In the Spirals of Knowledge: A Somatic Affective Research

This paper presents the trajectory of the artist researcher Graziela Andrade. She based herself on the experience with her daughter to search new approaches to rehabilitation centered on the subjectivity of the disabled person. The goal is to integrate art and Somatics to deepen the understanding of the intersection between dance and disability. The methodology includes knowing, practicing and discussing the somatic technique spiral praxis in an affective research, in which the personal experience of the researcher is essential. This involves being affected by practice, moving the theory and fostering political and ethical reflexivity, with a plural, performative writing to explore and communicate these impacts. Researchers from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Federal University of Minas Gerais), under the coordination of Graziela, investigated and shared the process with the brazilian audience through workshops, video lessons and interviews on YouTube. The considerations for this field highlight dance as a knowledge that goes beyond common sense, reflecting the history and identity of the dancer.