As a practitioner and facilitator of active learning, based upon ones personal experience, there is an opportunity to observe participants. This is for the sole purpose of assessing without judging. Interacting verbally, the experience is based upon reflecting back to the participant what is actually being said. Really hearing them which is supporting them to move through their personal experience. In movement it is simply observing how one is experiencing themselves and supporting them to increase the quality through this experience. In the environment it becomes how one is connecting, or not, to what is around them.
Intimacy is generally thought of as a quality one would experience with a significant other. I believe this to be true statement. Saying this, I also believe the level of intimacy one would have with another would be a reflection of the intimacy one has with themselves.
In movement with another I observe them as they develop the ability to feel and explore the textures touching them of the materials of the floor, chair and clothing. As they develop a softer felt sense in their exploration the skill to feel more inside develops too. The inner felt quality of the individual bone in the movement we are working with become more available.
Until a connection is made to a finer, softer movement,what I observe is a stiff, tense difficult movement pattern. A simple movement has a great deal of effort. As a softer flow increases in their pattern, I recognize the increase of ease and a look of either joy, pleasure or amazement. In this personal release, I believe what I see is the beginnings of more spontaneity in their pattern of moving. This usually brings a smile to their expression.
Witnessing my clients and students develop spontaneity in their movement I also see this translate into their emotions and into their verbal expression. Their verbal expression with themselves and with others.
If a client has an issue of intensity I notice this will take up most of their energy and then movement sometimes cannot happen. The client themselves cannot connect intimately with themselves. Their whole focus is in that experience. Their thoughts, emotions, memories, breathing, posture will be held until the intensity lessens and their energy and focus is no longer so drawn in to reaction.
True intimacy, for me, is simply being able to hold the space for myself in away that I feel self-empowered. By self-empowered I do not mean power or control, but rather, my reference is to inner-strength and recognition. For example, recognition that I may be self-absorbed due to an experience. In consciously knowing this I have a choice. I can stay in the self-absorbed state and enjoy the show, or use skills to process it and shift back into being centered. These skills, as they develop, can happen even in the midst of the experience that may be the stimulus. As you develop your inner connection with clarity and understanding your experience in outer connections spontaneously change and become more intimate. (If you choose) This for me is the true intimacy that I can begin to take into my expression with others and of course the level of vunerability will depend upon the relationship I am or have established.
