Somatic Healing Through Movement and Dance

Stress, trauma, and emotional pain accumulate in the body as we move through daily life at a fast pace. Over time they become more and more challenging to release. There are times when words alone cannot fully express or process deep emotions. At Rezak Therapy, we incorporate various somatic approaches into our holistic practice, including Authentic Movement (AM) and Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT). These healing approaches use movement to help clients reconnect with their bodies and release tension. They combine somatic therapy with depth therapy, using the body to engage with the unconscious.

What Are Authentic Movement and Dance/Movement Therapy?

All creative art psychotherapies—including art, dance, music, drama, and poetry—originate from C. G. Jung's pioneering work on active imagination. Jung described active imagination as “a sequence of fantasies produced by deliberate concentration.” According to dance/movement therapist and Jungian analyst Joan Chodorow, through active imagination, unconscious patterns, feelings, and images are brought closer to consciousness. Chodorow described two parts to active imagination. The first is allowing the unconscious to emerge. The second is coming to terms with what has emerged.

Authentic Movement (AM)

Authentic Movement is a self-directed, mindfulness-based movement practice. It creates a bridge between the unconscious and the conscious mind. Participants close their eyes and move freely. Rather than the therapist guiding the movements, the client’s inner impulses are the guide. A therapist observes the mover without judgment, creating a safe, nonverbal space for self-exploration. Unlike structured movement therapy, Authentic Movement relies on inner guidance, emphasizing presence, intuition, and nonverbal expression. This practice was developed by Mary Starks Whitehouse, a dancer and psychotherapist. Whitehouse believed that movement could reveal deep emotional truths.

Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT)

Dance/Movement Therapy is a more structured form of therapy. A Dance/Movement Therapist guides individuals through movement exercises to help them process emotions, develop self-awareness, and heal from trauma. DMT is recognized as an evidence-based therapy and is used in mental health settings, hospitals, and schools.

Seven Symptoms These Somatic Therapies Help With

Both AM and DMT are powerful tools for healing a variety of emotional and physical symptoms. They are particularly helpful for:

1. Trauma & PTSD. Movement can help release stored trauma and regulate the nervous system.

2. Anxiety & Depression. Somatic approaches encourage relaxation, emotional expression, and stress reduction.

3. Chronic Pain & Tension. Movement therapies help individuals become more aware of how emotions manifest physically.

4. Dissociation & Disconnection. Authentic movement therapy brings people back into their bodies, promoting mindfulness and grounding.

5. Grief & Loss. These somatic therapies provide a nonverbal way to process and express deep emotions.

6. Creative Blocks & Self-Expression. They encourages free movement and creativity.

7. Neurodivergence & Sensory Regulation. A somatic approach to therapy supports emotional regulation in individuals with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences.

Five Reasons to Try These Somatic Healing Approaches

For many, talk therapy alone doesn’t address the full range of emotions and experiences stored in the body. Somatic therapies like AM and DMT offer an alternative way to:

1. Express emotions nonverbally. Some feelings cannot be expressed through verbal language.

2. Release stored trauma. Movement allows trauma to be processed in a safe way.

3. Strengthen the mind-body connection. They help clients feel more present and connected.

4. Encourage relaxation and stress relief. These somatic approaches to therapy reduce cortisol levels and promotes well-being.

5. Improve self-awareness. Somatic healing helps individuals tune into their emotions and physical sensations.

Six Benefits of Authentic Movement and Dance Movement Therapy

Practicing AM or DMT regularly can lead to:

1. Improved emotional resilience.

2. Better nervous system regulation.

3. Enhanced creativity and self-expression.

4. Stronger body-mind connection.

5. Increased confidence and social engagement.

6. Physical health benefits.

Six Ways to Tell These Somatic Approaches Are Working

If you’re practicing AM or DMT, you might wonder if it’s making a difference. Here are some signs that these therapies are working for you:

1. You start noticing subtle shifts in your body, such as changes in breath, muscle tension, or posture. You feel more connected to your body rather than disconnected or numb.

2. You experience emotions surfacing in a way that feels manageable and natural. You may cry, laugh, or feel a sense of relief after a session, indicating emotional processing.

3. Situations that used to trigger strong emotional reactions feel less overwhelming. You find yourself responding rather than reacting impulsively.

4. Chronic tension, pain, or postural habits begin to shift. Movements feel more fluid and natural rather than restricted or rigid.

5. You feel more at home in your body, rather than feeling disconnected or alienated. You develop a greater sense of trust in your body’s wisdom and responses.

6. You gain deeper understanding of personal patterns and past experiences. You feel a sense of clarity, purpose, or increased creativity.

7. Daily stressors feel more manageable. You experience a deeper sense of pleasure, playfulness, and joy in movement and life.

Final Thoughts

Authentic Movement and Dance/Movement Therapy provide powerful, nonverbal ways to heal the body and mind. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, stress, or just looking for a new way to express yourself, these somatic healing approaches can be transformative. Movement is a universal language, and through it, we can connect more deeply with ourselves and the world around us.

If traditional therapy hasn’t fully addressed your needs, consider giving AM or DMT a try. Your body holds wisdom, and through movement, you can unlock healing, creativity, and emotional freedom. To learn more about the somatic approaches practiced at Rezak Therapy, you may also enjoy these blog posts:

• Embodied Healing: Using Somatic Therapy to Address Trauma

• Understanding Brainspotting and EMDR as Somatic Therapies

• Somatic Therapy with Couples: A Path to Healing

Become More Attuned With Yourself Through Somatic Therapy in Pasadena, CA

Are you ready to self-align through the power of somatic therapy in Pasadena, CA? You too can benefit from these unique approaches that focuses on the connection between the body and mind. Discover how somatic therapy at Rezak Therapy can help you get more comfortable in your body, release stress and trauma, and improve your emotional resilience. Start your journey towards a deeper mind-body connection by following these three simple steps:

1. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if Somatic Therapy is right for you.

2. Begin meeting with a skilled somatic therapist.

3. Process your unexpressed emotions in a different way than talk therapy.

Other Services Offered at Rezak Therapy in Pasadena, CA

At Rezak Therapy, we're here to help you align with your most authentic self. In addition to Somatic Therapy, our Holistic Therapy approaches include Talk Therapy and Depth Psychotherapy. We also offer services for those struggling with post-traumatic stress, couples looking to increase intimacy in their relationships, and The Artists Way Workshop which is a 12-week adventure of artistic discovery and personal exploration. For more on somatic therapy and our other services check out our blog.