The Discipline of Authentic Movement
The Discipline of Authentic Movement
Inviting presence, consciousness and awareness by listening attentively to inner sensations: barefoot, eyes closed, quieting the outer world, we step into the realm of authentic movement.
The Discipline of Authentic Movement (DAM) is a contemporary mystical practice developed by Janet Adler after many years teaching and studying Authentic Movement. This particular lineage of the practice offers those who engage in the discipline an opportunity to deepen an embodied experience of consciousness. An opportunity to enter the Mystery, where personal, transpersonal and spiritual material may be experienced as the Mover “listens in” deeply, and moves, guided by this inner listening.
DAM is a simple practice of entering the silence, closing one’s eyes, and inviting movement to flow, following impulses, images, or sensations while in the presence of a Witness, for a designated amount of time. After the ritual practice of closed eye movement concludes, the Mover is invited to share their embodied experiences with the Witness who listens and perhaps offers from their own felt embodied experience, asking questions or expanding upon what the Mover has offered. The Witness offers from a place of compassion in service to the Mover’s developing Inner Witness.
Often journaling or art making accompanies the process of bringing the inner Direct Experiences to consciousness. The Speaking Circle, after Movement is an important component of this practice as it brings to light that which may have been held unconsciously within the body. Slowly, with reverence to all that is named and unnamed, the Mover’s inner witness develops as the relationship between Mover and Witness deepens.
Through time, trust, deep attention, and invitation to the self to enter the unknown, a possibility of unitive consciousness, of presence, of knowing in an embodied way what is true may occur. The Mover learns to hold their experiences within a safe container which develops by attention, devotion and always being aware of the relationship of oneself to the material. Some experience a sense of coming home. Some experience DAM as prayer or moving meditation. Some say they experience a sense of their own divine nature. The hope is that in knowing oneself more deeply, integrating mind, body, heart and spirit while developing clear presence for self and others, compassion will be more present in the world. May we know this sense of wholeness. May we listen to the invitation toward embodied consciousness and clear seeing.
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Janet Adler has been Moriah’s primary teacher in authentic movement, since meeting while Moriah was in graduate school studying dance therapy. Her work with Janet began as private client 40 years ago in Northampton, Massachusetts. Over the years, Moriah has continued her relationship with Janet traveling to workshops and joining ongoing groups in Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, and California. She presently travels to Galiano Island to attend retreats with Janet.
Moriah has also studied AM with Joan Chodorow, Alton Wasson and Carolyn Sadeh, but always returned to continue her work in the evolving ground form of AM with Janet. Other dance teachers have included Zuleikah, who she studied with at Omega Institute for 10 years and Mara Capy, who was her mentor and teacher while at Antioch Graduate School. While teaching and studying dance, Moriah has always integrated spiritual studies into her work. Along with her studies with Janet Adler; O Shinnah Fastwolf, Pir Valiyat, Christopher Bamford, and Margaret Chambers have also been important spiritual guides for Moriah over the past 35 years.
Resources
The Mandorla and the Discipline of Authentic Movement