Matching Items (28)
Description
In my undergraduate honors thesis, I strive to convey my idea that dance is more than just movement, it’s one of the many artistic tools used to express emotions; which therefore has the power to storytell without words. It is my hope to create a captivating form of art that you not only view, but can interact and interpret.
ContributorsSawant, Sarika (Author) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Thesis director) / Sulikowski, James (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / School of Music, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
The purpose of my creative research was to analyze my choreographic process and answer the research question: how will implementing somatic principles impact my choreographic process? In determining the impact I analyzed the use of choreographic approaches that bring proprioceptive awareness to interdisciplinary somatic themes of bodily systems, sensing, connectivity, initiation and sequencing. These somatic themes were utilized in movement invention and exploration as well as the structuring and performance of my choreography. Additionally, the research involved clarifying my role as a choreographer and my relationship to the dancers in my work. My creative research occurred in three choreographic phases and resulted in the production of B.O.D.I.E.S performed in three consecutive sections titled Discovery, Exploration, and Identity November 5-7, 2010. B.O.D.I.E.S demonstrates how somatics will lead to greater movement possibilities and dynamic range to explore in the craft of dance making.
ContributorsHillerby, Rebecca Blair (Author) / Schupp, Karen (Thesis advisor) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Thesis advisor) / Coleman, Grisha (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2011
Description
This study focuses on identifying which knee injuries commonly afflict the Arizona State University students who dance contemporary ballet. The study investigates why and how these injuries occur through survey data and in-depth physical and written assessments with a test pool of five dancers. The study discovered three themes that emerged from the data: a lack of posterior chain engagement, lack of lateral support in the knees, and weight sinking into the knees and ankles. All of theses themes relate back to a lack of use of functional rotation, and its key relationship in supporting contemporary ballet movement. Though current and past studies address some of these issues, the goal of this study was to create a more holistic solution to these issues by including multiple perspectives: kinesiology, somatics, and an understanding that each individual has a unique anatomy with which the individual needs to adapt. As a result, a more holistic training program including these perspectives was created as a result of this study.
ContributorsSiegfried, Jordyn Taylor (Author) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Thesis director) / Standley, Eileen (Committee member) / Lively, Paul (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Physical activity has been shown to be effective in primary and secondary prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006). Women tend to be much less active than males and are henceforth at a greater risk for developing these conditions (Biddle & Mutrie, 2008). This study addresses what impact type of physical activity in adolescence has on adult physical activity levels in the female population. Specifically, the study focuses on coordination and performance activities in adolescence, and how adult physical activity levels compare to both sedentary adolescents and adolescent endurance and ball sport athletes. Ninety-six female participants that were ages 20-29 (N=53) and 30-39 (N=43) were asked to fill out a survey about their adolescent activity levels and their current activity levels. Those participants who identified as participating in coordination and performance activity (N=43) were compared to those who were sedentary (N=14) and then further compared to those who engaged in other types of adolescent activity (N=39). It was determined that coordination and performance activities during adolescence did have a significant effect on frequency of female adult physical activity when compared to their sedentary counterparts (p=0.015). Adolescent endurance and ball sport athletes did tend to have a greater frequency of current activity in adulthood than those involved in coordination and performance activities, which was attributed to a greater frequency of practice per week in those sports. In conclusion, introducing a frequent amount of physical activity the female adolescent enjoys increases their likelihood of frequently engaging in physical activity as an adult.
ContributorsSweig, Amanda Noel (Author) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Thesis director) / Broman, Tannah (Committee member) / Hoffner, Kristin (Committee member) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2015-12
Description
The purpose of this project was to create a workshop for adults without dance experience to immerse them in dance as a form of therapy. The goals of this workshop are to foster physical awareness and physical creativity. There are four main areas the participants would get experience in from this workshop including self-care/awareness, expression, gesture and choreography. These four areas are the ways that the two main goals manifest themselves. For this project I reviewed research by many different professionals from the therapy, psychology, self-care, dance, and dance therapy fields. Their studies as well as my own experience aided in putting together my themes for the workshop and class activities. I include my methodology, lesson plans, a workbook, and my reflection on the process.
ContributorsWilson, Deepika (Author) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Thesis director) / Giorgis, Cyndi (Committee member) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12
Description
Motion: Performing Arts and Creative Training, also known as MPACT, will provide dance training to all levels and ages in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Our highly trained and knowledgeable dance educators will provide instruction that will inspire and foster creativity in a highly educational class setting that will prepare each student for a lifelong love for dance. Students will have the opportunity to perform in multiple settings and engage in class instruction from guest artists as well as MPACT’s educators.
ContributorsHills, Mira Marie (Co-author) / Hills, Mira (Co-author) / Schupp, Karen (Thesis director) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Committee member) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of Bharatanatyam dance on stress, mood, and anxiety. I have danced Bharatanatyam since I was 8 years old, it has offered me a way to release stress and anxiety. This study provides empirical data to support the claim that Bharatanatyam has therapeutic effects that release stress and reduce anxiety. This investigation was conducted through self-reports and interviews. A Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) scale was used to determine positive and negative effects. The average positive affect during the “dance weeks” (DW) was 46.6 and the average negative affect was 12.2. During the “no dance weeks” (NDW), the average positive effect was 23.7 and the average negative affect was 31. The participant’s interview PANAS results had an average positive effect of 39.8 and an average negative effect of 12.8. Analyzing the self-report journaling highlighted a more prevalent use of positive words during the DW and a more significant use of negative words during the NDW. The Bharatanatyam dancers who were probed to enter post-performance environment for an interview also used positive words to describe Bharatanatyam dancing. In conclusion, practicing Bharatanatyam had an overall positive effect on mood, and can reduce stress and anxiety.
This study investigates the effects of Bharatanatyam dance on stress, mood, and anxiety. I have danced Bharatanatyam since I was 8 years old, it has offered me a way to release stress and anxiety. This study provides empirical data to support the claim that Bharatanatyam has therapeutic effects that release stress and reduce anxiety. This investigation was conducted through self-reports and interviews. A Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) scale was used to determine positive and negative effects. The average positive affect during the “dance weeks” (DW) was 46.6 and the average negative affect was 12.2. During the “no dance weeks” (NDW), the average positive effect was 23.7 and the average negative affect was 31. The participant’s interview PANAS results had an average positive effect of 39.8 and an average negative effect of 12.8. Analyzing the self-report journaling highlighted a more prevalent use of positive words during the DW and a more significant use of negative words during the NDW. The Bharatanatyam dancers who were probed to enter post-performance environment for an interview also used positive words to describe Bharatanatyam dancing. In conclusion, practicing Bharatanatyam had an overall positive effect on mood, and can reduce stress and anxiety.
ContributorsKothakapu, Shourya (Co-author, Co-author) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Thesis director) / deLusé, Stephanie (Committee member) / Mandala, Sumana (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
A Personal Journey Through Physical Fitness chronicles one individual's academic and physical journey through fitness. An ex college gymnast after exiting formal sports looks to academics for the answers to accomplish the goal of working out one hour a day and feeling as well as being physically fit as a result. This research resulted in finding the five pillars of physical fitness; which are Endurance, Flexibility, Strength, Balance, and Agility. After determining that these were the five primary pillars of physical fitness a workout plan was made based on and focused on improving them. This work out plan included running and hiking for endurance, high intensity interval training for agility, endurance and strength, stretching at the end of every work out, and a weightlifting program that utilized push, pull, and lower body days. It also utilized yoga for flexibility, recovery, and balance. Additionally, gymnastic ring strength was included to help develop balance and strength. Then a four-week trial period was executed taking measurements at the beginning and end of the plan. The results of the five-pillar plan were quantified using physical metrics. There was improvement in all of the pillars: Endurance, Flexibility, Strength, Balance, and Agility. However it should be noted there was not a direct measure for balance making its improvement much more subjective and qualitative than quantitative. In addition to having physical metrics of health and increased fitness there were mental side effects such as of feeling good and more relaxed throughout the process. At the end of each week of the four-week workout trial mental and physical feelings were recorded and included in the study. The method and plan were successful and created in a way that others could follow this four-week plan to improve their own physical health.
ContributorsVlastos, Joseph Nicholas (Author) / Kaplan, Robert (Thesis director) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
This paper serves to identify, explore, and discover my personal creative process. I utilized Rosemarie Anderson's Intuitive Inquiry method, focusing on the change that would occur across all five cycles of my research experience. I conducted interviews of those who have had an impact in my growth, as well as understanding of my creative process or the elements which make it. I logged personal journal entries, to emphasize the daily experience I have with my process, outside of a written paper. This paper is written from the perspective of one woman's personal experience, and thus contains both formal research articles and informal and personal journal entries. Journal entries are interspersed with academic writing, to affirm the simultaneous personal nature and academic relevancy of the topic. I began my research with five themes to guide me in various directions, with the hope I would uncover more information along the way, leading to more paths to follow. During the course of study, three new themes were uncovered, reaction, relation, and restoration, and juxtaposed with other research and personal reflection. I then, based off these later themes and further research, developed a set of instructions for use beyond my undergraduate experience, specifically for places where I must act without the guidance of instructors. The three new themes that emerged had much in common with the themes from previous cycles. This leads me to believe that I have been aware of my process all along, and had yet to put it into words. This in itself is a remarkable light bulb moment, as is knowing that I may be more aware of my habits than I realize, if only I am to write them down and purposefully acknowledge them for what they are.
ContributorsWalls, Emma Jane (Author) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Thesis director) / Kaplan, Robert (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
This paper is a personal exploration of vulnerability in the creative process – how to recognize it, articulate it, and make active decisions despite feeling vulnerable while engaging in the creative process. It is structured mirroring Brené Brown’s Rising Strong Process: The Reckoning, The Rumble, and The Revolution. The reckoning is a process of inquiry and discovery that propels me towards growth. It’s becoming mindful so I can recognize patterns and explore why I habitually act/think in particular ways. The rumble, to me, consists of the process anteceding the choice to grow and change after discovering new knowledge from the reckoning instead of ignoring facing these findings because they present fear, shame, and vulnerability. And the revolution is not only what I take away from the reckoning and rumble process but how it affects the way I interact with the world, how I am irrevocably changed as a result of the rising strong experience. My research established three things: First, that the ability to be vulnerable catalyzes growth and deeper connection. Second, that the creative process lends itself to living vulnerably. And third, people are often blinded by vulnerability, resulting in inactive decision making. The paper follows an investigation grounded in this research where I engage in the creative process to build a dance performance piece and journey for both others and myself. Topics such as shame, fear, vulnerability, engagement, active-decision making, and connection are explored. Ultimately, the reckoning illustrated to me that the hardest thing about recognizing my vulnerabilities is discovering my habitual patterns that hide them from me. The rumble taught me various lessons but ultimately showed me engaging with vulnerability is a process that includes a lot of time and challenges. And my revolution solidified my self-worth will only be destroyed if I choose not to live a vulnerable and capricious life.
ContributorsMcdonald, Kristina Noelle (Author) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Thesis director) / Kaplan, Robert (Committee member) / White, Marcus (Committee member) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12