Authentic Movement

The experience of Authentic Movement is best described as waiting to be moved. The mover quiets himself or herself and focuses inward waiting for body impulses from the unconscious to introduce movements, gestures, sounds or stillness. Pioneer dance/movement therapists, Whitehouse, Chodorow, Adler, combined the concepts of Jung’s active imagination with modern dance improvisation to develop the practice of Authentic Movement. Authentic Movement is sometimes referred to as a movement meditation. The movement experience is a journey of self-discovery.

What to Expect

The process of Authentic Movement involves a mover, waiting to be moved, and a witness, present to provide a non-judgmental container to literally witness the movers’ experience. With eyes closed or gently lowered the mover begins the movement while the witness holds the space. The act of being witnessed is the process of being seen, understood, and accepted. The process of witnessing is the process of finding yourself in another, offering support and compassion.

Authentic Movement is a practice for any person. There is no right or wrong way to move the body when one is doing it from the unconscious; is in the moment, is present and real. Some people find small movements, others large movements, some find gestures that they repeat over and over, others find a still posture and some find stillness. Authentic Movement is useful to people who seek integration and peacefulness between body and mind. It is a process towards deeper understanding of the self.