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Landscapes of embodiment: a process for design and an avenue for healing

This paper explores the intersection of healing, movement, and landscape architecture, focusing on the concept of therapeutic movement. Drawing from the author's background in both landscape architecture and dance, the research investigates how outdoor environments can be designed to facilitate healing through mindful movement practices. By examining existing outdoor spaces designed for various purposes such as recreation, yoga, tai chi, and other forms of mindful movement, the study seeks to understand how landscape architects can integrate therapeutic movement into their designs.
The research is centered on a design project situated in Blacksburg, VA, proposing the seamless transformation of unused areas to a nature park tailored for therapeutic movement, adjacent to actively used recreational areas. Throughout the paper, the author engages with topics including the human experience of landscapes, the therapeutic value of movement, and the design considerations for creating healing landscapes. By analyzing practices such as Dance/Movement Therapy, Yoga Therapy, and Tai Chi, the paper offers insights into how landscapes can enhance healing benefits and foster a deeper connection to oneself, community, and the landscape. The proposed design guidelines aim to inform future landscape architecture projects, contributing to the field's understanding of designing spaces for therapeutic movement and promoting holistic well-being. / Master of Landscape Architecture / This paper dives into how nature, movement, and designing outdoor spaces intersect to promote healing. The author, a student of landscape architecture and a dancer, looks at how being mindful about movement outdoors can help people heal. They study existing outdoor areas used for things like yoga and tai chi to see how landscape architects can create spaces that encourage healing through other types of movement, like dance. The research focuses on a project in Blacksburg, VA, where they suggest turning unused areas into a nature park specifically for therapeutic movement, next to places where people already go for recreation. The goal is to give guidelines for future projects in landscape architecture that promote well-being through movement and nature.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/119055
Date22 May 2024
CreatorsAdams, Caitlin Brighid
ContributorsLandscape Architecture, Kim, Mintai, Clements, Terry Lynn, Hardwig, George Scott
PublisherVirginia Tech
Source SetsVirginia Tech Theses and Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
FormatETD, application/pdf
RightsIn Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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