A Body of Knowledge: Somatic and Environmental Impacts in the Educational Encounter

Abstract

The author explores the somatic experience in educational encounters and considers several associated themes, including the importance of space, landscape, and environment. Examples are provided to illustrate the impact of bodily experience on the learning process in addition to material featuring educational work outdoors. Further consideration is given to ecopsychological theory and specifically the integration of human and nonhuman dynamics. Final thoughts are offered regarding implications for the training and certification of transactional analysts.

Keywords:

• Somatic experience
• experiential education
• ecopsychology
• learning environment
• education outdoors
• training and certification

Disclosure Statement

The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Funding

The author received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Notes on contributors

Giles Barrow

Giles Barrow is a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (education) who works as an educator and is based in the rural east of England. He can be reached at Mill House, Mill Hill, Earl Soham IP13 7RP, United Kingdom; email: [email protected].