Symposium: Art/Music/Embodiment
Functional Relaxation (FE) in dialogue with artistic therapies in coping with crises

Symposium: Art/Music/Embodiment

Functional Relaxation (FE) in dialogue with artistic therapies in coping with crises

How can art, music, and body-oriented methods support people in crisis situations? The symposium “Art/Music/Embodiment” at Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences in Alfter near Bonn brings together experts in Functional Relaxation (FE), art therapy, and music therapy. Lectures and workshops connect science and practice and open up new perspectives on health, resilience, and personal development.

The symposium is organized by the Department of Artistic Therapies and Therapy Science at Alanus University in cooperation with the Functional Relaxation Working Group and is aimed at professionals interested in practice, research, and education.

Preparatory courses – Friday, 30.10.2026, 09:00–17:00
– Dorothee Schweitzer: Calm in everyday life with Functional Relaxation
– Angela von Arnim: Feeling safe and sensing clear boundaries

Symposium program – Saturday, 31.10.2026
09:00: Arrival in the foyer
09:30: Welcome
10:00: Short lectures and discussions:
– Sabine C. Koch: How art creates health – artistic therapies for trauma coping using the Ahr Valley project as an example
– Dorothee Schweitzer: The value of body-oriented work with Functional Relaxation in trauma
11:00: Coffee break
11:30: Workshops*
13:00: Lunch
14:00: Short lecture and discussion:
– Susann Kobus: Music therapy to reduce stress and anxiety in mothers of premature children
14:45: Coffee break
15:15: Ceremonial closing with music improvisation (Damaris Bucheli & Barbara Dembowski) and certificate presentation
16:30: End of the symposium

*Workshops:
– Corinne Roy: “Visiting myself – an exploration of subjective bodily experience”
– Angela von Arnim & Sybille Schäfer: Crises challenge us – strengthening resources through embodied self-perception
– Rebecca Lenton & Anna Feichter: In-between sounds and spaces for play. When Functional Relaxation becomes AUDIBLE.
– Gabriele Martin: Functional Relaxation for the curious
– Dorothee Schweitzer: The value of body-oriented work with Functional Relaxation in trauma
– Stefanie Polster-Hamburger & Dr. Monika Leye: Embodying sound – The voice between resonance, regulation, and expression
– Maya Halatcheva-Trapp: Arts-Based Research

When:
Friday, 30.10.2026, 09:00–17:00 (preparatory course)
Saturday, 31.10.2026, 09:00–16:30 (symposium)

Location:
Campus II – Villestraße
Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences
Villestraße 3, 53347 Alfter/Bonn

Conference fee (without preparatory course):
Members of the Functional Relaxation Working Group: 100 euros
Non-members: 120 euros
Students: 50 euros
Students & staff of Alanus University: free of charge

Registration for the symposium:
Please register via the Functional Relaxation Working Group