Self-Attunement Series
Whether you are trying to find stability during a major life transition, you’re seeking relief from a chronic physical or emotional pain, or you are simply longing to chase the mystery of your inner wilderness…
Authentic Movement creates a pathway between the wisdom you already have to that which lies beneath the level of consciousness.
You care a lot about having a positive relationship with yourself and your body. Self compassion and self awareness matter to you a lot, but it is hard to make these things stick. Carving out the time to be with yourself isn’t easy with the pace of life right now, and as much as you want to attend to your body, prioritizing practices that would help you tune in is daunting.
Sure, fitting in a walk between things, going to the gym or a yoga class are great places to start. But the high from these practices fades. They don’t change the emotional connection you feel toward yourself.
There’s a lot in there… in your body… maybe it feels easier to keep pushing the way you are rather than slowing down to listen to what it really needs.
But somehow, you keep circling back to this longing to connect, to feel closer to yourself.
You want the confidence that you can trust your intuition. You want to get off the fence more and make decisions you feel a full yes to, and get cleaner in your no’s. You want to feel home in yourself. That’s where Authentic Movement comes in.
Here’s the truth: when I found this practice a decade ago I was scared to slow down.
I felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin any time someone asked me to check in with my body. I spent a lot of time dissociating, scrolling, staying preoccupied, overworking. I danced, and did yoga, and hiked a lot, but I was scared of what would happen if I stopped and just let myself be. Authentic Movement became a place where I could dare to be with the unknown – a place were I felt safe enough to touch into the deeper layers of myself in manageable ways until I wasn’t afraid anymore, and didn’t have the urge to run. I could better hear my truth, I got clearer about my boundaries, I stopped pushing so hard and felt peace about it. This practice changed my life. And I’d like to share it with you.
What is Authentic Movement?
The practice of Authentic Movement is an embodiment modality that brings together depth psychology and intuitive movement. The Discipline of Authentic Movement was forged in the 1960s by Dr. Janet Adler in collaboration with Dance Movement Therapy pioneer, Mary Starks Whitehouse. In the practice, movers close their eyes and listen deeply to the movement impulses that arise in the body. Without planning or contriving what happens next, the mover allows themself to be moved by whatever arises within them. Movers connect with sensation, imagery, and feeling, as they let themself move intuitively. This opens communication with the subconscious and allows what exists in the depth of our being to be made conscious. Thus a deeper relationship with the self may be forged.
In this group, the facilitator assumes the role of the Witness, whose job is to hold the space for depth and connection. The Witness sits with eyes open attending simultaneously to each Mover and their own inner landscape as group members move with eyes closed. The role of the Witness is to support the bridge between the Mover’s internal and external worlds, the subconscious and the conscious. After movement is complete, the Movers and the Witness come together to share, without obligation, what arose for them. This process supports the transition of subconscious material into conscious awareness. Language helps to solidify the insights gained during movement, deepening the mover’s inner knowing and their sense of self in relationship.
Here are the Details:
Timing
Tuesdays 6:00-8:00p
Meets weekly starting on September 24th through November 12th
If enrollment is closed for the current session, please claim your spot in the following series.
Location
Embody Emerge
3430 SE Belmont St. #201
Portland, OR 97214
Safety
This group is led by Terra Anderson (they/them), who is white, transgender and non-binary, temporarily able-bodied and navigates some neurodivergence. This is a space that affirms LGBTQIA+ identities, respects pronouns, and is unwavering in each member’s commitment to creating an environment where people of all races, genders, ages, body sizes, and religions, may feel supported, respected and held. Community agreements are established at the beginning of each series and maintained throughout to ensure that the facilitator and all participants are accountable to creating the safest space possible.
Please see the accessibility section if you are wondering if the group can accommodate your physical needs.
The Embody Emerge Movement Studio is an intimate size, so we limit this group to 4 participants per series so that we can have enough space in the studio for personal movement. Masks are optional in this space, however we ask that if you have a known exposure to illness or are personally feeling any symptoms please refrain from attending to support the health of our communities.
Accessibility
Unfortunately, the Embody Emerge Movement Studio is not ADA accessible and exists at the top of a flight of stairs. If you are interested in attending a group like this and have ADA considerations, please contact Terra at info@embodyemerge.com for details on group opportunities that will fit your needs.
If you need ASL interpretation, you are welcome to bring an interpreter.
There is no need for eyesight to participate fully in Authentic Movement. People with vision impairment are encouraged to attend.
Bathrooms are gender-neutral and single-stall for your privacy.
This is a low-scent space. That said, the studio is located above the Tao of Tea, so the scent of herbs can sometimes waft through the vents.
Pricing
Please consider the following points when choosing what investment you make to this workshop. If you do not see a payment tier that will meet your needs, please reach out to Terra (info@embodyemerge.com) to inquire about registration at a rate that will work for you.
Pay less if:
– You hold a marginalized identity that currently impacts your access to financial stability;
– You financially struggle to meet your basic needs or the basic needs of the people who financially rely on you;
– You have debt that is related to survival;
– You have a criminal record that impacts your access to financial stability.
Please pay more if:
– You benefit from privilege;
– Your basic needs are met. Please contribute even more if have financial resources left over after meeting your basic needs and the needs of those who financially depend on you;
– You have debt that is related to comfort, pleasure or leisure;
– You have no debt.
Financial accessibility is of utmost consideration in creating this fee structure. If you are able to pay more at the Tier 3 level, your contribution will go directly to creating financial opportunities for folks who can pay less.
$240 – $480 sliding scale per 8-session series (payment plans available upon request)
Tier 1: $240 for 8 sessions – (This equates to $30/session or $15/hour)
Tier 2: $360 for 8 sessions – (This equates to $45/session or $22.5/hour)
Tier 3: $480 for 8 sessions – (This equates to $60/session or $30/hour)
