Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Shake Your Soul® and SomaSoul®?

Shake Your Soul® : the Yoga of Dance, is a joy-based exhilarating approach to whole body fitness, generally given as a class-based group practice. Classes can happen weekly, monthly or can be customized and offered for special events. SomaSoul® : Somatic Therapy is predominantly used as a one-on-one therapy method, incorporating expressive arts, therapeutic dialogue and somatic movement. Its intention is to help awaken the body’s ability to move and process our issues.

If I want to take everything you offer, the whole program – where would I begin?

You can either start with level one Shake Your Soul® or online SomaSoul®: Somatic Therapy Training. Notice what fits with your schedule the best, or what you feel most interested in, and start there! Feel free to contact us at info@leveninstitute.com to discuss your specific interests.

Do I have to be in good physical shape to take your trainings and/or workshops?

Trainings and workshops are open to everyBODY! At times, there may be a more intense physical component, depending on the workshop or training that you are participating in, but movements are facilitated in a way that lets participants determine the level of intensity that suits them. Please contact us at info@leveninstitute.com if you have specific concerns.

There seem to be many types of YogaDance available – what makes Shake Your Soul® : the Yoga of Dance unique?

Dan Leven was one of the originators of Kripalu Danskinetics, which is the model out of which most YogaDance methods were born. A variety of teachers have created their own unique flows and named their personalized approaches according to their own concept. Dan’s method, Shake Your Soul®: the Yoga of Dance, is based in fluid embodiment. Fluid-based movement ranges from the looseness of moving from our joint fluid, to the powerful and sensual movements that emerge from the fluid between our muscle cells, to the dynamic pulsing and rhythmic power of blood-based movements. The more fluid our body is, in these dynamic and natural ways, the more our life force, our prana, our chi moves our body. Shake Your Soul® : the Yoga of Dance classes allow participants to loosely follow guided choreography, as well as to break out in free flow motion!

How can I find a teacher or practitioner in my area?

We have a number of teachers and practitioners throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Please check our RESOURCE section for teacher listings and to determine if there is someone in your area. The list is updated frequently.

If I wanted to take a sample Shake Your Soul class, what is the best way to go about this?

Dan, Heather and Sage teach regular Shake Your Soul® : the Yoga of Dance classes at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, as part of the lunchtime offering. If you’re in the area, you can sample their teachings by booking a day pass at Kripalu. Dan also teaches weekly Shake your Soul classes at Healing Rhythms on Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Sage teaches on Thursdays at 5:30pm.

Can I sponsor a training or workshop in my area?

Absolutely! LIFE Movement faculty occasionally go on the road with trainings and workshops. If you’re able to guarantee a suitable number of participants, Dan or another faculty member may be willing to travel to your area.

If I already have a background or certification in related trainings, can I skip some of the prerequisites and training levels or modules?

If you already have a background in any of the areas our trainings cover, you will find it helpful and supportive for the learning experience. However we don’t have any exemptions available for level one modules due to the fact all of our trainings have a unique method and flow that builds upon itself. Participants begin working from the place they’re at – either building on prior education and experience or starting right from the beginning.

I have taken programs with the Leven Institute in the past, but the names seem to be different – what’s changed?

Yes, there have been some changes over the years. As the body of work developed for Shake Your Soul® and SomaSoul®, it has shifted and transformed into its present incarnation. For the most part, the content has remained similar or expanded; the training structures have shifted according to student feedback and teacher experience. If you are trying to determine what level would be equal to training you’ve received in the past, please contact us directly so we can help you figure that out!

Are continuing education credits available for your trainings and/or workshops?

Some organizations allow continuing education credits with a copy of the certificate or curriculum alone, and others require official registration by the certifying body, which we do not have at this time. However, when our trainings are offered through Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health (an educational institution), continuing education credits are often available directly through Kripalu.

Are scholarships, exchanges or payment plans possible for training costs?

For programs based at Kripalu, you can apply for scholarships directly through their website here.

Are discounts on training costs ever available?

For programs held directly through thr Leven Insitute,10% discounts are offered for early registration on many (but not all) workshops and trainings. “Early” means six weeks prior to the training date. This discount is generally only available on courses offered directly through the Leven Institute. If it is available, the discount will appear in your shopping cart when you go through the registration process online.

For programs, held at Kripalu, please contact them about any discounts.

What is Your Cancellation Policy?

For programs offered directly through the Leven Institute, cancellation prior to 1 month before start date will result in a full tuition refund minus a processing fee. After 1 month prior to program start date, we will refund minus a processing fee if we are able to fill the spot in the program. After 2 weeks prior to start date, no refunds are available.

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For programs at Kriaplu Center for Yoga & Health, please check their cancellation policy.

Private sessions with Dan must be cancelled at least 24 hours in advance or you will still be charged.