Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

In current educational environments, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) subjects are often promoted above the active doing that occurs in art and physical education classrooms. There is ample evidence that, if our goal is to educate the whole child, it would be beneficial to place conscious movement in a prime position in educational curricula. Thinking and learning are not functions isolated in the brain. They are embodied experiences. The proliferation of individualism in the last several decades has had positive associations, like the growth of equality and self-determination. However, it has also spawned the pervasive negative influences of self-focus and entitlement. As a result, there has been increasing isolationism linked to escalating suicide rates, especially amongst teenagers. Movement, in particular, conscious movement, has been shown to hold the potential for recuperation, restoration, and maintenance of well-being. This session will demonstrate how movement and dance can be effectively utilized in academic settings to promote learning and overall health. Through a physical exploration of Developmental Movement Patterns, participants will gain an understanding of how embodied awareness can stimulate thinking and learning. Participants will learn how to apply the habits of mind in the classroom through activities which include, explorations in neurologically-based movement patterning, restorative breath work, and proprioception. These activities will showcase how embodied awareness can assist in navigating our complex global reality. This highly experiential workshop will be accessible to movers of all abilities.