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  • Black eyed Susan Coloring Page

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  • Authentic movement

    Authentic Movement, a process of moving one’s feelings and thoughts was originally called Movement in Depth by Dance Movement Therapy pioneer Mary Starks Whitehouse. Authentic movement grew from Whitehouse’s roots in dance, Jungian studies, and work in dance/movement therapy. Building on Jung’s method of active imagination, she saw symbolic meaning in physical action.

    Authentic movement enables a direct connection to the depths of the unconscious, accessing the rich resources of intuitive wisdom expressed through the embodied word, image, sensation and of course movement.

    For me authentic movement is connecting with the deep internal well of the self, the sub-consciousness. Drawing slowly one bucket at a time, of feelings, thoughts, and sensations – than pouring them out, to the external, sometimes a few drops, sometimes a cup full, on occasion a whole bucket at a time, washed over the movement floor.

    How does a feeling move me? What body part has an urge to move? What thought moves me and what body part has an urge to move from that thought? How does one sensation (physical, emotional, mental) and one body part moving form/transform into a pattern of movement and a pattern of sensation?   These questions are a part of the authentic movement experience for me and they don’t arise while moving but are answered nevertheless by the process.

    I sit with my eyes closed, noticing my breath, noticing contractions and expansions in my body. Noticing discomfort and comfort, and then reconnecting with my breath. The mind/thinking creates images and thought patterns in response to the bodily sensations. The body begins to create movement in response to feelings and thought sensations. Letting it happen without censoring, without wondering why or where it is coming from. It just happens.

    Moving with the eyes closed in my own internal space, bringing the interior to the exterior, the internal to the external. Using a minimum of sound/words (or none at all); connecting with the floor, walls, ceiling, and air; with the very molecules themselves.

    Taking the internal to the external and taking that external even further by sensing others in the room, closer, further; the sound of their breath, of their movement. Perhaps even a touch, and more touch, and less touch. Trying effortlessly to maintain the self (the internal to the external) without being swayed by the connection with another. Trying effortlessly to maintain the self while connecting with the space, the walls, floor, air, molecules.

    Authentic Movement Institute

    The Center for the Study of Authentic Movement

    Authentic Movement Community

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  • Praying Mantis Coloring Page

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  • The Difference Between “Therapeutic” Dance and Dance/Movement Therapy

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  • Masanobu Coloring Page

    Masanobu (1686-1764): The actor Ichikawa Monnosuke in the role of Hojo Tokimune. 1723

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  • A tree as metaphor

    Before I ever got to graduate school to study dance movement therapy I practiced, studied and assisted in a movement based creative arts modality for 20 some years. This modality, called Motional Processing is based on the (Anna) Halprin Method and uses therapy techniques from movement, art, writing, drama and group. When I work with groups and individuals today these techniques are an essential part of my practice.

    One of these techniques is working in the environment with metaphors. In 1991 while assisting with a Motional Processing group I had an opportunity to jump into the experience as a participant. This particular group was a ten-day residency of adults who came together to learn and expand their self understanding through a creative arts group process. On this day we went to a park and the group was instructed  to find a tree that spoke to some aspect of where they were in their lives and once they found the tree they were to explore their thoughts and feelings through writing, drawing and moving.

    The tree I chose was an oak that was quite massive and spoke to me of solidness and tradition with deep roots. My exploration of this tree included creative movement around the mighty oak as well as a poem and drawing which I share below.

    Blessing Tree
    The words I hear come from
    The voice of De Danna & the sound of
    The wings of the Red Tail
    In procession we walk/ side by side-proud like horses
    The rows sway with each hoof beat
    Together our voices raise the cry
    A sweet song of ancient harmonies
    Which dance on our
    Lips –hands-feet-hearts
    We are the tribe that carries the talking feather
    Come let us bless this tree
    And weave a circle round
    And celebrate the birth of a new spring.

    In the creative arts process the symbols that one creates in writing/drawing and movement contain valuable messages which speak to the circumstances of life. The unique aspect of the creative arts is that it often taps into the subconscious parts of ourselves and literally uses a different part of the brain to express than what is used to verbalize. This tree, for me, was a symbol of strength, endurance and family: the strength of roots and the endurance to maintain under pressure, and family, as a great uncle or perhaps a grandfather.

    I embrace trees in my life as symbols and more. Trees have been friends, play mates and companions in my life. They have been a place to hide, to cry, to feel comforted, and to play. Trees have provided food, shade, color and scent. They have and continue to be a blessing in my life.

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  • Blue Jay Coloring Page

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  • Narixa – Short Film by The Emigrated Movement

    Narixa is a short dance film based on the beautiful natural element of water. Shot in the ‘Río Chillar’, Nerja it explores the waters journey from spring to sea. Through dance and cinematography we analyse the waters relationship with both the human body and its natural environment. What starts as a pure and unpredictable moment can soon become a one-directional movement.

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  • Blackburns Bluet Coloring Page

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  • Resiliency

    In Dance Movement Therapy sometimes we work with the idea of resiliency.

    Resiliency ….. What does it mean to be resilient? Bounce back, bounce off of, withstand, remain standing. Is it a part of our hereditary, our inborn temperament? Perhaps it’s a positive self concept. An ability to remember the past, live in the present, and look to the future.

    Could it also involve hitting rock bottom, being aware of limitations, seeking support? Perhaps it’s a mentor, a will to live, a focus on healing.

    Could it be that resiliency is a connection with spirituality, a commitment to listen to others, a willingness to be truthful?

    One thing is certain that resiliency is different for everyone, with some commonality mixed in here and there.

    As a child, I found/rediscovered resiliency outside moving, often in my favorite tree.

    A tree stands alone
    Wind rustles leaves together
    We sway arm in branch

    As an adult, I have found resiliency many places and many ways. Often, in combining the practice of creative movement, tai chi and hatha yoga, something I first learned to do  in a Creative Dance Class in 1983. Something that I teach/guide individuals and groups to do whenever I can.

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