Starting Time
Class Matriculation: Saturday, September 13, 2014, 10:00 AM
Somatic Systems Institute Florence satelite office, Florence Village in Northampton, MA (click here to see below for address and directions).
Classes Begin: Saturday, September 13, 2014, after Matriculation.
Module End
Final class sessions for the first module end Sunday night, September 21, 2014, at or before 8 PM. Any travel arrangements you make should allow you to leave the classroom at 8 PM or later. If leaving earlier than 8 PM due to travel plans, students should be aware that missed time will need to be made-up at an additional fee.
The first semester ends Sunday night, December 14, 2014, at approximately 8:30 PM. Any travel arrangements you make should allow you to leave after 8 PM. The final day includes an end-of-semester dinner for the entire class.
Location
Your first training module takes place at our satellite adminstrative offices, 41 Main Street, 2R, Florence, MA 01062.
You won’t find Somatic Systems Institute’s name or any other training program reference on the main parking lot sign for 41 Main. Our space is located on the ground floor, 3 steps down into basement level. When you look at the front of 41 Main, there are no doors. Just go around the right corner of the building and you will see a door under an awning for 41 Main. Enter the door, go down the stairs, open the inside door, and walk to the end of the short hallway, where you will find our door on the right.
(Note that Main Street in Florence center is the same road as Main Street in Northampton center — Route 9; however, in between these two sections of Route 9 called Main Street, Route 9 is goes by several other names, including Elm Street and Locust Street.)
Florence is a small village within the city of Northampton, whose center is approximately 2 miles from downtown Northampton center. While not densely packed with arts, culture, and cuisine as downtown, Florence is not without its ameneties and conveniences. Parking is free and the lack of street and pedestrian traffic and smaller geographical footprint means everything is quickly and easily accessible. In addition to two banks, a hardware store, a small pharmacy, and several other shops, there is a Friendly's, Subway, and several local restaurants, including pizzerias and Cafe Evolution vegetarian cafe and bakery. Florence also features the popular Florence Softserve kiosk, one of the most famous of the many historic diners in Western Massachusetts, the Miss Florence Diner, and its own weekly farmer's market just like downtown Northampton. You can also buy groceries and sandwiches at the small local market, Cooper's Corner, the original and parent store of downtown's State Street market.
See the map below or click here for a map.
Transportation
Florence center is located right along the rail-trail bike/pedestrian path to downtown Northampton, where the rail-trails continue on towards eastern Massachusetts. From the Academy of Music in Northampton center to the front door of 41 Main Street is 2.3 miles along Route 9.
Buses run throughout most of the valley, including to Northampton. For example, the Red 42/Northampton-Williamsburg line leaves the Academy of Music stop at 8:50 AM, and arrives in Florence center at approximately 9 AM. For more information, visit the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority's website at http://www.pvta.com/schedules.php
Parking
Parking is readily available in Florence, and mostly free with no time limits. Addtionally, 41 Main Street includes a small free parking lot right in front of the entry door.
Classroom Attire
Please feel free to come to class dressed comfortably. You will be working with classmates as clients, and taking the role of clients for your classmates. You may wish to wear clothes that you would wear when receiving a Somatics session in your regular life. Typically, this means loose fitting pants and shirts and/or other attire that allows you to move comfortably and without significant restriction; and that does not impede either client or practitioner from feeling tactile feedback. (Denim jeans are usually problematic, for example.) This is a two-way street: It is important for you as a practitioner and exerciser to be able to learn, explore, and perform at your best; and it is fair to your classmates to be available as a fully mobile client. Remember to be considerate with your hygiene — keeping your body and breath free of excessive odor (including perfumes) and wearing clean socks and other clothing. Just as you should wear clothing that allows you to move without discomfort for you or your classmates (e.g., no skirts or dresses), because your classmates will be moving your legs and feet during practice times, you should pack enough socks to wear them to class everyday. If you have any questions about class attire, please call or email us for assistance.
