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Author listings with pictures: D
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The descriptions were written by Jean M. O. Fischer and do not represent
or necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers and authors. |
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| Dart, Raymond A. |
| This book contains all the articles by Dart which directly relate to the Alexander Technique plus two articles on the subject of skill and poise. The former are “An Anatomist’s Tribute to F. Matthias Alexander” (1970), “Voluntary Musculature of the Human Body: The Double–Spiral Arrangement” (1950), “The Postural Aspect of Malocclusion” (1946) and “The Attainment of Poise” (1947). The latter are “The Significance of Skill” (1934) and “Weightlessness” (1961). The themes throughout are the importance of poise for learning and the embryological and neurological origin of the erect posture. Also included are "The Dart Procedures" by Alexander Murray (first developed in 1943). The book contains 37 figures (with line-drawings) to illustrate the Dart Procedures and to provide some anatomical background information for some of Dart’s explanations. Some of the articles are heavy-going and the glossary will be probably be used by most readers. |
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Raymond Dart
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Skill and Poise
- Articles on skill, poise and the F. M. Alexander Techique
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| 1996 hb, 192+xiv pages, b/w illustrations, 234 x 156 mm, index, UK, STAT Books.
In print: STAT publications.
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| Seven articles including one on the 'Dart procedures'. |
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| Dart relates his experiences with the Technique, the Technique as he sees it from an evolutionary anatomical and physiological point of view, and his involvement with the Doman-Delacato method. The subject of the primary control is dealt with by a long lecture on anatomy, cranial phylogeny and body movement. He also proposes and describes a way of working on oneself (later known as the "Dart procedures.") (At 35 pages the 1970 F. M. Alexander Memorial Lecture must have been the longest lecture ever.) This lecture is included in the 1996 "Skill and Poise" book. |
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Raymond Dart
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An Anatomist's Tribute
- to F. Matthias Alexander
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| 1970 bklt, 35 pages, UK, The Sheildrake Press.
Out of print.
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| Covering evolution, anatomy, physiology, cranial phylogeny, Doman-Delacato, the 'Dart procedures' . |
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| Davies, Trevor Allan (ed.) - An Examined Life - see Barlow, Marjory |
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| Dawley, Nancy H. |
| The purpose of this book “is to assist your exploration” of the Technique both with and without a teacher (although a teacher is needed to introduce the Technique). It provides simple activities “for you to practice pausing, noticing, inhibiting, directing and allowing.” The book is divided into 55 lessons; each lesson is estimated to take about 10–15 minutes. There are lessons in faulty kinesthesia, mind and body connection, change of habitual patterns, the “up” direction, primary control, the four basic directions, semi-supine, mechanical advantage, breathing, standing and sitting, walking, moving arms, and daily activities should as opening doors, brushing teeth, using the phone, putting on socks, etc. The text is presented in large type, and the book is designed to stand up so one can easily consult it while working. |
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Nancy H. Dawley*
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Guided Lessons
- For Students of the Alexander Technique
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| 2001 ringbound, 72 pages, ill., 280 x 216 mm, USA, FourWinds Academy Press.
In print: FourWinds Academy Press.
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| Learning the Technique in 55 short lessons. |
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| Diamond, Joan |
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Joan Diamond*
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Understanding the Alexander Technique
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| 2003 pb, 64 pages, ill., UK, First Stone Publishing. 1904439004.
In print.
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| This book explains briefly and simply how to use autobiographical writing (i.e. writing about one’s past experiences) to become aware of patterns of thinking and behaving. It argues that this technique will gradually make one aware of the source of entrenched habits and can have powerful therapeutic effects. It warns, however, that this is a long-term process not to be begun unsupervised. It includes the author’s own examples as well as examples from a class on autobiographical writing with her brief descriptive comments. |
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Joan Diamond*
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The Alexander Technique and Autobiographical Writing
- A Work Book
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| 1994 pb, 78 pages, UK, Willow Tree Books
Out of print.
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| How to use autobiographical writing to become aware of patterns of thinking and behaving. |
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| Dimon, Jr., Theodore (Ted) |
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Theodore Dimon, Jr.
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The Elements of Skill
- A Conscious Approach to Learning
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| 2003 pb, 224+xxiii pages, ill., USA, North Atlantic Books.
In print.
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| Dimon Jr., Theodore - Anatomy of the Moving Body - see Anatomy. . .5.81 |
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| This paper examines the Technique as it relates to tension and stress. The author argues that relaxation and stress reduction methods treat symptoms but do not address their causes, and that the Technique’s psycho-physical approach to health is more complete. This approach is illustrated with the case history of a violinist suffering from a shoulder problem and two case histories dealing with stress. Included is a summary of the basic components of Alexander’s concept of use, the “fight-flight” theory of stress related to the Technique, and a critique of medical and therapeutic techniques. |
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Theodore Dimon, Jr.*
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The Control of Tension:
A New Field for Prevention
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| 1998 bklt, 39 pages, A5, USA, Theodore Dimon
In print.
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| The Technique as a method in dealing with the causes of tension and stress. |
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| Breathing, voice-use and the whispered “ah” introduced for people who are already familiar with the Technique. The anatomy of breathing and voice production is explained as are the reasons for practising the whispered “ah”. Controlled exhalation, the smile and some hints as to the correct sound of the “ah” is also described. |
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Ted Dimon*
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Alexander Technique and the Voice:
Understanding the Whispered Ah
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| 1996 bklt, 24 pages, b/w line-drawings, A5, USA, Ted Dimon
In print.
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| The author challenges traditional approaches to the mind-body problem (e.g. saying that “the mind affects the body” is divisive and dualistic) and points out the almost universal difference between theory and practice in traditional approaches. Mind-body unity is more than two connected systems. He shows that the self constitutes a behavioural unity. Specifically, tension and stress are viewed as reaction patterns of both mind and body. Ideo-motor action and action and reaction are discussed in detail. The style is academic - reminiscent of Alexander’s. The vocabulary is exact but not technical. |
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Theodore Dimon, Jr.*
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The Undivided Self
- Alexander Technique and the Control of Stress
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| 1999 pb, 234+xx pages, illustrated, 229 x 156 mm, index, UK, Souvenir Press. 1556432941.
In print.
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| Donnell, Michéle Mac |
| A picture-guide introduction to the Technique, showing right and wrong postures in such activities as sitting, standing, reaching, walking, lifting, reading, using a telephone, etc. It also introduces the semi-supine and the “monkey.” The principles of the Technique are discussed, e.g. “faculty [sic] sensory appreciation,” and it covers the story of “Francis” [sic] Matthias Alexander. |
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Michéle MacDonnell*
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Alexander Technique
- Regain your natural poise and alleviate stress - The New Life Library
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| 1999 hb, 64 pages, 210 x 217 mm, illustrated, index, UK, Lorenz Books
Out of print.
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| A picture-guide introduction with emphasis on 'right' and 'wrong' ways. |
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| Door, Brian |
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Brian Door*
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Towards Perfect Posture
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| 2003 pb, 155 pages, ill., UK, Orion. 0752816802.
In print.
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| Introductory book with a very, very detailed description of how to lie down and how to get up again. |
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| Drake, Jonathan |
| The book covers the key principles of the Technique and how it can help and, more importantly, not help. There is a chapter on Alexander’s life and one on how the Technique works. It describes some of the research corroborating Alexander’s discoveries. A chapter is devoted to comparing the Technique with some of the healing arts: manipulative methods, relaxation techniques, Yoga, T’ai Chi, Feldenkrais and psychotherapy. The chapter “Taking charge of your life” looks at the Technique in a larger context and suggests an Aristotelian philosophy of seeking happiness as “an ethical state in a whole life well-lived.” |
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Jonathan Drake*
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Thorsons Introductory Guide to the Alexander Technique
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| 1993 pb, 96 pages, line-drawings, 198 x 130 mm, index, UK, Thorsons
Out of print.
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| This is “designed primarily to be used as a Workbook for people already taking Alexander lessons.” It covers briefly the basic principles of the Technique. The main part of the book deals with how to apply the principles to specific daily activities. The many photos illustrate step by step the procedures for applying the Technique to lying down, walking, using stairs, sitting, writing, driving, lifting, squatting, “monkey” and more specific procedures such as the whispered “ah”, monkey against a wall and hands on the back of a chair. |
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Jonathan Drake*
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Body Know-How
(The Alexander Technique in Everyday Life)
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| 1991 (1996) pb, 142 pages, illustrated, index, UK, Thorsons
Out of print.
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| Illustrates in step-by-step photos some procedures for applying the Technique. |
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| Drake, Angela & Jonathan - Pregnancy and Birth the Alexander Way (The Alexander Technique Birth Book) see Machover, I. |
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Copyright 2001-2009 © Mouritz Ltd. All Rights reserved.
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The Lunge in
The Syllabus of Physical Exercises for Public Elementary Schools, London, 1909, HMSO.
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