This is a work of genius, and a brilliant way to illustrate the idea of the 'lifespan'. It would make a fabulous subject for analysis by physiotherapy students, and a great way to think about the idea of embodiment. For some reason, it reminded me of a quote by Maurice Merleau-Ponty: The world and Being hold together only in movement; it is only in this way that all things can be together. Philosophy is a reminding of this being. … [Read more...] about Ageing: From 1 to 100 in 3 minutes (video)
Wenche S. Bjorbækmo – The art of presenting qualitative research – 30DoS #24
In this post, physiotherapist and educator Wenche Bjorbækmo writes about the art of presenting qualitative research. The first time I saw the film The Cost of Living, by DV8 Physical Theatre[1] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZTMyWt50kk), it made an indelible impression on me. Over the course of a few late summer days in an English seaside resort, two out-of-work street performers -- Eddie and David -- encounter a variety of other people on the fringe of society. Dave, a double amputee, is determined to hold on to his independence, while tough, aggressive Eddie is a stalwart defender of justice and respect. The play presents a sequence of human tableaux that challenge our … [Read more...] about Wenche S. Bjorbækmo – The art of presenting qualitative research – 30DoS #24
Gunn Engelsrud – Phenomenology of perception – 30DoS #22
In his Phenomenology of Perception (PP) (first published in 1945), the French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty developed the concept of the body-subject as a primary way of being-in-the-world. In contrast to a Cartesian dualistic theory and the "dead" body, Merleau-Ponty body was a human perceiving, sensing and feeling body, intertwined, mutually present, and engaged with the world and others. The book was hugely influential for social scientist, humanistic and phenomenological philosophers and influenced a generation of thinkers and practitioners in areas as diverse as architecture, education, health care and movement culture and politics. I first came across PP when I worked with my … [Read more...] about Gunn Engelsrud – Phenomenology of perception – 30DoS #22
Siri Moe – How the Body Shapes the Mind – 30DoS #3
In this post, Norwegian physiotherapist, teacher and researcher Siri Moe talks about Shaun Gallagher's book How the body shapes the mind. Spanish translation provided by CPN Exec member Alma Viviana Silva. The American philosopher Shaun Gallagher published the book “How the body shapes the mind” in 2005. As a result of extensive collaboration with scientists from other disciplines, like neurologists and psychologists the author redefines the understanding of the relationship between the phenomenal consciousness and the physical body. He is focusing on proprioception related to embodiment. His work is a supplement and an extension of Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology of the body, and he … [Read more...] about Siri Moe – How the Body Shapes the Mind – 30DoS #3
Wild bodies
Robert Macfarlane is currently one of the UK's best-loved non-fiction authors. His recent book Landmarks is a tour de force of physical and metaphorical walks through the landscape - literal and linguistic - of Britain's ancient physical language. In Landscapes Macfarlane writes about the word hoard that surrounds the 'islands, rivers, strands, fells, lochs, cities, towns, corries, hedgerows, fields and edgelands uneasily known as the British Isles.” (Link to The Guardian book review). I love Macfarlane's writing, not least because it's so physical. Reading a Macfarlane book is like an exploration into the language of the body and its interaction with the natural world. There are a … [Read more...] about Wild bodies
Member Profile: Pia Kontos
From time to time we profile a member of the Critical Physiotherapy Network to find out more about them and their work. In this profile we talk to Pia Kontos who is a Senior Scientist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and an Associate Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, at the University of Toronto, Canada. Pia is one of our non-physiotherapist members whose work closely aligns with the goals of the CPN. She is a prolific and creative researcher who uses critical social theory and arts-based approaches to examine and address the norms and assumptions underpinning care practices in long-term care and rehabilitation settings. We asked Pia to tell us more about her … [Read more...] about Member Profile: Pia Kontos
Interview with Wenche Bjorbækmo
Every so often we profile a member of the Critical Physiotherapy Network to find out a bit more about them and their work. In this 'interview' we asked Wenche Bjorbækmo about the inspiration behind her research. Wenche works in the Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. Wenche's work centres on qualitative research, phenomenology, physiotherapy, movement, experience, exercise, disability and (re)habilitation (you can see a link to her interests, research, teaching and publications here). Wenche has been a member of the CPN almost from its inception, and many of us had the pleasure of meeting her and hearing her present at the In Sickness and In Health … [Read more...] about Interview with Wenche Bjorbækmo