Authentic Movement

Presentation

Authentic Movement is a meditative body practice at the intersection of dance therapy, Jungian analytical psychology and contemplative practice. In a defined space, a person (the "mover") allows themselves to be moved with eyes closed, while another (the "witness") observes in silence with benevolent, non-judgmental attention.

There is no music, no movement instruction, no choreography. The fundamental invitation is to follow the body's internal impulses and allow whatever wants to manifest through movement to emerge. This discipline simultaneously develops self-awareness, the capacity for presence with another, and access to unconscious material stored in the body.

Origins and Development

Authentic Movement developed over several decades through three major figures:

• Mary Starks Whitehouse (1911-1979) — The founding pioneer. A dancer trained under Mary Wigman and Martha Graham, she explored the fundamental distinction between "I move" (voluntary, ego-directed movement) and "I am moved" (spontaneous movement arising from the unconscious).
• Janet Adler (born 1941) — Student of Whitehouse who formalized the practice and developed the structured role of the witness as a practice in itself, requiring a specific quality of conscious, non-interpretive attention. She introduced the spiritual dimension with concepts of "ground form" and "long circles."
• Joan Chodorow (born 1937) — Jungian analyst and dance therapist who deepened theoretical links between Authentic Movement and Jung's analytical psychology, particularly the concept of embodied active imagination. Her book "Dance Therapy and Depth Psychology" (1991) is a major reference.

The Mover/Witness Structure

The mover enters the space, closes their eyes and waits, attending to internal impulses without planning or performing. Movement may be subtle or expansive; stillness is equally valid. The mover develops an "inner witness" — the capacity to observe one's experience while living it.

The witness sits outside the movement space in open attention, distinguishing between what they observe and what it evokes internally. After the sequence, the witness shares using specific language: "I saw..." (observation), "I felt..." (own experience), without interpreting the mover.

The sharing follows a structured dialogue that deepens awareness for both participants.

Clinical and Personal Applications

Therapeutic context

• Trauma processing through implicit body memory
• Dissociative disorders — progressive reconnection of body and psyche
• Depression — recovering inner movement without performance pressure
• Eating disorders — restoring compassionate body listening
• Grief and life transitions

Personal development

• Deepening self-knowledge and mindfulness
• Creative and artistic exploration
• Therapist training (developing listening and presence)
• Contemplative and spiritual practice

Contraindications

• Acute decompensated psychosis
• Severe unstabilized dissociation (closed eyes may be anxiety-inducing)
• Severe unprocessed trauma history (risk of re-traumatization)
• Unstable borderline personality disorder
• Inability to tolerate silence and lack of structure

Authentic Movement requires an experienced therapist engaged in personal practice and regular supervision. Closed eyes may be replaced with a defocused gaze for patients who need it.