22-24 March
“Loving eyes”
Authentic movement in nature
Facilitated by Anastasia Saevich and Maria Grudskaya, practitioners with more than 15 years of experience in Somatic and Authentic Movement.
The practice of Authentic Movement is a way to connect with yourself and witness movement that unfolds from your body. Movement in nature allows you to deeply encounter a place, feel resonance, inspiration, and support from the natural environment. The place invites us to see different parts of ourselves and allow what is ready to come to light to manifest itself. We will move on land and in warm water, in the ocean and in the lake, in the forest and in the desert. We will create a space of silence where you can listen to yourself through your body, allowing your body to unfold the inner stories that live within us. Learn to be in your body and express yourself in movement. Be visible in the presence of a witness. Cultivate your inner compassionate and supportive witness.
We warmly invite participants who:
– value contact with themselves through their bodies,
– are interested in discovering unfamiliar parts of themselves,
– are inspired by movement in nature on a natural island in Thailand,
– value being in silence with themselves and practicing presence.
What is Authentic Movement
Authentic Movement is the practice of moving with your eyes closed. When we let go of control and invite the body to lead the process. This allows stories stored within us to become visible and conscious.
In Authentic Movement, there are two roles: the Mover and the Witness. The Mover closes their eyes and listens to impulses from within, from deep inside, allowing the impulses to create movement without knowing what will happen or how.
The Witness is the one who sees the Mover, the one who listens to themselves at that moment, how the body responds in the presence of the Mover, how the Mover’s movement is reflected in the body, what sensations, feelings and images arise. The intention of the Witness is to see the other without judgement and with compassion, to listen to themselves, to be fully present in the moment.
Retreat schedule
22 March
9.00-12.00 Introduction to the practice, first movement process on land
17.00-20.00 Movement process in water, time for integration
23 March
9.00-12.00 Movement process in the dead forest
17.00-20.00 Bodywork and movement process at sunset
24 March
9.00-12.00 Movement process next to Buddha temple
17.00-20.00 Final process on the beach and bonfire
Facilitators:
Anastasia Saevich
Throughout my years of training, I have found great support in Authentic Movement time and time again. When I close my eyes and connect to myself with the support of a witness.
Do I choose the practice or does the practice choose me?
Again and again, I find myself needing to be in this pure space where I am seen. Just as I am. Allowing me to express different corners of my soul.
My teachers are Linda Hartley, Cornelia Schmitz, Jane Okonodo, Nina Kungurova, Anna Garafeeva. I have been leading practice training groups since 2014. Since 2016, I have been a teacher on the Integral Dance professional programme (directed by A. Girshon).
Maria Grudskaya
Certified somatic movement therapist, Dip IBMT, RSMT/E, teacher and co-director of the IBMT international professional somatic training programme, contact improvisation teacher. For over 20 years, she has been teaching CI and somatic movement in Russia, as well as in Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Northern Ireland, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and other countries. Organiser and host of international contact improvisation festivals.
Authentic Movement is at the core of IBMT approach. It is a source of therapeutic presence and compassionate witnessing, which is the main principle of supporting others in their process. Authentic Movement is a profound way to connect to my own truth and allow the body to move and be moved just as it needs at every moment.
Cost and registration
$290 if paid in advance by 10 February 2026
$350 if paid in advance after 10 February 2026
$50 Discount for participants of CI Water and Land Festival
Prepayment $100
For registration, please, write to:
tg @liu_arti or artushkina.luba@gmail.com
Open for 14 participants.