The subconscious, held in the body’s tissue, includes not only what we have repressed but also a rich potential that longs to be lived. Since we tend to identify primarily with the contents of conscious mind, this inner wealth is often overlooked—at great expense to a full and vital life.
Introspective movement/stillness is a process of self-discovery that gives us access to our inner world. It fosters a quality of surrender that reaches into many layers of embodied consciousness.
Introspective movement is a type of meditation. Sometimes done in silence, sometimes accompanied by gentle sound, the process emerges naturally from the mover. As ego softens, impulses of embodied awareness are accessed and reveal themselves in many ways. Experience may include very subtle stirrings, large/strong movements, repetitive patterns, vocal elements and complete stillness. There is no right or wrong—only being present to the moment.
Starting with short, simple guided movements, the client brings attention to the inner process. Eventually, movements become self-directed as the body’s natural intelligence finds expression. Inner material is witnessed without judgment and without goal. The experience may be purely sensory or may include emotional, visual, archetypal and/or healing components.
Sessions conclude with an examination of what has emerged and how this directly relates to current life experience. The facilitator assists the mover in recalling what arose.
The archetypal language of astrology can help make sense of the experienced material, and can give symbolic insight into expanding edges that are sensed intuitively/somatically but cannot yet be defined.
It is not unusual for insights to continue to unfold and somatic shifts to be noticed for several days following a session.
Please note that introspective movement is not what is known as Creative Dance. While the latter focuses on expression, introspective movement emphasizes surrender. This allows spirit to reveal itself through many layers of consciousness, resulting in an inner cohesion and a vitalized sense of personal authority.
