Authentic Movement and BodySoul Work
What is BodySoul work?
This work grew out of a collaboration between Marion Woodman, Anne Skinner and Mary Hamilton.
To read more about this work, go to mwoodmanfoundation.org.
Elaine has completed Marion’s Leadership Training program and is now offering affiliated workshops.
What is Authentic Movement?
Authentic Movement (A/M) is an inner-directed process that encourages self-exploration and creative expression. It can be done individually with a witness or as part of a group. Movers move with eyes closed, in structured time segments, from 3 to 35 minutes in length. Using a special form of communication, the mover and witness share their experience of the movement in a way that links body movement with emotion and imagination. It draws upon and incorporates the following areas, in order to explore the relationship between body, spirit and psyche.
Meditation The attention is turned inward and thoughts are watched objectively.
Breathwork A/M creates an awareness of how we hold our breath or restrict it. Choosing to change these breathing patterns, frees up blocked feelings and create greater aliveness.
Depth Psychology A/M models our first primary relationship (mother and child),using the twosome (dyad) of mover and witness to create a safe holding environment for potential growth and transformation.
Carl Jung and Active Imagination Jung discovered a way of dialoging with the unconscious through creative arts, as a means to give symbolic form to his inner life, freeing up energy in the process. A/M can be used in this way.
Dance Therapy A/M integrates the dancers’ knowledge of body movement and expressive spirit with the healing skills of counseling, psychotherapy and rehabilitation.
How Can It Help Me?
- Helps increase confidence and self-esteem
- Promotes self-acceptance
- Relieves stress
- Helps resolve conflict
- Improves spontaneity
- Builds intuition and strengthens body wisdom
- Fosters inter-personal relationship and community awareness
- Works on issues that cause feelings of being ‘stuck’
- Aids personal growth and understanding
- Promotes movement in life, freeing you up to do the things you have always wanted to do
Authentic Movement is therapeutic and healing. It benefits the mind, the body and the spirit but it is not taught as a psychological, physical or religious practice. It teaches non-threatening and supportive communication and it raises the consciousness of the individual and the group.