Reconnecting Intuitive Movement with Balanced Awareness (aka RIMBA™) was developed as an extension of yoga therapy for eating disorders. RIMBA™ utilizes various forms of movement and expressive arts to expand “body awareness” into “body responsiveness.” Incorporating yoga, modern dance, martial arts, dramatic interpretation, and patterned dance, it combines music and movement to reconnect participants to their bodies and to explore their beliefs about health and wellness. Depending on the program schedule, RIMBA™ may also be designated as Meditation/Stretching group.

Groups may have a specific theme, such as exploring arm movements, or may have an interpretive theme, such as using physical and verbal expression to explore a specific emotion. Discussion and acknowledgement are woven throughout the class to bring awareness to each participant’s intention and experience. The key focus of each group is to help patients recognize body language cues and rebuild healthy mind/body connections.

RIMBA™ offers a safe and supportive environment to let go of preconceived ideas of how the body should move and perfectionism attached to movement beliefs. Instead, patients learn to express their “awkwardness” in a joyful, non-judgmental way and become comfortable in their own, unique being.