Sam Mandelbaum

Sam Mandelbaum is a Registered Somatic Movement Educator through ISMETA. He began his inquiry into somatic movement as an actor in training at the North Carolina School of the Arts BFA program. While the function of this part of his training was nominally there to help actors become more physically plastic in their characterizations, these practices helped him develop an appreciation for embodiment generally.

In 2022, he completed the ACC Somatic Movement Education program, a 560-hour pedagogy-focused immersion into Laban Movement Analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals with additional content from the traditions of Authentic Movement, Bodymind Centering, and practices from his teacher Ellen Bartell. He continued his studies with the School for Bodymind Centering @ Moving Within in Oregon and at the Whole Movement Center here in Austin. He holds certificates from Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, ISMETA, ACC, and Moving Within.

In addition to teaching at Myo, he manages a private massage therapy and somatic movement practice in his home, teaches and facilitates Contact Improvisation at First Street Studio, and develops performance works around town.