Authentic Movement (AM) is creative play, therapeutic self-exploration, and moving meditation. Like a moving waking dream, AM practice involves attending to movement impulses that arise spontaneously from within the body, evoking images, feelings, and sensations from the unconscious. In the practice we learn to explore ourselves as moving beings, expand our range of movement options, witness ourselves and others with presence and compassion, and free ourselves to live from a more authentic place.
AM was developed in the 1950’s by dance therapist Mary Starks Whitehouse and continues to evolve via the dedication of the next generation of movers.
While Authentic Movement can be practiced 1-1 with 1 witness and 1 mover, a special richness is often derived in a group context. Movement periods are completed with creative process work (writing, drawing, etc) and group sharing as a way of deepening the connection between group members and bridging the dialogue between the inner and outer worlds.
After studying and performing classical ballet and modern dance for much of her life Laura began practicing AM in 1988. She has trained with Paula Josa Jones, Zoe Avstreih, Daphne Lowell, Mary Ramsay, and Alton Wasson. Laura has had the great joy of practicing AM in a peer group for many years and has been facilitating AM groups since 1990.
Further information about Authentic Movement can be found at: authenticmovementcommunity.org