20 Jun

14:00

Studio Vredenburgh

Vredenburgersteeg 31-35, 1012 DZ Amsterdam, Amsterdam

A workshop for GBTQ+ men to reconnect with themselves and experience genuine connection with other queer men through movement and presence, beyond roles or social masks.

The Authentic Movement Lab for GBTQ+men

Men-only

More info & tickets

COMING HOME TO YOUR BODY IN COMMUNITY

What happens when you stop performing, stop trying to be attractive, funny, confident, or “together” — and simply allow yourself to be real?

The Authentic Movement Lab is an invitation for GBTQ+ men to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience genuine connection with other queer men beyond roles, expectations, or social masks.

Many of us learned to adapt in order to belong. We became the pleaser, the achiever, the seducer, the strong one, the funny one, the one who always seems in control. These strategies may have helped us feel accepted — but they can also keep us at a distance from ourselves and from others.

Even within queer spaces, many of us still carry feelings of not being enough, not fully belonging, or needing to prove ourselves.

This workshop offers something different. A space where vulnerability and strength can exist together. A space where you don’t need to impress anyone. A space to connect not through performance or conversation, but through presence, movement, and honest human experience.

Through the method of Authentic Movement, we practice letting the body lead instead of the thinking mind. With eyes closed and without judgment or fixed form, you follow the natural impulses, emotions, and movements arising within you — while being gently witnessed in a safe and supportive group environment.

This is not about dancing “well.” It’s about listening. Feeling. Allowing. Being.

Together, we create a non-judgmental space where authenticity, trust, expression, and connection can emerge naturally.

WHAT CAN IT BRING YOU?

greater calm and relaxation in body and mind
a deeper connection with yourself and your emotions
increased body awareness and presence
release of tension or stuck feelings
more freedom in self-expression
a stronger sense of authenticity and belonging
meaningful connections with other queer men

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU IF YOU:

long to feel more connected with your body
desire deeper, more authentic connection with other men
are tired of social performance or always "holding it together"
want to explore vulnerability in a safe environment
feel curious about movement, intuition, and inner awareness
are looking for a supportive queer community space

AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT, developed by Mary Starks Whitehouse, Janet Adler and Joan Chodorow and widely used in dance therapy settings, is a somatic practice of tuning inward and letting the body lead. It invites movement to emerge from sensation, impulse, or stillness rather than instruction or performance. Through embodied listening and presence, the body becomes a guide.

ABOUT THE TEACHER

JOHNNY SCHOOFS is a somatic movement coach, bodywork practitioner and teacher devoted to the art of embodied transformation. With a rich background in contemporary dance, somatics and expressive arts therapy, his work bridges the worlds of the performing arts and personal development. Johnny’s practice is grounded in the belief that the body holds truth — and that through movement and attention, we can access deeper layers of who we are. Drawing on practices such as dance improvisation, the Life/Art Process®, the Feldenkrais Method and Reiki, he creates spaces where individuals can reconnect to their bodies, bring expression to their emotional life, and rediscover their innate creativity. As an experienced performer and educator, Johnny teaches at leading dance academies, and facilitates public workshops and 1:1 sessions focused on embodiment, emotional expression, and authentic connection. His teaching is rooted in care, depth, and honesty—welcoming both light and shadow as vital parts of the human experience. Whether in the studio, or a private session, Johnny’s work is an invitation to slow down, meet yourself as you are, and move from a place of truth rather than performance.

Questions? Feel free to contact me at: johnnyschoofs@gmail.com