Weathering with Rocks: Movement Task

The following words and movements emerged from an encounter with rocks in Gwenddwr valley. Inspired by this encounter, I have shared a movement task along with an audio version located at the end of the page.

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Weathering here as rock and spore I give my weight to you.

Soft body, slate body.

Cracked and split and fissured body,

We hold fast.

Taking flight as spore like spark.

In stillness to thin the clag

Wandering the rocks of Gwenddwr valley.

Losing...finding, points and contact.

Language forming within connective tissues

between surfaces of skin and rock.

Rolling, slipping, clinging, grasping.  

And from flight of thought I come to land

Listening to rock speak. Slow speak.

Stories of earth and solid ground

breathing, landing dissolving, remembering.

Weathering with Rocks - Movement Task

Guidelines for following a movement task

Movement tasks are an invitation to carve out moments of pause and connection with the world around us as an everyday way of being. They serve as prompts for creating space for self-care, artistic expression, and the freedom to explore. Whether grounding us in times of uncertainty or guiding us toward a deeper sense of belonging, movement tasks offer gentle waymarkers along a path to feeling more at home in the world. The following movement task can be explored as a solo practice, or in a pair. If working in a pair, you might take it in turns to witness and 'hold the space' for one another.

Stepping out

Having everything you need to be outdoors for a while, including drawing or writing materials, head to a place that you know or feel a connection with where you know there are some rocks/boulders/stones, mountains. It could be somewhere close to you, such as a local woodland, river bed, or hill top. As you step out of your door, create an imaginary line, or threshold crossing as you shift into a space free from planning and expectation. Mark the beginning of this movement task with an intention to wander and explore freely, allowing your experience to unfold just as it is.

Other humans!

Unless you are planning on finding somewhere very quiet to be, chances are you will encounter other people. I always find it useful to welcome others as part of the ever changing experience, moving through the landscape as other wildlife would. This is where working in pairs can support the experience.

Following the movement task

Once you have allowed yourself some time to arrive, spend a few moments reading, or listening to the movement task. You don't have to remember it all, and you don't need to get to the end, each section might be just enough for one outing. Just notice which parts resonate with you and let that be your starting point. If working in a pair you could explore reading the movement task to your partner, remembering to give enough space between each part.

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Begin:

By sensing the space and distance between yourself and rock/s

slowly expanding your awareness to include other living beings here

Do you feel a sense of being welcomed here?

Inhale, and begin a conversation.... Send your exhale out

towards all of the surfaces and edges of rock and stone

Imagining all of the hidden and unseen

they too are breathing, being touched by your presence 

Breathing with rock. Sensing your surfaces, becoming porous

allowing each breath to meet all of your edges. 

Just as you are.

When you are ready, begin to sense an internal thread within you...

that connects you with rock. Allow an exchange of breath to flow freely

between you, each cycle of breath nourishing and expanding your connection.

Allow any movement to begin to unfold, internal, external, small or big. 

Imagining the thread between you, begin to follow it

Remaining still, or travelling.....forwards, backwards.....near or far..... 

Following your thread as if it were a conversation....

if you keep following......where might it lead you?....

Keep following and moving together....

When you are ready, find a way to gently bring your exploration to a close, finding a moment to share some gratitude for this encounter. 

In the same way you began, create an imaginary line to cross over, as a way of closing and transitioning from this place to where you are going next.

You may wish to spend some time writing or drawing about your experience now, or later on. Simply allowing some space for any images or words to be expressed without judgment.

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Weathering with Rocks Movement Task Audio Version