A new paradigm for embodied healing in a unique, experiential, therapeutic process in which expressive movement, guided imagery, ritual, music, and creative expression work together.
In Embody, Toni Bergins, the founder and creator of JourneyDance, an internationally renowned dance movement program, shares with readers a powerful way to address trauma mindfully so people can confront it, heal, and grow to love themselves unconditionally, just as they are. Embody is a dynamic, conscious practice that can help people release what no longer serves them and shows them how to stop stuffing/numbing the pain and start feeling, stop over-thinking/limiting, and get moving!
Embodiment is the new buzzword in personal transformation, but, most often, it is connected to static practices like breathwork and meditation. For Toni Bergins, embodiment is best achieved through active movement, and has created a practice where people literally get out of their heads and into their bodies! Her program is a trauma-informed one that offers a new promise: leading readers through deep, personal work but making it feel like play. In this book, she turns the heaviness of processing pain and past trauma into an expressive art aligned with the most recent research. Specifically, trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk, writes in his bestselling The Body Keeps the Score, “In order to overcome trauma, people need to feel safe enough to open up their hearts and minds to others and become engaged with new possibilities. This can be done if trauma survivors are helped to confront and confess the reality of what has happened and are helped to feel safe again. In many cultures this involves communal rhythmical activities, such as dancing…” And that is Toni Bergins’ mission and method: to help readers move into a new story for their lives.
Embody features Toni’s prescription for a comprehensive healing journey, comprised of five core elements:
· Music, to open the doorways of impulse, imagination, creativity and healing to change mood and awareness;
· Movement, to enhance presence and confidence, and release old patterns and traumas;
· Mystical Inquiry, where imagery and creative visualization exercises are used to guide readers into an alchemic and shamanic state to investigate past hurts, and learn to trust their instincts;
· Prayers and Invocations, to raise energetic vibrations to a positive place with powerful affirmations; and
· Journaling, with writing prompts to process inner self-awareness learned on the dance floor or through any of the other Embody elements.
“Toni Bergins’ new book is a must-read for any who are seeking to deepen their moment-by-moment integration of mind and body. Her beautiful work helps us throw light on our shadow selves so that we can face them, move with them, and integrate them. Highly recommended!”
—Stephen Cope, bestselling author of The Great Work of Your Life and scholar emeritus Kripalu Center
“Toni superbly illustrates the power of the body, movement, and dance in the journey of transformation. Toni guides the reader on a path to embracing that dance truly connects and fosters the ability to feel, heal, and transform into the greatest versions of ourselves.”
—Erica Hornthal, author of Body Aware
“This book is refreshing and pure truth. You cannot heal any form of trauma without movement. For over 20 years Toni has been a part of my women retreats. Her JourneyDance class is like medicine that helps women transform their pain, and feel sensual and alive. Her new book, Embody is the best way to shake your sh@$ out!”
—Sierra Bender, author of Goddess to the Core, creator of 4 Body Fit™
“Embody is an invitation to reclaiming our beauty within. The journey is spellbinding, filled with mystical movement, a deep dive into swirling emotion and releasing, and tools to lighten one’s being and soar to new heights. The book is infused with pressing poetry, sensuous soundscapes, and Toni’s journey of reclamation weaving through the kaleidoscope, inviting an ever-deepening exploration and expansion.”
—Alyson Quinn, author of Healing Trauma, and director of the Trauma Informed Practice Institute
