AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT
What is Authentic Movement?
Authentic Movement is a body-referenced and movement-centered awareness practice in which there is a mover (client) and a witness (therapist). With eyes closed, the mover listens to, and follows an inner impulse to move in the presence of an accepting witness. Movement may arise from sensation, image, memory, thought, and/or direct experience. This practice supports individuals to align with and move their essential truth in the presence of another, strengthening their ability to track embodied experience, and practicing self-referencing speech as a means to bring consciousness to their body’s wisdom.
How is Authentic Movement integrated in your sessions?
To me, Authentic Movement is also a way of being in life and in relationship. It shows up as the home base I return to in every session, whether or not we are doing this specific practice. This means that even in a more traditional talk-therapy session, I am orienting toward a deep awareness of the body and imagination. I am also holding you with the non-judgmental stance of Witness, offering my perspective in a way that is non-assuming and that honors your truth and wisdom. I track emerging unconscious material and patterns and weave it into session in a way that is readily digestible.
What other Authentic Movement opportunities do you offer?
I also offer Authentic Movement groups and trainings for facilitators (see group work and offerings).
Watch a short video about Authentic Movement:
Please note this video was co-created MANY years ago. I humbly ask for forgiveness for using the pronoun options of men/women, his/her instead of all humans and they/them. I am continuing to learn and to evolve my work to be more inclusive of all bodies, all genders.
“Authentic Movement speaks to my body and my soul before it speaks to my mind - so putting words to this is difficult. What might pull me in the most is the embodied experience of being “witnessed” through the eyes of someone (Rachael) who knows how to perceive with equanimity and curiosity and neutral wonder of the “BIG Witness”. I feel like I belong when I move in her circles. I am not a dancer by any standard held in consensus reality - can’t keep time nor can I remember steps - but - in my heart - as sure as the sun rises - I am a Dancer. I walk, I trip, I feel, I watch- I live life in a body- this is what I mean by dancing. Authentic Movement with Rachael is a practice that has slowly become a laboratory where I see myself and others with more trust, awareness and compassion. - S.R., Architect”