Attaining composure through breath-awareness
A phenomenological account of the use of the breath in social work
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15434705 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Russell Whiting (0000-0003-2402-267X, University of Sussex, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 3-18 |
| Publication date | 2020-09-07 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work Social Thought (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1542-6432 • E-ISSN: 1542-6440 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/15426432.2020.1816247 |
| OpenAlex | W3084017035 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 17 |
This article is the first to address breathing in social work directly. It sits within the phenomenological tradition and as such provides accounts from social work education and practice as a means of recognizing a commonality of experience. The article argues for a considered, conscious use of the breath in order for the social worker to gain a state of calm or composure and also to be able to foster composure in others – the so called “circle of breath”. The focus is on the skills of the worker but also on the meanings of the choices they make. A phenomenological approach to the topic of composure is contrasted with a psychotherapeutic approach. No particular method is advocated although several exercises designed to aid breath awareness are suggested. A discussion is threaded throughout on the relationship between the breath and spirituality in social work, also considered in phenomenological terms
Work (physics · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Engineering · Medicine · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Mechanical Engineering
On Kissing, Tickling, and Being Bored
Child Protection Practice
How social workers reflect in action and when and why they don’t
The Wisdom of the Body
Compassion through intercorporeality
Social Work and the Body
Gestures of Mutuality
Oppression and professional ethics
Gestalt Therapy
The Body's Recollection of Being
Breathing like a Soldier
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |