An authentic movement is an expressive form of improvisation, which allows a group of participants to achieve free and harmonious interaction with their body. Today, this practice is popular as a separate form of psychotherapy. It was invented by the dancer Mary Starks Whitehouse in the 1950s. The basis for Whitehouse inspiration was Jungian thought. The original name for this practice was "deep movement."
Occurrence
Whitehouse (1911 - 1979) was a student of the famous Martha Graham and Mary Wigman. She became a professional dancer and professional choreography teacher. Arousing an interest in Jungian thought, Whitehouse began to study psychotherapy, included dances and movements in her sessions, trying to cause contact with the unconscious with their help. At that time, many tried to find something in common between art and psychotherapy, for example, Marion Hour in Washington (DC). Intrigued by the principles of Karl Gustav Jung’s active imagination, Whitehouse combined her knowledge of dancing with experimental psychotherapy performed in a group process where the participants merge together in a spontaneous expressive change in body position. This process later became known as the “Authentic Movement” (AD).
Essence
When you start the main session of blood pressure, participants begin the session in a comfortable position, closing their eyes to feel their internal processes of the body-mind. Then they expect the appearance of stimuli within themselves and follow each unconscious impulse expressing movement or sound. People move throughout the space, completely free from any direction or expectation. This allows them to investigate internal psychological processes, as they arise in the kinesthetic reactions of a gesture or sound. On this, basically, the practice of authentic movement is built.
Deep Impact
The essence of this practice is to remove from a person any restrictions and constraining his barriers. Therefore, this practice is called authentic. The criterion of authenticity is the ability of a person to give free rein to his intuitive impulses, the ability to freely express himself without intellectual directive, in contrast to the movement initiated by conscious decision-making. People just pay attention to what they feel on an emotional and intuitive level.
Participants and their roles
In the aspect of authentic movement, active participants act under the supervision of a passive witness who “captures” their experience, observing all actions without judgment, prognosis or interpretation. Thus, the witness is also a kind of active participant, since he himself is busy with the practice of observing his own feelings and impulses when recording the movement of strangers. It is important to note that Whitehouse has created many individual, dyadic, and group techniques to translate the context for moving from an inner sensation to an experience of experiencing your entire body. This implies not only the movement of thoughts, but also the direct participation of the whole human being in what he does, albeit unconsciously. The term itself was developed by Janet Adler.
Connection with Eastern Philosophy
The authentic movement is similar to Elsa Gindler's “human work” in the field of concentration. It has clearly comparable elements with several forms of Eastern philosophy. Much attention given to sensations that, like Vedana in most Buddhist practices should be perceived without judgment, suggests that Whitehouse has been influenced by Buddhist philosophy. In addition, the term “witness” is widely used in this religion in relation to an aspect of an individual who is able to observe others without judgment or recognition. Buddhism has a long history. He developed in the United States. D.T. Suzuki, or rather, his books, such as Outlines of Mahayana Buddhism and others that were very popular in the 1950s. In this perspective, blood pressure can be considered as a type of mobile meditation, which appeared in the context of the then fashion for everything oriental.
Value
Based on the material written above, we can safely talk about the great importance of authentic movement in the context of art therapy. But for many, it is also an important and interesting spiritual practice.
Homework: Where to Start
Authentic movement is a simple form of self-directed change in body position. This is usually done with attention directed inward. At least one witness is required. Participants must do everything with their eyes closed. They explore their spontaneous gestures and silence, following the inner impulses awakening at the moment. The witness observes and tracks the internal reactions of the people in front of him with the intention of not condemning, but focuses on self-awareness. In this case, the participant often has closed eyes, as this allows you to better focus on your inner world.
Practice with teacher
The special relationship between the mover and the witness watching the movement of the first creates a powerful spiritual and emotional structure within which this work becomes even more productive and exciting. The authentic movement is practiced individually or in a group with an experienced teacher / witness. More experienced practitioners themselves learn to observe what is happening.
Practical goals
Initial AD classes integrated Jung’s concept of active imagination into modern improvised dances. Pioneer students such as Mary Whitehouse, Joan Khodorov (sometimes they say Chodorov), and Janet Adler, outlined the points for what AD can be used for:
- As a meditative, spiritual practice that unites the body and mind to expand access to consciousness.
- As part of the process of psychotherapy, to improve self-esteem and well-being.
- To convey unconscious thoughts to the conscious.
- As an art technique used to connect with the creative process, to unlock and discover new ideas.
- As an outreach activity that allows you to think about issues that affect and solve community problems.
Entertainment and other purposes
Often the experience of authentic movement can be a complete game filled with fun. In other cases, participants and witnesses experience strong feelings and receive useful information about the wisdom of their own bodies.
HELL can be a discipline for yourself and used as part of many different practices and teachings. Teachers develop form in their own way. Practices such as meditation, contemplative dance, the creative movement method, or somatic psychology use BP as part of the training.
Modern history
The authentic movement has grown and developed over the years. This is an open and accessible form for everyone. Currently, there are many experienced teachers of blood pressure. A variety of Authentic Movement expressions around the world are now highly regarded and used.
An authentic movement developed by Mary Whitehouse, a dance therapist, includes an action that promotes self-development and improved mental health. This innovative type of therapy can be used by qualified specialists in the field of improving the mental health of individuals or couples, as well as by doctors conducting group therapy sessions. It is believed that blood pressure is especially useful for those who have difficulty in verbalizing their problems. Such people are not helped by traditional sessions of psychological assistance, such as speaking, communication.
An authentic movement based on the concept of active imagination of Carl Jung, as already mentioned, was developed in the 1950s by dance therapist Mary Whitehouse. Her work was further expanded thanks to the help of her two students Janet Adler and Joan Hodorov. They were interested in the fact that dancing could lead to the integration of mind, body and spirit. All three women had extensive experience that helped them understand how spontaneous movement can affect a person’s mental health. Through collaboration with Whitehouse, Adler and Khodorov turned the authentic movement into a therapeutic approach based on the principles of Jungian analysis and the inner wisdom of spiritual practice.
In the context of psychology
In HELL, participants are encouraged to focus on the present and play their inner emotions through impromptu dance moves. Some people think that it is better to do this with your eyes closed in order to reduce the influence of distractions. The purpose of this process is, as already mentioned, to allow people to connect with the body and mind, to enable their inner experience to move them. From a psychological point of view, this is a kind of self-care.
This type of therapy does not include choreography, music, or anything like that. Participants are encouraged to simply surrender to their feelings, feelings and existence through a genuine, expressive movement. The goal of AD is to provide a safe space in which participants can increase self-awareness, focus on healing, and improve self-expression.
An action does not necessarily consist of a set of exercises or interventions. Rather, it is a process that is played out in ways unique to each participant. The process should include a “mover” (usually the patient) and a “witness” (usually the therapist).
Mover role
The participant can warm up, stretch and take some time to tune in to the internal experience. The mover is recommended to pay attention to thoughts, emotions and memories, to allow these experiences to change the position of the body in any way that seems right. The participant can do without making a sound or say anything. It is thanks to this process that it can interact with the active imagination, allowing unconscious material to flow out.
Like the process of lucid dreaming, the mover controls what is happening, it is open to be dominated by a spontaneous process. The participant is allowed to continue moving until he is ready to stop, but he can also be stopped after a certain period of time (usually after 20-30 minutes). However, in this type of therapy, self-care is encouraged in every way, because the mover can decide when to stop.
The role of the witness
Throughout the session, this person, who is usually a medical professional, maintains a supportive and unbiased presence to provide the client with space for self-expression. The witness, as a rule, is the one who shows a receptive interest in the experience of movement and restrains any forecasts or assessments of what the participant shows during the session. In addition to tracking the entire action, the witness draws attention to personal inner experiences. He sits aside, keeps track of time as necessary, and makes sure that the client is safe throughout the session.
Although each BP session is unique and completely driven by the inspiration of the participant, most psychologists use the same basic structure of classes.
The opinion of the founder
In her essay on the method, Mary Starks Whitehouse said: “A movement, in order to be authentic, must be“ found ”in the body, not dressed like a dress or coat. There is that which exists in us from the very beginning. This is what can set us free. ” It is this mood that encapsulates the basic premise of authentic movement. Thanks to him, a person can connect with his entire inner being. Trusting the wisdom of the body, he can facilitate the healing process.
Conclusion
The main goal of the therapist in the AD session is to witness the movement in a free and open forum. This experience can build trust and help build a judgmentless relationship. Therapists usually work with participants to identify values discovered through movement and help them learn how to use their newly acquired knowledge to change. Usually the results are really amazing.