María Fernanda Rodríguez

PhD  Buenos Aires University (Biological Sciences Area); Archeologist (UBA); Soul Motion Teacher (Madrona Mindbody Institute, USA); Dance / Movement Therapist (CAECE University),  Training in Focusing and in therapies through sound (Gong and bowls)

I want to start by the present for telling you how I feel today… In April  2019, I graduate as Soul Motion Teacher with Vinn Arjuna Martí, Aletia Álvarez, Michael Molin-skelton and Winky Wheeler at Madrona Mindbody Institute, in Port Townsend, USA. This journey began three years ago with my participation in different international workshops and Foundations (first stage for  the Training) led by Vinn Arjuna Martí in Argentina, between 2016 and 2019.

How did the story start?…

My path in dance began with the exploration of 5Rhythms proposed by Gabrielle Roth. In this sense, I participated in different workshops: 18 international (USA, Mexico, Chile and Brazil) and 9 in Argentina, in addition to regular weekly classes in 5Rhythms and other similar lines such as Flowdance. On the other hand, I advanced into the line initiated by Kathy Altman and Lori Saltzman in San Francisco, USA: Open Floor International, carring out the workshop: Art Murmur- with the pioneers and another in Buenos Aires : -Libido- coordinated by Christine Havens. In the same line, I completed the Continuous Training Program for professionals in the area of ​​health during one year: “Recycling in the Role, directed by Marisu Rimoldi in Buenos Aires, 2015 and 2019, 60 and 52 hours respectively. The postgraduate in Dance / Movement Therapy (2011-2013) allowed me to make my own synthesis and my proposal.

At the same time,  I have started to explore other paths: Butoh Dance (individual and groupal classes with Ana Laura Osses who follows Rhea Volij proposal), dancetherapy (one seminar at María Fux School) and TaKeTiNa, “El poder del Ritmo”-The power of the rythm (by Reinhard Flatischler, creator of this line of inquiry through the body). On the other hand, a workshop of the “Vajra Dance” in the Dzogchen community, Tashigar Sur, in January 2018 and Tai Chi classes with Adriana Vergelin (Conciencia Tai Chi, Buenos Aires). I also participated in Meetings of the Argentine Association of Dance Therapy (AADT) in Buenos Aires.

In relation to the harmonizing sounds and their therapeutic  function, I carried out courses and workshops in relation to different systems of sound harmonization: Gong Master Training -level I- with Don Conreaux, biosonic harmonization system with quartz bowls with Marcelo Pietraccone, Didgeridoo – circular breathing, with Andrés Saggio and percussion (workshops in Bahia, Brasil and in Ghana, África).

Anything else…

In order to deepen in different aspects of the human being, during the years 2016-2017 I carried out a Focusing training with Fernanda Acuña and Patricia Viaño, obtaining the Certificate of Specialization in Focusing (2017). This Focus on the body meets the dance to honor and explore the deepest part of the body that we inhabit. In addition, in previous years, I realized 9 Transpersonal Psychology seminars at the Transpersonal Center of Buenos Aires (Director: Virginia Gawel), corresponding to the Training Program in Transpersonal Psychology. I studied Transcultural Shamanism at the Shamanic Studies Foundation of Michael Harner (Argentina), where I completed 13 courses with Gerardo Roemmer and Alicia Luengas Gates. Also, mask and maraca workshops  with Alejandra Soto, at the same Foundation.

I performed different meditation practices, deepening in Raja-Yoga in Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University in Argentina and in India. I also participated in the Monkchat Meditation Retreat at Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai, Thailand (Vipassana meditation and other techniques of Buddhism). Following this path, I delved into Buddhism by completing the “Dzogchen Buddha Path Internet Teaching & Training Program” in 2020 and 2022, based in Oregon, USA, and attending weekly classes, retreats and trainings since April 2020 until now. In addition to these practices, I completed the eight-week Vision in Mindfulness Program (2015). Finally, it is important the Seminar on Creativity taught by Silke in Buenos Aires (2015).

Finally, in relation to body language in a broader sense, she began to explore a few years ago, but since last year systematically, the non-verbal language of horses. This beautiful path unfolds in “Pacagua” (Buenos Aires Province) by the leadership of Gabriela Abram, through workshops, courses and individual sessions. New mirrors … beings that reflect our emotions in their own language that the body expresses. Immense teachings of a new path that has just begun! 

All these lines are present and integrated in my workshops.

Performance area

• Personal development workshops
• Scientific research (Anthropology, Anthropology of the Body, Archeology-Biology)
• Teaching: Post-graduate courses

Work activity

• Dance / Movement therapist: groupal workshops and individual sessions.
• Independent Researcher of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Investigations, Argentine (CONICET)