Institute for integrative bodywork & movement Therapy

Training and Professional Development Courses

Based on the principles of Body-Mind Centering®, Authentic Movement and Somatic Psychology

Under the direction of Linda Hartley MA.

Module 2 Authentic Movement & Therapeutic Presence

Four weekends of study in the discipline of Authentic Movement and its relationship to therapeutic and educational practice, exploring how it can help cultivate clear presence in our work with others. The course is intended as support for the development of skills which can be used in various fields of work. The aims are:

· to offer the opportunity for immersion in your own movement  process

· to teach the skills of witnessing movement, sensation, emotion and image and to help you find language for your experience

· to explore the application of this work to your own professional practice

Authentic Movement is a contemplative movement practice which has evolved within the field of dance movement therapy, and been influenced by Jungian psychology and meditative practice.  As in the discipline of mindfulness meditation, we seek to pay attention to our direct experience, moment by moment, witnessing the sensations, feelings, thoughts, images and movement impulses which arise into consciousness.

The ground form of the practice involves the relationship between one who moves and one who witnesses; through her mindful presence and compassionate attention the witness creates a safe space which the mover enters, eyes closed, to attend to his inner world. The mover is invited to surrender to the flow of impulses which arise from the unconscious, and to bring these into expression through movement. In this way unconscious material is embodied, felt and seen by another, and can be integrated into consciousness through verbal sharing, writing and artwork. Thus the body becomes conscious.

The witness also attends to her direct experience, paying attention to the sensations, feelings, memories and images evoked in her by the presence of the one moving. When, later, mover and witness share their experiences, the witness learns to recognise and own projections, interpretations and judgments, coming to understand how they obscure the clear seeing of another. Through being witnessed with non-judgmental acceptance, clarity and compassion, the mover is enabled to develop a clear and compassionate internal witness. Thus the internal awareness of each develops within the context of the relationship.

The enhancing of this receptive quality of clear attention can profoundly support the practice of all disciplines which are based on the healing quality of relationship.

Introduction to Authentic Movement : During the course you will be invited to enter your own movement process; previous movement experience is not a requirement, but a willingness to explore in this way is essential. To find out whether this way of working suits your needs, it is important to be introduced to the practice before committing to the course. If you have not worked with Linda before, please contact us to arrange an individual introductory session.

Venue : The course will take place at Kelling Studio on the beautiful North Norfolk Heritage Coast, between Holt and Sheringham. It is accessible by road, rail and coach and Norwich and Stansted Airports are both within easy reach. There are various possibilities for affordable accommodation in the area; details of these will be given on booking.

 

For further information or to request a registration form please click on the email link below then delete the numbers 123 from your message box; these digits have been added to the address in an attempt to reduce the volume of automated spam coming through this site info123@ibmt.co.uk then delete 123.

Module dates : October 27-28, December 15-16, 2007, February 9-10, April 5-6, 2008

Saturday 10.30—Sunday 5pm, Tutor: Linda Hartley