Date of Award

Summer 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

First Advisor

Shaunna Vella

Abstract

A Beautiful Mess: Rebirthing Through Earth, Dance, and the Divine by Mikayla Douglas is a culmination of research, creative practice, and lived experience that was developed during her time at Saint Mary’s College of California in the MFA Dance Program. This thesis investigates the shared dialogue between eco-somatics, eco-phenomenology, motherhood, nature, and the BIPOC birthing body. Through the use of outdoor somatic practices, personal reflection and stories, Mikayla Douglas explores how nature can serve as a site of healing, embodiment, and reclamation for Black and Brown birthing bodies. The research of this thesis work is grounded heavily in both scholarly research and lived experience as a mother. In examination the project reflects on the ongoing relationship between earth, ancestry, and the body. This work aims to offer a pathway for reclaiming bodily knowledge and honoring the lived experiences of BIPOC mothers and birthing individuals.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

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