Authentic Movement

You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.

Mary Oliver

Authentic Movement is a contemplative movement practice with roots in dance, healing and spirituality. The simple, clear framework of the practice supports a practitioner’s everlasting unfolding inner journey, which is insightful and transformative.

Authentic Movement can be practised in the relationship between a mover and a witness, in either a dyad or a group setting. In a cleared space with no music, a mover moves with their eyes closed in the presence of a witness for a predetermined duration. Moment by moment, the mover listens and moves from their inner impulses while tracking their experience of movements, sensations, feelings, emotions, and imagination. In this process, the depth of the mover’s consciousness begins to surface, a dimension that is usually less evident in their everyday life. After the moving and witnessing circle is done, the mover’s experience is anchored through mark-making and/or writing activities. Then, in the next speaking and listening circle, the mover speaks from their experience and receives witnessing from others. This process helps them broaden and clarify their awareness and, furthermore, often uncover more profound reflections and meanings. 

Authentic Movement was initially developed by Mary Starks Whitehouse (1911-1979) in the 1950s as ‘movement in depth,’ influenced by modern dance and Jungian psychology. Janet Adler (1941-2023) further developed the practice as the Discipline of Authentic Movement, which supports the development of clear and compassionate witnessing consciousness. I have been studying and practising the Discipline of Authentic Movement since 2017 with Linda Hartley and Fran Lavendel, both of whom have studied with Janet Adler. I have been working closely with Linda Hartley and have assisted her from 2022 to 2025, eventually being trained by her as an Authentic Movement teacher. Combined with my three decades of experience in dance, somatic movement and craniosacral therapy, I feel Authentic Movement is the whole integration of my practices. I continue my practice with my teachers and the cherished community I belong to.

I offer Authentic Movement workshops, courses and retreats in East London and Norfolk. Also, one-to-one sessions are available in London, allowing you to work on personal materials with more personalised care and therapeutic support.

You are welcome to join us for the Authentic Movement practice if you are called.

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Current offerings
London: Open Workshops
London: Delving Deeper Course

Norfolk: Open Workshops
Norfolk: Retreats