Join us for a very special Sensual Dance Meditation

On Tuesday, November 14th @ 5:00 PM Pacific / 8:00 PM Eastern, I’ll be hosting a Sensual Dance Meditation alongside Jessica Lemire, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Newcastle, Australia.

This free 2-hour class will include:

  • An organic and senses-based movement and breath practice led by Ev’Yan Whitney

  • A focus group discussion led by Jessica Lemire

This Sensual Dance Meditation* will go toward Jess’s research on dance, ancestry, and Black spirituality.

*Open to up to 15 participants

What is the research about?

We as humans are a part of a web of fluid and evolving relationships with everything around us. Jessica’s research is an exploration of our relationships (human and beyond human) that are experienced during Sensual Dance Meditation. This is explored through attuning to our embodied sensations, expressions and emotions. 

The purpose of this research is to explore the idea that ancestral knowledge and memory are held within the body and can be expressed via movement. Dance is a way to honour and listen to the ancestors and it asserts a powerful cultural memory. This research adds to understandings specifically around dance as a form of Black spirituality and resistance.

Why is this research being done?

This research adds to understandings surrounding dance especially in terms of dance as a form of African American and diasporic decolonisation, intergenerational pleasure, resistance and survivance.

For more information on what this is and how you can participate, please read the following carefully.

The following was written by Jessica Lemire.

What does it involve?

If you wish to participate you can attend the Research SDM. This includes attending a Sensual Dance Meditation practice and participating in a Focus Group conversation. The focus group is a safe and nurturing space for you to share your experiences and hear the experiences of others. The conversations will ask you to reflect on the sensations, expressions and emotions that emerged for you during SDM. The information and reflections that you provide during the SDM will contribute to Jessica’s research data and will be used for various outputs including but not limited to Jessica’s PhD thesis, academic journals and conferences.

How do I participate?

If you are interested in attending this Research Sensual Dance Meditation please: 

1. Read the Participant Information Statement

2. Email Jessica.Lemire@uon.edu.au before November 9, 2023. Use ‘Research SDM’ and your name as the subject line

In your email please answer the following questions*:

    • Are you over 18?
      (Participation is limited to people above the age of 18)

    • Have you read the Participant Information Statement (PIS)?
      (We ask that all participants read the PIS)

    • Do you identify as Black/Brown?
      (If so, would you prefer to take part in a Research Sensual Dance Meditation specifically for Black and Brown folks?)

    • Do you wish to take part in the research?

    • Do you consent to the Focus Group being recorded?
      (If you wish to participate in the Research Sensual Dance Meditation, you must respond yes.) 

    • Do you consent to the Sensual Dance Meditation being recorded? 

(If you wish to participate in the Research Sensual Dance Meditation, you must respond yes. If you do not wish to have your image or audio recorded, we ask that you do not turn your camera or audio on. You will be reminded at the beginning of the Sensual Dance Meditation to turn your video and audio off if you do not wish to have the Sensual Dance Meditation recorded. Leaving your video on may mean that your dancing is recorded and may be used in the research outputs.)

  • If you are not able to attend or are selected to attend this Research Sensual Dance Meditation, would you like to be considered for future ones?

  • Have you attended a Sensual Dance Meditation with Ev’Yan or Research Sensual Dance Meditation with Ev’Yan and Jessica before?

  • If you are able to attend, is there anything we can do to make the Sensual Dance Meditation more accessible for you?

  • Do you have any questions?

  • If you have questions, please include them here. Jessica will respond to your questions via email.

*To be considered for the SDM you must respond to all questions.

3. Read the Consent Form.
If you have any questions please include them in your email to Jessica. If you do not have questions and wish to be a part of the research Sensual Dance Meditation, please complete and attach the Consent Form in your email to Jessica. You must complete and return the Consent Form to participate in the research Sensual Dance Meditation.

What happens after you email Jessica?

Jessica will respond to your email answering any questions that you may have. Jessica will let you know if you are invited into the research Sensual Dance Meditation, if so, she will send you the Focus Group discussion prompts and Zoom link for the research Sensual Dance Meditation.

This free research Sensual Dance Meditation is happening on Tuesday, November 14 @ 5PM Pacific.

To join us, all participants must submit the above content to Jessica before Thursday, November 9.

If you have any questions, please email Ev’Yan or email Jessica.

We’re looking forward to dancing with you soon!