PDW 2026: Bioenergetic Analysis: Living an Embodied Life

Celebrating 70 Years of the IIBA

Across seventy years, Bioenergetic Analysis has shown that it is possible to evolve without losing its roots. Its clinical and theoretical developments reflect a field that remains faithful to the intelligence of the body while opening itself to new understandings of trauma, attachment, sexuality,  intersubjectivity, neuroscience...

In a world marked by acceleration, fragmentation, and profound ecological and social challenges, the question of how we inhabit ourselves becomes ever more urgent. Disconnection from the body mirrors disconnection from others and from the living world.

Since Alexander Lowen, Bioenergetic Analysis continues to offer a path that integrates grounding and relationship, expression and presence, structure and flow. It invites us to meet the complexities of contemporary life with resilience, authenticity, and a deepened capacity to remain in contact—with ourselves, with one another, and with the changing world we are part of. To live an embodied life is not only to feel more;it is to stand, to relate, and to respond from a place that is rooted, alive, and continually capable.

In this PDW we will explore the foundations of Bioenergetic Analysis as well as the current movements that are permeating our practice and together, finding  new possibilities.

• When: September 16–20, 2026 (Wednesday – Sunday)
• Where: Villa Park Hotel - Avenida Senador Salgado Filho 1525, Natal, State of Rio Grande do Norte 59015-000 Brazil

The PDW 2026 will explore this theme through experiential presentations in the larger group and follow this with individual work in each track to deepen our understanding. The PDW has 3 tracks:

TRACK 1

is for newly graduated CBTs and those preparing for graduation. The focus will be to examine your own issues related to the theme and explore the impact on your work as you develop new and creative ways to work with these issues. Supervision of your work with clients is also an option.

Track 2

is for CBTs with 4+ years post-certification. The issues explored in this track could come out of supervision sessions done in the group, or content brought in by presenters or the leader(s) of the group. Included in this will be careful attention to the management of transference processes and the nature and effect of counter-transference on the therapeutic process.

Track 3

is for Supervisors, Local Faculty and International Faculty applicants, who are interested in experiential learning about supervising and teaching this theme. The workshop will be a process group with a focus on supervision and counter-transference issues in bioenergetics, related to the theme of the workshop. You will explore how to teach the theme, ie creating introductorymaterial, developing relevant experiential exercises and working with transference and countertransference.

There can be opportunities for up to 5 participants to give a 90 minute presentation to the large group and be evaluated. (The principle of "first come first gets the spot" applies. For applying to the International Faculty, please contact the IIBA Back-Office.) There is a maximum of 10-15 people in each Track.

International Faculty Teachers

Pending to be confirmed. 

Program Format

Each morning and afternoon session begins with a presentation. These will then be followed by work in each track to deepen understanding of how to more effectively work with clients, in supervising other therapists and in teaching therapists. We are all in this together. We will also have movement groups and open evening time that we can plan in more detail as we gather on Wednesday (September 16, 2026).

Accommodation & Board: Accommodation & Board must be booked separately by the participant.

Important Notice: This PDW is aiming to pay for itself. We have set a deadline of July 31, 2026 to have paid registration by at least 30 people, or we will have to cancel the PDW 2026. That allows time for Faculty to then make travel arrangement at reasonable cost and without penalty. If the minimum numbers are not fulfilled, the IIBA reserve the right to cancel the PDW in which case a full refund will be issued, with notice of a minimum 28 days prior to the starting date. 

Contact the PDW Committee if you have questions.

Privacy Policy

The IIBA value your privacy and will take all reasonable steps to protect your personal information. We do not share or distribute your personal information (including email address) to any third party (except with the hotel and with the Event Manager who will take care of registrations). Within the scope of the PDW 2026, a Workshop Participation List with your booking and membership file details will be distributed, in digital and printed form, to the PDW 2026 Teachers from the International Faculty and PDW Committee. Also, the IIBA will proceed to the capture of images and sound for strict purposes of make known the institutional activities promoted by the IIBA, in particular to disseminate these initiatives by the international Bioenergetic Analysis Community, reproducing them in the IIBA information system, newsletters and social networks. IIBA, as responsible for processing personal data, guides its performance in strict compliance with the General Regulation on Data Protection, respecting the principles of the processing of personal data, using appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the privacy and security of the personal data it treats. Under the terms of the applicable law, for the exercise of rights, the holder of the personal data should contact IIBA in writing or through the e-mail address: info [AT] bioenergeticanalysis [PUNKT] com.

General Conditions

1. Included in the PDW Registration Fee: 5-day training (1st and last day: half days) including presentations, work to deepen understanding of how to more effectively work with clients, supervising other therapists and in teaching therapists (depending on the track selected), movement groups and coffee breaks. Not included: Transport, travel costs & accomodation, lunches and dinners, options not listed in included.
2. Payment 5 days from date of confirmation.
3. All participants must be current with dues payment (Dues 2026).
4. There will be no refund of registration fees paid. 
5. The Workshops are held by International Faculty Members from the IIBA.
6. The IIBA is entitled to cancel the event for good cause (e.g. insufficient participants to cover costs, last-minute unavailability of a trainer or any substitute).
7. The Participant will be informed immediately and the registration fee returned; any other claims against the IIBA are excluded. In the event of any unexpected incidents, the participant has to bear any additional costs. 
8. The International Faculty Members and/or the PDW Committee Members are entitled to exclude a participant wholly or partly from the PDW if the participant disturbs the event and refuses to cease the disturbance even when threatened with exclusion. 
9.  If injury or loss occurred, the participant has to deal with it.
10. Filling in and submitting of the registration form does not guarantee the acceptance of the registration! The registration becomes accepted when full payment of the registration fee is confirmed.
11. By filling in and submitting the registration form the participant assumes the reality that all travelling means to accept a certain risk of injuries or losses. 
12. Should one or more of these provisions be or become invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining terms.