Dance, Movement & Spiritualities - Somatic Movement Meditations and Embodied Spirituality, Dec 2021

I write about butoh through a prism of Zen and phenomenology because they share similar philosophical outlooks on performance, and they explain everyday things. In articulating performance in the everyday, the progress of this reflective essay takes a somatic turn inward to matters of consciousness and ecosomatic convergence of body and nature. The several threads of this article relate through matters of ‘suchness’, a non-dual principle of Zen spanning several kinds of Buddhism. Suchness as perceptual oneness arises through meditative or neutral attention without attachment or need. I understand suchness in performance as attentive, generous presentation and witnessing – these propelled by acumen and guidance more than criticism. Judgements can have simple good sense in suchness too. An attitude of suchness accepts things as they are, and people and performances as they are, whether in personal relationships or on the stage. Expectations are not lowered through suchness; they are open to curiosity and wonder. The article further develops ecosomatic performances for the reader to experience.

This article shares a somatic approach to the practice of meditation reflecting on experiences of facilitating meditation classes for others as well as my own personal practice. I share my application of Bartenieff Fundamentals as a framework for meditation, outlining the language of the body it offers for imagery-based guided meditation – a process of embodied fundamentals. Through exploring the relationship between my practice of Bartenieff Fundamentals and a somatic approach to being in the world, I question how Bartenieff’s Principle of Breath Support may guide a practice of meditation and how in this process of embodiment we might shade, tone and strengthen meditation as a process of somatic engagement, revealing a dialogic relationship between form and fluidity, somatic moving and spiritual connectivity. The use of the voice, heightened sensorial awareness through imagery of breath, bones and gravity are considered through this practice of guided meditations: an embodying of body–space–environment as a transactional space of self-care. Presented through different modalities of formal text, notes from practice, movement scores and images, I invite readers to engage with this work through reading, moving and meditating.

This narrative account of a Nia dance class describes its origin and application, highlighting the teacher’s experience of giving and receiving in the course of delivering a class and the participant’s perception of its effect on mind and body.

Firstly, the authors consider the neurological and physiological aspects of Nia and the link to social and emotional factors which constitute well-being. The teacher then explains how she became involved with Nia and the motivation behind her teaching – what she gives and what, in turn, she feels she gains. She then describes one application of Nia, ‘Moving to Heal’, explaining how it can increase dancers’ awareness of their own bodies and thoughts, and gives them permission to let go of these thoughts, which bind them and inhibit the exploration of movement in a guided and safe manner.

Following on from that, one dancer explores her experience of ‘Moving to Heal’. She explains how this holistic practice generates for her, feelings of well-being through physical, mental and spiritual engagement with the movement and music.

The article concludes by reflecting on how the practice of Nia links with the theory as it is experienced through ‘Moving to Heal’.

Strength training has not been the domain of somatics. This article argues for the possibility and the benefits of bringing a somatic approach to working with free weights, dynabands and gym equipment. The article describes how to connect holistically and somatically with physical sensations, emotions, the imagination and the mental realm while doing strength training exercises. Somatic strength training allows us to develop outer and inner strength, bodily awareness, intuition and a compassionate, soulful relationship with the body.

This article shares contemplative explorations of somatic and visual perception through guided movement meditations and photography practice, with roots in Body-Mind Centering^® and the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. These are hybrid practices that I have developed through designing and teaching an online course in Somatic Meditation and Photography. Body-Mind Centering and contemplative photography share some common approaches and values, including inquiry into the nature of perception and the movement of attention, interest in being present to what is unfolding in the present moment and perception as a full-bodied felt sense experience. Contemplative arts and somatic practices offer ways of engaging with intention and choice, to work with the mind and senses, to lightly direct our attention and awareness, which can guide us to moments of landing in and with the present moment as it emerges. I offer three somatic meditations that lead into photography practice for the reader to experience.

This is a five-part article that shares the compassionate artistry and science behind self-regulation and co-regulation. Each section explores the concept of self-regulation and how Somatic Movement Dance Therapy supports health through self-regulatory and co-regulatory processes. Part 1 offers general reflections on self-regulation and how the field differs from bodywork modalities and mechanistic health regimes. Part 2 shares polyvagal theory and how practice supports a deep parasympathetic state (immobilization without fear). Part 3 enacts a research process where polyvagal theory is evident and applied in practice. Part 4 shares processes of co-regulation and the transpersonal heart-field. Part 5 details somatic touch combined with sense perception of the heart-field. I share photographic images of my students throughout where they are applying theory to practice and, additionally, empirically investigating how theory might support or illuminate their practice. The article shares how parasympathetic ease-and-release is an essential physiological state that underlies self-regulatory health. I also apply research by Doc Childre and Stephen Porges, attending to polyvagal theory and HeartMath; I share how this science shapes my practice and my training course in Somatic Movement Dance Therapy. The article is redacted from my new book, Somatic Movement Dance Therapy: The Healing Art of Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation. Across the pages I share sensory-perceptual pathways into a physiological state of consciousness (a transpersonal field of breath and heart) that supports ease and healing.