The research study explores the effectiveness of incorporating the somatic movement approaches of Laban Movement Analysis and the Bartenieff Fundamentals into the elementary physical education curriculum. Specifically the study uses these methods for students for grades K-2. The study took place during the 2008-2009 school year.

The study includes a literature review and culminates in a 10-lesson unit plan that was taught in the spring of 2009. Each lesson includes: learning objectives; a warm-up; main activity; cool down; and an automatic assessment. Two of the researchers' colleagues observed the unit plan and a checklist was completed throughout each lesson. The study also includes an in depth discussion written by the author and a personal statement written by an observer.

The discussion reflects that the author felt she reached her goal of implementing somatic educational techniques in the physical education setting. Through the use of somatic awareness she successfully provided her students with multiple opportunities for movement exploration.