Class description: Authentic Movement

Authentic movement is a completely self-directed form in which individuals discover a movement pathway that offers a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious. Authentic Movement explores the sense being seen and seeing. With eyes closed, the mover listens inwardly and finds a movement arising from within. The witness brings a receptive quality of clear attention to the mover, accepting the mover without analysis or direction. The mover and witness together can achieve a level of perception of self and other that evokes deep respect and empathy. Authentic Movement is informed by developmental psychology, somatic epistemology, Jungian thought, dance ethnology, and dance/movement psychotherapy.

*The purpose of this workshop is for self-exploration, similar to the practice of yoga and meditation, and is not intended as a clinical/psychotherapeutic practice.

Bio: Candy Beers, M.S., R-DMT

Candy Beers studied dance/movement psychotherapy at Pratt Institute, receiving her master’s degree in 2006. Foundational to Pratt’s clinical curriculum and her post-graduate work with Dr. Suzi Tortora, is the practice of authentic movement and Laban Movement Analysis. Candy worked as a dance/movement psychotherapist and movement educator in Richmond, VA from 2007-2016. She moved to Blacksburg in 2016 and is currently a doctoral candidate in Human Development and Family Science at Virginia Tech. She focuses her research on shame on social conformity within the context of mothering and child development. Candy is also certified to teach Pilates and yoga, specializing in personalized training. At the core of her clinical work and scholarship is her passion to create spaces where those she interacts with feel safe expressing themselves and honored for their authenticity. She believes knowledge creation and personal growth are a collaborative and creative process. She looks forward to moving with you in class.