An introduction to Authentic Movement

Abstract

This chapter explains what Authentic Movement is, what its roots and history are and how it is related to neighbouring disciplines like dance, dance therapy, somatic techniques, performance and the visual arts. It responds to some of the questions that surround Authentic Movement's many permutations and the enthusiasm and the insecurities that practitioners can feel about the practices. It gives a survey of the main literature on Authentic Movement and traces Adler's development of the Discipline of Authentic Movement (2002). This chapter also introduces the questions that are explored using arts-led research in this book. The chapter prepares the reader for a knowledgeable view on Authentic Movement's practices and a reading of the following chapters. It gives an overview of each part and chapter covering different aspects such as the author's personally experienced narrative of dance and movement practices in coming to Authentic Movement; a pragmatic guide into the practice with a definition of terms; an account of visual arts-led research into Authentic Movement and a part on new practical applications for Authentic Movement with chapters on dance pedagogy, collaborative choreography and the use of digital media. The book's last chapter concludes with an emphasis on the most urgent question of our time, namely climate change and looks again at qualities embodied in Authentic Movement and how these can be put to use to ameliorate mental and physical suffering in an ecological turn.