Digging Through Thoughts

According to Daria Halprin, the 5 part process (Identify, Confront, Release, Develop, Drop) is effective in any order. One may immediately confront a feeling entering into the body, release, drop then re-enter into the identification process. Similarly, one can work through the entire process from identify to drop in that order. The value of such a intricate model is to facilitate CHANGE and Development in the body and one’s movement repertoire. According to Gestalt therapy, for genuine and sustainable change and growth to occur one must integrate body, heart and mind with a deep connection to sensory experiences.

My own experience of the five-part process this week was interesting and yet again, unexpected. Beginning the week with a nostalgic sense of calmness and clarity (release), I had a phenomenal dream that helped inform the continuation of my Abdomen explorations.  Facing a washing machine  (a metaphorical symbol of my stomach), I pulled out all of the clothes, speaking allowed ‘I do not need you anymore’. As the water slowly leaked out, I stood, empty, quiet, clear and grounded. The following day in the opening movement score we were asked to choose three body parts and explore their relationship to the abdomen. Beginning on the floor I tuned into my body with deep slow breathes that tingled all the way down to my legs. First connection; abdomen and legs…extending and contracting, I wriggled and slid across the floor as a confrontation began to surface (stage one of the 5 part process). What I discovered in this confrontation was a sense of disparity between the top half of my body and the bottom half and a stagnation of the breath flowing freely to my legs. Next came the release (stage three) as my body begun to find a new movement pattern. Now on my feet , I was spinning and jumping feeling the breathe INFORM my legs, thus initiating a period of stillness and relief (part 4- change). Moving to the drawing pad, an interesting image came out full of fire.. red, black, strong lines in explosive directions and a snake weaving its way on the paper: an image I felt during this confrontation. What begun as emptiness and a sense of resolution on Monday transcended deeper to a residing layer of confrontation later in the week; a latent pocket of emotion that could only be perforated through moving into stillness. The perfect illustration of the cyclical, and dynamic nature of the 5 part process!.