Objective: Connect with yourself through expressive movement and by trusting your own body’s wisdom. By expressing yourself through authentic movement, you can heighten your sense of self and gain deeper awareness of one’s physical and mental selves. This allows people to explore psychological processes as they arise into kinesthetic responses of movement or sound.
Duration: 25 minutes
Materials Needed:
Quiet, adequate Space
Comfortable clothing
Exercise Outline:
Warm up (3-5 Minutes)
Optional: Spend a couple minutes wiggling out your arms and legs to loosen up
Gently roll your shoulders, necks, and wrists to release any tension
Ensure the participants: This exercise is about personal exploration and connection with your body. There is no right or wrong way to move. Listen to your body and honor its needs.
Authentic Movement Exercise (12-15 Minutes)
Start in a comfortable position while standing up and close your eyes
Try to tune into your bodily sensations. Notice any areas of tension or discomfort.
Pay attention to the impulses that arise within you. Try to allow your body to move freely and naturally, without any specific intention or direction. Instead, let your movements be guided by these internal sensations or feelings.
As you move, try and let go of any judgements and self-conscious thoughts. Move like no one is watching because everyone's eyes are closed. Allow yourself to be fully present in the moment, worry-free. You can move any way you want: on the ground, standing, reaching high
If you feel stuck or unsure, take a moment to pause and listen to your body. What movements feel good? What does your body need right now? Follow your impulses.
Focus on how each movement feels. Acknowledge the speed, quality, and sound of your movements.
Spend the last few minutes gradually slowing down your movements, eventually coming to the still position that you started with.
Reflection (5 Minutes)
Sit down comfortably and either reflect these questions as a group or individually:
How did my body feel during the exercise?
What emotions or thoughts came up for me?
How do I feel now compared to before the exercise?
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