Movement reflections- in my work as a trauma informed therapist I frequently notice clients speak of a twitch in the legs or movements of the legs at the point they are triggered or feeling panic. This ‘symptom’ of anxiety is often a mystery to them.
I call this experience, incomplete movements, I think the correct term is ‘incomplete defensive responses’. When the flight response isn’t available as often is the case in trauma,when escape is blocked,the body still trys to do what it couldn’t do at the time. The impulse remains, waiting to be felt, seen and gently released. We can work with this slowly and safely in the presence of a somatically aware therapist by bringing awareness to our legs and feet and allowing our legs to respond in small safe ways. Then pausing and resting… allowing time to recover.
#jodrewmovementpsychotherapist
#movementismedicine
#traumainformed

“Trauma is not in the event itself; it’s in the nervous system. If we can help the body complete the response — to fight, to flee, or to freeze and then thaw — we can help it heal.”
Peter Levine

“Immobility keeps the body in a state of fear. Restoring movement is the beginning of reclaiming agency.”
Bessel van der Kolk

Art- Ruthie V, seattle artists league

Reflections on boredom-

I remember the long summer days of my childhood with few planned activities and no devices! I don’t recall being bored.

On reflection I believe boredom was a threshold; a doorway to listen to the whisper of something deeper inside. Perhaps when the mind has nowhere to go, it can turn inward. Daydreaming, ideas, imagination,
spontaneous play all can occur when we stop trying to fill the silence. This was certainly my experience as a child.

From a somatic perspective boredom can dissolve into a rich field of sensations and subtle rhythms. What first feels dull might reveal micro-movements, vibrations, breath patterns, or emotional layers we’ve overlooked.
In authentic movement practice we aim to find stillness; becoming an empty vessel for what wants to emerge on a deeper level.

Neuroscience links boredom with activation of the default mode network—the brain’s “imagination system,” associated with self-reflection and creativity.

Boredom can be uncomfortable. It asks us to stop chasing stimulation, to sit with emptiness. But in that space—beneath the surface tension—something extraordinary can begin to stir.

When we allow boredom, we invite the imagination to wake up. The dreaming mind stretches. The body becomes curious. We begin to listen—not to the noise outside, but to the whisper of something deeper inside.

I invite you to hold space for boredom, for yourself, your children and grandchildren. To stand on that threshold and be open to what emerges.

“Boredom always precedes a period of great creativity.”
— Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

“When you’re bored, you’re disconnected from the part of yourself that is fascinated by the world.”
— Tara Brach

Art- Iro Bartzioka

Lughnasadh

I love fairy tales and myth and over the years have run workshops alone and sometimes with a friend. I would like to share a seasonal fairy tale with an invitation to explore the archetypes in movement. In this way we can embody what touches us personally and deepen our understanding of the motifs in the tale. ♥️

The Cailleach and the Last Sheaf 🌾

In the time of Lughnasadh, when the grain stands tall and golden, the people of the land gather to harvest. But always, always—they leave the last sheaf standing.

This sheaf belongs to the Cailleach, the ancient Hag of the Hills, who watches the turning of the seasons with eyes older than memory.

Some say she once ruled all of summer, striding across the land with her hammer and her cloak of storms. But now she watches quietly from the shadows, waiting.

It is said that when the final sheaf is cut, the spirit of the harvest flees into the land, into the trees, into the stones. And so the people cut it with reverence, weaving it into a corn dolly, an offering to the old one.

“Rest now,” they whisper to the earth. “You have given much. May you sleep well.”

And the Cailleach nods, satisfied, as she begins her slow descent into winter.

✨Somatic Practice:
Go outside, barefoot if possible. Stand still. Feel the weight of summer in your body. Reach your arms high like ripened stalks of grain. Then slowly begin to fold inward—like the harvest being gathered in. Let yourself soften, bow, descend. Rest your hands on the earth. Let it take what you no longer need.

✨alternately hold in mind the part of the tale that you resonate with and allow your body to move spontaneously. Draw, make marks or write afterwards to bridge your way to a deeper understanding.

#wildgoddessworkshops
#jodrewmovementpsychotherapist
#MovementIsMedicine

Art-Vesna Delevska

Wild Body. Dreaming Soul 
In this space, I’d like to explore the connection between movement, embodiment, and transformation. Our bodies hold a wealth of wisdom, and by engaging them through movement, we can uncover hidden truths, heal, and grow.
This first newsletter will explore the relationship between the body and our dreams—how embodying dream motifs through movement can bring them from the unconscious into conscious awareness, allowing us to gain clarity and understanding.

Dreams as Unconscious Wisdom
Dreams speak in images, symbols, and felt sensations, often slipping away upon waking. How can we capture and weave the energy of our dreams into consciousness. Embodying dream motifs allows us to engage them more deeply, drawing them from the unconscious into conscious awareness. Jung called this process active imagination—a way of dialoguing with the unconscious through creative engagement.
“The images of the unconscious place a great responsibility upon a man. Failure to understand them, or a shirking of ethical responsibility, deprives him of his wholeness and imposes a painful fragmentariness on his life.” Jung
By bringing dream images into movement, we integrate their wisdom, making the unseen felt and the symbolic tangible.

Somatic Practice: Moving the Dream
1. Wake & Write – Upon waking, take a few moments to record your dream. Don’t worry about full sentences—just note any key images, emotions, or symbols that stand out.
2. Meditate & Sense – Sit quietly and bring your attention to your body. Where do you feel the dream’s energy? A tightness in the chest? A flutter in the belly? A tingling in the hands? Simply notice.
3. Breathe & Move – Begin with gentle breathing, allowing movement to emerge naturally from where you sense the dream’s energy. Let the body respond without forcing—small gestures, shifting weight, or larger flowing movements.
4. Track & Observe – As you move, pay attention to the sensations, emotions, and images that arise. How does the quality of movement feel? Heavy or light? Sharp or fluid? What story is your body telling?
5. Reflect & Journal – After moving, take a moment to sit and write down any insights. Did any new symbols emerge? Did a certain movement shift your perspective on the dream?
Alternative Approach: If a dream leaves you with an unanswered question, begin your movement with this question as an intention. Move with curiosity, tracking how the body responds, and notice if new insights emerge.

Mythical Insight: Hypnos, the God of Sleep

In Greek mythology, Hypnos, the god of sleep, dwelled in a quiet, misty cave where the river Lethe—forgetfulness—flowed. His presence was gentle yet profound, lulling gods and mortals alike into the realm of dreams. It was said that his touch could calm even the most restless mind, guiding souls into unconscious depths where hidden truths emerged.
Sleep, in this mythic sense, was not just rest—it was a portal to the unseen. Hypnos reminds us that dreams are not passive; they shape our waking lives, whispering wisdom from beyond rational thought. By engaging with our dreams through movement, we step into this liminal space with awareness, bringing the unconscious into form. As we embody dream images, we echo the ancient belief that sleep and waking are not separate but intertwined states of being—just as movement bridges the seen and unseen within us.

The Dream Circle
If you would like to explore embodied practice with Dreams, please join me for an in person workshop-
The Dreaming Temple
14th March
7pm- 8.30pm
Yoga and therapy space, Earthbeat Centre, Saltburn by the Sea, North Yorkshire
£20(£15 for Blue Feather WhatsApp group members)
Movementtherapy@googlemail.com

“Dreams alight before us on the darkened path of mystery, coaxing us in the direction of our calling. Every dream has a secret longing, a wound that needs dressing, an ember that must be kept alive. If we can, in our courtship of the dream, discover what it loves - we are rewarded with a sense of privilege and responsibility. As we let our lives be shaped by that mystery, we find ourselves both fed by and in service to its inclination to wholeness.”
Excerpt from “Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home” by Toko-pa Turner
Image- Lucy Campbell

From Freeze to Flow: Moving Through Immobilization

When we feel overwhelmed, stressed, or trapped in uncertainty, our bodies may slip into a frozen state—muscles tightening, breath shallow, movement restricted. This is a natural survival response, but staying here too long can leave us feeling stuck, disconnected, and heavy.

Personally I find simple yoga moves extremely helpful but here are a few other tips for yourselves or your clients.

1. Rocking and tiny Movements
Start small. Rock gently from side to side, shift your weight, or roll your shoulders. Micro-movements tell the nervous system it’s safe to move again.

2. Breath and Sound
Try a long exhale, sighing out through the mouth. Humming or vocalizing soft tones can activate the vagus nerve, encouraging relaxation and flow.

3. Shaking and Unwinding
Animals shake off stress—so can we. Stand and let your hands, arms, legs, or whole body shake out tension. This can feel silly at first, but it’s a powerful reset.

4. Spirals and Fluidity
Instead of linear movement, explore soft, circular motions—rolling your wrists, hips, or spine in waves. Spirals reconnect us to organic movement and ease.

5. Grounding with the Feet
Feel your feet on the earth. Shift weight between them, press down and rise up on the toes. Walking barefoot outside, if possible, can be deeply regulating.

#jodrewmovementpsychotherapist
#movementismedicine
#traumainformed

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Art- David Limrite

Body Wisdom-Exploring Qualities of movement

In movement, we hold so much wisdom and expression. One beautiful way to deepen your connection to your body is to explore the qualities of weight—specifically the contrast between heavy and light.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine heaviness: the sensation of being grounded, weighted, and drawn to the earth. Move slowly, feeling how your body settles and sinks into gravity. Notice how this heaviness might bring a sense of stability or even surrender.

Now shift to exploring lightness: the feeling of rising, floating, or being carried by the air. Let your movements grow soft and buoyant, as if you could drift on a breeze. Notice how this lightness might evoke freedom, playfulness, or ease.

These contrasting qualities of weight—heavy and light—are tools for expression. They reflect our inner world and how we relate to life in any given moment. Are you drawn toward the earth, or do you feel ready to rise and take flight?

Try weaving these qualities into your day. Perhaps walk with deliberate heaviness or dance with a playful lightness. Notice how shifting between the two impacts your mood, body awareness, and sense of presence.

#jodrewmovementpsychotherapist
#movementismedicine

Art- Jeanne Bassett

Movement check in

Simple movement check in’s throughout the day- drop your shoulders, stretch your spine, drop your jaw, connect to breath, breath into any areas of tension, use the out breath to release. 🙏♥️
#jodrewmovementpsychotherapist
#movementismedicine

Art-Daniela Precioso

In movement therapy we reconnect to our bodies and explore new ways of expression to retrieve, release and understand the parts of ourselves that are ready to be healed.
#jodrewmovementpsychotherapist
“The body contains our entire life experience.
We could say that it is our home. We begin to consider the complex and elegant ways in which the body, as much as it houses our physical anatomy - bones, muscles, blood stream, organs and body parts - correspondingly contains feelings, emotions, memories, thoughts, past/present imprints and future potentials.
Our physical bodies are not separate from our feelings and emotions, images, thoughts - our physical anatomy reflects the anatomy of our psyche.”

~ Daria Halprin
Art-Jeremy Price