Authentic Movement as a Practice for Wellbeing

Abstract

Practitioners working with the somatic practice of Authentic Movement often employ a holistic notion of wellbeing that includes psyche, soma, and spirit. This approach is widely believed to be crucial to the sense of wellbeing often generated. Authentic Movement, developed in the 1950s by Mary Starks Whitehouse, is an expressive and improvised movement practice based originally on the theories of C. G. Jung, to help individuals find their ‘authentic’ moving self. This is often a deeply liberating and transforming experience. In Authentic Movement, appropriate strategies are developed to engage the body as a moving container, as well as articulation strategies for bringing moving experiences into language. These allow the participant to experience a sense of ‘authenticity’ that is beyond current ego consciousness. This chapter aims to explore Authentic Movement as a philosophy to understand more fully how this practice might help transform trauma and engender wellbeing.