17 research outputs found
Embodied Consciousness During Meditative Moving: Neurocognitive Theories
The poster and presentation describe existing neuroscientific theories on how a meditative Flow state (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990) can manifest in movement performance. A pilot experiment design and its results are also presented as an empirical approach to this research topic
Interdisciplinary investigation into meditative Flow states and their roles in movement performance
This thesis focuses on the idea of Flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), a psychological phenomenon
that involves complete immersion and âoptimalâ experience. Whereas many existing studies
focus on telic Flow â e.g. fixed goals, performance-oriented â the current thesis places focus on
paratelic Flow â e.g. open goals, sensation-oriented â by exploring its role in dance and
movement performance (Swann et al., 2018). In response to the call to reconceptualise and
clarify the concept of Flow with regards to its various manifestations, the thesis draws from
other related/similar concepts, such as pre-reflective experiences in dance (Fraleigh, 1987), the
idea of no-mind in Zen practice (Yuasa, 1993), and the hypofrontality theory (Dietrich, 2004).
Building on these concepts, the thesis examines how dancers might experience paratelic Flow
within meditative movement episodes. Another focus of the thesis is to explore how Flow
experiences might interact with a dancerâs physical performance. This line of inquiry draws
inspiration from both philosophical and neurocognitive accounts, which identify a relationship
between Flow and âoptimalâ movement performance. Given the paucity of cross-disciplinary
dialogue, the thesis attempts to investigate the above topics through an interdisciplinary mixed-methods approach.
Through an exploratory survey (Chapter 4) followed by a series of event-focused
interviews (Chapter 5) â the thesis explores 1.) how dancers and movement practitioners might
experience Flow during a single movement session, 2.) how these states might interact with the
moverâs physical performance, and 3.) how viewers perceive and describe a mover in Flow. The
survey results indicated that movers may experience Flow through various meditative episodes
that arise through movement, including improvisational sessions, technique classes, and
performative events. The interview study showed that Flow appears in a cyclical process
involving five distinct stages â Entering, Opening, Riding, Ebbing, and Resetting â during
which the moversâ physical performance show observable changes in quality. Notably, during
the âpeakâ state of Flow (Riding), movements are described by observers as fluid, organic, and
well-coordinated, which is consistent with existing literature. Through these findings, the thesis
provides clarity to the role of Flow during dance and movement performance and demonstrates
possible links between the dancerâs mental state and his/her physical performanc
Lecture: Neurophenomenology of Flow and Meditative Moving
Lecture/workshop describing the connections between Flow (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi), meditation, movement, and neuroscience
Embodied Flow States and its Role in Movement Performance
This research project uilises an interdisciplinary methodology to explore the connections between our cognitive states and movement performances, through the idea of embodied Flow states (Nakamura & Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). The research begins with the idea of meditation through/as movement, wherein a mover enters a peak state of experience and performance (Sellers-Young, 1993; Yuasa et al., 1993). This state is often associated with the idea of âFlowâ (Fraleigh, 2000; Krein & Ilundain, 2014), a state of sharpened intuition, enhanced focus, and full immersion (Privette, 1983). Here, the research asks the question: Is there a relationship between the phenomenon of âFlowâ and the quality of the movement performance?
This presentation will first describe the theoretical and methodological structure of this research, then present its provisionary results. This includes discussions on how some scientific accounts suggest that the state of âFlowâ can be neurologically represented by a deactivation in some of the executive functions in the brain, thereby potentially giving way to more primitive functions including intuitive motor control (Austin, 2010; Dietrich, 2004). Following this discussion on the theoretical connections between Flow, embodiment, and meditative states of consciousness, the presentation will describe the interdisciplinary methodology of this research, which examines the relationship between embodied Flow states and movement performance through multiple-trial case studies
Meditation in Movement: Kin(a)esthetic Flow
This was a lecture demonstration with practical elements, exploring the researcher's original definitions of Meditation in Movement and Meditative Flow, as well as the notion of the audience's perception or recognition of Meditative Flow. Participants engaged in 15 minute movement sessions as partners where one participant moved and the other observed. The movement segment was led by the researcher through loose scores (e.g. loose focus, following others' energy...), and the participants were given discussion time with their respective partners after each movement segment. Discussions revolved around the relationship between the mover's Flow experience and the observer's perception of the presented movement
Exhibit 1-6
This project presents an interpretation of what a 'human installation' could be, and a theoretical framework of the phenomenological aspects of meditative moving. The researcher worked with six dancers who underwent 8 months of training in 'meditative improvisation.' The training mainly focused on internal sensory experiences and imagery as scores for improvisational moving, as well as the meditative nature of introspective self-lead movement. After the training period, the dancers performed in a black box theatre (xMPL theatre space at UCI, USA) in which their tasks were to follow some of the scores given in the training period while simultaneously responding to the audience. The audience members were allowed to walk freely through the space and interact with the performers by touching, making sounds, and moving alongside the dancers. An overarching theme of the project was to investigate the concept of the 'empty mind,' in which the body (movement) is responsible for the cognitive / thinking process. The researcher attempted to create this state of mind by initiating movement externally (either with a strict score or with stimuli from the audience), so that the mover does not feel the need or pressure to 'express' ideas or 'create' movement on their own
Meditative Dancing and 'Flow'
This presentation is be a theory-based semi-workshop exploring âmeditative danceâ and the âflowâ state. The presentation begins with an introduction to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyiâs theory on âflow,â and its relationship with meditative practices. It then moves on to explain how this connection relates to the field of dance, by introducing different movement practices which ground themselves on theoretical paradigms paralleling the aforementioned concept of meditative âflow.â It then proposes a descriptive definition of âmeditative dance,â which is an extracted essence shared between the previously mentioned movement practices and the act of meditation. After outlining the current research plans,the presenter invited all audience members into the space to explore some simple movement tasks as they contemplate on the essence and effect of âmeditative dance.
Multidisciplinary Research on Japanese Dance Training and 'Flow'
Brief presentation given at an internal PGR session (University of Chichester, Bishop Otter Campus)
Meditation in Movement: Kin(a)esthetic Flow
Since the 1960âs, somatic approaches in dance education have flourished. Williamson (2010) and many others have identified its roots in various movement practices influenced by Eastern philosophy. My research highlights how the concept of meditation is embedded in various dance scenarios, which emerge upon the basis of somatic approaches to dance, and bring forth the notion of altered mental states during such scenarios. I incorporate Mihaly Csikszentmihalyiâs Flow theory as a guiding concept to solidify and outline these altered mental states as a phenomenon, which has been explored widely in various contexts such as cognitive psychology
Embodied Flow States and its Role in Movement Performance
This paper presents an ongoing research project which uses an interdisciplinary methodology to explore the connections between our cognitive states and movement performances, through the idea of embodied Flow states (Nakamura & Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). The research begins with the idea of meditation in movement, wherein a mover experiences the state of âno mindâ (Sellers-Young, 1993; Yuasa et al., 1993), a sense of mental tranquillity and ânothing-nessâ during movement. The state of âno mindâ is often associated with the idea of âFlowâ (Fraleigh, 2000; Krein & Ilundain, 2014), a feeling of being âin the zone,â in which the individualâs intuition sharpens, and s/he exhibits âpeak performanceâ (Privette, 1983). Here, the research asks the question: Is there a relationship between the phenomenon of âFlowâ and âoptimalâ movement performance?
Following a brief progress report given at the 4th International Conference on Movement Computing (London, 2017), this paper presents a further developed view on the theoretical and methodological structure of this research. This will include discussions on how some scientific accounts suggest that the state of âno mindâ (or âFlowâ) can be neurologically represented by a deactivation in some of the executive functions in the brain, thereby potentially giving way to more primitive functions including intuitive motor control (Austin, 2010; Dietrich, 2004). After developing an interdisciplinary view on the connections between Flow, embodiment, and meditative states of consciousness, the paper will describe how this theoretical framework has informed the researcherâs practical investigation on 1.) how embodied Flow states may appear during meditative movement, and 2.) whether this state has an influence on the moverâs performance