In Dance and the Alexander Technique, Rebecca Nettl-Fiol and Luc Vanier utilize their ten years of research on developmental movement and dance training to explore the relationship between a specific movement technique and the basic principles of support and coordination. The Alexander Technique, developed in the early twentieth century by F. M. Alexander, can be used to enhance dexterity in all types of activities, from everyday actions as mundane as tooth-brushing to highly demanding dance movements. Applying the tenets of this technique through the lens of a specific subset of principles called the Dart Procedures, the authors offer a unique approach for using the Alexander Technique in dance and other activities. The principles of this technique are used by people in all walks of life and have proven to be effective for enhancing performance and improving overall health and well-being. Amply illustrated and supplemented with a DVD that demonstrates the concepts and applications of the Alexander Technique, this book will be highly instrumental for dancers, teachers of dance, and anyone interested in giving everyday movements more efficiency, dexterity, and elegance.
Credits ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xvii
Part One: Groundwork: Dance, Alexander Technique, and Dart Procedures 1
Introduction to Part One 3
1. Assumptions and Foundations 9
2. Alexander Technique: Overview and Basic Principles 17
3. The Dart Procedures: Overview and Key Concepts 27
Part Two: From Crawling to Leaping: Dart Procedures Applied to Dance Training 41
Introduction to Part Two 43
4. Primary and Secondary Curves: Looking at Movement through a New Lens 45
5. Spirals for Connectivity and Lengthening 57
6. Discovering the Resiliency of the System 71
Part Three: The Right Thing Does Itself- Alexander Principles Applied to Dance Training 83
Introduction to Part Three 85
7. The Whole Self 87
8. Becoming Aware of Habit 95
9. Head First: Facilitating Coordination 103
10. Allowing versus Doing 111
11. Releasing the Catch: Direction 117
Part Four: Applications to Dance Movements 129
Introduction to Part Four 131
12. Applications to Ballet 133
13. Applications to Contemporary Modern Dance Technique 149
14. Applications for Teachers: Correction with Direction 165
Epilogue 177
Bibliography 181
DVD Contents 185
Index 187
