Authentic Movement in Tucson
Authentic Movement
I offer authentic movement to people who have no active mental health concerns or challenges as a powerful practice that furthers the integration and evolution of the self. This simple but potent practice engages Jung’s “active imagination,” engenders self-actualization, promotes insight that can be described as seeing through the illusion of a fixed or permanent self, and evolves what could be described as an embodied spirituality. I also offer periodic, group-based authentic movement practice opportunities: please visit my events page for dates.
“Authentic Movement is a wise and generous teacher, a portal into the school of the body. It asks only that we be true to ourselves in the present moment, look within, and trust the teacher that resides there.”
Avstreih, 1993
“For me, authentic movement is a tremendous, unshakable love; a kind and fearless teacher; a perennial spring, a deep well and a vast sky— offering both light and star-speckled, sacred darkness. More than a mindfulness practice, authentic movement is a wise teacher who knows when and how to teach us about healing and integrating the self; when and how to transcend the personal ego. Sometimes, both happen at the same time.”
Tārāvajrī/ Leslie McCormick
“Maturity in the practice of the discipline of authentic movement becomes manifest in the phenomenon of presence. It is not necessarily true that we are more present now, as we step into the privilege of offering from the conscious body; but, our ability to notice when we are present and when we are not has become heightened. When we are present, more than the details of personal history, engraved into the body matter, are evident …
A felt distinction between personality and presence becomes apparent as giving and receiving requires less and less of the self. Presence allows offerings to emerge from the body as vessel. Within the open space of a witness circle the discipline itself grounds the arrival of such offerings.”
Janet Adler, from "Offering From the Conscious Body: The Discipline of Authentic Movement"
Authentic Movement in Tucson
What Is Authentic Movement?
My friend and colleague, Kim Rothwell, describes authentic movement as “a mindfulness practice in which a person moves with eyes closed in the presence of a witness. The mover allows her attention to “drop in” to the embodied experience of sensation, impulse, emotion, and imagery, allowing movement impulse to unfold from a deep inner wisdom. The witness holds the space by keeping eyes open and creating a safe container for the movement to unfold.”
Authentic movement looks different in different settings. Like meditation, it can be beneficial in various ways — including the many simple benefits of moving in an unprescribed way (as in the trending term, “intuitive movement”). But authentic movement, as a formal practice with a clear structure and the specific training of a witness who knows the psyche as it manifests in (somatic) movement, has its roots in dance/movement therapy lineages: its real potency is preserved through advanced teachings passed down from dedicated teacher to dedicated student.
Although authentic movement has many benefits, I encourage you to simply explore it if you feel drawn to it, allowing it to be a mystery, letting go of any idea of what you might “get out of it.”
I invite you to reach out to me with your questions about authentic movement and how to get started.
About Tucson Somatic Psychotherapy
About Me
Through my training as a licensed Dance/Movement Therapist at transpersonal psychology hub, Naropa University, and as an advanced authentic movement student of psychoanalyst, Zoë Avstreih, my witnessing involves a deep knowledge of psychosomatic development, the attachment process, and the internalization of the compassionate, curious, attentive, non-invasive witness. As a more spiritual or transcendental process, this level of witnessing creates the conditions for the mover to notice and widen gaps in the continuous process of self-re-creation.
In the 20+ years since I first practiced authentic movement with my friend and teacher, Zoë, I have become an ordained Buddhist Dharmacharini. Both paths have at their center presence, love, beauty, and movement toward an ever-expanding relationship with Truth.
My personal journey with authentic movement has thus involved the various threads — even stages. It’s been for me, at different times, what Jung termed “active imagination”; an holographic somatic practice; a way of life; and an embodied Insight practice.
* When I agree to work with someone in authentic movement, I reserve the right to — at any time — discontinue the work in order to refer you to treatment for mental health concerns.
TUCSON SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY REVIEWS
Testimonials
“I connected with my body, mind, and soul in ways I have never been able to realize… I somehow feel more ‘whole’. I am moving forward with a larger sense of self and the space I inhabit.
Leslie created a safe environment that allowed everyone to express themselves without judgement. She was able to draw out those of us more hesitant to be more vulnerable to the point where what once felt so intimidating felt so natural, good, and freeing! It was a profoundly beautiful experience.”
Trudy W.
“The self exploration and focus encouraged me to turn inwards and explore my inner thoughts and feelings. Going forward, I imagine a more peaceful and full outlook and moving more from my body. Leslie held space for everyone and made us feel comfortable.”
N.V.
“Leslie McCormick is an artist and a therapist of high caliber. She brings a deep, embodied commitment to creativity and a keen attention to important and subtle detail, to her work as a clinician and teacher.”
LEAH D’ABATE
MA, LPC, BC-DMT
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Tucson Somatic Psychotherapy and Arts is home to dynamic, holistic transformational work. Whether you’re looking to heal, grow, thrive, or simply rest into your authentic self, the seeds of what’s possible are in you. I look forward to working with you to tend them.