DOCUMENTING EMERGENT KNOWLEDGE TO EXPLORE COMMON PERCEPTIONS OF WELL-BEING

Abstract

This paper explores the potential role of systemic research and experiential learning to document emergent knowledge among somatic movement practitioners. Somatic practitioners study physical sensation to hone motor skills and body-centered awareness. I explored how somatic practitioners related movement experiences to their perceptions of physical and psycho-spiritual well-being. I used an online systemic research tool, WindTunneling (developed by systemic science researchers Bruce McKenzie and Jane Lorand), to gather individual experiential learning insights as an integrated part of a 16-week somatic movement program in 2022. This program introduced 978 international participants to a body-centered well-being philosophy. Participants studied bodily sensation, practiced somatic communication, and explored techniques to use movement to enhance their physical and psychological well-being. WindTunneling uses a structured process of anonymity and transparency to pool collective knowledge, which facilitates pattern emergence and sense-making by the researcher and the community at-large. I used WindTunneling with the aim to identify common perceptions of well-being. The discovery of commonalities could be a meaningful measurement of the program’s curriculum to develop individual capacity to use movement to enhance well-being. During the program, participants recorded 1,164 anonymous body sensation insights in 13 WindTunneling knowledge pools. These insights correlated to 13 somatic skills. Insights were transparently available to all participants to read and comment. I am synthesizing these insights to discover shared perceptions within the global practitioner community. Successful implementation of this research methodology should foster shared understanding, meaningful participation, and community belonging among global practitioners.