Music and Dance Theses and Dissertations

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{Sati} {Natya} / Mindfulness in Movement: An Investigation of Practicing Mindfulness in Improvisational Dance Through the Lens of Non-Attachment
(University of Oregon, 2015-01-14) Black, Laura; Cherry, Christian
This thesis describes the unique development and execution of a practice of improvisational dance through the lens of non-attachment. The ephemeral nature of dance as discussed by Maxine Sheets-Johnston is compared to a method of engaging the world with acceptance of what is without expectation or judgment as described in writings on various Eastern concepts of non-attachment through mindful practice. Parallels are noted between the aforementioned writings and works on non-attachment by Sahdra, Shaver, and Brown as well as Patanjali's Yoga Sutras to demonstrate the capacity of improvisational dance as a mode of practicing non-attachment. The author's experience in exploration through her own improvisational practice is compared with other movement practices stemming from eastern traditions interested in non-attachment as a mind-balancing pursuit. Progress toward non-attachment as a result of this committed practice is quantitatively demonstrated through the use of a Likert-style scaled questionnaire.