Flow Motion
What is Flow Motion?
Flow Motion is an intuitive movement practice that helps you to:
- Reconnect with yourself and the present moment;
- Release tension, holding patterns and stress;
- Connect more deeply with your authentic self and creativity;
- Experience deeper states of joy, peace, connection and wholeness.
In this practice, there are no set steps; no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. With the eyes closed or half closed, the invitation is to ‘go within’ and allow the music, your body and feelings to guide you as to how they want and need to move in each moment.
Our bodies (guided by the right, intuitive, subconscious part of the brain) know what they want and need to do. moment by moment. We may feel the need to stretch, expand, contract, explore different movements, breathe into particular parts of our body, shake out tensions, release restrictions, express our emotions, open or rest. Our movements may be tiny or large, slow or fast, rhythmic, playful or chaotic. Whatever we most need at the time.
Flow Motion helps us to reconnect with our body’s intuitive inner wisdom and expand into our full creative potential.
“Put the psyche in motion and it will heal itself.” – Gabrielle Roth
The purpose and benefits of Flow Motion.
- Become more present in your body & in the moment;
- Let go of the ‘thinking, analytical mind’;
- Connect more deeply with your intuitive, creative self;
- Increase self awareness;
- Learn how to listen to & work with the wisdom of the body;
- Release old ‘holding patterns’ & tensions from your body & energy field;
- Improve your energy levels;
- Discover new ways of moving & being;
- Express yourself with more freedom, confidence & openness;
- Access deeper states of joy, oneness & inner peace.
“There are shortcuts to happiness and dancing is one of them.” – Vicki Baum
What is the Format of Flow Motion?
Flow Motion begins with the participants lying on the floor with their eyes closed. This is a chance to fully relax, let go, and connect with your body and the present moment before we start to move.
Gradually we move into a body scan, noticing how we are feeling at the start & how our body wants to move & stretch. I will offer a gentle, eyes closed, guided movement/full body warm up – to help you connect with and explore movement in different parts of your body, and then finally then body as a whole.
This will lead into free-flowing movement (with no guidance), as we allow ourselves to be guided by the music, our bodies and our intuition – to move however feels good. The music will gradually build up in speed into a releasing phase, when we will have a chance to release and shake out any tension, stress or stuck emotions from our bodies in our own way. This will give way to a more ‘playful’ phase as, after releasing, we connect with new energy and possibilities – in movement and in life.
Finally, as the music slows down, we will let go and unwind with 5-10 minutes of stillness together, lying on the floor.
In the days following a treatment, you may notice some changes occurring on a physical, mental, emotional and/or energetic level as your system adjusts to the healing it has received.
You may notice aches and pains changing in intensity and fading away, old emotions arising and releasing, and/or increased energy levels. You may temporarily feel more tired than normal – in this case you should try to rest as much as you can, drink lots of water and eat simple, healthy, nourishing food to support your healing process. Taking time to be on your own and express your feelings though writing, spontaneous artwork or exercise can be helpful ways of acknowledging, accepting and healing any painful feelings which arise.
Who can participate?
This practice is suitable for almost everyone and no previous movement experience is required. There are no set steps, & no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to move. Your way is perfect!
If you have a serious physical or mental health condition then please let me know beforehand so that I am aware, including any special support or requirements that you need.
What previous participants have to say
“Goooood medicine for the soul!! I love the experience of freedom and connecting with the body’s movements. No judgements – a totally safe and comfortable place to express yourself. It’s one of the best feelings in the Universe!” – Hannah
How Flow Motion Came into being
I created Flow Motion (previously Dance4Joy) in 2012, after many years of experience and experimenting with different forms of dance and movement for healing.
I discovered therapeutic dance in 2006 when a friend recommended that I attend an Osho Aum movement meditation. I found it truly eye-opening to see people expressing themselves in such a free and uninhibited way (without the aid of alcohol!) and to be given ‘permission’ (or to give myself permission) to do the same. I was immediately hooked! I began dancing as often as I could, experimenting with 5 Rhythms, Active Meditation, Ecstatic Dance, Contemporary Dance and Butoh. I found expressive dance to be fantastically healing and liberating – it vastly improved my self confidence, sense of freedom, health, well-being and posture – and was loads of fun! Best of all, it helped me to reconnect with the joy deep within myself and dramatically boosted my energy levels.
In 2011, whilst living in North East Thailand, I finally found myself without a class/teacher and felt inspired to create something myself. I devised my own simple expressive dance class, incorporating elements I had found helpful on my own healing journey as well as from my work as a therapist. I started running classes for small groups, receiving a lot of positive feedback from friends and clients – and so Flow Motion was born!