ABSTRACT

The sensory revolution in the social sciences is transforming the ways in which the senses and the sensorium are studied and understood in relation to bodies in action. This is the first book to investigate the impact, and challenges, of this revolution for those interested in physical culture.

Providing vivid examples of sensory scholarship in action from sport, physical activity, leisure and recreation, this book brings together leading figures to discuss how we go about seeking the senses, how we engage in somatic work, and how we create meanings and come to understand ourselves and others as embodied beings in a variety of social settings over time. Featuring original reflections on athletics, running, cycling, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, glow sports, jiu jitsu, mixed martial arts and yoga, this ground breaking collection showcases the latest sensory research in physical culture as well as paving the way both conceptually and methodologically for future work in this area.

Seeking the Senses in Physical Culture: Sensuous scholarship in action is fascinating reading for all those interested in physical cultural and body studies; the sociology, psychology and philosophy of sport; leisure and recreation studies; and physical education.

chapter 1|24 pages

Researching the senses in physical culture

Charting the territory and locating an emerging field

chapter 2|17 pages

Making sense of the primal scream

Sensory peak performance and the affective drama of athletic competitions

chapter 3|21 pages

Running a temperature

Sociological-phenomenological perspectives on distance running, thermoception and ‘temperature work’

chapter 4|19 pages

Ethnoaesthesia

Ashtanga yoga and the sensuality of sweat

chapter 5|19 pages

Sensing our way through ocean sailing, windsurfing and kayaking

Tales of emplaced sensual kinaesthesia

chapter 6|19 pages

Performing the sensory body in a tandem cycling group

Social dialogues between blindness and sight

chapter 7|16 pages

Glow sport

Re-configuring perception of space in sport and leisure practice

chapter 8|21 pages

‘It’s only gay if you make eye contact’

The regulation of touch in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

chapter 10|24 pages

Researching the senses in physical culture and producing sensuous scholarship

Methodological challenges and possibilities