Authentic Movement- Inspiration for Metanoia 

"Authentic Movement is a form of self-directed, spontaneous movement. This deceptively simple practice supports mindful attunement to inner experience and facilitates profound self-discovery. 

It's core assumption is that there is symbolic meaning in physical action - movement as metaphor. This view is based upon the theory that the entirety of an individual’s life experiences, beliefs, and emotional memories are stored within the body and are accessed through non-verbal and metaphorical expression. This method is a journey of gentle self-exploration, with the aim of contacting unconscious contents, gaining harmony between body/mind, and an experience of core emotional integration, balancing and healing. 

Authentic Movement is done with eyes closed and in the presence of a witness. 

The mover simply follows inner impulses and allows spontaneous expression of highly organic and idiosyncratic movements, gestures, and sounds. The witness provides a safe, nonjudgemental holding container - while also mindfully tracking inner responses to the mover.  Whatever emerges from the depths of the movers psyche is considered to be valuable core information and guidance leading to deepened self-awareness and self-understanding.

After the movement sequence comes to an end - the mover can choose to journal or draw in silence. The mover than shares his/her movement journey with the witness. The witness often shares with the mover any information that came to him/her while witnessing the movement sequence. The witness conveys this information without interpretation and with high regard for the sacredness of the movers process. 

The framework of Authentic Movement honors the ever-growing need to reconnect to the wisdom embedded in our bodies, creativity, and spirits. Access to this wisdom is a vital tool when engaged in the process of gaining inner clarity and navigating a vital connection to life.

The gifts of this practice are - an enhanced capacity for body attunement, valuing the wisdom of the body as a source of intuitive guidance, core emotional healing, a sense of greater freedom of expression, and an open and accepting attitude toward all we experience." 

-Elizabeth Strazar