Practice Sessions: Preparation Guide
Live page: https://practice.baseworks.com/preparation-guide/ (gated: track-introductory / track-standard / track-alumni)
WP page ID: 22134 | Status: Published (2026-04-02)
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This guide is for anyone attending Baseworks Practice Sessions in Montreal. It covers what to expect, how to prepare, and where to learn more about the work we do.
What to Expect
Section titled “What to Expect”Each session is 70 minutes of guided practice within the Baseworks Method. Sessions are instructor-led, with real-time guidance and specific feedback. You practice alongside other practitioners working through the same framework.
The format is consistent across every session. The movements stay the same. What changes is your ability to perceive what is happening in your body as you do them. Progression comes through repeated engagement, increasing precision and depth over time.
How to Prepare
Section titled “How to Prepare”Come with fresh eyes
Section titled “Come with fresh eyes”Whatever your background, the most useful thing you can do is allow yourself to approach each session without preconceptions. The Baseworks Method operates differently from other movement disciplines, and bringing assumptions from prior training often limits what you can access.
This doesn’t mean your experience isn’t valuable. It is. But during each session, the work is most effective when you engage with the instructions as given, rather than filtering them through a familiar framework.
Follow the instructions precisely
Section titled “Follow the instructions precisely”Adherence to instructions is the core training method. Each instruction is designed to direct your attention to specific sensations and movement patterns. The value is in the precision of execution, not in your interpretation of what the movement should feel like based on prior experience.
Maintain natural breathing
Section titled “Maintain natural breathing”Natural Breathing is a regulatory principle that applies throughout every session. Keep your breathing at an intensity where you could comfortably hold a conversation, even during challenging movements. If your breathing becomes labored, reduce the intensity of what you’re doing.
This isn’t a warm-up cue. High-intensity exertion reduces your ability to access fine sensory information. Maintaining relaxed breathing preserves the sensory discrimination that makes the practice work. When we say “reduce intensity,” we mean it literally: do less, breathe normally, and continue.
Perceptual skills are the focus
Section titled “Perceptual skills are the focus”Baseworks develops perceptual skills: the ability to notice, discriminate, and respond to what is happening in the body. The goal is sensory access and awareness, not physical performance, flexibility, or meditative states. You move in order to feel, not feel in order to move.
Stillness or states of deep focus may occur naturally during practice. These aren’t the objective. They’re a byproduct of sustained, precise attention to movement.
Considerations
Section titled “Considerations”Clothing. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement.
Equipment. No gear is needed for the practice. The studios have marley floors, so there’s no need to bring an exercise mat or other props.
Shoes. Shoes are not worn inside the studio. You will need to remove them at the entrance. The floors are clean and the space is comfortable.
Socks. We generally recommend practicing without socks. Anything worn on your feet can reduce some level of sensory input within the context of what we do. If you are sensitive to cold, you may bring socks with traction, but bare feet are preferred.
Room temperature. The space is adequately heated. If you tend to be sensitive to cold, consider bringing a hoodie or sweater for between movements.
Food and water. We suggest having a light meal at least an hour before the session. Our activities aren’t strenuous enough to require hydration during the session, and we recommend avoiding eating or drinking during the practice for the best experience.
The Venue
Section titled “The Venue”Proto Studio — 11th Floor, 5333 Av. Casgrain, Montréal, QC H2T 1X3
Proto Studio is a self-managed creative residency space in Mile End, Montreal. The space is dedicated to movement education, performance, and community. The studios are on the 11th floor with natural light and views of Mont Royal. A comfortable common area is available before and after sessions.
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Venue access details are provided in your booking confirmation email.
Add to Your Calendar
Section titled “Add to Your Calendar”Subscribe to the Practice Sessions calendar so session times and studio numbers stay up to date on your phone or computer.
Google Calendar: Add to Google Calendar Apple Calendar / Outlook: Subscribe via iCal
Event Participation Questionnaire
Section titled “Event Participation Questionnaire”Before your first session, please take a moment to fill out the Event Participation Questionnaire on your baseworks.com dashboard. This brief form helps us understand your background and current interests, allowing us to create a more focused and meaningful experience.
You can access it by logging in to your account and navigating to the questionnaire from your dashboard.
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After Your Introductory Session
Section titled “After Your Introductory Session”Your introductory session is an opportunity to experience the Baseworks Method firsthand. After completing it, you gain access to ongoing booking at standard rates. The full pricing structure is on the program page.
Community Forum
Section titled “Community Forum”Participants who continue with regular sessions after their introductory session gain access to the Baseworks community forum. The forum is where practitioners share observations, ask questions between sessions, and get direct responses from instructors. It connects you with practitioners from all Baseworks programs worldwide. Access is included with ongoing enrollment.
Resources
Section titled “Resources”The following pages and articles provide background on the Baseworks Method. Each one covers a different aspect of the work. Reading through them before your first session isn’t required, but it will give you a clearer picture of what the practice involves and why it’s structured the way it is.
Practice Sessions Program Page
Section titled “Practice Sessions Program Page”baseworks.com/montreal-practice-sessions/ The full program page: format details, eligibility tracks, pricing structure, the complete Spring 2026 schedule, and frequently asked questions.
The Neuroscience of Baseworks
Section titled “The Neuroscience of Baseworks”baseworks.com/neuroscience/ The scientific grounding behind the method. Covers motor control, perceptual skill development, and the research that informs how Baseworks approaches movement education.
How Experienced Athletes and Movement Professionals Can Benefit from Baseworks
Section titled “How Experienced Athletes and Movement Professionals Can Benefit from Baseworks”baseworks.com/article/how-experienced-athletes-and-movement-professionals-can-benefit-from-baseworks/ Directly relevant for practitioners coming from other physical disciplines. Explains how the Baseworks framework relates to existing movement expertise and where the work tends to open up new ground.
The Mystery of Proprioceptive Awareness
Section titled “The Mystery of Proprioceptive Awareness”baseworks.com/article/the-mystery-of-proprioceptive-awareness/ An article by Asia Shcherbakova exploring conscious muscle sensation as a distinct dimension of body awareness. Covers what proprioceptive awareness is, why it’s under-recognized, and how Baseworks trains it.
The 10 Common Effects of Baseworks
Section titled “The 10 Common Effects of Baseworks”baseworks.com/article/the-10-common-effects-of-baseworks/ What practitioners typically observe over time as their practice develops. A useful reference for understanding the kinds of changes the method is designed to support.
Programs Overview
Section titled “Programs Overview”baseworks.com/programs/ An overview of the broader Baseworks educational ecosystem, including the Primer, Study Groups, and other program formats.