Focused awareness in action was designed by the author as a system of movement experiences intended to enhance individual health and self-developmental processes. Drawing on principles of yoga, pranayama, modern dance, movement improvisation, and meditation, with group discussion as a means of integrating the above principles, form components were organized into a methodology for a course of study. The course of study was implemented in a project class and other workshop settings. As a result of these experiences, the thesis describes the structure and implementation of focused awareness in action. Speculations are made regarding its potential contribution to health and self-development. Most significant among the conclusions reached is the role of group interaction and interconnectedness in realizing the potential of the model.

This is a course outline for the first semester of movement training for beginning performers in theatre, part of a two-year course of study based on the Becque-Todd method of movement development. Emphasis is on a psychophysiological approach to developing new motor habits. The introduction presents the history, background, basic premises on which the course is based, and the techniques and tools used. Each subsequent chapter represents a unit of work on a specific problem, each taking one or more class periods.