About the Author
KARA KOMARNITSKY

Kara Komarnitsky is an undergraduate fellow in the Global Arts and Humanities' 2021-22 Society of Fellows cohort. A dance major with minors in environmental science and business, Komarnitsky's work approaches the complexity of human interconnection with the planet, pulling inspiration from the natural world and environmental research. While her primary medium is dance, Komarnitsky regularly uses projections, film, sound and interactive technology to create immersive performance experiences, as well as extending this research into her teaching practices for yoga and dance. She received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certificate in July 2020 from Brittany Andrews and has also completed an Adaptive Yoga 20-hour Certificate from Abigail Atkinson and an Embracing Yoga’s Roots 200-hour Certificate from Susanna Barkataki.

Project Overview

Intellectually understanding our physical interdependence with the environment around us is different from actually living in that understanding. Our ability to live differently in our relationship with the environment begins with imagining new ways of perceiving it. This research project developed three different practices for accessing our physical awareness of interconnection with the ecosystems around us and recognizing our relationships with ecosystems where we may not traditionally look for them. Through movement, presence, and intention, we may discover new ways of being and support for our human and non-human communities.

I began this research with the question: how can movement help individuals become more aware of their physical interconnectedness with the environment? Using my experience in dance, intermedia, and Yoga practices, I explored several modes of creative access to this question and collected feedback about the experiences to make them more accessible to diverse audiences. The three activities below are the results of my research and provide grounding experiences that can be listened to or experienced in and around your home or incorporated into your own practices. Each one guides your attention to the connections between your body and whatever ecosystem you are living in (with some focus on urban ecosystems) and provides the space to form a personal connection that may shape new perspectives and actions towards it.