Communication As Yoga Kristen Caroline Blinne University of South Florida, [email protected]
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 3-20-2014 Communication as Yoga Kristen Caroline Blinne University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Communication Commons, Other Education Commons, and the Other Religion Commons Scholar Commons Citation Blinne, Kristen Caroline, "Communication as Yoga" (2014). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/4986 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Communication as Yoga by Kristen C. Blinne A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Communication College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Major Professor: Mariaelena Bartesaghi, Ph.D. Elizabeth Bell, Ph.D. Michael LeVan, Ph.D. Gurleen Grewal, Ph.D. Date of Approval: March 20, 2014 Keywords: Mindfulness, Relationships, Diversity, Spirituality, Contemplative Pedagogy Copyright © 2014, Kristen C. Blinne DEDICATION With the deepest gratitude and love, I take no ownership for what is contained herein as every word, gesture, act, moment, interaction, and experience has shaped all that I am and all that I know. I am compelled to see this work as the expression of and honor to life as it pulses through me, but also to every teacher, family member, friend, partner, stranger, and being who has walked before me, with me, towards me, away from me, or near me, even if only briefly, as well as all that will walk after me towards futures unknown. If, for a moment, you see yourself in me or even as me, then I have done what I set out to do and thus have accomplished the world, and for that I thank you with everything that I have been, am, and will someday be. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I bow to my advisor: Dr. Mariaelena Bartesaghi, who has been so much more to me than a mentor, friend, and inspiration: she has been my guiding light: a truly innovative and brilliant teacher, a master of words, a theorist extraordinaire, and my navigator – always there for me, steering me through the turbulent waters of graduate school. She has influenced me to reach beyond myself while lovingly challenging me to question my beliefs and worldview. She has most importantly allowed me to flourish as a scholar by not inhibiting my path, supporting my search for who I am as a teacher and learner. Mariaelena, I will always be deeply humbled and grateful for what I have learned from you. I bow to my committee: Dr. Elizabeth Bell, for reminding me that teaching and learning should inspire playfulness. Your wisdom and humor always serves as a bright light in dark times, and, as a result, I attempt to bring this same spirit to my teaching. Dr. Michael LeVan, for being an on-going inspiration to me. We started and finished this journey together and you were with me every step of the way, for which I will always be eternally grateful. Dr. Gurleen Grewal, for believing in my project and for sharing my passion for yoga and contemplative pedagogy. I bow to my yoga teachers: Pam Schulte, Pichest Boonthumme, Oda Bogaire, Ashley Thesier, Melissa Carroll, Shannon Paige, Nancy Kate Williams, Gina Caputo, Nichole Golden, Sammy Beech, Nayano Burdine, Shiva Rea, Rod Stryker, and to my sadhana partners – Damien Contessa, Vicki Lewis, Tracy Branson, Scott Griffiths, Renee Orth, Carrieann Boyan McDonough, Nicole Elizabeth Paz, David Secondo, and Annette Delabarbara. I bow to the learners with whom I have been honored to work as a teacher, mentor, and writing center consultant. Thank you for all that you shared and taught me. I bow to my mentors, friends, and colleagues at USF and beyond: Lawrence Frey, Karen Greiner, Marilyn Myerson, Lori Roscoe, Jim Eison, Navita Cummings James, David Payne, Ron Pelias, Bud Goodall, Daniel Makagon, Doug Jordan, Megan Pugh, Elizabeth Jeter, Joanna Bartell, Summer Cunningham, Sarah McGhee, Shelby Forbes, Ellen Klein, Mark McCarthy, Sean Currie, Michael Rowland, Amanda Firestone, David Purnell, Steve Johns, Maddie Southard, Tasha and Matthew Rennels, Aphrodite Kocieda, Jason Zalinger, Mary Catherine Whitlock, David Jenkins, Alexander Bear, Kelsey O’Morrow, Anne Copeland, Velencia Russell, Heidi Painter, Edgardo Valentin, Keysha Williams, Ted Osburn, Dean Sooter, Dallas Clements, Janet Rowell, Anne Shelton, Heather Russell, The Rainbow Family, and an anonymous being who supported this project as an act of seva. I bow to my co-pilot, Gregory Sharpe, for helping me bring these words and intentions to life each day, and to Gayle and Allen Sharpe for welcoming me into their lives. I bow to my mother, Lynette Blinne, for her unconditional love, fierce and playful spirit, and her lifelong devotion to my journey. You are my best friend and my greatest teacher. I bow to my father, Charles Blinne, for his unwavering support, generosity, and encouragement. Without you, I would not be where I am today. I bow to my sister, Tamara Wiesmann, for teaching me more than I can ever recount or repay. Not only do I deeply admire your quiet confidence, independent spirit, and strength of character, but I also strive to model it in every way. I bow to my dissertation kitties, Matcha, my little warrior, who has taught me to pick my battles wisely and to honor my energy, and Mr. Snow, my soul kitty, who has taught me to find patience and loving kindness in the face of adversity (aka Matcha). TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. ii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ iii Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... vi Invocation ........................................................................................................................................1 Namaste ............................................................................................................................................9 Namaskar .......................................................................................................................................35 Tadasana ............................................................................................................................54 Svadhyaya ......................................................................................................................................61 Core Integration .............................................................................................................................67 Sutra 1- Communication Energetically Stories Us ............................................................79 Sutra 2- Communication is Ecologically Interdependent ..................................................89 Sutra 3- Communication is Spiritually Transformative .....................................................97 Ahimsa and Satya ........................................................................................................................113 Vinyasa ........................................................................................................................................126 Wave One: Living in the Flow .....................................................................................................132 Vinyasa ........................................................................................................................................174 Wave Two: Cultivating Compassionate Awareness ....................................................................179 Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha ......................................................................................213 Wave Three: The Niyamas ..........................................................................................................228 Vinyasa ........................................................................................................................................248 108 Asanas ...................................................................................................................................254 Savasana .......................................................................................................................................295 i LIST OF TABLES Table 1: “The Cost of a Livable Life” Activity .......................................................................192 ii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: What matters most to you right now? ............................................................................7 Figure 2: Yoga is…? ...................................................................................................................36 Figure 3: Spirituality is…? ..........................................................................................................46 Figure 4: Compassionate communication ...................................................................................52 Figure 5: Practicing tadasana ......................................................................................................55