Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Thesis - ECU Access Only

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Performing Arts Honours

School

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)

First Supervisor

Peta Blevins

Abstract

My research addresses the question: in choreographic praxis, how can dance ameliorate emotional wellbeing? I answered this question by examining the process of transforming psychological material through emotional state-based choreography. State-based choreography uses creative stimuli which provoke physiological and psychological experiences which are expressed in movement. I examined this question through a case study of practice-led research in my personal praxis. The research output involved a 10-minute solo contemporary dance performance entitled Home Is An Open Heart. The practice adopted theories of embodied cognition and psychological science, engaging with the notion of openheartedness and wholeheartedness from meditation practices and self-compassion research. I developed an understanding of the process of transforming psychological material in choreographic praxis. I observed positive impacts on my emotional wellbeing through developing emotional exposure resilience and increased vulnerability and emotional regulation skills.

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