About Authentic Movement
Authentic Movement is a powerful, contemplative process in which a person with eyes closed, follows inner impulses to move, be still, and explore space, sounds, images, memories or sensations while another actively and non-judgmentally witnesses the experience.
The witness holds the container that allows the mover to follow what needs to be expressed in their presence. Verbal sharing follows the movement between the two. The mover speaks about their experience first. If permission is granted, the witness speaks in service of the mover, articulating what was seen and how one is impacted by the mover.
The dyadic relationship offers a sense of connection between a mover and witness and between the mover’s ability to witness their experience within a holding container. When a mover has felt seen and understood enough by another it becomes more possible to see oneself more clearly with compassion.
Who uses Authentic Movement?
Authentic Movement is a tool that dance movement therapists and body centered therapists offer to clients and also to people interested in personal growth and creativity.
The process encourages body awareness and discernment as one makes choices moment by moment to bring into the space what is occurring in the inner landscape of being. Moving the stories of one’s body, thoughts, images and feelings externalizes the hidden treasures as well as conflicts that are inside of us all. Having the container of a compassionate witness can make the journey safe and possible to hold and come into relationship with in a way that serves and integrates the mind, body and spirit.
What does Authentic Movement look like in a session?
Just as you see this picture, there is an open space for exploration.
A sacred space is offered. I light a candle and I sit on my chair at the edge of a room.
You sit across from me and we look into each other’s eyes allowing yourself to experience being seen as you see me seeing you. When you are ready we both see the empty space between us together.
As we witness the emptiness, I ring my chime. The space fills with a deep tonal vibration. Sensing me seeing you and trusting you will not be judged, I will remain compassionate to you and what arises for you as you move in my presence.
You close your eyes and wait. You are still. You appear to be listening into the space inside you and into your surroundings.
I hear the sounds of the wind blowing through the trees outside.
You begin to sway side to side, bending and bowing in tempo with the breeze. I watch you carefully and see your breath deepening. It seems as if the pull of gravity bends your knees as you sink to the floor. I imagine the floor welcoming you as your body surrenders to the wood beneath you.
In stillness there is space for images to float into and out of your awareness. I wonder what you are imagining and what is stirring inside.
You begin to slowly move ,rolling onto your side, pushing your fingers into the ground as your spine folds over your bent legs.
Your forehead touches the floor and your spine descends to the earth by the weight of your head. It is as if you are being taken deeper into a ritual space. Here, the stories locked in your body can unfold in my presence as I see each movement, each gesture and each sound, respecting each one as I accompany you. In this space you are welcome to be loud or quiet, big or small, strong and weak, fast or slow. Space to be… who you are in this moment.
When the predetermined time frame arrives, I chime the bell again.
I invite you to take all the time you need to transition back from your journey into the room and back to where you can see my eyes that are waiting to receive you and your words.
And if you would like, I will offer my words and how I am impacted by the experience as your witness. We collaborate in the dialogue of understanding the meaning of your journey and how it can serve you.
What does Authentic Movement offer? How can it be helpful?
Today, many people struggle with feeling overwhelmed making choices and have difficulties with anxiety, depression and relationship issues.
Guiding people on how to pay attention to what their body has to teach them can be a great resource in their healing process. Authentic Movement offers a way for people to stop talking about their problems and instead have an experience that incorporates their body, mind and spirit. Instead of listening to the details of what is bothering them through words, they can focus on how the body is supporting that thought or how the body is impacted by the story they are telling. Discovering the thoughts and memories that come from the body can be a grounding experience that moves at the pace that the body can hold. Intuition is also cultivated by following the body and then finding words that come from the felt experience. This can lead to trusting oneself when the body, mind and spirit are working together in harmony.
My experience with clients and students is that they are always amazed at how centered and calm they end up feeling after they emerge from moving, express their journey and have their experience witnessed. They also appreciate when they are asked questions that help them to clarify or deepen their experience. When they feel seen and understood by another and themselves, healing is possible. Clients often feel a greater sense of their internal compass being strengthened as they make choices in how they move and what they want to say to me and also in knowing I will not interpret their movement or give advice. They learn to become aware of their inner motivation and make new choices as they become conscious of their unconscious habitual patterns through this process.