Title

An Exploration of the Relationship Between Fire Spinning and Mindfulness

Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D.

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Ragnar Storaasli

Second Advisor

Lavita Nadkarni

Third Advisor

Geoggrey Smith

Keywords

Mindfulness, Fire spinning

Abstract

Mindfulness practice has grown in popularity in the western world following the integration of mindfulness-based interventions in psychotherapy. New modes of mindful engagement continue to evolve. This study explores "fire spinning" (i.e., the purposeful aesthetic manipulation of a prop or instrument that is lit on fire) as a potential form of mindful practice. Qualitative interviews were obtained from six fire spinning artists. Five major themes were developed from analysis of the data: (a) Fire Spinning as a Mindfulness Practice, (b) Experiential States of Fire Spinning, (c) Relationship with Fire, (d) Function or Intention of Fire Spinning, and (e) Individual and Community Empowerment. These themes supported fire spinning as a legitimate form of mindfulness and further expand upon the idea of mindfulness and fire spinning as a unique mindful practice.

Publication Statement

Copyright held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Extent

47 pgs

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