The power of interactive flow in salsa dance: a motion-sensing phenomenological inquiry featuring two-time world champion, Anya Katsevman

Abstract

What might it be like to sense one's motile power as a follower in salsa dance, particularly in moments when flow manifests? Does a follower simply go along with the lead's flow or does a different kind of flow emerge? Such questions guided this motion-sensing phenomenological (MSP) inquiry into the felt sense of power experienced in the movements of interactive flow that features two-time world salsa champion, coach, and international judge, Anya Katsevman. Over the course of four years, interviews, observations and coaching sessions were analysed through theories purported by dance phenomenologist Maxine Sheets-Johnstone, Daniel Stern, a psychologist who inspired much of Sheets-Johnstone's writing on the primacy of movement, and the radical phenomenology of Michel Henry who provides a philosophy upon which one may frame the phenomenological 'search' for meaning in kinaesthetic terms. The conceptual structure that guided the motion-sensing gathering of data and analysis was the interdisciplinary Function2Flow (F2F) model with its constitutive dimensions of movement Function, Form, Feeling and Flow. As such, the MSP analysis organized in accordance to the F2F model afforded the emergence of micro nuances, detailed physical sensations of this practice, within this macro themed structure. Hence, in detailing the bodily functions and forms of the nuanced gestural communication in salsa dance, with particular attention on the motile sense of power experienced by a follower, a physical pathway to better understanding existential feelings of interactive flow emerged.

Application of Rotationally Symmetrical Triangulation Stereo Vision Sensor in National Dance Movement Detection and Recognition

“…Panoramic stereo sensing 3D measurement and 3D reconstruction is an emerging technology with great development potential and practical value, which can be widely used in many fields such as aerospace, medical treatment, robot vision, industrial inspection, intelligent transportation, mold rapid prototyping, virtual reality, geographic survey, animation film and television, and game production. Vision-based 3D reconstruction methods are divided into binocular (multivision) stereo vision method and monocular stereo vision method [4]. As an important branch of computer vision technology, vision-based 3D reconstruction technology is based on Marr's vision theoretical framework and has formed a variety of theoretical methods.…”

Becoming InterActive for Life: Mobilizing Relational Knowledge for Physical Educators

“…Matt's insight is that engaging in partnered activities can foster other-to-self, relational pathways that draw attention to bodily form, feeling and flow. As described more fully in Lloyd and Smith (submitted), the core-to-extremity awareness cultivated in the partnered balances of acroyoga, supporting the point of contact in push-hands Tai Chi, and developing an intuitive sense of when a follower in salsa should angle themselves forward toward their leader (Lloyd, 2021 ), indicates that the more one engages in such partnered practice the more one can develop the relationally-oriented body awareness necessary for sustained interaction.…”

“…While we will make reference to phase one data to set up enough context to understand what inspired the various ways of cultivating meaningful connection, our goal is not to repeat the theorization of this phase since it may be accessed elsewhere. For example, phase one data was showcased in publications pertaining to interactive flow in salsa dance, with particular attention given to the responsive act of "following" (Lloyd, 2021), and to the subtle to-andfro oscillations of "leaning in" when engaged not only in salsa but also in acroyoga, equestrian arts and push hands Tai Chi partner practices (Lloyd and Smith, submitted). The indepth phenomenological underpinnings of the "motion-sensing methodology" to this research were also published elsewhere 1 Available online at: https://function2flow.ca/interactive-function2flow-model/.…”

Physical literacy, health and interactive aging: a position paper

“…We encourage the uptake of flow theory for future PL research and approaches to assessment with the caveat that, rather than sequestering flow to an elitist “zone” of high performance, we recommend educative and progressive ways in which kinaesthetic feelings and synergistic micro-flows can be cultivated [i.e. ( 93 , 94 , 105 ),] no matter what the level of competency.…”