The Somatic Practice and Chronic Pain Network has a series of blog items called “Meet our Board” where we will share various items introducing members of the newly formed Board. The Network is keen to build a space that is respectful, safe, inclusive and active.
For the 7th in the series, we have Maisie James who has a BA in Education Studies, an MA in Dance Practice, and is currently in the final stages of her PhD in Somatic Practice and Pain.
Photo credit: Birmingham City University
As Maisie’s background in Dance and her lived experience of pain informs her research, she draws upon phenomelogical practice to develop her research and publications. Maisie is currently also a Dance Teacher and Practitioner, providing well-being sessions to children and adults in the South of England. Her recent PhD research explores how somatic practices and processes can impact the experience of pain and discomfort from a practical perspective, highlighting her own practice and how other somatic pioneers and practictioners have contributed to the field of research. A central aspect of Maisie’s creative research is adopting improvisational movement to explore the lived experience of the body. This is coupled with poetic reflections and embodied writing to evidence her findings in the studio. Maisie hopes to develop her doctoral research further.
Photo credit: Birmingham City University
Maisie’s hopes for the Network are to develop connections across the country and internationally to support further research development within the field of somatic practice and pain. Maisie hopes to support the Network in maintaining relationships with somatic practitioners, pioneers and artists to support people living with pain.
At the time of writing this blog entry, Maisie is reading The Natural Body in Somatics Dance Training by Doran George.
