March 20-24, 2027 Basel, Switzerland Madeline Black Method™ — 5 Day Intensive, Segment 1
Foundations: Movement Principles, the Nervous System & Breath
Early bird price $1775.00 USD (ends January 20, 2027) Regular price $1995.00 USD
Cancellation Policy: No refunds. The fee is transferable to another person
For registration CLICK HERE.
Organizer: Sura Sanfterwandel
Contact: https://www.sanfterwandel.com/, email info@sanfterwandel.com phone +41 78 421 99 51.
Locations:
Morning sessions at: Bewegungsstudio Gabriele Hurter Malzgasse 25, 4052 Basel
Afternoon sessions at: Serratonin Pilates Hardstrasse 24, 4052 Basel
Course Description:
Madeline Black Method™ — 5 Day Intensive, Segment 1. Foundations: Movement Principles, the Nervous System & Breath
The Madeline Black Method training is offered in two segments, each taught as a 5 day intensive. In each one, Madeline teaches her approach to physical training: observing and understanding how and why a person moves the way they do, then building a session of hands-on techniques and exercises that shift the client toward more efficient movement and a stronger body.
Please note: Segment 1 must be completed before registering for Segment 2. If you have attended a past Madeline Black 5 Day Intensive, that also meets the requirement, and you may register for Segment 2 directly.
This intensive is a chance to bring together what you already know, whether your background is Pilates, yoga or physical training, with a deeper understanding of human movement strategies and how to work with them for positive outcomes. You’ll learn to see the individual in front of you and guide them toward their movement and health goals.
Segment 1 lays the foundation of the Method. It covers Madeline’s organizing principles, the nervous system, the art and science of touch, and the breath.
You will learn to:
Use assessment skills to identify the movement strategies that affect a person’s whole movement system
Apply nervous system self-regulation and co-regulation while working with a client
Practice manual techniques, such as fascial gliding, unwinding and Muscle Energy Techniques, along with specific movements that help reset and improve structure and function
Assess and improve breathing, and understand how the breath affects stability, mobility and pain
Build strength through well-chosen activation and loading exercises
Grow as a teacher with guidance and feedback from Madeline throughout the five days
When you change a person’s movement habits and improve their strength in a single session, they come back. Invest in yourself, grow your skills, and increase both your value and your clients’ results.
The Five Days
Each day begins with a movement class focused on that day’s topic.
Day 1 — Organizing Principles: The MBM Approach to Training, Movement Patterning, and the Art and Science of Touch
Introduction to the Madeline Black Method philosophy, practice and core principles. Human movement principles based on developmental movement patterning. How the nervous system adapts, self-regulation techniques, and co-regulation with a client. The art and science of touch: how touch gives us information. Manual skills including fascial gliding, unwinding and Muscle Energy Techniques.
Day 2 — The MBM Process: Assessment and the Breath
We start with the breath. The process is assessment and observing the breath through stillness and the movement of the torso specifically the thorax. Applying what you find: choosing how to begin. Focus on the pelvic and thoracic diaphragms, their function and intraabdominal pressure changes. MBM techniques that improve the efficiency of the breath and thoracic movement relative to the pelvis. Work with the breathing for stability, mobility and pain relief.
Day 3 — Breath Re-education
Preparing the body with movement and hands-on techniques to recalibrate for better breathing. Once the body is prepared through techniques, we introduce breathing practices and the most effective breathing positions. Movement re-education for improving breathing.
Day 4 — Activation, Loading and Sequencing
Learn exercises utilizing props and Pilates apparatus: Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Magic Circle and Reformer to activate and increase load challenging the body while emphasizing the breath. Move into more challenging Pilates based exercises. Assessment practice and a review of how to sequence a session.
Day 5 — Session Creation and Practice
Building session approaches from everything you’ve learned, then live practice sessions with Madeline’s feedback and insights, and a closing circle to share your a-ha moments from the week.
How This Intensive Is Different
Madeline doesn’t teach from a formula. She gives a clear outline of the topics for each day, and as the intensive goes on, the content and approaches adjust to the teachers in the room. Your questions, input and interests become part of the work, so no two intensives are the same. That’s why repeating an intensive several times is highly recommended.