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Voice as Movement and a Spiritual “in-between”
  • ISSN: 2051-7068
  • E-ISSN: 2051-7076

Abstract

‘Sounding Sensations’ is a sounding-and-moving praxis that explores the transformational power of embodied expression. The praxis connects practitioners to their voice, their dance and, if the spirits permit, their spirituality. The spiritual in-between is enlivened (scored) by way of the ‘Sounding Sensations’ practice score. This article explores the spiritual in-between experientially, as an experience, and metaphysically, as a place. The metaphor of ‘a shoreless ocean’ is introduced to capture the defining essence (the spirit) of the spiritual in-between. Intentional focus is placed upon appreciating and understanding the transformative capability of sounding, by way of the practitioner’s voice and vocality. An adjacent focus is placed upon what is required (of practitioners, the praxis and the practice score itself), in order to successfully score the spiritual in-between. This article works to contribute to a deeper understanding of the latent potential that exists not only at the intersection of sounding and moving but also at the intersection of sounding and spirituality. In this article, sounding refers to and encompasses various non-linguistic vocalizations – grunts, groans, growls, screams, giggles, yells and whines. Released from linguistics, semantics and semiotics, sounding is understood to communicate something universal, unique, emotional, present, unrepeatable and ultimately, spiritual. At its core, this article wishes to call forth the spirit of embodied expression. The ‘Sounding Sensations’ praxis invites practitioners to sound their frustration in a world of frustration, their desire in a world of desire and their terror in a world of terror. This invitation serves as an intentional reminder to practitioners: that they are themselves a direct route to that which is spiritual, and that they can indeed animate themselves with agency.

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2025-04-29
2026-04-18

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/content/journals/10.1386/dmas_00050_1
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Scoring the spiritual in-between: By way of sounding your sensations
Dance, Movement & Spiritualities 10, 179 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1386/dmas_00050_1
/content/journals/10.1386/dmas_00050_1
/content/journals/10.1386/dmas_00050_1
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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): dance and spirituality; dance and voice; expression; liberation; practice as research; release; somatic practice; sounding and moving

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