Class Overview

At YBC we’re furthering the innovative work of Yat Malmgren (1916-2002), who combined the work of Laban, Jung and Stanislavsky to create The Psychology of Movement in the mid twentieth century. The YBC Method, or Character Transformation, honours Yat’s legacy and builds a comprehensive performance technique based in the body of the artist. Artistic Director Tom Bentley-Fisher was one of Yat’s last private students and studied with him intensively. He went on to use that work as a theatre director and artistic director for 40 years. When Tom decided to begin teaching the work, he found that he had learnt many practical, body-centred ways into the work through his years of working with creative artists.

The rest of the YBC teachers encountered Yat’s work as long ago as the 1970s and as recently as 2016. Each approaches the work from their own perspective, interests and experience: dance, movement, Laban, Jung, voice training, breath work, singing, acting, music. Together, the team has developed the Yat Bentley Method. As a team, they have adapted for the current moment and expanded The Notes upon which Yat based The Psychology of Movement, which were first compiled by Rudolf Laban and William Carpenter in 1954. The YBC Method is a training in transformation, one that is invaluable to artists of all disciplines and one that can enhance your life, no matter your career. Through it you will find an approach to self-care and self-understanding that will lead to personal growth and a keener appreciation of human psychology and interactions. 

All the courses at YBC will enhance your work as an artist of any kind. For those new to the work we introduce you through the body, without intellectualizing and bring in key concepts of the YBC Method without losing the body/mind connection.

Experienced artists, or those with previous Yat experience, may start with more ‘advanced’ classes at YBC’s discretion. Talk to us about your needs. We do not insist that each class is taken sequentially. We understand that each person has their own path and we are flexible and attentive to the needs of each individual student. Our purpose is to support artists in their journey. 

Professional artists have changing schedules. We understand that and will work with your needs to craft the class or program for you.