How is Chi for Two like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was created by Francine Shapiro. The origin of the method came one day when Shapiro was thinking upsetting thoughts and noticed that her eyes had begun moving from side to side. She noticed that the eye movement helped her feel better. Shapiro decided to experiment with inviting clients to do this side to side eye movement as they wrestled with upsetting thoughts. When clients found the side-to-side movement helpful, Shapiro began to research the method and use the findings of the research to refine the method.

EMDR expanded to include a system of training therapists. Now EMDR might involve sounds heard in one ear and then the other, touch on one side of the body and then the other.

Both EMDR and Chi for Two have specific certification training for clinicians. While the specific certification training for EMDR and Chi for Two is very different, both methods appreciate the value of side to side movement.

When Dee Wagner (originator of Chi for Two) heard of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, back in the earliest days of its existence, Wagner sought out an EMDR therapist for a session. Over the years after that, Wagner followed the development of EMDR. As a dance/movement therapist, Wagner explored all kinds of side to side movement with clients. The value of side to side movement became very clear.

Chi for Two teaches that people have four Emanations of Embodiment—four outward-extending manifestations of movement expression. Each emanation leads to the next. The emanations help us relate to other people.

The second Emanation of Embodiment is Contralateral Movement—

movement from side to side.

When we are born, like all mammals our bodies are designed to connect to the body we come out of—forward focus facilitates this attachment. Once we become securely attached to someone who can provide food and shelter, we can playfully twist our heads from side to side taking in other sights, attending to other sounds besides the voice of our primary parent.

When we do not develop secure attachment, we develop a sense of impending danger. We look from side to side in search danger and when we cannot see any danger, we inhibit our side to side movement. We freeze. Over time, we alternate between freeze and a disembodied kind of “zoning out.” Eventually we might call these sensations anxiety and depression.

Mindful movement from side to side helps us reprogram that anxiety/depression trauma patterning. Doing movement from side to side within an energetic dance with a helping professional creates a symbolic redo of the infant/parent dance that creates secure attachment.

We begin to sense that the danger occurred in the past when we were babies born into families where there was not a lot of security over generations. We begin to sense that while we were not safe back then, we are safe now. And we feel better.