Offering from the Conscious Body: The Discipline of Authentic Movement

by Janet Adler

The exploration of the direct experience of healing and of the divine through the witnessing of movement becoming conscious.

• Uses sample sessions and descriptive theory to explain the discipline.

• Based on the author's 35 years of movement work.

Offering from the Conscious Body reveals both the theory and practice of a unique body-based process that is cathartic, creative, healing, and mystical--as presented by Janet Adler, the presiding voice in the field. This Western awareness practice encourages the individual to experience the evolving relationship with oneself, another, the collective, and the divine through the natural impulses of conscious movement, compassionate witnessing, and clear articulation of experience. Through the vivid examples taken from her own practice, Adler demonstrates that physical movement can invite direct experience of spiritual truths. The reader is led through the multiple layers within the discipline--moving and witnessing in dyads and then groups, in the presence of a witnessing teacher--to develop a comprehensive and experiential understanding of this innovative way of work. Designed for professionals and laypersons interested in psychology, bodywork, mystic traditions, or personal transformation, the discipline of Authentic Movement is at the cutting edge of emerging Western healing practices.

264 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Natasa Ristovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I am moved … is a moment when the ego gives up control … allowing the Self to take over moving the physical body as it will. It is a moment of unpremeditated surrender that cannot be explained, repeated exactly … The core of the movement experience is the sensation of moving and being moved …”
This book was on the reading list for my course and it supports the practical experience of the Authentic movement.

[Danni Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book from a list of options to read for my Expressive Arts Therapy studio class, opting for a book that focused on a modality unfamiliar to me. The author's perspective on this form of movement therapy was quite valuable. I would have preferred more analysis; much of the book is just narratives describing individual and group sessions which was not as interesting or useful to me as going more in depth into the theory behind the practice and/or strategies for utilizing it. It definitely sparked my interest in learning more about expressive movement therapies.

[Maria Skoczyńska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. On the border with something mystical, yet deeply grounded in meditation and presence just here,now, with somebody or for somebody. We all want to be seen-this is one of the possibilities to explore. Conscious Body shows how to feel or be seen while feeling by somebody else, and how to show the feeling through movement, release it from the body first before talking about it or how to make space for this.

[Shea]

so glad i am picking this up again. it is sometimes hard to follow but a strong invitation to be present to the experience of reading and taking in other's knowledge and experience. good practice and wonderful prose.