the minimum level of professional training for those intending to offer Somatic Dance as an ongoing facilitation practice.

LEVEL 3 — SOUL | 300-HOUR CERTIFICATION

To become a Fully Certified 300-Hour Somatic Dance Facilitator and DJ, students must complete all three levels of the Somatic Dance International teacher training programme and the applicable post-training requirements for Levels 1 and 2.

Level 3 Post-Training Requirement

Following Level 3 SOUL, students must select one book from the Somatic Dance International Recommended Reading List and submit a one-page written reflection.

This reflection should explore:

The key themes, insights or teachings that inspired you.
How the reading relates to your own embodied understanding and facilitation practice.
How you would create a ceremony or ritual experience inspired by the material, including your intention and the practices you would incorporate.

Upon satisfactory completion and review of all three training levels and their certification requirements, students receive their 300-Hour Somatic Dance Facilitator and DJ Certification.

Certification Review & Completion

Certification is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the relevant training, practical competencies, assessments and post-training requirements.

Where further development or clarification is needed, we will communicate this to the student and provide guidance on the next steps.

Certification may be deferred until the applicable requirements have been met.

We are committed to maintaining the integrity of Somatic Dance International's certification standards while supporting each student's learning journey.

5. Respectful Participation & Community Care

We are committed to creating learning environments grounded in respect, consent, inclusion and shared responsibility.

All participants are expected to respect the personal boundaries, dignity, privacy and wellbeing of fellow students, facilitators and venue staff.

Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, coercive behaviour or repeated disregard for consent and safety boundaries are not acceptable within our trainings.

If concerns arise, we will endeavour to address them through respectful communication and an appropriate process.

Where behaviour presents a serious safety concern or substantially disrupts the learning environment, we may take reasonable steps to protect the group, including asking a participant to step away from a session or, where necessary, ending their participation.

Where circumstances allow, students will be informed of the concern and given an opportunity to respond before a final decision is made.

Any financial consequences will be considered in accordance with our Refund & Cancellation Policy and applicable law.

6. Intellectual Property, Certification & Brand Use

6.1 Our Educational Materials

Somatic Dance International's original training manuals, written course content, teaching resources, recordings, original frameworks, branding and other materials created by or for the school are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

These materials are provided for your personal education and professional development.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, students may not reproduce, distribute, sell, publish or commercially share our protected training materials.

This does not prevent students from applying the skills and knowledge they have learned in their own professional practice.

6.2 Teaching & Certification

Upon successful completion of the relevant certification requirements, graduates may describe themselves using the certification title awarded by Somatic Dance International and refer to their training in professional biographies, websites and promotional materials.

Graduates may apply the somatic dance facilitation and DJ skills they have learned in their own independent teaching practice.

Certification does not grant permission to operate under the business name Somatic Dance International, reproduce our proprietary teacher training programmes, issue certifications on behalf of the school or represent an independent offering as an official SDI training.

6.3 Somatic Dance Certification, Brand Use & Professional Membership

Upon successful completion of their Level 1 post-training certification requirements, graduates become eligible to join Somatic Dance International's annual Professional Membership.

Professional Membership supports the ongoing development, administration and professional community of Somatic Dance International.

100-Hour Certified Somatic Dance Facilitator — SOMA

Active professional members may use the approved Somatic Dance name and logo to promote their independent Somatic Dance classes, in accordance with the school's branding guidelines. Members also receive access to designated graduate resources.

200-Hour Certified Somatic Dance Facilitator and DJ — PSYCHE

In addition to Level 1 membership benefits, active professional members are eligible to be listed on the Somatic Dance International website under Find a Dance Near You, subject to directory guidelines and consent to publish their professional details.

300-Hour Certified Somatic Dance Facilitator and DJ — SOUL

In addition to Level 1 and 2 membership benefits, active professional members are eligible to be considered for opportunities to assist on Somatic Dance International teacher trainings and serve as mentors within the school.

These roles are subject to relevant experience, suitability, availability and approval by Somatic Dance International. Membership and certification do not guarantee an appointment or paid position.

Membership & Certification

Professional Membership is renewed annually. Membership fees, renewal arrangements and associated benefits will be clearly communicated before joining.

Certification is awarded upon successful completion of the relevant training and post-training requirements and is retained independently of membership status.

Graduates who do not join or renew their Professional Membership may continue to accurately state the certification they have earned but are not entitled to ongoing membership benefits or use of the approved Somatic Dance logo.

Use of the Somatic Dance name and logo must comply with our branding guidelines and must not imply an unauthorised partnership, franchise or official endorsement by Somatic Dance International.

7. Changes to Training Arrangements

We make every reasonable effort to deliver trainings as described at the time of enrolment.

Occasionally, practical adjustments may be required to teaching schedules, facilitators, venues or programme arrangements.

Where changes are necessary, we will communicate these as soon as reasonably possible and endeavour to maintain the overall quality, learning outcomes and integrity of the training.

Any significant change that materially affects the agreed service will be addressed fairly, taking into account the circumstances and participants' applicable legal rights.

Cancellation or rescheduling of an entire training is addressed in our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

8. Cancellations, Withdrawals & Refunds

Our separate Refund & Cancellation Policy outlines the arrangements that apply when a student cancels, withdraws from a training or requests a refund, as well as circumstances where Somatic Dance International must cancel or reschedule a training.

We encourage all students to familiarise themselves with this policy before enrolling.

Requests for refunds during a training should be submitted in writing through our administration process.

Where a refund is approved, we aim to process it within 14 working days, subject to any shorter period required by law.

Nothing in these Terms or our Refund & Cancellation Policy limits rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded.

9. Privacy & Confidentiality

We respect the personal information and experiences shared by our students.

Personal information collected during enrolment and participation will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable privacy laws.

Students are also asked to respect the confidentiality of personal experiences shared by others during group discussions and practices.

Please do not share another participant's personal story, identifying information, image or recording without their permission.

We recognise that confidentiality within a group setting cannot be absolutely guaranteed, and we encourage everyone to participate with care and discretion.

10. Concerns & Resolution

We value open communication and welcome the opportunity to address concerns thoughtfully and fairly.

If you have a concern about your training experience, please bring it to the attention of a facilitator or contact our administration team.

We will endeavour to understand the concern, respond within a reasonable timeframe and work towards an appropriate resolution.

Concerns involving safety or wellbeing will be prioritised.

Where a matter cannot be resolved directly, participants retain access to any applicable legal or statutory remedies.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand.

Any disputes arising from these Terms will be considered in accordance with applicable New Zealand law and relevant jurisdictional requirements.

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under New Zealand law or other applicable consumer protection legislation.

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