murning

Murning is a practice that combines slow, circular body movement with breathwork and focused attention, intended to process emotion, memory, or trauma.

The etymology of murning is not firmly established; the term is a modern coinage that likely blends associations with mourning, turning, or murmuring.

Origins and adoption: In the 21st century, murning emerged within somatic and performance communities as an accessible movement practice. It is used in workshops, instructional materials, and artist residencies.

Practice: A typical session is led by a facilitator and lasts 15–40 minutes. Participants stand or sit, perform gentle circular or spiraling motions of the torso, head, and arms, and coordinate these with slow, rhythmic breathing. Attention is guided to bodily sensations, emotions, or memories, with optional journaling or sharing at the end.

Applications: In therapeutic settings, proponents say it can reduce physiological arousal and cultivate containment during emotional recall. In the arts, it is used as a method for eliciting embodied memory and synchronizing group presence.

Reception and evidence: There is limited peer-reviewed research on murning; most evidence is anecdotal. Critics caution that without clear protocols, practices may risk overwhelming participants, underscoring the need for trained facilitators and ethical guidelines.

See also: somatic practices, breathwork, movement therapy.