The non-attached dancing body : A qualitative study in Gaga people
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Journal of Dance & Somatic Practices |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/jdsp_00134_1 |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1386/jdsp_00134_1 |
| Keywords | awareness; body; dance; embodiment; flexibility; Gaga; non-attachment; phenomena |
| Attached files | |
| Description | For centuries, Buddhist traditions have regarded the body’s processual and phenomenal nature as a profound source of insight into the transient nature of reality and a platform for cultivating a flexible, non-attached attitude towards experience. Recently, the phenomenon of non-attachment has gained momentum in research, particularly in the context of mindfulness practices, as a reduced tendency of the mind to fixate on the valence or meaning of experiences. In this study, we conducted fifteen interviews to explore the bodily experiences of non-professional dancers who regularly practise the Gaga movement language. To interpret and capture the rich data, we used interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants’ lived experiences reveal a shared process of encountering and embracing the constant flux of bodily phenomena, gradually learning to let go within the movement. Rather than imposing rigid expectations on their experiences, some participants learned to be present and non-attached to whatever phenomena arose within their awareness. Additionally, participants who could enter states of non-attachment repeatedly reported changes towards healthier self-perceptions and relationships with others. |
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