Guided Experiences in Grounding, Somatic Awareness and Embodied Connection
and Online via Zoom
Presence in Motion draws on the teaching lineage of George Leonard's sensei Robert Nadeau, 8th-dan Shihan, a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido. Sessions are co-led by senseis Bob Noha and Teja Bell, who bring decades of experience in embodied and relational practices.
The series offers guided, embodied explorations of grounding, energy, and relational presence through movement-based practice. Rooted in the philosophy of Aikido, this training approaches practice as a way of cultivating harmony, first with oneself, in relationship with others and the wider world.
Rather than working conceptually, you are invited into direct, first-person experience, learning how alignment, movement, and energy are felt in the body and expressed in relationship. As with Leonard Energy Training, exercises involve gentle, accessible movement and are non-falling, practiced primarily through standing and simple movement.
In these classes - available in person and online - you will practice allowing various energy qualities to flow through your system, noticing the difference between your concept and your experience of these energies in 3 different states: personal, in relationship to another, and with a group. By encouraging a flow between awareness and actuality, you can be open to finer energy states and be fully present to yourself, others and to each moment of life.
What you will explore and practice
- Moving beyond understanding ideas into lived, embodied experience
- Developing functional awareness of grounded, stable energy states
- Refining sensitivity to alignment, effort, relaxation, and connection
- Experiencing presence not only internally, but in contact with others
A core distinction introduced early in the series guides the work throughout: the difference between recognizing an energy state conceptually and directly inhabiting it. Practice emphasizes felt experience that can be sensed, stabilized, and confirmed through simple feedback and partner interaction.
Practices are repeated in multiple rounds, allowing participants to notice subtle shifts, including unnecessary effort, opportunities to settle and align, and increasing continuity and ease. The pace adapts to the group, supporting both newcomers and those continuing from earlier sessions.
Core elements to enliven your experience
- Grounding and movement practices that explore alignment through the feet, hips, spine, arms, and shoulders
- Energy core exploration, beginning with the spine and extending through the limbs, supporting fuller embodiment
- Relational practice, using simple partner exercises to experience presence, connection, and feedback in real time
- The emphasis is on awareness and experience rather than performance or technique
Who is best suited for this 4-session training
These sessions are open to anyone interested in embodied, experiential practice to stay grounded, aware and responsive in everyday life.
- No prior movement or martial arts experience is required
- Especially relevant for those engaged in ITPI, somatic, contemplative, or integral practices
- Practices are adaptable, with attention to safety, clarity, and depth
Registration
In-person space is limited to support a focused and spacious learning environment.
Register here.
Series Facilitators
