Ana Bernardes

Body wisdom in movement

Join me on a journey towards inner leadership by unlocking the access to your body wisdom!

Access your body wisdom through movement, body awareness and human connection.

A direct experience of embodied consciousness that will allow you to
feel more connected with yourself,
improve the quality of your relationships
and rediscover yourself as a creative being.

sense

Sensing: the perception that something occurs or that a particular state exists.We are unconsciously constantly sensing our environment, and learning to consciously listen with our whole body is a skill worth cultivating.By developing the ability to fully engage with our sensory systems —including the five senses, proprioception, and interoception —we expand our range of choices in how we respond to the world around us.Sensing opens a gateway not only to our inner world but also to the world beyond ourselves.

play

Playing: a way to explore possibilities, learn, and express oneself within a safe environment.We need playgrounds where we can experiment with new ways of moving, being, and relating. Spaces where we can engage with different archetypal energies, recognize our patterns and immerse ourselves in "as if" worlds.Through embodied practices, we learn to make the invisible visible, revealing deeper truths and insights.In the experience of the bodymind, we invite the body to be the bridge between our conscious and unconscious worlds.

create

Creating: causing something to exist or to make something new or imaginative.We are always creating. Every moment, we generate thoughts and behaviours.Through direct experience, we understand before giving meaning and practice embodied consciousness. Giving words to the experience requires learning to articulate embodied speech.When aligned with our inner wisdom or the source, we tap into "fertile fields" of infinite possibilities, allowing deeper insights and creativity to emerge naturally.

Take a step into a transformative journey!

I curate the playground,

You find your path.

Experience transformative learning experiences that ignite collective growth, rooted in individual experience.From the I to the WE to the WHOLE.With curiosity, compassion, and courage, embrace fresh perspectives and allow your innate wisdom to manifest through embodied expression, free from immediate interpretation.We are all inherently human, engaging with one another on shared journeys. I aim to empower individuals to reconnect with their inner wisdom, leading lives with integrity, authenticity, and adaptability.

SCIENCE-BASED

These learning journeys mix insights from psychology, dance and movement pedagogy, neuroscience, game design, and experience design.Through this rich blend, cultivate somatic awareness and foster nonlinear thinking.

FOCUSED ON 5 PILLARS

  • Self-led discovery

  • Art

  • Nature

  • Spirituality

  • Embodied Consciousness

A PATH TO INNER LEADERSHIP

The journeys are designed to foster inner leadership grounded in principles of wholeness, flexibility, and congruence.The art of listening to oneself, by attending to the subtle messages from our bodymind, our emotions and intuition as an inner compass.

As we allow movements to flow within us and find expression outwards, we make the invisible visible. We honour its form, rhythm, and vitality.Moving from within is being in a dance, a dynamic interplay between our essence and the external realm. It’s a sacred dialogue between what is alive within and the perception of the outer world.With every fibre of our being, we engage with the world — listening, seeing, touching, tasting, and smelling — and become a vessel for direct experience. In this intricate dance of body, mind, and soul, our inner landscape awakens, our spirit is stirred, and our wounds find solace.Are you intrigued? Contact me!

Testimonials

"Dancing with Ana in the 6 weeks course “MOVING FROM WITHIN” was the highlight of my week. No matter how stressed, hyped-up or disconnected I felt, Ana always managed to create a space where I could let my guard down and connect with all my feelings. I could let my body speak, express everything that I couldn’t find words for. I could dance my worries, my anger, my joy and my love. Ana taught me how to connect to my true authentic self, to connect with others, to find my boundaries and also to break them. It was a journey of pure magic, healing and joy!"

I.H.

authentic movement


As a contemporary mystical practice, Authentic Movement offers a ritualized space for the individual development of embodied consciousness and the emergence of a collective body.The practice of Authentic Movement is rooted in Jungian Psychology. Within its framework, we explore the relationship between movers and witnesses, between inner and outer witnesses, and between seeing and being seen.We invite the unconscious to become visible through movement and words and separate direct experience and perception to welcome the development of an individual "inner witness”.

next events

intro session

Saturday tba
10:00 - 13:00
Kochgasse, 1080 Vienna

Cost:
- facilitation and organisation is donation based, from 10€.

Jan 13, 20, 27 / Feb 10, 17 and 24

Mondays (every 2nd week)
18:00 - 20:30
Fokus (1070 Vienna)

Cost:
- 6 sessions: 180,00€
- until 31st December: 120,00€

into the emptiness

"Janet (Adler) refers to “stepping into the emptiness” as an embodied act of entering this infinite field of potentiality, a mystery, a field encompassing that which is not yet known.”

From "Intimacy in Emptiness", by Janet Adler; Bonnie Morrissey; Paula Sager

A regular practice (every 2nd week) for everyone who wants to dive into their inner landscape through Authentic Movement.In these sessions, we focus on developing skills that support the practice during the warm-up and explore the method in different forms during the circle.The goal for these 6 sessions is to develop the connection with the inner witness and to increase the ability of embodied conscious speech.

THE STRUCTURE

2 hours/ week

  • WARM-UP (20 minutes)

  • CIRCLE (90 minutes)

  • REFLECTION AND CHECK-OUT (10 minutes)

A drop of theory

From Movement in Depth to Authentic Movement

“Movement, to be experienced, has to be 'found' in the body, not put on like a dress or a coat. There is that in us which has moved from the very beginning. It is that which can liberate us.”

Mary Starks Whitehouse

When Mary Starks Whitehouse started developing a movement practice rooted in Carl Jung's Active Imagination, she called it Movement in depth.This method, born in the convergence between dance and psychoanalysis, aims at the integration of body, mind and soul.Janet Adler was one of the students that brought the practice further. Although it was born in the field of Dance Movement Therapy, it has been widely used for movement exploration or self-development.The basic components are very simple: there's at least one mover, and at least one witness. The movers close their eyes and move from their inner impulses. The witnesses offer a non-judgemental presence providing a safe space for the movers to express themselves. Often, there's a space for sharing verbally in the end.The duration and setting can be changed. Can often be combined with other expressive methods such as drawing or writing.

social presencing theater


"Social Presencing Theater invites us to tap into our natural creativity and ability to fully embody the "performance" of being human. My intention with this work is to offer movement practices that support people in recognising their own and others' embodied wisdom, compassion, and courage to act."

Arawana Hayashi, in Social Presencing Theater

The collective body becoming conscious

When using embodiment tools, we often start by an exploration at an individual level.However, the potential is to tap into a deeper understanding of the social dynamics that are present in the collective body. Making the invisible visible in the network of a social field has the potential to provide insights into the unseen forces that guide behaviour and beliefs, even if not easily perceived at a cognitive level.

THE STRUCTURE

We will blend tools from Authentic Movement and Social Presencing Theater.No previous experience necessary. Ideally, participants know at least one of the methods.


DETAILS

tbaRoom cost is divided by all participants; Facilitation & Organisation donation based

sense your current field and move into the next phase with clarity

What are the seeds that you are sowing to create your future reality?Sitting in front of a blank paper and dropping your ideas and thoughts into words is part of the process, but not the only part. Theory U speaks of including an open mind, but also an open heart and an open will so that we can let the new emerge.In a small group (4 people), join me for an exploration of the Seed Dance, a practice of Social Presencing Theater, and Authentic Movement. Include your inner wisdom, by connecting with your embodied consciousness, in the preparation of your seeds!

THE STRUCTURE

I’ll offer a combination of the “seed dance”, an SPT exercise aiming to sense the field of the future and Authentic Movement. The session combines journaling, visualisation, movement and embodiment.No previous experience necessary. Ideally, participants know at least one of the methods.


DETAILS

tba

move from within


Book your individual session, or a small group session!

Beyond a dance class or a meditation sitting, go on a journey of self-discovery towards inner leadership through movement and body awareness!

Not a dance class.
Not a meditation group.
Not a ceremonial space.

move from within combines elements from all those contexts.

  • dance elements and movement to recognise our behavioural patterns and to enlarge our range of responses;

  • contemplative practices and awareness principles which are common to meditation to develop the ability to sense and be present;

  • rituals and intention to provide a sacred and safe container for the individual and collective experience.

We offer a space that encourages self-awareness, growth, and connection by bringing these elements together. Participants appreciate having a weekly time to slow down, gain new insights, and improve their relationships with themselves and the world around them.

DETAILS

Wednesdays 09:00 - 11:00 | Kochgasse 1080 ViennaParticipants: 2 - 4 (registration until 1 day before mandatory)
Sliding scale: 15€ - 40€

A 1:1 session is a self-discovery session where all the focus is on you and your needs!

intro call

In a 20-minute online call, we assess how fitting it is to work together. There, we can clarify all your questions about the process.

30 minutes | free of charge | online

1:1 session

It’s up to you to bring the topics that you’d like to explore. The case may be a clear question or a general area in your life you’d like to look into.In this journey of self-discovery, I’ll assist you by bringing external inputs and leading the experimentation.

90 minutes | Tuesdays 12:30 - 17:30 | Kochgasse, 1080 Vienna or online

COMMITMENT

The sessions are based on somatic awareness, embodiment and movement, but also on conscious communication. We use different tools, especially from Social Presencing Theater, Authentic Movement, Holistic Dance and Embodiment Coaching.When people are not familiar with the tools, it’s recommended to plan at least 3 sessions to best benefit from their potential.


couples experience

Discover a deeper connection with your partner through the transformative power of Authentic Movement.


A unique couples experience designed to:

  • Foster trust and communication;

  • Deepen emotional and physical connection;

  • Encourage playful, mindful exploration of movement together


What to expect:

  • A guided session where you and your partner move freely, connecting to yourselves and each other.

  • No prior experience needed—just an open heart and willingness to explore.

  • A safe, nurturing environment to rediscover the joy of shared presence.


DETAILS

1,5 hours | Kochgasse 1080 ViennaExchange: 135,00€ (3 sessions = 360€)

other playgrounds

move . play . connect

more info soon

Emotional Intimacy

Authentic Movement | Holistic Dance | Biodanza | Dance/Movement Therapywith Mafalda Vergueiro14th December 2024 - Lisboa

Women's Inner Leadership Development

more info soon

Are you ready for an intimate encounter with yourself?

Do you have moments when it feels like you think one thing and act oppositely?Can you be with your own emotions and know what led to them?When did you last feel a deep sense of connection and trust?Do you have connections where both you and the other feel safe to express your true thoughts, feelings, and vulnerabilities without fear of judgment?

Join us, Ana Bernardes and Mafalda Vergueiro, for a transformative weekend of emotional exploration and self-discovery through movement, embodiment, and somatic awareness.

We are both psychologists who have found a way into more profound layers of ourselves through the exploration of a deeper connection with our bodies. For more than 15 years we’ve been exploring somatic practices to improve our relationships and offering that journey also to others.


What methods do we use?

"Emotional Intimacy" is an invitation to a space of self-experimentation and self-discovery through movement. An experiential laboratory using Biodanza, Dance Movement Therapy, Holistic Dance, Authentic Movement, Social Presencing Theater, and sharing circles.

Who is it for?

  • Those open to exploring their emotions and behaviours through body awareness and dance;

  • People who would like to improve their capacity to sustain emotions and get intimate with their emotional bodies;

  • Anyone looking to improve the quality of their relationships..


What can you expect?

  • Open to the capacity to feel and express emotions in a safe space;

  • Discover clarity around your emotions, personal needs and boundaries;

  • Learn to understand the emotional language of your body in relationships;

  • Get to know or to be more intimate with your sensed self in relationships;

  • Explore limits, pains, softness and compassionate love for yourself and others;

  • Obtain more congruence between feelings and actions.

AGENDA

10:00 - Authentic Movement (Ana)
Discovering the container in yourself for your Emotional Body
12:00 - Biodanza (Mafalda)
Nourish and Hold - the roles of taking care and being taken care of in Emotional Intimacy
14:30 - Authentic Movement & SPT (Ana)
Emotional Alchemy: tap into your inner wisdom to hold the space for transformation
16:30 - Dance/ Movement Therapy (Mafalda)
Listening to the impulse of creation


Each sessions lasts 1,5 hours.

December 14Estúdio Mariposa

Rua dos Douradores, 178 Cave, 1100-207 Lisboa


Saturday 14.12. 10:00 - 18:00


Max: 15 participants
Exchange: 110,00€ (full day)
Half-day: 60,00€
1 session: 35,00€

Join us for more information in our Telegram Group!

Emotional intimacy:

Emotional intimacy involves being fully seen, heard, and accepted by yourself and by another person, creating a bond that fosters closeness, empathy, and mutual understanding.It can occur in various relationships, such as between romantic partners, close friends, family members, or even within therapeutic settings.It needs key elements such as Trust, full Acceptance of yourself, Open Communication, Mutual Understanding, Empathy and Emotional Safety.Emotional intimacy is essential for building lasting, meaningful relationships, fostering stronger connections, and enhancing personal well-being and a sense of purpose.

Emotional intimacy can benefit a wide range of people, including:

  • Individuals seeking self-awareness who can better understand their own emotions, needs, and boundaries to live more authentically;

  • People working through emotional challenges who can benefit from a safe space to explore their feelings;

  • Friends and family members who can deepen trust, openness, and vulnerability in their relationships;

  • People seeking personal growth who can explore emotional intimacy to lead to greater self-awareness and stronger, more fulfilling relationships in all areas of life;

  • Romantic partners who can strengthen emotional bonds, improve communication, and foster deeper connections.

Mafalda Vergueiro

Psychologist, Dance/Movement Therapist and Biodanza FacilitatorOver 20 years ago, driven by a desire to understand myself, I embarked on a journey through psychology, yoga, dance, movement, and a greater connection with my body-self-relational (emotional, sensory, mental and spiritual). My passion for helping others discover their potential led me to yoga, Biodanza, and ultimately to study psychology.I work as a clinical psychologist specialised in Dance Movement Therapy and dynamic psychotherapies, supporting adults. I facilitate individual and group therapeutic sessions using movement and body awareness to achieve greater internal congruence (thinking-feeling-acting).I've been organising therapeutic retreats since 2016.
Previously, I worked for 15 years in finance following my degree in Economics.
I believe that in everyone there is a healthy Self that wants to feel alive and the way to accomplish it is to go back to our BEing, relearn how to feel, and strengthen this Self-body in relationship.

Ana Bernardes

Psychologist, Embodiment Facilitator"The core of my work is to create spaces where people can grow. I guide learning journeys towards the development of inner leadership using awareness-based tools.By accessing body wisdom through conscious movement, somatic awareness and human connection, each person can promote the connection with oneself, improve the quality of relationships and rediscover creativity.I hold a degree in Psychology and I'm trained in Holistic Dance and Movement Pedagogy, Social Presencing Theater and Embodiment, which I combine with my experience of working in Business Consulting, Corporate Training, Event and Experience Design and Game Design, as well as 20 years of teaching social dances.My path made me a believer that only by bringing more consciousness into relationships and organisations we can create a lasting impact in living a purposeful and balanced life, both individually and collectively."

Ana Bernardes


In 1998 I started dancing and studying Psychology and I walked these 2 paths separately until they began to get intertwined.As a Vocational Counselor and Trainer, my career started in 2004 and focused on developing soft skills. This brought me into human resources consulting, training organisation and facilitation, and project management.After several years working in the corporate setting, in 2013 I discovered social entrepreneurship and experience design. Among other events, I co-founded a festival for innovation in education in Vienna (stEFFIE – Experimental Fun Festival for Innovative Education).In 2019 I started working in a game design agency, where I was responsible for people management, finance and organisation development, as well as for creating and hosting events and developing game concepts for companies.In what felt like a parallel world, my first class as a dance teacher was in 2000. For ca. 20 years I taught social dances, mostly ballroom and salsa, and I’ve learned many more partner dances, like tango or kizomba. In 2017 I came across Biodanza, which was the first step in using dance as a way of expression and healing.In the last years, I’ve added to my skills embodiment and dance practices such as Social Presencing Theater, Authentic Movement, Embodiment Coaching and Holistic Dance.

Imprint

Ana Bernardes

Trainer in adult education
Krenngasse 1180 Vienna
[email protected]


Freelance (Neue Selbständiger / new self-employed)


Content and webdesign: Ana BernardesPhotos: Bernard Samouh, Ana Bernardes, Laurent Ziegler

Terms & Conditions

General Conditions of Participation

The participants acknowledge that they are solely responsible for their physical, mental and emotional health during the program.These workshops and programs don't replace any kind of therapy.


Cancellation Policy

If you register for a workshop (event with 2 or more hours) and have to cancel, the following cancellation conditions apply:
• Cancellation more than 2 weeks before the event: we will refund the full participation fee;
• Cancellation more than 72 hours before the event: we will refund you 50% of the participation fee;
• Cancellation less than 72 hours before the event, we cannot refund the participation fee, but you can replace participants.

If you register for a program or series of workshops (repeated event with 2 or more hours) and have to cancel, the following cancellation conditions apply:
• Cancellation more than 2 weeks before the 1st event: we will refund the full participation fee;
• Cancellation more than 72 hours before the 1st event: we will refund you 50% of the participation fee;
• Cancellation less than 72 hours before the 1st event, we cannot refund the participation fee, but you can replace participants;
• Cancellation after the 1st event, we cannot refund the participation fee, replacement of participants will be analysed individually.