Amber Elizabeth Gray Restorative Resources Training & Consulting

Continuurhythm Is a psychotherapy Is a movement and dance based psychotherapy Is a somatic psychotherapy Is a movement practice Is a mindfulness practice Is a therapeutic rhythm practice (drumming, dance and movement) Is a life practice …focusing on the post trauma restorative process

Continuurhythm Is an innovative movement practice that is based on our bodies natural capacities for healing, balance and restoration, after traumatic experience(s). There are four primary influences on Continuurhythm: Continuum Movement The Poly Vagal Theory Ceremonial Traditions of Haiti Dance Movement Therapy

Continuum Movement Is a movement practice pioneered by Emilie Conrad, who teaches that the human body, at approximately 70% water, has the capacity to heal by accessing our fluid system as an alternative or “adjunct” system to the musculo-skeletal and nervous systems. In other words, the fluid, dynamic, and responsive nature of water serves as a powerful medium for communication, restoration and rehabilitation. Human beings have an inherent birthright to be fluid; therefore water, in its many forms, is our portal into as of yet unimagined innovations and possibilities. Movement is both the message and the messenger because movement, like water, is based on the most fundamental and universal “shape” of movement: the wave.

The Poly Vagal Theory Is exclusively the work of Dr Stephen Porges. The Poly Vagal elucidates the crucial role the Vagus nerve plays in our human ability to recognize safety, and love, via features that are “governed” or “guided” by this neural circuit and influential on facial expressivity, posture, gaze, and our mind-body states. Social engagement is the core teaching that translates his cutting edge research into meaningful clinical, and human, practice.

Dance Movement Therapy Is the therapeutic use of movement and dance to alleviate psychological symptoms, conditions and illnesses. Dance Movement Therapy addresses healing at all levels of human experience: physical, mental, emotional, psychological, behavioral and spiritual. Dance Movement Therapy has its roots in many of the world’s most ancient healing traditions, and is currently gaining recognition as one of the most effective therapeutic practices for trauma. Because DMT is both a somatic and a creative arts therapy, and because current neuropsychiatric research endorses non-verbal, body-based, creative approaches as necessary to truly help traumatized clients, DMT is truly “ancient modern” wisdom!

Ceremonial Traditions of Haiti Are based on ancient wisdom practices and principles that science is just beginning to attempt to “prove”. These traditions were carried over the Atlantic, during the “Middle Passage”, when the slaves were forcibly stolen from their homelands on the African continent. These principles include universality, reciprocity, relationship (social engagement), compassion and global connectivity. Ceremony in Haiti promotes community, connection, healing, celebration, mourning, and collective belonging and meaning making. The seven phases of ceremony form the basis of Continuurhythm.

Continuurhythm Is based on the originators 20+ years of engagement with all of these practices. The integration of these four (and other) practices (interpersonal neurobiology; movement arts and sciences; cranial-sacral therapy, life impressions bodywork, studies and initiations in other indigenous cultures and spiritual practices) combine to create both structured and process-oriented movement inquiries and experiences that are therapeutic, restorative and healing for those affected by trauma, as well as those who wish to invite deeper encounters with the mystery. Movement is life, and rather than only focus on trauma histories, this practice focuses on both the broad stroke and detailed elements of our individual and collective memory: it is a unique integration of current science with ancient healing art.

Core principles Belonging Meaning making Core strength Restorative process Phasic approaches to the restorative process Ceremonial stages to invite the sacred into our daily lives Inclusivity: Our place in the world of all things

Core principles Primary portals to embodiment Secondary portals to embodiment Seven portals to the mystery Restoration guideposts Life affirming

About the Originator Amber Elizabeth Lynn Gray is a licensed mental health professional, an award winning dance movement therapist, an authorized Continuum Movement teacher, a yoga teacher and therapist, a drummer and flautist, and a Sevito in the Fran Ginee tradition of Vodou. She has been studying and/or collaborating with Emilie Conrad, Stephen Porges and ManChoun since Her immersion in these inquires has developed the body of work-in-constantly evolving progress that is Continuurhythm

Continuurhythm Restores well being for those exposed to traumatic experience Restores our natural birthright capacity for fluid movement, perception, feeling, cognition and action Increased flexibility, vitality and a connection to life Is a movement informed practice for the restoration of life following major catastrophic, traumatic or stressful life experience. Is an inquiry into the mystery of life, and our interconnectedness with the planet and galaxies; our ancestors and our future families