Embodied practice and academic embodied identity
Jennifer Leigh
Routledge eBooks September 14, 2018 DOI: 10.4324/9781315266664-22 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Argues that embodiment is an ongoing conscious self-awareness of body, mind, feelings, images, thoughts, and emotions, and that somatic practices integrate mind, body, and consciousness. Cites Ivanka Prichard's identification of yoga as a physical activity that increases direct experience of the body and may be particularly effective in reducing self-objectification. Describes 'bodywork' as implying touch, including but not limited to massage or physical therapy. |
Abstract
An on-going process of conscious self-awareness about the body, the mind, feelings, images, thoughts and emotions. Embodiment is commonly understood to be about the mind/body connection, or the presence of the meaty, fleshy, breathing body in the world to some extent. Somatic practices are practices that bring about the integration of the mind/body/consciousness. Although this approach has similarities to posthumanist work it draws on philosophical and practical theory grounded in the bodily and embodied experience. The transition into the academy from being a practitioner/artist into a teacher/researcher was at times challenging, and probably influences author&s;s understanding of what counts as data or art. Yoga as a mind–body exercise was identified by Ivanka Prichard as a physical activity that increases the direct experience of the body, and one that could be particularly effective in reducing self-objectification. The term &s;bodywork&s; implies an element of touch that may include, but is not limited to, massage or physical therapy: &s;a variety of manipulative therapies&s;.