Authentic Movement: Flying Solo

"When the movement was simple and inevitable, not to be changed no matter how limited or partial, it became what I called 'authentic' – it could be recognized as genuine, belonging to that person." 

-- Mary Whitehouse

Authentic Movement (AM) is a practice that has been used for over half a century to express the creative impulse, unwind the subliminal, subconscious material below ones external layers, and to inform.  AM as a practice is valuable because it is seated in sincerity.  This is possible because one has taken the risk of sensitizing and grounding the body enough for the (often hidden) authentic to surface. One's being senses an openness, a more whole and deeper listening quality; Self-trust ensues. These conditions allow for sincerity, authenticity to make its way to the surface of ourselves, a willingness to be exposed.

"The movement becomes 'authentic' when the individual is able to allow their intuitive impulses to freely express themselves without intellectual directive, as opposed to movement initiated by conscious decision making – a distinction which may appear clear, but practically a challenge. Individuals simply pay attention to what they feel at a sensory level, since "the core of the movement experience is the sensation of moving and being moved."*

With over twenty-five years of doing the practice, at present, there are two aspects of AM that are deeply intriguing to me.  1: This idea of using the form in relation to an intention, allowing the organism to be "informed" by a greater, more sensitized intelligence (a distinct probability in the AM form), and 2: the possibility of doing AM solo.

"In the Authentic Movement aspect of Whitehouse's approach, the moving participants (movers) are passively observed by a witness, who 'contains' the experience of the mover by witnessing their movements without judgement, projection or interpretation. In this way the witness is also an active participant, as witnessing is a practice in observing one's own sensations and impulses while observing the mover's. It's important to note that Whitehouse created many individual, dyadic and group experiences to create a context for moving from inner sensation and whole-body experience." *

In relation to #1 above, traditionally AM is not practiced with an intention looking for information or answers.  An intention in some ways is counter to the idea of being open to what is and most probably prone to "intellectual directive."  Traditionally or not, intention or not, material surfaces during an AM session which often clarifies.  When one is "ripe", internally holding something, these are "low hanging fruit" conditions; AM often brings it to the surface for plucking, like it or not.  I have explored using the form in relation to unfinished dreams in this way, very successfully.

In relation to #2, the traditional form of AM always includes the basic role of witness and mover.  But as Whitehead says in the above quotes,  it is truly a dual action.  In the AM process, mover becomes witness and witness becomes her own mover (through her sensations of what is seen, energetically received and her own impulses).  If one is practiced at holding this dual space for oneself and another, has routinely a strong inner witness while moving, then experiencing the form solo might be very rich.

So, with the threat of breaking the rules of this beloved form, I set out to make an experiment.  I have an intention to understand something I've been ruminating about as of late and want to use AM to shed some light.  At the moment, I don't have the benefit of others to support me as witnesses.  I wish to try this premise of setting an intention and buoying up my own inner witness to do the holding-the-container job, simultaneously.

My impromptu moving space is private; an unused tennis court in the middle of the woods.  With a tip of my hat to the external witness role, I place my water bottle on a bench as a witness figurehead and find my place in the space in relation to it.  What ensues is a sublime experience of moving in and out, an experience of levels going deeper and moving closer to the surface and then back again. Left hand perpendicular to the ground moves in circles, smoothing the way.  Right hand/arm gently opening, closing, a love energy moving toward my heart, a gathering.  I experience an "intellectual directive" in myself.  Move forward!  Move forward!  Why are you only going side to side?! Move forward! or "Ugh oh. I'm moving in circles, oh dear, please don't let me move in circles!"  She walks with the one that isn't interested in directive, but needing to respond from a deeper impulse. I will move as I move.  Everything in its own time. There is a parlay, an exchange, a finding one's place in that. An acknowledged relationship between them exists.  Even the external environment becomes part of the process, not to be excluded nor seen as a happenstance, but an integral part of the whole. Rotating my torso, my eye catches a cloud of mosquitoes ready to land on me.  I start swatting at them and become momentarily disengaged from my depth.  Yes! Distractions are forever at the ready! I laugh.  Off balance, awkward, ungainly movements... all the tripping that is necessary before a transformation.

Everyone that comes to Authentic Movement should have that incredible experience of being held, seen, and witnessed by others.  There is nothing like it.  It makes possible entry into deep (dark) places.  It makes it safe for aspects of the self, often hidden and buried, to resurface and become visible. It builds and supports ones own inner witness.  But with enough practice, is it possible to do both simultaneously, go solo?

This experience on the tennis court was not a "traditional" experience of AM.  But for the place I am in my life, in my practice, this was exactly right.  It is required of me, where I sit in myself at this moment in time, to experience the dualities and how they sing and move together, and even how they transform each other or at least the consciousness around them.  I need the formerly invisible to walk with that intellectual directive, neither one to take charge, but live in a proximity that allows and encourages the other to exist.  

The truth is, I'm not young (relatively).  I'm not a newbie.  I am seasoned.  I am mature.  Another possibility for use of the form is necessary at this time.

A Dosha for Now

Photo:  Ernst Haas

Sometimes we find ourselves without an anchor, actively flailing, trying to find a semblance of purpose, clarity, a sense of groundedness.  All the prayer, meditation and seeking of a stillness doesn't help the confusion and discord one is living.  In all of that struggle it is difficult to accept the conditions and uncertainty that is in this Now.  We are a sail, flapping in the wind, our bow and stern unaligned.  The mast no longer the sturdy, unmoving vertical of Me, but the foil for the clanging rig.

Since the usual means that provides clarity and a type of security is unavailable, what is required?  Perhaps the chaos experienced is part of the organic cycle, necessary for an evolution.  Perhaps patience, tolerance and acceptance is the buried treasure at the bottom of the extreme discomfort. Perhaps it is a lesson to not live dependently on "methods" or ways to bring calm.  Human frailty is our constant companion. It's one moment at a time when one is flapping in the wind.

Is it possible to look toward some ancient ideology for navigation when being grounded is not an option? The three dosha types in Ayurveda are not a come-and-go aspect of the self, but fairly permanent.  The fact is, very few of us are purely single dosha types; we have all elements of each of the three doshas in us, usually one or two of them is most pronounced.  But doshas are universal, so why not take the qualities and work with them where we are experiencing ourselves now.

The three dosha types in Ayurveda are:  Vata (air/ether), Pitta (fire/water) and Kapha (earth/water).  As in Chinese medicine, Ayurveda has a complex and layered ideology which impacts every aspect of life. In terms of looking at where we find ourselves in a moment, when there is a lack of groundedness present, we often are experiencing "air" quality.  In Ayurveda, Vata dosha is represented by the qualities of air and/or ether.  Like vapor, this quality is manifested one moment and gone the next.  Mystery, creativity (turning illusions), innovation are aspects pronounced with air-types.  One's approach can not be direct, but the magician's ability to turn something into something else becomes a talent.  If the decision is not to resist the lack of groundedness one is feeling, another choice might be to work with the Vata quality moment.  Allow creativity, new ideas, "dream time" to be present and to manifest.  Be sparing with gross, extensive energy output, as that is not the quality of energy available at this moment.  Sensitize oneself to the ephemeral, the subtle, this may be of use before the cycle returns to "earth/grounded" actions.

The earth's power of groundedness may not be available, nor a direct use of force possible.  This "doing" is most often familiar to Kapha types.  In the human energy cycle we are not always earth-bound.  We have other resources at our disposal.  One is reminded of the effective use of martial Tai Chi (using an other's force by allowing, relinquishing one's own force).  Through relaxation and a connection to one's centered dantian, understanding how to use others energetic output and force becomes more available.  As air, one  moves as the wind takes you; a flexibility, acceptance and opening to other unforeseen possibilities exist.

Elementally, water influence is another aspect we may find in ourselves.  It is often the surreal arena.  The place of illusion, non-clarity, distortion of ideas or place are frequently present. Water's effectiveness is in its relentless repetition in wearing a stone (an idea, a resistance) away.  Unabated vigilance is a strong characteristic.  We have been or known in others this quality's effectiveness; an even, steady wave that just keeps repeating over and over and over again.  Not successful the first or fiftieth time?  Just send in another wave or simply another drop.  Eventually, it's impact will be made.

An approach of heightening qualities of an available dosha or element when another is lacking or unavailable can help the movement that might be needed now. Through our timelines, there are times when a fire or heat is required but not available.  Awareness of the need and an understanding how to harness it from our environments or create a like energy source from another aspect of our being is an adaptation to what is.  These innate gifts provide unique qualities.  When one can't be grounded or centered through the power of earth energy, there are other ways of approach which can be effective.




basic information on doshas:

on Doshas - Blue Lotus Ayurveda

Images for Ayurveda dossiers