Who is Authentic Movement for?

No prior dance or movement training is needed in order to learn and do Authentic Movement. Dance Movement Therapists, psychotherapists, non-dancers, dancers and artists, social workers and scientists are amongst those using this discipline as a resource for their own lives and work. Participation is not limited by gender, age or physical ability.

However Authentic Movement does require a stable 'ego-position', as it can facilitate access to the unconscious and direct experiences. If in doubt discuss this individually with your teacher. Authentic Movement groups are for people who have already a grounding in another discipline such as Vipassana meditation, Tai Chi or other body/mind centering approaches such as Alexander Technique etc.

Who we are

We are a group of international teachers of Authentic Movement who continue to study and practice the discipline of Authentic Movement. All are trained and experienced movement/dance pedagoges and/or Senior Registered Dance Movement Therapists with the professional association of their country. Each teacher has developed their own emphasis and style of working, although we all have studied with Dr Janet Adler.

Depending on their own professional viewpoint they might introduce the work as authentic movement, Authentic Movement or the discipline of Authentic Movement (Adler). All teachers on this site have engaged in studies with Dr Janet Adler.

What we offer

All of us offer a professional service to our students, abiding to the ethics inherent within the practice of Authentic Movement. We also subscribe to the ethics of our professional bodies (Association for Dance Movement Therapy UK, etc )

• One to one work. This is a good way to intensify and deepen your study of Authentic Movement. Emphasis can be on any particular aspect of Authentic Movement. You will practice moving in the presence of the witness/teacher, developing your ability to move more truly from your self, to recollect your movement experiences, your feelings, images and projections.* Group work. Group work usually endevours to develop mover- and witness consciousness simultaneously as part of the same process. You will have the opportunity to move and be seen and witnessed by the teacher, as well as by other participants in the group. As well as working in the whole group, you will often work in diads, exchanging moving and witnessing with another. Group size can vary from 6 up to about 20 participants. Group work may take place over a longer period on a monthly basis or be clustered together in intensive weekend blocks.
• Other forms of study may include: small group study, couple sessions, specific groups.
• Cost: As a guideline teachers charge between £35 to £45 for an individual hour long session, group sessions cost between £8 to £15, please check with each individual teacher.

What is special and different about Authentic Movement?

Practiced within a contemplative framework, Authentic Movement allows participants to explore and share movement experiences in action and word within a non-judgmental and democratic framework. Improvisation is generally set within certain parameters and requires the dancer to respond actively, and the 'special' is often sought out. Authentic Movement although improvised, has absolutely no agenda in itself. Gestures and movements are performed because they 'arise', 'become necessary' or movers 'feel moved to move'. When practiced in a group, a spontaneous choreography unfolds, which is often witnessed by the teacher alone, yet created by the collective.