Blanche Evan: Praxis

 

I

 Unit: Blanche Evan

Theme: Praxis


Introduction


Praxis is the process by which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted, embodied, or realized. "Praxis" may also refer to the act of engaging, applying, exercising, realizing, or practicing ideas. This class is specifically about applying Evan's Physical Warm Up, Alignment, Functional Technique, Improvisation/Enactment, Projective Technique, Sensitization to and Potential Body Action, and In Depth and/or Complex Improvisation.
 

II

Learning Objectives 

  • Understand the meaning of the word praxis
  • Explain concepts such as Physical Warm Up, Alignment, Functional Technique, Improvisation/Enactment, Projective Technique, Sensitization to and Potential Body Action, and In Depth and/or Complex Improvisation.
  • Gain an awareness of Evan's multiple techniques
  • Experience the application of Evan's techniques


III

Main Lesson


 
 1
 
TEXTBOOK:
 
 
EVAN'S METHODOLOGY 
 (Page 49)
 
Review
 
 

 
Physical Warm-Up
(Page 49)

  • The warm-up is a process of releasing superficial tension.
  • The warm-up is aimed at bringing people into contact with the reality of their psycho-physical selves. 
  • The warm-up relies on lots of free swinging of the body in all directions.
  • Participants could also add their own movements.
  • Loosening body parts was one important example of the "isolation of body segments."
  • The group session could take place in a circle formation or not.
  • The warm-up can be done with or without music, sometime with a drum which beat the leader could alter (faster or slower) according to the needs of the group.
  • Checking if clients are OK or if they want to spend more time with a specific body part is part of the process.
  • The main goal of the warm-up is integration of the whole body.
  • Without the warm-up the body is not able to "fully process the unconscious material" that is supposed to surface during the improvisation phase of the session.

Question 1

Based on the concept given above, what is a synonym of the word praxis?

Question 2
What is the overall structure of Evan's methodology?
 
Question 3
What is the aim of Evan's physical warm-up?
 
 -------------------------
 
 
2





Alignment

Close your eyes
Imagine a string pulling you from the top of your head up towards infinite
Elongate of your neck
relax your shoulders
Imagine gravity is pulling you towards the ground, from the bottom of your feet downward
Inhale and on the exhale press your abdomen against your spine
Flatten your back
Tuck in your rib cage
Rotate your shoulder so that the align with your hips
Bring your tailbone slightly forward
Soften your knees

Question 4

Share how you feel after working on alignment of your body.
 
System of Functional Technique
(Page 50)
 
 
Question 5
How would you define the system of functional technique? 
 

----------------------

3

Improvisation/Enactment
(Page 51)
 
Evan's improvisational work can be classified into 3 approaches: a) projective technique, b) sensitization to and mobilization of potential body action  and c) in-depth and or complex improvisation. 

Using a theme or motif


Larger improvisation without a motif.

Question 6
Based on your previous knowledge on the subject, your reaction to these videos and your reading of Evan's methodology, why is improvisation important for the individual's mental health?

-----------
 

4

 a) Projective Technique

(Page 52) 

Question 7

In which way did Evan use projective technique?


b) Sensitization to and Potential Body Action 

(Page 54)

Question 8

What was the purpose of sensitization to and potential body action?


c) In Depth and/or Complex Improvisation (Case Study).

(Page 55)

Question 9

What lies at the core of in-depth and/or complex improvisation?  Explain.



------------------------------------------


IV

A Note to Remember

Four examples of improvisation techniques, as defined by Evan, are "externalizing," "enacting," "physicalizing," and "rehearsing." In externalizing the client might "dance out" a dream, fantasy, or physical memory.


V

Case Study

 


 

VI


ACTIVITY 1

Go to Page 49 - 60

Today we will practice Evan's theory through her improvisation work. 

In your groups, design an activity in which you apply Evan's three improvisation approaches:  

a) projective technique 

b) sensitization to and potential body action 

c) in depth and/or complex improvisation.  

Explain your choices.

Depending on the number of group members, each member will tackle a different aspect of Evan's method.

-----------------------------------------------
 
 
GROUP 1 & 2

a) Projective technique:
 
Using creative themes
Eliciting fantasies
Words, sentences, phrases 
 

GROUP 3 & 4
 
 b) Sensitization to and potential body action:
 
 Providing specific movement directives
Use of props
Verbal facilitation
Exploring elements of dance 
Use of concrete images

GROUP 5 & 6

c) In depth and/or complex improvisation (emphasizing dramatic enactment of past traumas):
 
Movement interview
 Self-observation (walking) and therapist's observations
Exploration of space, time, body movement dynamics and content
 
Intervention:
Enactment
Reclaiming positive identification
Using dreams to dance and verbalize
Choosing the theme
Exaggerating and externalizing
Closing

 Students will record their work and post it on Discussion Board

Make Up Students

Make Up students  will work with a family member by choosing one of the three approaches (a, b or c), listed above, (follow the different sections within the approach) or record themselves leading a hypothetical session via zoom.
 
----------------------------


VII

 Presentation Groups

Sample Presentation

 

 

 Rubric

1. Name of Presenters / Name of Disorder

2. Introduction: Definition and Characteristics of Disorder (3 pt)

3. Content: Symptoms & Types of Therapies Available (3 pt)

4. Case Study: A published (evidence-based) example in which DMT is used. (3 pt)

5. Exercise: Engage the group in a dance/movement exercise that applies.  (3)

6. Questions: Articulate 4 questions for students to answer and post. (3 pt) 

7. Organization (3 pt)

 8. Creativity (2 pt)

 

 VIII

 Journaling 


IX

Glossary

 

X

Sources

Blanch Evan's Methods.  http://old.girshon.ru/txt/eng/Blanche_%20Evan.doc

 Dance Movement Therapy. http://dmtfall2018.blogspot.com/2018/11/blanch-evan-methodology.html

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