ERIC Number: EJ841581
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1529-0824
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Cultivating Presence in Movement: Student Reflections on the Practice of Feldenkrais "Awareness through Movement[R]" in Dance Training
Diaz, Heidi; Chatfield, Steven J.; Cox, Jan
Journal of Dance Education, v8 n3 p79-93 2008
The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate an experimental course investigating the effect of Feldenkrais "Awareness Through Movement (ATM)" on students' self-image and its transference to concept related dance phrases, motif based improvisations, outside training and performance, and their daily lives. As a dancer and teacher, I wanted to understand more clearly how participants perceive "Awareness Through Movement" and how it affects their self-image. I wondered how this kind of work might be transferable. Would participants be able to integrate changes in movement, sensation, feeling and thought experienced during "Awareness Through Movement" lessons into concept related movement phrases, motif based improvisations, their outside training and performance, their way of learning, their daily lives? Participants practiced "ATM" lessons, concept related dance phrases and motif based improvisations. Data include entrance and exit questionnaires, journals, written summaries of the students' experience, field notes taken by the researcher, and videotapes of the sessions. Participants reported: an enhanced self-image; greater internal authority; transfer of experiences from "ATM" lessons to dance classes, other forms of movement training, and daily life; and recognition of the pedagogic model used within "ATM" and its potential effectiveness in dance training. A cross check of the various data sources corroborates these participant reports. (Contains 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Dance, Motion, Student Attitudes, Self Concept, Dance Education, Perception, Holistic Approach, Courses, Experimental Curriculum, Curriculum Design, College Instruction
J. Michael Ryan Publishing. 24 Crescent Drive North, Andover, NJ 07821. Tel: 973-786-7777; Fax: 973-786-7776; e-mail: info@jmichaelryan.com; Web site: http://www.jmichaelryan.com/JODE/jode-ad.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Oregon
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A