Authentic Movement
To watch a few public youtube videos of authentic movement sessions, click on the following links. Though the video examples here all show movers who probably have a dance background, there is no movement or dance experience required to learn and practice the form of authentic movement. People of all sizes and abilities can learn and benefit from this deep practice.
VIDEO ONE. (Has added music and visuals.)
VIDEO TWO (In silence, as it is customarily practiced.)
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Authentic Movement is a Jungian-based dance therapy form that awakens the imagination, encourages embodiment and emotional awareness, and enhances communication skills. Participants can discover more of their personal story and sometimes tap into the transpersonal or collective story by practicing the form.
The work is done with a minimum of one mover and one witness, and can be done in groups. During a psychotherapy session, the mover is the client and the witness is the therapist. The only "rule" to authentic movement is that you don't hurt yourself or another person. Usually the witness(es) sit(s) to the side of the movement space, on the floor, and offers her/his non-judgmental witnessing. There is an agreed upon movement time and the mover uses that time to allow the impulse to move to arise and be expressed. It is suggested that the mover close her eyes while moving to facilitate the inner connection, but eyes can be open at any time for comfort or for safety reasons, like making a big movement across the space. Once the movement time has ended, there is a brief transition time for journalling or art, and then the participants gather in a circle or dyad/triad so that the movers can share their experience of moving and ask for witnessing if they desire. There is a particular format to the talking portion of the authentic movement form, which supports a feeling of safety and groundedness for all participants.
Some who practice authentic movement have likened the experience to being in a waking dream. Others have resonated with the profound paradox of simultaneously moving their bodies, and yet also feeling that they are being moved. Others simply feel more connected to their physical bodies and inner world.
I occasionally offer workshops in authentic movement (see Events/Workshops tab) and incorporate authentic movement into individual psychotherapy sessions, if that is something a client is interested in.
Photo Source: http://www.pantarhei-institut.de/authentic-movement/seminare-authentic-movement/
