Dance and Stillness; A danced inquiry to the experience of stillness

We explore the subject of stillness: specifically the stillness that occurs in the midst of movement, turbulence or chaos. It is found in the midst of movement - it can also be conceived as that which frames, or holds all movement. A principal focus is to distinguish the therapeutic value of this stillness. A Christo-centric philosophy and worldview are ground to the work and the research methodology is hermeneutic phenomenology. Within this framework a choreographed dance work and written exegesis are equal parts of the whole. The choreography for the dance work employs a neo-classical-contemporary technique particular to the choreographer. The dance work was choreographed on and presented by four dancers. These four dancers and four ?watchers? were the research participants. As the dance work evolved it was presented ?in process? and the participants interviewed subsequent to the showings. Information was sought about the essence of the danced/watched experience, with particular attention being given to the felt experience of stillness. This is a story and a journey - being the vehicle for the central theme of the thesis to be best elucidated.

JENNIFER DE LEON NZ dance choreographer, performer, teacher, Founder/Director of POYEMA Dance Company; registered Psychotherapist and Dance Movement Therapist. Her work is called THE HEALING DANCE. Jennifer works from her studio in Auckland. Further information may be found on her website, http://www.danz.org.nz/jennydeleon.php