This Bibliography presents publications written by or about the individuals profiled in the Essays. Please scroll down to find books, articles or videos for the teacher/scholar you are interested in. The bibliographic references for Mabel Todd, Barbara Clark and Lulu Sweigard have been annotated. The other citations are presented in the standard format. Valuable writings pertaining to Ideokinesis by other authors appear under the heading Additional References. Please contact us with suggestions for enlarging this bibliography.
Click on an item to find entries in the Bibliography below.
- Introduction to the Field
- Karen Barracuda
- Glenna Batson
- Don Oscar Becque
- André Bernard
- Barbara Clark
- Elizabeth Dempster
- Irene Dowd
- Joanne Emmons
- Erik Hawkins
- Betty Jones
- Eva Karczag
- Hetty King
- Nancy Lyons
- Lynn Martin
- Pamela Matt
- Marsha Paludan
- John Rolland
- Lulu Sweigard
- Sally Swift
- Mabel Elsworth Todd
- Nancy Topf
- Drid Williams
- Additional References
Introduction to the Field
Bernard, A. “An Introduction to Ideokinesis.” Contact Quarterly Reprint No. 3, Northampton, MA: Contact Editions Summer/Fall 1997, 24-25. http://www.contactquarterly.com
Dowd, I. “Ideokinesis: The Nine Lines of Movement,” Contact Quarterly 8 (2): Winter 1983, 38-46.
——— “Visualizing Movement Potential.” in Taking Root to Fly: Articles on Functional Anatomy. 3rd Edition. New York, NY: By the Author, 1995. [Irene Dowd, 14 East Fourth Street #606, NYC 10012-1141]
Matt, P. “The Nature of Ideokinesis and Its Value for Dancers,” in Dance Kinesiology by Sally Fitt. 2nd Edition. New York, NY: Schirmer Books. 1996, 338-341.
Myers, M. “Todd, Sweigard, and Ideokinesis,” Dance Magazine June 1980: 17-19.
Sweigard, L.E. “Basic Concepts.” Chapter 1 in Human Movement Potential: Its Ideokinetic Facilitation. Reprint. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 1988. http://www.univpress.com
Karen Barracuda
Barracuda, K. “Teaching Dance to Promote a Better Instrument for Movement: Part I,” American Dance: Journal of the American Dance Guild 1(1): 8-10, 1986.
——– “Teaching Dance to Promote a Better Instrument for Movement: Part II,” American Dance: Journal of the American Dance Guild 1(2): 13-18, 1986.
——– “Anatomical Descriptions of The Spinal Column and Joint Movements.” Paper presented at the International Council for Kinetography Laban, March 1989. Unpublished, available from the author.
——– “Addendum to Anatomical Descriptions.” Addendum to a paper presented at the International Council for Kinetography Laban, March 1989. Unpublished, available from the author.
——– “KL/LN For Recording Ideokinetic Exercises.” Paper presented at the International Council for Kinetography Laban, March 1989. Unpublished, available from the author.
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Glenna Batson
Batson, G. “The Role of Somatic Education in Dance Medicine and Rehabilitation,” North Carolina Medical Journal 54(2): 74-77, 1993.
Batson, G. “Stretching technique: a somatic learning model. Part I.” Impulse: The International Journal of Dance Science, Medicine, and Education. 1993; 1:5-15.
——– “Stretching Technique: A Somatic Learning Model. Part II.” Impulse: The International Journal of Dance Science, Medicine, and Education. 1993; 2:18-29.
——— “Joint Health in Dancers: Identifying Risk factors for Osteoarthrosis and Promoting Preventive Measures,” Impulse 4(1): 11-26, January, 1996.
——— “Building your Library: Support for Mental Imagery,” Dance Teacher Now July/August: 19-20, 22, 1997.
——– “Motor imagery for stroke rehabilitation: current research as a guide to clinical practice.” Alternative & Complementary Therapies. 2004; 10: 84-89.
——– “The Somatic practice of intentional rest in dance education – Preliminary steps towards a method of study.” Journal of Dance and Somatic Practices, 2010; 1(2): 177-197.
——– “Exercise-induced central fatigue – A frontier for dance science research.” Special Issue on Overuse in Dance Training – Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, 2013; 17 (3): 92-100.
Batson, G. and Sentler S. “Visual and tactile-kinesthetic imagery – a neuro-phenomenological distinction in improvisational dance praxis.” Journal of Dance and Somatic Practices, 2017; 9(2): 195-213.
Batson, G. and Wilson MA. “Rest and Recovery: Making it Doable for Dancers.” In Wilmerding, V. and Krasnow, D., (Eds.), Dancer Wellness, Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Press, 2016.
Batson, G. and Wilson, MA. Body and Mind in Motion: Dance and Neuroscience in Conversation. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2014.
Don Oscar Becque
Long, Maggie and Laura Slezak Karas. “Guide to the Don Oscar Becque Papers, 1920-1983.” The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, Jerome Robbins Dance Division, August 2011. Print.
Murphy, Martha F. “An experimental course in movement preparation for beginning performers.” Thesis. Denton, TX: North Texas State University. 1977. Print.
André Bernard
Bernard, A. “An Introduction to Ideokinesis,” Contact Quarterly, Reprint #3 Ideokinesis and Creative Body Alignment. Summer/Fall 1997: 24-25. http://www.contactquarterly.com.
Bernard, A., U. Stricker and W. Steinmüller. Ideokinese: Ein kreativer Weg zu Bewegung und Kőrperhaltung. Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Hans Huber, 2003.
Bernard, A., U. Stricker and W. Steinmüller. Applied Ideokinesis: A Creative Approach to Human Movement and Body Alignment. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books, 2006.
Corfield, L. The Thinking Body: The Legacy of Mabel Todd Explained. Videotape. Piermont, NY: Teacher’s Video Workshop, 2000. http://www.dancehorizons.com or Teachers’ Video Workshop, P.O. Box 425, Piermont, NY 10968, Tel: (914) 359-6224.
Nelson, L. and N. S. Smith eds. “Remembering André Bernard 1924-2003,” Contact Quarterly, Winter/Spring 2004: 10-19.
Rosen, R. and N. Lyons. “Interview with André Bernard,” Contact Quarterly, Reprint #3 Ideokinesis and Creative Body Alignment. Summer/Fall 1997: 26-38. http://www.contactquarterly.com.
Sieben, I. “Ideokinesis, or the Art of Moving Pictures,” Ballet International/Tanz aktuell (English Edition) January 1999: 64 -65.
Barbara Clark
Clark, B. Structural Hygiene for the Preschool Child: Steps in the Baby’s Procedure for Balance and Movement. Cambridge, MA: By the Author, 1929. A pamphlet for parents on the importance of developmental movement activities for infants and toddlers.
——– Let’s Enjoy Sitting –Standing–Walking. Port Washington, New York, NY: By the Author, 1963. Clark’s first body alignment manual devoted to improving posture and movement in ordinary daily activities.
——– How to Live in your Axis –Your Vertical Line. New York, NY: By the Author, 1968. Designed for dance students, with emphasis on imagery relating the movement of the arms and legs to the center of the body.
——– Body Proportion Needs Depth – Front to Back. Champaign, IL: By the Author, 1975. Emphasis on developing awareness of depth of the body to enhance postural balance.
Lichlyter, M.A. Following the Natural Pathway: Integrating Barbara Clark’s Somatic Principles with Modern Dance Technique. Unpublished Dissertation, Graduate School of Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, 1999.
Matt, P. Mabel Elsworth Todd and Barbara Clark – Principles, Practices and the Import for Dance. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1973. Summarizes the early history of Todd and Clark’s contributions to the field of ideokinesis and suggests possibilities for using their work as an enhancement to dance training.
——— A Kinesthetic Legacy: The Life and Works of Barbara Clark. Tempe, AZ: CMT Press, 1993. This biography of Barbara Clark also traces the development of Mabel Todd’s work and presents all of Clark’s out-of-print manuals and previously unpublished teaching guides. http://www.ideokinesis.com/cmt/index.htm and http://www.contactquarterly.com
* Paludan, M. “Discovering Movement and Balance,” Contact Quarterly 9(2): 50-51, Spring/Summer 1984.
* Paludan, M. “Developmental Movement by Barbara Clark,” Contact Quarterly 5(2): 39, Winter 1980.
Elizabeth Dempster
Dempster, E. “lmagery, Ideokinesis and Improvisation,” Writings on Dance 1: 18-22, 1985.
——– “Image-based Movement Education,” Writings on Dance 1: 13-17, 1985.
——– “Profile: Russell Dumas,” New Theatre Australia (1)1: 47-49, 1987.
——– “Women Writing the Body: Let’s Watch a Little How She Dances,” Grafts: Feminist Criticism and Cultural Production, Susan Sheridan (ed), London: Verso, 1988: 35-54.
——– “Situated Knowledge: An Interview with Dana Reitz,” Writings on Dance 7: 23-37, Winter 1991.
——– “Sara Rudner Dances: A Conversation,” Writings on Dance 8: 35-43, Winter 1992.
——– “Revisioning the Body: Ideokinesis, Feminism and the New Dance,” Writings on Dance 9: 10-21, Autumn 1993.
——– “Dancing the Body: Interview with Russell Dumas,” Contact Quarterly 19(1): 45-57, Winter/Spring 1994.
——– “The Releasing Aesthetic: Joan Skinner Interview,” Writings on Dance 14: 17-26, Summer 1995.
——– “Explorations Within the New Dance Aesthetic: An Interview with Eva Karczag,” Writings on Dance 14: 39-52, Summer 1995.
——– “Ideokinesis and the Practice of Dharana,” New Dance From Old Cultures. Green Mill Papers. Crusader Hillis and Ursula Dawkins (eds). Braddon ACT. Australian Dance Council, 1997: 71-76.
——– “Bodies in Motion: Spatializing Practices in Australian Dance,” Imagining Australian Space: Cultural Studies and Spatial Inquiry. Barcan, R. and Buchanan, I. (eds.) Nedlands, WA: University of Western Australia Press, 1999: 103-113.
——– “Jane Refshauge: Between Ideokinesis and Alexander,” Writings on Dance 22: 22-32, Summer 2003/04.
——– “Some Notes on the Staging of Ideokinesis,” Writings on Dance 22: 37-48, Summer 2003/04.
——– “A Conversation with Shona Innes,” Writings on Dance 22: 49-56, Summer 2003/04.
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Irene Dowd
Dowd, I. “On Breathing,” EDDY About Dance Spring-Summer 1976.
——— “Finding Your Center,” EDDY About Dance Winter 1977.
——— “Standing on Two Legs,” EDDY About Dance Summer 1978.
——— “Pelvis/Rib Cage/Breath Relationship,” Illustrations. Contact Quarterly 4(1) Fall 1978.
——— “The Upper Extremity: Enfolding and Exposing,” Dance Scope 13(1): 48-57, Fall 1978.
——— “Visualizing Movement Potential,” Dance Scope 14(1): 24-35, Fall 1979.
——— “The Dark Side of the Brain: Working with the Dynamics of Touch through the Non-Dominant Hand,” Contact Quarterly 5(2) 12-15, Winter 1980.
——— “Taking Root to Fly: The Human Spine,” Contact Quarterly 6(1): 26-33, Fall 1980.
——— “La Visualization,” French translation by Odile Rouquet. Pour La Danse 64, November 1980.
——— “La Visualization,” French translation by Odile Rouquet. Pour La Danse 65, December 1980.
——— Taking Root to Fly: Seven Articles on Functional Anatomy. New York, NY: Irene Dowd and Contact Collaborations, 1981.
——— “How the Dancer Sees,” Dance Magazine November 1981.
——— “Ideokinesis: The Nine Lines of Movement,” Contact Quarterly 8(2): 38-46, Winter 1983.
——— “Your Muscles: Weak or Strong?” Dance Magazine March 1984.
——— “How to Arch Your Back,” Dance Magazine 58(4): 118-119, April 1984.
——— “What it Means to Pull Up,” Dance Magazine 58(5): 142, May 1984.
——— “How to Find the Turnout,” Dance Magazine 58(6): 100, June 1984.
——— “On Metaphor,” Contact Quarterly 9(3): 18-22, Fall 1984.
——— “La Visualization,” “Comment Trouver son Centre de Gravite,” “Les 9 Lignes du Mouvement,” translated into French by Odile Rouquet for Les Techniques d’Analyse du Mouvement et Ie Danseur. La Federation Francaise de Danse, Paris, 1985.
——— “Ideokinesis – La Visualizzazione,” Italian translation by Silvia Baggio. La Danza 18, 1986.
——— “In Honor of the Foot,” Contact Quarterly 11(3): 33-38, Fall 1986.
——— “Chronic Pain in Dancers: A Theoretical and Treatment Protocol.” Schmerz und Sport: Interdisziplinare Schmerztherapie in der Sportmedizin (Pain in Sports: Interdisciplinary Paintherapy in Sports Medicine), Berlin: Singer-Verlag, 1988.
——— Taking Root to Fly: Ten Articles on Functional Anatomy. Second Edition. New York, NY: Irene Dowd and Contact Collaborations,1990.
——— “The Use of Intentional Touch,” Contact Quarterly 16(1): 21-29, Winter 1990.
——— “Neutralization: Preparing for the Intentional Touch Interaction,” Contact Quarterly 16(3): 39-45, Fall 1991.
——— “Modes of Perception: Finding Pathways through Inner Worlds,” Contact Quarterly 17(2): 51-62, Summer/Fall 1992.
——— “Creating Motion through Intentional Touch,” Contact Quarterly 19(2): 48-62, Summer/Fall 1994.
——— Taking Root to Fly: Articles on Functional Anatomy. Third Edition, New York, NY: By the Author, 1995. [Available from Irene Dowd, 14 East Fourth Street, #606, New York City, New York 10012-1141]
——– “Ideokinesis.” In Selma Jeanne Cohen (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Dance. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 1998, 475-476.
——— “Challenges to the Dancer’s Hips provided by Leg Circles or the Grand Rond de Jambe en I’Air,” Choreography and Dance: Perspectives on the Healthy Dancer 6(1): 59-76, 2001.
——— Spirals. Videotape. Toronto, Canada: The National Ballet School, 2002. [Available from The Shoe Room, The National Ballet School of Canada, Toronto, Canada (416) 964-5100]
——— Warming up the Hip: Turn-out Dance and Orbits. Toronto, Canada: The National Ballet School, 2002. [Available from The Shoe Room, The National Ballet School of Canada, Toronto, Canada (416) 964-5100]
——— Trunk Stabilization and Volutes. Toronto, Canada: The National Ballet School, 2002. [Available from The Shoe Room, The National Ballet School of Canada, Toronto, Canada (416) 964-5100]
Myers, M. “Todd, Sweigard, and Ideokinesis,” Dance Magazine June 1980: 17-19.
Joanne Emmons
Lichlyter, M. Following the Natural Pathway: Integrating Barbara Clark’s Somatic Principles with Modern Dance Technique. Unpublished Dissertation. Graduate School of Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, 1999.
Erick Hawkins
Brown. B. “Where I Stand,” Dance Scope 5, Fall 1970: 56-58.
Brown, B. “Training to Dance with Erick Hawkins.” In R. Lorber, ed. Erick Hawkins: Theory and Training. New York, NY: The American Dance Guild, 1979: 8–27. (First published in Dance Scope 6, Fall/Winter 1971-72: 6-30.)
Celichowska, R. The Erick Hawkins Modern Dance Technique. Hightstown, NJ: Princeton Book Company, 2000. http://www.dancehorizons.com
Hawkins, E. “Pure Poetry,” In S. Cohen, ed. The Modern Dance: Seven Statements of Belief. Connecticut: Wesleyan University Press, 1965: 39-51.
Hawkins, E. The Body is a Clear Place and Other Statements on Dance. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Book Company, 1992. http://www.dancehorizons.com.
Lorber, R. ed. Erick Hawkins: Theory and Training. New York, NY: The American Dance Guild, 1979.
Penella, F. “The Vision of Erick Hawkins.” In R. Lorber, ed. Erick Hawkins: Theory and Training. New York, NY: The American Dance Guild, 1979: 28-31. (First published in Dance Scope 12, Spring Summer 1978: 14-23.)
Tyler, P. “Erick Hawkins: American Life Stylist.” In M. Norton, ed. On the Dance of Erick Hawkins. New York, NY: Foundations for Modern Dance, 1972: 16-24.
Woodsworth, M. “Sensing Nature’s Flow, Hawkins Teaches up a Storm – Showers of Dance-Poems!” Dance Magazine October 1972: 24-29.
Betty Jones
American Dance Festival. Betty Jones: conversations with contemporary masters of American modern dance. Video. Durham, NC: ADF Videos, 1993.
Egan, C. “Teacher’s Wisdom: Betty Jones,” Dance Magazine 79 (4) April 2005: 84-85.
Jones, B. “Voices of the Body,” in J. Dunbar (Ed.) Josė Limón: The Artist Reviewed. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Harwood Academic Publishers, 2000: 37-45.
Owen, N. “Moveable Parts – Betty Jones and Limón Technique,” in Arts 4 All Newsletter. http://www.arts4all.com/newsletter/issue18/owen18.html.
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Eva Karczag
Preliminary list of citations. Revisions of this list will appear soon.
“Improvised Dance: (In)Corporeal Knowledges” Nalina Wait (2023)
“Curated by” Curated Selection by Eva Karczag, Apria, ArtEZ (https://apria2.vercel.app/curated-selection-by-eva-karczag?title=curated-by-eva-karczag&category=curated-by&year=2022&tag=collection&authors=artez-press) (2022)
“The Natural Body in Somatics Dance Training” Doran George (author) Susan Leigh Foster (editor) (2020)
“In Conversation with Chris Crickmay and Eva Karczag” Sara Reed & “Living and Re-living the Moment: An Account of a Collaborative Practice” co-written with Chris Crickmay in ‘Body, Space, and Place in Collective and Collaborative Drawing: Drawing Conversations II’, Edited by Jill Journeaux, Helen Gørrill and Sara Reed (2020)
“Unpredictable Manoeuvres: Eva Karczag’s Improvised Strategies for Thwarting Institutional Agendas” Doran George in ‘The Oxford Handbook of Improvisation in Dance’, edited by Vida L. Midgelow (2019)
“Western Improvised Dance: Practices, Pedagogies and Language” Nalina Wait, thesis in fulfillment of the requirements of a Doctor of Philosophy, UNSW Sydney (2019)
“Somatic? – a question” IDOCDE ‘The Somatic NOTEbook’ (2019)
“Flying and Falling with Trisha” Contact Quartely winter/spring (2018)
“Remembering Trisha” Movement Research performance Journal #51 (2018)
“Exploring Embodiment – class process description for TBDC archives” (2017)
“Interview with Eva Karczag – Trisha Brown in the new Body” Bryn Mawr College (2016)
“When Dance Became Movement (and Movement Became Material), in (per)forming feedback, Biennale Tanzausbildung 5 (2016)
“Testalkotás” interview with Fuchs Livia, Parallel #33 (Budapest, 2015)
“The Role of Somatics” in ‘Ballet, Why and How’? Derrick Brown & M. Vos (Eds.), (pp. 148-150). Arnhem: ArtEZ Press (2014)
“Nomadism and Ethics in/as Improvised Movement Practices” Vida L. Midgelow (2012)
“Teaching the Teachers: Documentation of a methodological seminar for dance-teachers and dancers” Workshop Foundation, Budapest (2010)
“Creating a Body” Corpusweb (www.corpusweb.net) (2010)
“What We Use In Our Teaching and Why: the Vienna Research Project” co-written with Gill Clarke, Contact Quarterly Vol. 32, no.2, (2007)
“Mode05 and the Vienna Project” co-written with Gill Clarke, Dance Theatre Journal, Vol 21, #4, (2006)
“These Dances Rise Up” interview with Aileen Crow and Paula Sager, Authentic Movement Journal (2006)
“Working Together Conversationally” co-written with Chris Crickmay, Contact Quartely, Vol 28, #2 (2003)
“Moving the Moving” The Congress Papers 4th International Alexander Congress (1994)
“Explorations within the New Dance Aesthetic” article and interview, Writings On Dance 14 (1994)
“Dancing In and Out of Language: A Feminist Dilemma” Rachel Fensham, Writings On Dance 9 (1993)
“As Yet Untitled” Direction Magazine Vol.1, No.10. (1993)
“Rokke” with Annea Lockwood in Frog Peak Rock Music Book, edited by Daniel Goode (1995)
“Life Doesn’t Stop, It Just Changes Shape” interview with Suzie Frazer, Writings On Dance 3 (1988)
“Aileen Crow Interviews Eva Karczag” Contact Quarterly Vol. x, no.3 (1985)
Hetty King
King, H. “When Your Arms Are Free, You Can Fly – A Laban Movement Analysis of the Topf Technique®.” Unpublished paper written as a final project in the CMA Program through LIMS at the University of Quebec. 1996. The paper can be viewed at hettyking.com. 1996.
————- “The Intervention of Topf Technique – The Anatomy of Center.” Contact Quarterly Unbound. 2019 https://contactquarterly.com/cq/unbound/index.php#view=the-intervention-of-topf-technique
————- and Nancy Topf. A Guide To A Somatic Movement Practice The Anatomy Of Center. Gainsville, Florida: University Press of Florida 2022.
Nancy Lyons
Lyons, N. “Afterword” for Ideokinese: Ein kreativer Weg zu Bewegung und Kőrperhaltung. by A. Bernard, U. Stricker and W. Steinmüller. Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Hans Huber, 2003: 173-175.
Lyons N. and R. Rosen. “Interview with André Bernard,” Contact Quarterly, Reprint #3 Ideokinesis and Creative Body Alignment. Summer/Fall 1997: 26-38. http://www.contactquarterly.com
Lyons, N. and R. Fuller. The Moving Box. Cotati, California: The Footprint Press, 1977.
———Openings and Inner Workings. Cotati, California: The Footprint Press, 1978
———The Moving Book, K-3. Cotati, California: The Footprint Press, 2003.
———The Moving Book, 2-6. Cotati, California: The Footprint Press, 2005
Lynn Martin
Caso, L. and L. Martin. Breathing: The Source of Life. Videotape. Sparkhill, NY: Hallel Communications, 1996.
Martin, L. “Sweigard’s Legacy: Further Explorations Into Breathing.” Journal for the Anthropological Study of Human Movement 4 (1) Spring 1986, 18 – 35.
Martin, L. “Six Haitian Vodou Dances.” Visual Anthropology 8, 1996, 219 – 249.
Stough, C. An Introduction to Respiratory Science. Videotape, 1991.
Pamela Matt
Matt, P. Mabel Elsworth Todd and Barbara Clark – Principles, Practice and the Import for Dance. Unpublished Masters of Art Thesis. Urbana-Champaign, Illinois: University of Illinois, 1973.
——— “Don’t ‘Stand Up Straight’ – Use Your Imagination.” In S.W. Stinson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 1991 Dance and the Child: International. Salt Lake City, UT University of Utah. 1991, 232-241.
——— “Ideokinesis – Integrating the Science and Somatics of Dance.” Kinesiology and Medicine for Dance. 14 (1): 68-77, Fall/Winter 1991-92.
——— A Kinesthetic Legacy: The Life and Works of Barbara Clark. Revised Edition. Scottsdale, AZ: TBI Media, 2020. https://tbi-media.org/a-kinesthetic-legacy/
———“The Nature of Ideokinesis and its Value for Dancers.” In S.Fitt Dance Kinesiology. Second Edition. New York, NY: Schirmer Books. 1996, 335-341.
——— “Critical Thinking in Dance Science Education,” Journal of Dance Education 3(4): 121-30, 2003.
——— “Review: Teaching Dancing with Ideokinetic Principles, by Drid Williams,” JASHM Volume 18 No. 1 University of Illinois Press at Urbana Champaign, 2012.
Marsha Paludan
Paludan, Marsha M. “Remembering… Forgetting,” Contact Quarterly Vol. 3.1, 1977.
———–“Developmental Movement by Barbara Clark.” Contact Quarterly Vol.5.2, 1980.
———– “Discovering Movement and Balance.” Contact Quarterly Vol. 9.2, 1984.
———- “Expanding the Circle: Anna Halprin and Contemporary Theatre.” PhD Diss. University
of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 1995.
John Rolland
Eijden, J.L.M. van, John Rolland on Todd Alignment and Release Technique. Videotapes. J.L.M. van Eijden School for New Dance Development, Jodenbreestraat 3, 1011 NG, Amsterdam The Netherlands, 1993. http://www.somaticmovementstudies.org
Rolland, J. “Mabel Todd: An Introduction to her Work,” Contact Quarterly 5(1) Fall 1979: 6-7.
——— Inside Motion: An Ideokinetic Basis for Movement Education. Urbana, IL: Rolland String Associates, 1987. http://www.contactquarterly.com
Topf, N. “John Rolland Remembered,” Contact Quarterly 19(2) Summer/Fall 1994: 13-17.
* Van Eijden, J. “Transitions: John Rolland: A Source of Inspiration,” Contact Quarterly 34(2): 10, Summer/Fall 2009.
Veeninga, R. “Making a Meaningful Memorial for John Rolland,” Contact Quarterly 19(2) Summer/Fall 1994: 19-22.
Lulu Sweigard
Brunnström, S. “The Changing Conception of Posture: Methods of Dealing with Faulty Posture,” The Physiotherapy Review 20 (2): 79-84, 1940. Traces concepts of proper posture originating with the “standing at attention” approach prescribed in Swedish Gymnastics; explains the biomechanical futility of common postural admonitions; gives high praise to Todd and Sweigard’s innovative teaching methods.
Kaempffert, W. “Body Mechanics,” In “Science in the News,” New York Times November 24, 1940, D5. Cites Sweigard’s doctoral study; explains how Sweigard’s approach differs from conventional physical education; uses behaviorist concepts to acquaint reader with automatic reflexes governing posture; discusses use of imagery and constructive rest.
Litvinoff, V. “Of Sweigard, Body Education and Kindred Things,” Dance Scope 10(1): 51-64, Fall/Winter 1975-76. Compares Sweigard’s approach to other somatic approaches and other forms of movement education; critical of Sweigard’s mechanistic references and focus on western theatrical dance.
Popken, F. E. “Efficiency in Movement Through Ideokinesis (The Sweigard Method).” In R.E. Priddle (Ed.), Dance Research Annual XI: Psychological Perspectives on Dance. New York, NY: Congress on Research in Dance. 1978, 41-46. Explains the need for Sweigard’s work; summarizes the results of her research studies; defines ideokinesis and describes her teaching practices.
Sweigard, L. “Body Mechanics and Posture in Modern Life.” In Symposium on Posture. Phi Delta Pi National Physical Education Fraternity for Women. 1938, 18-27. Sweigard’s non-traditional views on posture and posture education procedures are described; other authors also present conflicting views of posture and body mechanics.
———Bilateral Asymmetry in the Alignment of the Skeletal Framework of the Human Body. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis. New York University, School of Education, 1939. Sweigard’s analysis of bilateral deviations in postural alignment found in a study of nearly 500 subjects.
——— “The Athenia Disaster – My Story: An Eye Witness Account.” Alumnus – Iowa State Teacher’s College January 1940, 5-8. Sweigard describes her personal experience of the attack on the S.S. Athenia at the beginning of World War II; the story of her escape, rescue and care for the wounded passengers is accompanied by quotations from other passengers praising her heroism.
——— “Posture and Body Mechanics.” In Constance J. Foster (Ed.), The Attractive Child: The Care and Development of your Child’s Beauty. New York, NY: Julian Messner, Inc. 1941, 235-259. Sweigard describes the development of posture and proper care of the child’s body; suggests frequent periods of rest as an alternative to usual postural admonitions suggested by parents and teachers.
——— “Learning to Rest,” Self Magazine May 1946, 13-15. Introductory article on the importance of rest in improving posture; written for the layperson.
——— “Constructive Rest,” Self Magazine June 1946, 21-22. Presents a visualization of the body in the constructive rest position as a bag of sand with sand flowing in various directions to promote a more balanced musculoskeletal system.
——— “Postural Difficulties: Part One,” Self Magazine August 1946, 8-9. Short discussion of common postural problems.
——— “Postural Difficulties: Part Two,” Self Magazine September 1946, 25-27. Describes features of the lordotic posture; presents images for the pelvis, legs and feet.
——— “Psychomotor Function as Correlated with Body Mechanics and Posture,” Transactions of the New York Academy of Sciences Ser. II, 2 (7): 243-248, May 1949. Reprinted in Nadel, M.H. and C. G. Nadel (Eds.), The Dance Experience: Readings in Dance Appreciation. New York, NY: Praeger Publishers. 1970, 358-365. Explains that attempting to change posture “at will” is not effective; asserts that posture can be “reconditioned” toward greater mechanical efficiency through mental activity; draws distinctions between muscular efficiency and relaxation.
——— “The Dancer’s Posture.” Impulse 1961. San Francisco, CA: Impulse Publications, Inc. 1961, 38-43. Correlates findings from her study of bilateral asymmetry to the dancer’s experience of differences in the mobility of the thigh joints and preference for a more stable standing leg; explains tests of spinal flexibility and four principles guiding procedures used in the posture laboratory.
——— “Better Dancing Through Better Body Balance,” Journal of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. 36 (5): 22-23, 56, May 1965. To support her idea that the dancer’s posture largely determines success in performance, Sweigard explains the relationship between posture and flexibility; warns of the dangers associated with teaching turnout improperly.
——— “Preface.” In Mabel Todd’s The Thinking Body. Reprint. New York, NY: Dance Horizons, Inc. 1972, ix-xi. Sweigard explains her initial interest in Todd’s unorthodox approach and summarizes the results of her own research studies. http://www.dancehorizons.com
——— “The Use of Imagined Action in Teaching the Dance.” In Boorman, J., and D. Harris (Eds.), Dance: Verities, Values and Visions. A Collection of Papers Presented at the Binational Dance Conference. Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. June 1971. Vanier City, Ontario, Canada: Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. 1973, 21-25. Lists the postural faults often found in dancers; describes principles to be used in teaching “imagined action” to dancers in a class setting and possible responses to the teaching.
——— Human Movement Potential: Its Ideokinetic Facilitation. New York, NY: Dodd, Mead and Co. 1974. Sweigard’s classic text presents musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, and her approach to improving posture and body mechanics; the term “ideokinesis” is introduced as a name for the approach. http://www.univpress.com
Unknown. “Sweigard System Corrects Posture by Rest,” Life Magazine January 6, 1941. Photomontage of Sweigard’s teaching and diagnostic procedures.
Williams, D. “Sweigard: A Memorial Tribute.” From a program for a SEHNAP faculty gathering at NYU, Fall 1980. Recounts Sweigard’s accomplishments; describes her pioneering work in movement education along with the obstacles she encountered in promoting her ideas and methods.
Williams, D. “On Human Movement Potential: A Review Article,” Journal for the Anthropological Study of Human Movement: Special Issue on Semasiology 1(4): 288-298, Autumn 1981. A tribute and remembrance of Sweigard; provides insights to those who would study her book from the linguistic, philosophical, psychological, medical, artistic, educational or anthropological points of view.
Sally Swift
Corfield, L. The Thinking Body: The Legacy of Mabel Todd Explained. Videotape. Piermont, NY: Teachers’ Video Workshop, 2000. http://www.dancehorizons.com or Teachers’ Video Workshop P.O. Box 425 Piermont, NY 10968, Tel: (914) 359-6224.
Forsberg-Meyer, J. “Showing us the Way,” Horse and Rider, March 2000.
Harris, S. “Centered Riding in ’94,” Northeast Equine Journal, March 1994.
Loomis, C. “Centered on Sally: Her Book and Her Teachings Are a Huge Success,” Horseplay, March 1991.
Murdoch, W. “Centering on Sally Swift,” Dressage & CT, January 1996.
Murphey, D. “ Equestrian Instructor Sally Swift,” Investor’s Business Daily, March 10, 1999.
Swift, S. Centered Riding, North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing, 1985. http://www.horseandriderbooks.com
——– Centered Riding: Tape 1, Videotape. North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing, 1986. http://www.horseandriderbooks.com
——– Centered Riding: Tape 2, Videotape. North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing, 1986. http://www.horseandriderbooks.com
——– Centered Riding Today: An Informal Talk, Videotape. North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing, 2001. http://www.horseandriderbooks.com
——– Centered Riding 2: Further Exploration, North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing, 2002. http://www.horseandriderbooks.com
Mabel Elsworth Todd
Brunnström, S. “The Changing Conception of Posture: Methods of Dealing with Faulty Posture,” The Physiotherapy Review 20 (2): 79-84,1940. Traces concepts of proper posture originating with the “standing at attention” approach prescribed in Swedish Gymnastics; explains the biomechanical futility of common postural admonitions; gives high praise to Todd and Sweigard’s innovative teaching methods.
* Corefield, L. “Shelf Life: The Thinking Body: The Legacy of Mabel Todd Explained – Preview of a Video,” Contact Quarterly 25(1): 8-9, Spring/Summer 2000.
——— The Thinking Body: The Legacy of Mabel Todd Explained. Videotape. Piermont, NY: Teachers’ Video Workshop, 2000. After a brief overview of Todd’s work, the video presents the contributions of Sally Swift, André Bernard and Nancy Topf. http://www.dancehorizons.com or Teachers’ Video Workshop P.O. Box 425 Piermont, NY 10968, Tel: (914) 359-6224.
Matt, P. Mabel Elsworth Todd and Barbara Clark – Principles, Practices and the Import for Dance. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1973. Summarizes the early history of Todd and Clark’s contributions to the field of ideokinesis and suggests possibilities for using their work as an enhancement to dance training.
——— A Kinesthetic Legacy: The Life and Works of Barbara Clark. Tempe, AZ: CMT Press, 1993. Although primarily a biography of Barbara Clark, one of Todd’s students, this work contains historical background on Mabel Elsworth Todd. http://www.ideokinesis.com/cmt/index.htm and http://www.contactquarterly.com/
Rolland, J. “Mabel Todd: An Introduction to her Work,” Contact Quarterly 5(1) Fall 1979: 6-7.
Todd, M. “Principles of Posture,” The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal 182 (26): 645-649, June 24, 1920. This “first paper” of Mabel Todd presents her description of the nature of normal posture and discusses methods of posture correction.
——— “Principles of Posture, with Special Reference to the Mechanics of the Hip Joint,” The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal 184 (25): 667-673, June 23, 1921. Todd continues her discussion of body mechanics in this “second paper” with emphasis upon the balance and interdependence of various units of weight in the body and the significance of normal mechanics of the hip joint.
——— The Balancing of Forces in the Human Being: Its Application to Postural Patterns. New York, NY: Columbia University Teachers College. May 1, 1929. Class syllabus with focus on the rationale and goals of Todd’s method of posture education; her “procedure for thinking,” in contrast to the use of remedial exercise, is explained.
——— “Our Strains and Tensions,” Progressive Education 7: 242-6, 1931. Briefly introduces Todd’s approach to achieving mechanical balance in the body as a means of relief from the stresses of modern life.
——– “Basic Principles Underlying Posture,” Journal of Health and Physical Education (2) 8: 13-15, 56-57, 1931. Written as an introduction to her approach when Todd was a lecturer at Columbia University.
———The Thinking Body: A Study of the Balancing Forces of Dynamic Man (1937) Reprint, with a Preface by Lulu E. Sweigard. New York, NY: Dance Horizons, Inc., 1972. Todd’s classic work explains the kinesiological basis for her approach to posture education. http://www.dancehorizons.com
——— Early Writings: 1920 – 1934. Reprint with a Forward by Fritz E. Popken. New York, NY: Dance Horizons, Inc. 1977. This collection includes articles Todd wrote for The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, her Columbia Teachers College course syllabus, as well an illustrated pamphlet prepared for the public after a talk she conducted for a radio broadcast.
——— The Hidden You: What You Are and What to Do About It (1953) Reprint, with a Forward by Dr. Jesse Feiring Williams. New York, NY: Dance Horizons, Inc. n.d. Todd’s last and most controversial work.
Nancy Topf
Buckwalter, M. Composing While Dancing: an Improviser’s Companion. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 2011.
Corfield, L. The Thinking Body: The Legacy of Mabel Todd Explained. Videotape. Piermont, NY: Teachers’ Video Workshop, 2000. www.dancehorizons.com or Teachers’ Video Workshop P.O. Box 425 Piermont, NY 10968, Tel: (914) 359-6224.
Gibson, J. “Space Walk.” Contact Quarterly 25 (2) Summer/Fall 2000, 42 – 47.
Murphey, M. “The Straw Line: Teaching Dance to Children using the Topf Technique.” Contact Quarterly 24 (2) Summer/Fall 1999, 40-42.
Nelson, L. and N. S. Smith eds. “Remembering Nancy Topf.” Contact Quarterly 24 (1) Winter/Spring 1999, 11 – 22.
Topf, N. “Game Structures: A Performance.” Contact Quarterly 5 (3/4) Spring/Summer 1980, 20 – 21.
Topf, N. “One Day, a Dance.” Contact Quarterly, 9 (l) Fall, 1983, 10 – 13.
Topf, N. “John Rolland Remembered.” Contact Quarterly 19 (2) Summer/Fall 1994, 13 – 17.
Topf, N. “Between Contact and Release.” Contact Quarterly 23 (1) Winter/Spring 1998, 63 – 4.
Topf. N. “Freely Floating, Grass Grows Through Concrete: Twenty Years With Movement Research,” Movement Research Journal, Fall/Winter 1998-99.
Topf. N. Anatomy of Center by Nancy Topf: Excerpts from An Introduction to the Practice of Topf Technique and Dynamic Anatomy with a history of Release Technique and other Writings including Barbara Clark and Marsha Paludan. Melinda Buckwalter and Jen Harmon, eds. CQ Chapbook 3, Vol. 37 No. 2 Summer/Fall 2012.
Drid Williams
Birdwhistell, R. Kinesics in Context: Essays on Body Motion Communication. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1970.
Diesing, P. Patterns of Discovery in the Social Sciences. (Third Edition) Hawthorne, NY: Aldine, 1981.
* Dyer, B. “Book Review: Teaching Dancing with Ideokinetic Principles,” Research in Dance Education 14(7): 176-183, 2013.
Farnell, B. “It Goes Without Saying—But Not Always.” In T. Buckland (Ed.) Dance in the Field: Theory, Method, and Issues in Dance Ethnography . New York: St. Martin’s Press. 1999a, 145-160.
——— “Moving Bodies, Acting Selves,” Annual Review of Anthropology 28: 341-373, 1999b.
Harré, R. and P. Secord. The Explanation of Social Behaviour. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1972.
Kaeppler, A. “Structured Movement Systems in Tonga.” In P.Spencer (Ed.) Society and the Dance: The Social Anthropology of Performance and Process. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 1985, 92-118.
——– “Visible and Invisible in Hawaiian Dance.” In B. Farnell (Ed.) Human Action Signs in Cultural Context: The Visible and the Invisible in Movement and Dance. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press. 1995, 31-43.
* Nettl-Fiol, R. “Book Review: Teaching Dancing with Ideokinetic Principles,” Journal for the Anthropological Study of Human Movement 19(1) http://jashm.press.illinois.edu/19.1/nettle-fiol.html. Viewed April 11, 2013.
Pocock, D. “The Idea of a Personal Anthropology,” Journal for the Anthropological Study of Human Movement (JASHM) [Special Issue on Reflexivity.] 8(1): 11-42, 1994.
Sparger, C. Anatomy and Ballet. New York: Theatre Arts Books, 1982.
Sweigard, L. Human Movement Potential: Its Ideokinetic Facilitation. New York, NY: Dodd, Mead and Co. 1974. http://www.univpress.com
Varela, C. “Pocock, Williams, Gouldner: Initial Reactions of Three Social Scientists to the Problem of Objectivity,” Journal for the Anthropological Study of Human Movement (JASHM) [Special Issue on Reflexivity.] 8(1): 43-64, 1994.
Williams, D. Social Anthropology and [the] Dance. B. Litt. Thesis. Oxford University UK, 1972.
——— The Role of Movement in Selected Symbolic Systems. D. Phil. Thesis. Oxford University, UK, 1975.
——— “The Human Action Sign and Semasiology,” CORD Dance Research Annual 10: 39-64, 1979.
——— “ ‘Semasiology:’ A Semantic Anthropologist’s View of Human Movements and Actions.” In D. Parkin (Ed.) Semantic Anthropology ASA 22, London: Academic Press 1982, 161-82.
——— Ten Lectures on Theories of the Dance. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1991.
——— “Self-Reflexivity: A Critical Overview,” Journal for the Anthropological Study of Human Movement (JASHM) [Special Issue on Reflexivity.] 8(1): 1-10, 1994.
——— Social Anthropology and the Dance: Ten Lectures. (2nd Edition) Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2004.
——— Teaching Dancing with Ideokinetic Principles. Urbana, Chicago and Springfield: University of Illinois Press, 2011.
Additional References
Bonpensiere, L. New Pathways to Piano Technique: A Study of the Relations Between Mind and Body with Special Reference to Piano Playing. New York: Philosophical Library, 1953.
Chatfield, S.J., and S. Barr. “Towards a Testable Hypothesis of Training Principles for the Neuromuscular Facilitation of Human Movement,” Dance Research Journal 26(1): 8-14, Spring 1994.
Davis, B. Releasing Into Process: Joan Skinner and the Use of Imagery in Dance Education. Unpublished Master of Arts Thesis. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1974.
* Fairweather, M. and Sidaway, B. “Ideokinetic Imagery as a Postural Development Technique,” Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 66(4): 385-392, 1993.
* Feist, B. “How to make alignment meaningful for individuals by the use of ideokinetic imagery and flexibility,” Proceedings of an international seminar on posture and physical activity (pp. 70-77) Jerusalem, Israel: Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sport, 1982.
Franklin, E. Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. 1996.
——— Dynamic Alignment through Imagery. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. 1996.
——— Relax Your Neck – Liberate your Shoulders. Hightstown, NJ: Princeton Book Co. 2002.
Friedman-Stuelpner, Robin. Ideokinesis: The Efficacy of Imagery to Improve Flexibility and Movement; Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Gallatin School of New York University, 1995.
Fulkerson, M. The Language of the Axis. Dartington, UK: Theatre Papers, 1975.
——— “Release Work, History from the View of Mary Fulkerson,” Movement Research Performance Journal 16: 4-5, Winter/Spring 1999.
——— Release: From Body to Spirit, Seven Zones of Comprehension Coming From the Practice of Dance. E-book. Hampshire, UK: Dance Books Ltd. 2004.
* George, D. “Conceit of the Natural Body: The Universal Individual in Somatic Dance Training,” UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations Permalink Https://scholarship.org/uc/item/228d6h4. Publication date 2014-01-01.
Hanrahan, C. and J. Salmela. “Mental Imagery as a Facilitator in Dance Movement Skills.” In L.E. Unestahl (Ed.), Contemporary Sport Psychology: Proceedings from the VI World Congress in Sport Psychology. Örebro, Sweden: VEJE Publishing, Inc. 1986, 131-141.
——— “Dance Images: Do they really Work or Are We Just Imagining Things?” Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 61(2): 18-21, Feb. 1990.
Hanrahan, C. “In Search of a Good Dance Image,” Impulse 2(2): 131-144, 1994.
——— “Creating Dance Images: Basic Principles for Teachers,” Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 66(1): 33-39, Jan. 1995.
——— “Performance Psychology for Dancers: Overview and Future Trends.” In Overby, L.Y. and J.H. Humphrey (Eds.) Dance: Current Selected Research Vol. 4. New York: AMS Press, Inc. 2000, 1-20.
Huelster, L. The Relationship between Bilateral Contour Asymmetry in the Human Body in Standing and Walking. Unpublished Ph.D. Theses. New York University, School of Education, 1949.
——— “The Relationship Between Bilateral Contour Assymetry in the Human Body in Standing and Walking,” Research Quarterly American Association of Health and Physical Education. 24:44-55, March, 1953.
* Kleinman, S. “The Experience of Posture,” Proceedings of an international seminar on posture and physical activity (pp. 78-85) Jerusalem, Israel: Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sport, 1982.
Krasnow, D. “C-I Training: The Merger of Conditioning and Imagery as an Alternative Training Methodology,” Medical Problems of Performing Artists 12(1): 3-8, Mar. 1997.
Krasnow, D., S.J. Chatfield, S. Barr, J.L. Jensen, and J.S. Dufek. “Imagery and Conditioning Practices for Dancers,” Dance Research Journal 25(1): 43-64, Spring 1997.
Krasnow, D. and Deveau, J. Conditioning with Imagery for Dancers. Ontario, Canada: Thomson Educational Publishing, 2011.
Meglin, J.A. “Ideokinesis as it Applies to Injury Prevention.” In C.G. Shell (Ed.), The Dancer as Athlete: The 1984 Olympic Scientific Congress Proceedings Vol. 8. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc. 1986, 173-181.
Minton, S.C. “Assessment of the Use of Imagery in the Dance Classroom,” Impulse 4(4): 276-292, Oct. 1996.
——— “Enhancement of Alignment through Imagery,” Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 61(2): 28-29, Feb. 1990.
——— “Exploring the Body/Mind Connection with Imagery,” Kinesiology and Medicine for Dance 14(1): 29-32, Fall/Winter 1991-92.
Oestrich, H.G. The Identification of Principles Related to the Education and Training of the Individual for More Efficient Neuromuscular Function. Unpublished Ed.D. Thesis. New York University, 1956.
Overby, L.Y. “The Use of Imagery by Dance Teachers – Development and Implementation of Two Research Instruments,” Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 61 (2): 24-27, Feb 1990.
* Paludan, M. “Remembering…Forgetting,” Contact Quarterly 3(1): 10, Fall 1977.
Skinner, J. and B. Davis, R. Davidson, K. Wheeler, S. Metcalf. “Skinner Releasing Technique,” in the Skinner Releasing Technique Website. http://www.skinnerreleasing.com
Smith, K.L. “Dance and Imagery: The Link Between Movement and Imagination,” Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 61(2):17, Feb 1990.
Soto, G. H. Ideokinesis: BodyMind Integrity and Integration. Self-published. San Anselmo, CA. Contact: G. Hoffman Soto, 11B San Anselmo, CA 94960 or send e-mail to: Sotomotion@sbcglobal.net.
Studd, K. Ideokinesis, Mental rehearsal and relaxation applied to dance technique. Unpublished master’s thesis. University of Oregon, Eugene, 1983.
Udow, N.W. The Use of Imagery for a Receptive Process of Dance Technique. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1976.
Vaccaro, K. C. “Teaching Strategies – The Application of Found Images in Dance and Sport,” Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 68(1): 45-49, January 1997.
* Entries marked with red asterisk are spring 2018 additions.