Authentic movement: The body's path to consciousness

Abstract

This reflective piece portrays a very personal journey into the transformational processes of a woman entering the second half of her life. After encountering a spiritual presence while performing craniasacaral therapy treatments, the author developed an intense yearning to become united with this spiritual essence. From this yearning emerged a spiritual guide named Awananoah. This name means “the desire to know and the fear of knowing.” Awananoa became the author's transcendent function by revealing through images the chasm between her human self and her spiritual self. The longing to resolve this existential conflict, manifested in left and right sides of her body led to repeated authentic movement experiences. During these experiences, the author enters a Jungian jungle of trapped and cavorting creatures who emerge from her subconscious, not only to re-integrate portions of her human self, but to escort her to the next level of her transcendent self.

Keywords:

• Authentic movement
• body
• emotion
• transformation
• active imagination
• transcendent function

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the instructor of the authentic movement class, Tina Stromstead, Ph.D., MFT, ADTR, for her sensitivity, support, and expert guidance. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Santa Barbara Graduate Institute for making this class available to me.