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Embody: Feel, Heal, and Transform Your Life Through Movement
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.
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.
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2024
4 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 21, 2024
3.5 ⭐ I am not a dancer, but I love dancing. And I am also really interested in movement as a healing practice and form of embodiment. So I was definitely interested in this book. The author and Journeydance creator/facilitator shares her personal story alongside dancing and journaling exercises for the reader. She has playlists, movement, and reflective prompts for states such as: sensuality, empowerment, embodiment, awakening, immersion & expansion, etc. I found this book to be engaging and interesting but I honestly think I'd rather explore this healing modality in a class or group setting, rather than alone in my house with a book. 😄
Overall I came away with a clear sense of the author's teaching perspective, and some types of movement that I can use to explore and embody different emotional states. I think this book will be great for dancers, embodiment coaches, or self-healers looking to expand their movement toolkit.
ARC from NetGalley
Overall I came away with a clear sense of the author's teaching perspective, and some types of movement that I can use to explore and embody different emotional states. I think this book will be great for dancers, embodiment coaches, or self-healers looking to expand their movement toolkit.
ARC from NetGalley
October 30, 2024
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 **Transformative and Liberating! A Must-Read for Mind-Body Healing Enthusiasts**
"Embody" by Toni Bergins is a revelation in the world of trauma healing and self-acceptance. Toni, the visionary behind JourneyDance, delivers a refreshing, dynamic approach to confronting past pain and unlocking authentic joy through movement. Unlike traditional embodiment practices that lean heavily on stillness, "Embody" invites readers to engage in a liberating dance of self-discovery that releases stagnant emotions and allows one to reconnect with their core essence.
What makes this book stand out is its holistic, trauma-informed approach. Toni’s five core elements—music, movement, mystical inquiry, prayer, and journaling—each contribute to a powerful journey of transformation. Her practice not only encourages emotional release but also turns self-healing into a joyful, almost playful experience. Through expressive movement, readers can shed layers of past trauma in a way that feels empowering and, dare I say, even fun!
The structure of the book flows seamlessly, each chapter guiding the reader deeper into a safe, creative space for introspection and self-acceptance. Toni’s methods are grounded in respected trauma research, and her approach resonates with Bessel van der Kolk’s insights on the importance of embodied practices for trauma recovery. This is a book that doesn’t just preach; it truly teaches readers how to let go of what no longer serves them and step into a life where they can love themselves unconditionally.
"Embody" is a gift to anyone ready to feel, move, and heal in a profoundly uplifting way. It's not only a book but a path to a new story and a life of inner freedom. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to reclaim their joy, reconnect with their body, and release the weight of past trauma.
"Embody" by Toni Bergins is a revelation in the world of trauma healing and self-acceptance. Toni, the visionary behind JourneyDance, delivers a refreshing, dynamic approach to confronting past pain and unlocking authentic joy through movement. Unlike traditional embodiment practices that lean heavily on stillness, "Embody" invites readers to engage in a liberating dance of self-discovery that releases stagnant emotions and allows one to reconnect with their core essence.
What makes this book stand out is its holistic, trauma-informed approach. Toni’s five core elements—music, movement, mystical inquiry, prayer, and journaling—each contribute to a powerful journey of transformation. Her practice not only encourages emotional release but also turns self-healing into a joyful, almost playful experience. Through expressive movement, readers can shed layers of past trauma in a way that feels empowering and, dare I say, even fun!
The structure of the book flows seamlessly, each chapter guiding the reader deeper into a safe, creative space for introspection and self-acceptance. Toni’s methods are grounded in respected trauma research, and her approach resonates with Bessel van der Kolk’s insights on the importance of embodied practices for trauma recovery. This is a book that doesn’t just preach; it truly teaches readers how to let go of what no longer serves them and step into a life where they can love themselves unconditionally.
"Embody" is a gift to anyone ready to feel, move, and heal in a profoundly uplifting way. It's not only a book but a path to a new story and a life of inner freedom. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to reclaim their joy, reconnect with their body, and release the weight of past trauma.
September 30, 2025
3.5 stars
Interesting book about the JourneyDance program. It's very detailed with clear explanations and directions. I especially appreciated that it also pointed out what changes can be expected at any point of the program, what people can expect to feel. It was helpful and also encouraging.
However, this is a book about dance...and you can't read about dancing - you have to practice it. I have yet to give the program a physical try, and I am looking forward to it.
My peeve, somewhat, is somebody with a trauma-filled body trying this on their own and not able to deal with what comes up when they dance/attempt any part of this program. That's my word of caution about this. This book is about healing trauma, but attempting to solve trauma on one's own and all alone can sometimes hinder more than help. If someone with trauma is wanting to try this, I'd really suggest they connect with the author and do the program with her/not alone.
Interesting book about the JourneyDance program. It's very detailed with clear explanations and directions. I especially appreciated that it also pointed out what changes can be expected at any point of the program, what people can expect to feel. It was helpful and also encouraging.
However, this is a book about dance...and you can't read about dancing - you have to practice it. I have yet to give the program a physical try, and I am looking forward to it.
My peeve, somewhat, is somebody with a trauma-filled body trying this on their own and not able to deal with what comes up when they dance/attempt any part of this program. That's my word of caution about this. This book is about healing trauma, but attempting to solve trauma on one's own and all alone can sometimes hinder more than help. If someone with trauma is wanting to try this, I'd really suggest they connect with the author and do the program with her/not alone.
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July 5, 20254.5 stars
The only issue with this book is that is a book about .. dance! So its effect lies in practicing what you read.
But this is one amazing book about movement, about being in your body, em-body-ing, living your feelings and working so much: emotionally, mentally, spiritually with and through the body.
There are fantastic resources shared here and I am grateful to have received this book in order to share my view on it, it is a book and a practice that I will come back to.
The only issue with this book is that is a book about .. dance! So its effect lies in practicing what you read.
But this is one amazing book about movement, about being in your body, em-body-ing, living your feelings and working so much: emotionally, mentally, spiritually with and through the body.
There are fantastic resources shared here and I am grateful to have received this book in order to share my view on it, it is a book and a practice that I will come back to.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews