The Revolutionary Breath

• Main Author: LeBaron, Susannah Bunny
• Format: Others
• Published: OpenSIUC 2016
• Subjects: Autoethnography; Axio-Somatic Ethnography; Breath; Performative Writing; Praxis; Revolution
• Online Access: https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/1162; https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2166&context=dissertations

The Revolutionary Breath is praxis of conscious breathing and values awareness. I explore the transformative potential of this praxis through a method I call axio-somatic ethnography, which is an expansion of traditional autoethnography that de-centers identity and valorizes body-sensing as the foundation for authentic storytelling. The Revolutionary Breath is juxtaposed to the State Sponsored Breath, a constellation of physical and cultural habits and values. The Revolutionary Breath, itself, is composed of three Allowings, or conscious sensing practices, all framed within a commitment to the depth and ease of one’s breath. Throughout the dissertation, I use axio-somatic ethnography to present my own experiences of putting this praxis into use.