InterPlay Leader Training Program

We are committed to spreading InterPlay far and wide. Experience shows that the InterPlay ideas and tools can have a significant impact on individuals, communities and the world.

InterPlay:

  • creates strong, enduring, healthy connections between us
  • allows us room to claim our own gifts and to appreciate the similarities and differences of others
  • helps us “disarm”—to be less guarded and more open
  • creates ease, joy and fun in our lives

Would you like to help share this valuable bodywisdom in your communities?

After you have completed the InterPlay Life Practice Program, you may choose to enter the InterPlay Leader Training Program which will provide you with skills to effectively lead InterPlay® forms and practices in a variety of settings. It includes presentation, self-study, interaction, play, and practice teaching. The program can be done in a variety of locations around the country.

You will learn how to create a welcoming and affirming atmosphere, present InterPlay forms and principles clearly, take incremental steps, increase your ability to respond in the moment, elicit noticings of body data, knowledge, and wisdom, lead focus sessions, deal with resistance, and take care of yourself.

Download the InterPlay Leader Training Program brochure.

Elements of the InterPlay Leader Training Program:

  • a multiple-day retreat called “The Secrets of Leading InterPlay®” which will provide an overview of the InterPlay system and how it works
  • acquiring and demonstrating a basic understanding of the core set of InterPlay forms and tools in a self-study format
  • a multiple-day event called “The InterPlay Teaching Practicum” providing practice teaching opportunities and direct reflection on teaching skills
  • mentored teaching where participants lead a number of InterPlay® events and then reflect on them in writing and/or conversation with an InterPlay mentor.
  • Racial Equity & Transformation training to learn practices that promote diversity and equity in all InterPlay leading. Read the InterPlay statement on Racial Equity & Transformation...

More about the elements of the Leader Training Program.

The Leader Training Process

This chart shows in more detail how you will progress through the Leader Training Program. Click here or on the image to see a larger version.


Prerequisites & Benefits

You must have completed or be enrolled in the InterPlay Life Practice Program in order to be in the InterPlay Leader Training Program. To become a certified InterPlay leader, one completes both of these Programs, and joins the InterPlay Leaders Circle.

Tuition & Registration

How much does the Leader Training Program cost?

What is the special tuition deal for previous Leadership Program grads?

How do I enroll?

More about the InterPlay Life Practice Program.

Upcoming Leader Training Events

Feb 13-16
InterPlay Teaching Practicum Online-FEB, 2025
Sacil Armstrong, Jennifer Denning, MSW, Jori Martinez, and Carolyn Renée
, ONLINE

More About the Leader Training Program Elements

Knowing the InterPlay forms

Participants in the InterPlay Leader Training Program will be asked to demonstrate an understanding of and ability to reproduce the steps involved in teaching the core set of InterPlay forms and tools. The only way to get the forms “in your body” is through repetition. Participants will be responsible for this process assisted by the Core Element Self–Study guide that Body Wisdom, Inc. will provide. The Self–Study must be completed before taking the Teaching Practicum and could be initiated and/or completed before taking The Secrets of Leading InterPlay.

Secrets of Leading InterPlay

The Secrets of Leading InterPlay is a multi-day workshop that covers the underlying structure and philosophy behind the InterPlay® system. How are the forms structured? How do they work together? What is the ultimate outcome or effect of using InterPlay forms? How do you figure out which forms to do at what time? What is the nature of the relationship between leader and participant? How do you deal with people you find challenging? The workshop includes presentation, interaction, and play. “Secrets of Leading InterPlay®” is offered several times a year in various locations around the country.

Teaching Practicum

The Teaching Practicum is a multi–day workshop that includes practice teaching with self–evaluation and feedback from leaders and other participants, information on best practices in designing and leading InterPlay events, and teaching resources such as sample class outlines. The Teaching Practicum will be offered in different locations at least two times a year.

Mentored Teaching

Leaders-in-training will be asked to arrange five practice teaching situations, where they will receive feedback from a participant/observer of their choosing, preferably an InterPlayer. Participants will then be asked to reflect on their experiences in conversaton or writing, including the feedback they have received. A designated mentor will respond to these reflections in conference with the participant. Three of the events must be at least 20 minutes in length. One must be at least an hour, and one must be at least two hours in length. Any of these events can be a piece of another workshop, so for example, you could teach for 20 minutes as part of someone else’s class, or you could teach for two hours during an Untensive that someone else is leading.

Racial Equity & Transformation

Participants in the InterPlay Leader Training Program will learn to lead in ways that effectively reflect InterPlay's commitment to racial equity and transformation through practices that promote diversity and equity.



An additional component of Leader Training is to accumulate 50 hours of InterPlay experience, including at least one “Untensive” (a multiple-day retreat.) These hours are not included in the program tuition. This requirement can be satisfied by experience accumulated before enrolling in the Leader Training Program.

Download the InterPlay Leader Training Program brochure for full details of the program, including these elements of the program.

What is the Leaders Circle?

The purpose of the Leaders Circle is to create a network of mutual support for leaders of InterPlay, to provide resources for teaching, leading and marketing InterPlay and to honor the agreements concerning the teaching and use of the InterPlay body of knowledge. The Circle is open to those who have completed the InterPlay Leader Training Program or who are in the process of completing that Program.

As a member of the Leaders Circle you may:

  • access the Leaders Circle section of the website which is full of leader resources.
  • download curricula and resources posted on the website.
  • order personalized InterPlay business cards.
  • list you own events on the website.
  • post your biographical information on the website.
  • download InterPlay logos and photos for your publicity.

Leader Training Program Costs

The tuition for the InterPlay Leader Training Program is $1600. A $100 deposit is required at the time of enrollment. Also, tuition payments will be due at the time you take the Secrets of Leading ($400) and the Teaching Practicum ($400). A payment plan for the balance of the program tuition must be in place by the time you take the Teaching Practicum. Automatic monthly payments can be set up by credit card through the Body Wisdom office or you can arrange that automatic checks be sent by your bank.

An additional charge for room and board (if an event is residential) and any supplied meal costs (if an event is non-residential) may apply at the time of registering for either the Secrets of Leading InterPlay or the Teaching Practicum. This amount may vary in different locations depending on local arrangements.

Special Tuition Deal for Grads

We have a special tuition rate for anyone who is already certified as an InterPlay leader regardless of the version of the program you went through. We have new information and resources that will enhance your teaching. If you have not taught much InterPlay or have not taught recently, you may appreciate this way of bringing your skills up to date.

Cost of enrolling in the Leader Training Program for previously certified leaders is $1000 and includes tuition for the Secrets of Leading InterPlay and the Teaching Practicum, the Mentored Teaching experience and a copy of the InterPlay Core Elements Self-Study. Cost of attending either the Secrets of Leading InterPlay or the Teaching Practicum is $350 per event. Cost of doing the Mentored Teaching component is $350.

If you have not taught much InterPlay or have not taught recently, it is highly recommended that you enroll in the entire Program. We have new information and resources that will enhance your teaching. You will also receive information and resources related to the Racial Equity and Transformation Initiative that is being brought into all aspects of InterPlay life and practice.

Enrollment

To enroll in the InterPlay Leader Training Program, send $100 to Body Wisdom, Inc. at 2273 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612. Checks can be made out to Body Wisdom, Inc. You may also call the office at 510/465-2797 to charge your enrollment fee by phone using Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

You will also need to enroll for the specific Secrets of Leading InterPlay and Teaching Practicum events that are most convenient. The cost of both of these multiple day events is included in the program tuition. See above for how payment for the program works.