Science of Human Functioning
- Special Lectures
⇒Amy Likar ⇒Gitte D. Fjordbo ⇒Rachel Zahn ⇒Michael Gleeson
We will have 4 special lectures on the Science of Human Functioning with 4 of our renown colleagues who have been chosen for their clarity and deep knowledge of how humans stand and move. They are Gitte Fjordbo, Mike Gleeson, Rachel Zahn and Amy Likar.
These lectures will happen in the Main Congress Hall from 17:15 to 18:15 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Amy Likar — Body Mapping and the Alexander Technique
Monday 8 August, from 17:15 to 18:15 in Main Congress Hall
Body Mapping and the practical application of anatomy to functional movement has brought many people to the study of Alexander Technique. This lecture will present practical information about weight delivery and balance and how inquiry into structure, function and size can aid and assist us as teachers of the Alexander Technique when working with students.
Download:
⇒Entire Presentation (Powerpoint PPTX 10.52 MB)
⇒Workshop Slides: The Arm Structure (Powerpoint PPT 9.44 MB)
Gitte D. Fjordbo —
When conscious control is NOT an option.. & the "right thing" does NOT do itself.
Tuesday 9 August, from 17:15 to 18:15 in Main Congress Hall
How does a compromised nervous-system influence the development of our habitual patterns of use of ourselves. How will it impact our possibility of learning the Alexander technique and vice versa: How will the Alexander technique impact our compromised nervous-system?!
Gitte will also be giving an afternoon workshop to further explore, and experience through practical work, the contents of the above lecture.
There will be time for questions and comments coming out of the Lecture.
That workshop is titled “Essential Presence in Touch(TM) – allowing a Space of De-rotation”.
⇒Click here to see details
Gitte D. Fjordbo's interdisciplinary background and training is traditional as well as complimentary. She began her personal and professional journey in the field of Rehabilitation at the age of 18 following a serious car accident. She received her MA degree from the University of Copenhagen (1982-94) with a double major in Audiologopedics and the Alexander Technique, the first of its kind in the world. She wrote two theses for this: "On the Development of Habit – from the viewpoint of the Alexander Technique and early neuromotor patterns of development" and "Why w e have to Crawl... - On Human Development; motor and communicative skills – aberrations and inter-connections". She was certified as a teacher of the Technique from the Constructive Teaching Centre, London, in 1992. She has worked in the field of Transpersonal Psychology since 1989, extensively with transpersonal psychologist, Ruth White, with whom she is currently writing a book. The field of Energy Medicine has been an interest and a part of her work for many years. Gitte is a trained and well-practised Neuro-developmental Therapist (ad modum INPP, Chester, the U.K.) and a practitioner of Johansen Individualized Auditory Stimulation (JIAS). She is certified as a Philosophical Counsellor from the Philosophical Counselling Institute, B.C., Canada and a certified Practitioner of Somatic Experiencing (shock-trauma-therapy).
Gifted with many insights into the field of human potential, Gitte's work is expansive. In true transpersonal style hers is an approach of 'and-and-and...' – rather than 'and-or..'. She currently lives in Denmark with her lovely companion and playmate, the yellow Labrador, Molly.
Rachel Zahn - The Embodied Mind
Thursday 11 August, from 17:15 to 18:15 in Main Congress Hall
Rachel will present an innovative model for an experiment consisting of 5-10 AT teachers and a "hand-picked" group of 10 leading edge neuroscientists, philosophers of mind, psychologists, and robotic engineers who explore the "Embodied Mind".
This initial experiment has been sponsored and partially funded by the CREA Laboratory at Ecole Polytechnique (the 'MIT' of France) and is planned for a weekend in late Fall. The goal of this experiment is to introduce the group to the particularly subtle methods of training AT teachers, and to invite them to have the actual hands-on experience. The group will explore the principles underlying the definitions of AT teaching using their own theoretical, methodological, and experiential perspectives. Such an exchange will open the AT to a professional dialogue pivotal to supporting the AT's future in the world at large.
Download:
⇒Presentation Slides (PDF 2.37 MB)
Michael Gleeson — Postural Orientation
Friday 12 August, from 17:15 to 18:15 in Main Congress Hall
This presentation will look at the interaction of the inputs from the proprioceptive, vestibular, and visual systems in the development of upright postural orientation. It will also consider how the Alexander Technique can optimize our ability to maintain good orientation as we age. Michael Gleeson has a background in Physiotherapy and the Alexander Technique, and a special interest in the dynamics of postural orientation. He is currently doing a Research Degree through the School of Public Health at Sydney University looking at whether the Alexander Technique can improve balance and mobility in older adults with vision impairments.
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