Somatics: Thinking Body/Moving Mind

 Somatics: Thinking Body/Moving Mind is a Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies class taught by Rebecca Nordstrom.

Course Description
In our increasingly fast-paced and multi-tasking culture, what happens to the body? Disembodiment, being out of sync with one's own body, can cause a host of problems including stress, injury and a decreased sense of wellbeing. And for artists and performers these problems can dampen creativity, imagination, and resourcefulness as well as undermine technique. Different somatic disciplines offer a range of strategies for increasing body/mind integration, some are deeply meditative and slow moving, others vigorous and action oriented. All share the goal of helping bring people back to themselves and back to their senses. In this course we will explore several of these somatic disciplines with the goal of experiencing what they awaken in us somatically and how they help us better cope with environmental stimuli and stressors, and creative challenges. Students will independently research a somatic discipline of their choosing for the final project. This course is for students in dance/performance arts, or who have a serious interest in the martial arts, athletics or yoga. Prior experience in any movement practice is welcomed but not required, however students must be willing to engage fully, deeply, and energetically in a range of movement activities. This course satisfies the Division I distribution requirement. Performance tickets will cost between $20-$30.

Learning Goals

 * Expressive
 * Project-based