Author listings with pictures: F

“Diary of My Lessons in the Alexander Technique” by Eva Webb describes one lesson with Alexander and several with his assistant teachers in 1947 - she had hers mainly from Irene Stewart.

“The Diaries of Frank and Grace Hand” record their lessons with Alexander in 1942 in New York.

“Recording of a Miracle” by Mrs Buchanan is from the early 1950s.

The first part of “The Journal of Sir George Trevelyan” introduces Alexander and his technique. The second part from 1936–37 records Alexander’s instructions to his teachers.

“How I came to have Lessons with F. M. Alexander” by A. Ludovici does not describe actual lessons.

CONTENTS: Foreword by Congress Directors, Preface by Michael D. Frederick, “Keynote Address” by Tony Spawforth, “Alexander and Emotion” by Walter Carrington, “Emotions” by Mary Cox, “Spirituality: Part One” by Claude AnShin Thomas, “Spirituality: Part Two” by Purna Steinitz, “Communication” by Cathy Madden and Jeremy Chance, “Concepts” by Lucia Walker and Kevan Martin, “The Use of the Self in Ancient Egyptian and Classical Greek Cultures” by Hans Georg Brecklinghaus, “Making Good Use of Complementarity: A Possible Lesson from Science” by Ernst Peter Fischer, “Marjory Barlow Masterclass, “Notes from a Workshop” by Elisabeth Walker, “Conversations with Erika Whittaker” interviewed by Bruce Fertman, “The Cranio-Sacral System: Its hidden in&Mac223;uence and its support in an Alexander lesson” by Hillegonda Boode, “A Sideways Look at the Alexander Technique” by Jean Clark, “The Primary Control: Some Personal Views” by Rivka Cohen, “The ‘Pivotal’ Role of the Chair in the Alexander Technique: A Reconsideration and a Proposal” by Galen Cranz, “A Turn of Heart” by Bruce Fertman, “Exciting New Research with signi&Mac222;cance for the Alexander Technique” by Dr David Garlick, “How did we get here? Developmental Movement and the Alexander Technique” by Robin Gilmore, “Using the Five Principles: Concentrating on the lunge, toes and heels, and walking” by Avi Granit, “Communication and Vocal Use for the Alexander Teacher” by Jane Heirich, “Discovering the Moment of Choice” by John Hunter, “Educating the Public” by Elizabeth Langford, “Inhibition” Parts One to Five by Marie Françoise Le Foll, Ulrich Funke, Katja Cavagnac, Santiago Sempere, and Richard M. Gummere, Jr, “Using the Arms: The Ancestry of the Human Arm” by Jamie McDowell, “How do you feel about being an Alexander Teacher?” by Robin Möckli-Cowper, “Alexander Technique in movement and dance improvisation” by Elisabeth Molle and Renate Wehner, “The Use of the Self: doing and non-doing” by Peter Ribeaux, “The Dart Procedures” by Robin Simmons, “Unreliable Sensory Appreciation” by Ken Thompson, “Sun and Moon” by Tommy Thompson, and the poem “Sun Eclipse” by Carol Levin.

In considering to what extent the persistence of early reflexes influences habitual use and to what extent the Technique affects habitual use, the author argues that the Technique, in only releasing a compensatory tension, does not deal with the persisting early reflexes. The author gives an overview of neuro-motor development and a suggestion for the development of habit in general. Basic knowledge of anatomy is an advantage.

Like the other pregnancy and birth book, the book argues well for how the Technique can greatly facilitate pregnancy, birth and parenting.