Embodied listening - an Authentic Movement exercise
Have you found your voice? The voice that has been forgotten, repressed or afraid to express? A voice that has been neglected or made wrong? When clients find their authentic expression, it brings forth a wholeness of self. A self that can withstand the turbulence of reality. A self that can stand in steadfast compassion and hold boundaries with grace. A self that feels safe to give as well as to receive.
Often traditional talk therapy will focus on labelling diagnosing or problem solving, when we experience disconnect with parts of self. The goal of lessening suffering is a worthy one, but some approaches can often leave out an essential ingredient—trusting our intuitive knowing and radical self-acceptance. The paradox of self-acceptance is whatis required for the foundation for any change. When we are no longer made wrong, bad or faulty, there is some space for grace to move differently.
Daniel Liévano
I think about somatic and expressive art therapy practices that are designed to awaken our intuitive knowing. The parts of us that long to be known, to be healed to be remembered.
As a dance/movement therapist (DMT), one of my favourite methods of engagement is a practice called Authentic Movement . This is where a mover closes their eyes and listens deeply. They only move in response to their inner experience, while a witness (the person observing) holds a space of presence and non-judgmental witnessing. The mover can follow their internal impulses, exploring and expressing their authentic movement and inner experience. The witness supports the mover by offering a safe and supportive space without interruption or interpretation. This holding of relationship requires trust and safety of the container, which is the therapeutic experience.
Today, I invite you to explore what is ready to move, shift, or express within you.
*For those who lean toward the cognitive or verbal, you can begin the exercise with an intentional question as a bridge between mind and body. One of my favourites, from Elizabeth Gilbert’s Love Letters to Self, is:
"Dear Divine/Higher Self, what would you have me know today?"
Don’t try to answer it with words, do this instead….
Ground into your body
Begin by noticing where your body meets the surface beneath you. Feel the weight of your feet or your seat, the contact of your hands. Allow yourself to breathe into these points of connection.Scan your inner landscape
Gently bring attention to sensations, impulses, and subtle movements in your body. You might notice:Temperature changes or tingling. What sensations are standing out to you
Small twitches, shifts, or vibrations
A sudden urge to stretch, sway, or shift
Emotions, images, or thoughts arising
Simply observe what is present, without needing to label or explain it. Note: If you notice your mind chattering, judging, or trying to “think” your way through a sensation, don’t fight it. Instead, reset through gentle movement: give your body a little shake—hands, fingers, arms, legs, or even a subtle roll of the head. Sometimes, our bodies need to be awakened through motion before we can truly listen. Think of it as a mini warm-up that reconnects you to your sensations and impulses.
Follow your impulse
As you come into breath and awareness, wait for an impulse to move arises—even subtly—invite it into expression. Let your body respond in its own language, however small or nuanced, the most subtle shifts in our bodies can produce new insights. There is no right or wrong way to move.Invite stillness and awareness
Pause and notice how your body feels after the movement, does it feel complete? Is there another movement invitation it leads to? Where is energy flowing? Where does it linger? What sensations, emotions, or images remain?Hold witness
Whether to yourself or another, witness the movement and sensations with openness. This may mean:Feeling a sense of curiosity rather than judgment
Letting your attention be fully present to the unfolding experience
Offering compassion and acceptance to whatever arises
Integration
After the movement, take a few breaths and notice what it feels like to carry this experience with you. You might gently place a hand on your heart or belly to honour the expression. You may even journal it.
Invitation:
What would it be like to follow your impulses fully, to let your body tell its story, and to hold it with non-judgmental attention? What might emerge if you allow yourself to be both mover and witness, even in small ways, right now?