Ken Gilbert, M.A., is a theater artist and teacher of somatic education; assisting and supporting others to awaken into their bodies through movement and sensation. He is founder and owner of EmBODYment, Somatic Education in Movement and Creative Integration, located in Santa Barbara, California. Ken’s philosophy is based on the belief that we are here to Awaken into Awareness (become more connected to our physical/mental/emotional/spirit realms through the physical body).

Ken is committed to developing personal empowerment through movement practices that stimulate body/mind integration, emotional agility and spiritual awakening through his teaching of Nia and Pilates. He began his study of Nia with Debbie Rosas Stewart and Carlos AyaRosas in 1997. He is a Black Belt in Nia and is one of the First Generation Nia Education Trainers teaching Nia over the past 12 years; teaching, facilitating and presenting White and Green Belt Trainings, Workshops and Master Classes in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. He will begin his preparation for training Blue Belt this year. Since 1994 he has studied, practiced and taught Classes, Workshops and Private Sessions in Pilates. Having studied with teachers Ellen Croft, Cathie Murakami, Pat Guyton, Ron Fletcher and Kathy Corey, Ken evolves his own application of the traditional work: “Integrating Pilates” (based on the fundamentals inherent of the work of Joseph H. Pilates, The Ron Fletcher Work™, and Nia).

Ken’s work inspires, motivates and education people into changing the way they move in the world.

Class Descriptions

Nia is a sensory-based movement lifestyle that leads to health, wellness and fitness. (Debbie Rosas-Stewart)

Nia Class (Classic) is a multi-dimensional movement practice of The Body’s Way/Your Body’s Way; this group movement class conditions the physical, mental, emotional and spirit realms. Nia movement is medicine for self-healing. Participants are encouraged to explore individual and community expressivity through body awareness. The choreography of Katas (movement sequences of stances, steps and kicks) and FreeDance are blended in each Nia Class fusing movement from the martial arts (precision), dance arts (expression) and healing arts (functional and self-healing). Each class moves through 7 Cycles: Focus and Intention, Stepping-In (letting go of distractions), Warm-Up preparing the body for full-body – systemic  movement), Get Moving (continuous movement increasing breath and heart beat), Cool-Down (slowing down), FloorPlay (to integrate the body’s nervous system through the 5 Sensations of Nia – Flexibility, Agility, Mobility, Stability and Strength), Stepping-Out (completing the class Focus and Intention to return to the remainder of the day). Nia delivers the promise of integrating mind/body/spirit through sensation. No previous movement/dance experience necessary; all levels are welcome. (Yoga Soup)

Pilates (Contrology) a complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit. (Joseph Pilates)

Integrating Pilates is a class based on the fundamentals inherent of the work of Joseph H. Pilates, Ron Fletcher and Nia.  Activating the shoulder and pelvic girdles with spine movement, strength and flexibility are blended into core stabilization and mobility. Whole body health, whole body commitment and Breath develop balance in standing and centering; body and mind are integrated into isolated, controlled and expressive movement through awareness and mindfulness. “Integrating Pilates” is an evolution of Pilates into the practice of:  The Five Sensations of the Seventh Joint: a Pilates Application of Nia (moving Flexibility, Agility, Mobility, Strength and Stability of the Spine).  (Yoga Soup)

Private & Semi-Private Pilates Sessions (1 hour) are intended for the participant to deepen their relationship with their body; working on the equipment and apparatus: Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda-chair, and Spine Corrector to stimulate stability and mobility enhancing functional spine mechanics.

Workshops through EmBODYment: Awakening into Awareness. The menu of workshop foci is available upon request in both Nia and Pilates.

Nia Trainings White Belt and Green Belt Intensives