The Guild of Embodied Practice®
The Masterclass in Embodied Practice® was founded by Judith Koltai in 1996 as a ‘school without walls’. The name has recently changed to THE GUILD AND MASTERCLASS OF EMBODIED PRACTICE® . This acknowledges our evolution: moving away from a ‘workshop’ mentality into a professional study and research collective gathered around the founder and master teacher. There have been several initiatives to move responsibility into the hands and care of the membership in order to strengthen and mature the collective. We are intending towards a non-hierarchical community, where authority is shared according to competence, skill and experience, rather than 'title'. In this context, we study and practice ways of articulation and human interaction which are supportive in the making and sustaining of a safe, caring and constructively productive collective. Such a practice is, for example, the Dialogue method developed by physicist David Bohm. A yearly combined membership and tuition fee applies to the Guild and Masterclass. Judith has made it an unconditional policy that finances not be an obstacle preventing participation in any part of her work by those who qualify and are sincerely committed. The Guild and Masterclass wholeheartedly embraces and continues this policy.
The Masterclass
The collective meets regularly, at least twice-a-year, for study and training sessions: the Masterclass. The focus is the ever-deepening investigation, new discoveries and ongoing practical refinements in Syntonics® and Authentic Movement. Our studies include current developments of neuroscience and physiology. The implications glimpsed from these new insights enable us to better understand the total functioning of the human organism. They help us make useful connections in the application of our practices to healthy, adaptable and creative living. We also make ourselves aware of social and sociological studies which cast light upon the larger implications of our work and our collective existence. Recently we have been investigating the writings of sociologist Richard Sennett. His book, The Craftsman, has been an invaluable source in clarifying the essence of apprenticeship and the value of disciplined collegiality in the developing and practicing of a human craft. Members are strongly urged and assisted to be actively involved and responsible for studying, researching, and sharing new information and insights. They are also encouraged to meet during the year in small groups within geographical proximities. Judith offers ongoing mentoring, communication and professional supervision as requested and required during the intervals between Masterclass meetings.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead)
Membership
The majority of current members is made up of long-time and ongoing students of Judith Koltai. Some are qualified and authorized by her to teach the practice. The Masterclass also welcomes new members who are experienced practitioners or advanced students of a related practice and who are interested and willing to enter the Masterclass with a long term view of commitment.
A first-time participant arrives on a trial basis for the first year. After that, he/she is considered a member and her/his continued regular attendance is assumed.
Authorize to Teach
Membership in the Guild and participation in the Masterclass does not guarantee authorization to teach the practices under the registered names. Such authorization is a matter of individual process and occurs after considerable length of consistent study and then only by personal consultation with Judith Koltai.
Because of the evolutionary nature of the work, acknowledged membership in the Guild and authorization to teach under the name of Syntonics® or Embodied Practice® is contingent upon consistent attendance in the yearly Masterclass meetings. After an absence of two consecutive years, authorization to teach under the registered name is suspended and a clear and specific renewal of commitment is required.
“Sociable expertise doesn't create community in any self-conscious or ideological sense; it consists simply of good practices. The well-crafted organization will focus on whole human beings in time, it will encourage mentoring, and it will demand standards framed in language that any person in the organization (and I would add outside the organization) might understand.”
(Richard Sennett)