Glenna Batson, ScD, PT, MA, mAmSAT, ISATT
50+ years’ experience in movement education & embodied practices
Masters in Dance Education
Doctor of Science, Physical Therapy
professor emeritus, Physical Therapy
former Fulbright Senior Specialist
independent lecturer, scholar, mentor
internationally recognized teacher of the Alexander Technique
For the last five decades, Glenna has worked at the intersection of dance, movement science and somatic education. Professor emeritus of physical therapy, Glenna has drawn from multiple sources both within and outside of the academy as catalysts for teaching, research, advocacy, and personal and artistic growth. Devoted to the art and science of movement, Glenna’s path required extensive travel, working in various trades from cocktail waitressing to belly dancing. She has taught in many formal (academic) and informal milieus, offering a fresh vision that goes beyond uni-disciplinary silos. Glenna is an internationally known lecturer and mentor in higher education within dance, bodymind disciplines and neurorehabilitation. Her professional roles have included clinical (physical) therapist, somatic educator/practitioner, dance researcher, mentor, advocate, and conference organizer. Current faculty of dance at Peabody Institute for Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD USA), Glenna guest teaches at University of Maryland, Duke University and University of Limerick. Clinical investigations offer fresh insights into integrative medicine, including dance improvisation for Parkinson’s, Alexander Technique & balance and mental imagery in stroke rehabilitation, research pathways underscoring mind-body methodologies. Written scholarship includes chief author of Body and Mind in Motion: Dance and Neuroscience in Conversation., a convergence of somatics, dance and neuroscience, and co-editor/contributor to Dance, Somatics and Spiritualities: Contemporary Sacred Narratives (2014). Glenna’s joys include research in human origami (bodily folding), a 10-year collaboration with multimedia artist Susan Sentler culminating in their book, Embodied Practices in Art Making: The Fold (Intellect Books 2023). Entering her 75th year, Glenna sees no end to this learning continuum, and thanks all her teachers and mentors for giving of themselves so generously.
She is still dancing while aging and hopes her last bloom will be the brightest.
Glenna Batson