Where will the program take place?
The program will take place in Montreal, which is a lively city full of cafes, restaurants, health food options and diverse cultural spaces, all within walking distance.
The upcoming Spring Module (2020) will take place at the studios of the dance and theatre department of Concordia University * at the Molson Building at 1450 Rue Guy, at the corner of Boulevard de Maisonneuve West, in the heart of downtown Montréal. The building is located right above the Guy Concordia Metro station.
The Summer Module (2020) will take place at the Conservatoire, * on the Plateau Mont-Royal at 4750 Henri-Julien Avenue, Studio C in Montréal. The Conservatoire is a 5-minute walk from Metro Mont-Royal as well as Metro Laurier.
* Although highly unlikely, it is possible that this venue could change. All registered participants will be notified of this occurs.
Can I register for an individual course without registering for the whole training program?
Yes, absolutely. We welcome participants to attend any program courses that they choose throughout the program without having to register for the whole program. At the same time, any courses attended can be applied towards obtaining your Somatic Movement Educator (SME) certificate over a 10-year period, should you decide at some point to complete the training. Those courses can be taken in any of the licensed Body-Mind Centering® programs being offered around the world. This enables you to follow your own rhythm and capacity to complete the training according to your personal and/or professional needs and resources
Do I need to have previous experience with Body-Mind Centering®, or be a dancer to participate in this program?
No previous experience with Body-Mind Centering® is required, and this training is open to people of all ages from all backgrounds and races.
BMCSM is an open practice that is in continuous evolution. Each participant arrives with his or her individual history and background and begins a process of exploration and learning with the energy of the group. Each participant brings his or her unique body of experience and knowledge to our BMCSM learning experience together.
What do I wear to the classes?
It is important to wear comfortable clothing that enables free movement. We suggest that you avoid tight garments that would restrict your movement and circulation. Bring layers as well, such as a scarf, socks, a pullover and a cap, to assure you comfort during moments of more stillness in our activities, or fluctuations in temperature that may occur.
What is BMCSM like?
There are many dimensions to the BMCSM teachings and to how it is taught. There isn’t a BMCSM class ‘type’. The structure and form of each class depends on the material being taught, the teaching style of each teacher, the dynamic of the group and each participant, and the resources available. A class could begin with the presentation of theoretical material, such as anatomy or physiology, that would then be taken into explorations with movement, voice, working with touch as an educational tool, or partner work. Afterwards, time is given for integration and a deepening of the experience through discussion and sharing.
The explorations are carefully guided to facilitate and support each person’s individual process of learning. Participants are free to engage in these activities at their own level of comfort, and to ensure their own well-being.
Is it possible to attend a BMCSM class to get an idea of the work?
You can discover BMCSM through a workshop or class offered in your area. You can find the contact information for BMCSM Certified professionals around the world on the Body-Mind Centering Association website: http://bmcassociation.org/AboutBMC/Locate
You can also contact the Montreal Program Director Mariko Tanabe, to find a class, a workshop or to book a private session in the Montreal area, or for when she is teaching abroad: [email protected] or http://marikotanabe.com or (514) 577 8030.
During each course of the training, it is possible to attend some of the classes as a visitor for free. To find out when you can attend, and to make a reservation for your place, please contact Program Director Mariko Tanabe: [email protected] or (514) 577 8030. We would be happy to welcome you as our guest.
Is there a selection process for the participants of this program?
Each application is reviewed individually with the intention of selecting candidates who are invested in their personal or professional process, and willing to engage in this learning experience.
What are the requirements for the Somatic Movement Educator’s Certificate?
To obtain the BMCSM Somatic Movement Education certificate, all the courses in the 6 modules must be completed.
The following must also be completed:
A complete description of these requirements will be given to students at the beginning of the session.
Note: The cost of the individual work with a certified BMCSM Practitioner or Teacher is not included in the tuition prices of the modules, since it only concerns participants who wish to obtain the certificate.
What is the daily schedule like during the course days?
| 9:00 – 11:00 * | class |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | break |
| 11:30 – 13:30 | class |
| 13:30 – 15:30 ** | lunch |
| 15 :30 – 17 :30 | class |
| 17 :30 – 17:45 | break |
| 17:45 – 18:45 ** | class |
*Please note that there are a few exceptions in this schedule that may occur. The first day of both courses in every module, will begin at 8:30 instead of 9:00 to have time to arrive and meet your colleagues and faculty. On our website http://espritenmouvement.com, the dates of the courses can be found in the Schedule page along with the days off that occur during most of the courses. Depending on the length of each course, there will be 0 to 2 days off during the course, and 1 or 2 days off in between the two courses of each module.
**Please note the lunch break is now two hours – from 1:30 – 3:30 pm – and the last class of the day ends at 6:45pm, instead of 6:15pm.
Do I have to attend each of the courses in the order of Montreal’s program, and what happens if I miss some of the courses?
If you want to become a certified SME, it is not necessary to attend the courses in the order of the program. It is possible to make up any courses missed either in the next cycle of the program in Montreal or, as mentioned above, by attending the missed course(s) in one of the numerous BMCSM programs running around the world. Many graduates have taken several years to complete their training due to personal or professional demands. It is necessary, however, to complete the training in ten years.
How can I find housing in Montreal?
There are many options for finding available lodgings according to your budget. Nevertheless, we recommend reserving your place as soon as you can, since Montreal is quite a popular tourist destination. Montreal also has comprehensive public transportation, bike paths and easy movement on foot. After reading below, please feel free to contact us if you have need any further information.
For short term rentals, rooms to rent and apartment shares:
http://kijiji.ca
http://montreal.craiglist.ca
Several rooms and apartments available for a range of prices:
http://fr.airbnb.ca
Université McGill www.mcgill.ca/accommodations/summer/
Université Concordia www.concordia.ca/students/housing/summer/group-stays.html
What Language is spoken in Montréal?
French is Québec’s official language but English is widely spoken in Montréal. The city has more than 120 cultural groups and over 20% of the population speaks three languages.
Banks and Currency Exchange
Canadian currency is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollar bills. One and two dollar bills have been replaced by coins, sometimes referred to as “Loonies” (the bird on the $1 is a loon) and “Toonies” ($2)
There are numerous currency exchange offices for visitors to exchange money into Canadian currency. Most exchange offices are open during regular business hours (9am-6pm) and Saturday from 10am-5pm.
Tax
Please be aware that with most purchases made in Québec, except for some basic food items and a few other exceptions, you will be charged additional sales taxes. There is a federal; tax (GST at 5%) and a provincial tax (QST at 9.975%). These taxes generally are not included in the prices you will see posted, but are added on when you pay.
What is the rule for tipping in Montréal?
Service is not included in restaurants, so it is customary to add a 15% tip to the total before taxes (if you’re with a group, 15% for service may be automatically added to your bill, ask if you’re not sure). Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least $1 per suitcase or per service rendered.
Electricity
The electric current is 110V and the plugs are the same as what is found in the US. If you come from a country that uses 220V electricity, you will need a converter for any appliances you bring that require power (computers, charges, etc.).
Time Zones
Montréal switches to Eastern Daylight Time (summer time zone) on the second Sunday of March and returns to Eastern Standard Time (winter time zone) on the first Sunday of November. The time difference between Montréal time and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is less than 5 hours in the winter.
Using your mobile phone
There are many Wi-Fi connections available in the city. If you do not turn off your roaming or 3g connection charges to your mobile phone bill can climb high depending on whether you have a package that includes Canada.
You can also find out more information and Wi-Fi locations by clicking on the following link: www.zap.coop