Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Thesis Baird.pdf (1.25 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

A Qualitative Investigation of What "Body Awareness" Means to Dancers at a Public Midwestern University

Baird, Emily Lynne
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1587991748223295

Abstract Details

2020, Masters of Science in Kinesiology and Health, Miami University, Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health.
The following study is a phenomenological qualitative analysis of collegiate dancers' experiences with and perceptions of body awareness and somatic movement. Semi-structured interviews explored what kinds of experiences dancers have had in the realm of body awareness, what their perceptions of these experiences are, and what kinds of effects they believe body awareness can have on their health or dance practice. Results of this study could be used to improve dance education at the college level, advance the level of inquiry into the benefits of somatic practices, and ultimately contribute to the improved health of dancers as a population. Results show that participants defined body awareness as a complex process of mirroring, noticing, knowing, and controlling the body. Experiences with yoga and injury taught participants to learn more about their body's structure and limits, and enjoyment of dance was described as the primary driver in dance participation. Formal experience with somatic movement techniques was limited, but looked upon favorably by all participants; all expressed a desire to practice more somatic movement. In summary, modern and contemporary dancers at the college level have complex ideas of what "body awareness" means and would benefit from earlier and increased education in specific somatic techniques
Karly Geller, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Valeria Freysinger, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Lana Kay Rosenberg, M.Ed. (Committee Member)
59 p.
Dance; Education; Health; Kinesiology
dance; qualitative; somatic movement; body awareness; health; college; modern dance; contemporary dance; dance education; injury; anatomy; yoga; phenomenology; kinesiology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Baird, E. L. (2020). A Qualitative Investigation of What "Body Awareness" Means to Dancers at a Public Midwestern University [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1587991748223295

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Baird, Emily. A Qualitative Investigation of What "Body Awareness" Means to Dancers at a Public Midwestern University. 2020. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1587991748223295.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Baird, Emily. "A Qualitative Investigation of What "Body Awareness" Means to Dancers at a Public Midwestern University." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1587991748223295

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1587991748223295
468
© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.