The Feldenkrais method in creative practice : dance, music and theatre / Robert Sholl.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Bringing together scholars and researchers in one volume, this study investigates how the thinking of the Ukrainian-Israeli somatic educationalist Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-84) can benefit and reflect upon the creative practices of dance, music and theatre. Since its inception, the Feldenkrais Method has been associated with artistic practice, growing contiguously with performance, cognitive and embodied practices in dance, music, and theatre studies. It promotes awareness of fine motor action for improved levels of action and skill, as well as healing for those who are injured. For creative artists, the Feldenkrais Method enables them to refine and improve their work. This book offers historical, scientific and practical perspectives that develop thinking at the heart of the Method and is divided into three sections: Historical Perspectives on Creative Practice , From Science into Creative Practice and Studies in Creative Practice . All the essays provide insights into self-improvement, training, avoiding injury, history and philosophy of artistic practice, links between scientific and artistic thinking and practical thinking, as well as offering some exercises for students and artistic practitioners looking to improve their understanding of their practice. Ultimately, this book offers a rich development of the legacy and the ongoing relevance of the Feldenkrais Method. We are shown how it is not just a way of thinking about somatic health, embodiment and awareness, but a vital enactivist epistemology for contemporary artistic thought and practice."-- Provided by publisher.

Foreword / Garet Newell -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction / Robert Sholl -- PART I. Historical Perspectives on Creative Practice. 1. Dancing the Soma-Ecstatic: Feldenkrais and the Modernist Body / Thomas Kampe -- 2. Feldenkrais, Freud, Lacan and Gould: How to Love Thyself for Thy Neighbour / Robert Sholl -- 3. Learning through Feeling: How the Ideas of Nikolai Bernstein and Moshe Feldenkrais Apply to Performer Training / Dick McCaw -- PART II. From Science into Creative Practice. 4. The Work of Dr Moshe Feldenkrais: A New Applied Kinesiology and a Radical Questioning of Training and Technique / Maxine Sheets-Johnstone

5. Radical Practice: Practising Performance and Practising Oneself Is the Same Activity / Roger Russell -- 6. The Feldenkrais Method for Musicians: Addressing the Need for Objective Measurements / Jillian Beacon, Gilles Comeau and Donald Russell -- 7. Gaining Insight on the Impact of Feldenkrais Functional Integration in the Context of Piano Playing: Considerations for Measuring Posture and Movement Quality / Jillian Beacon, Gilles Comeau and Donald Russell -- Part I. The Feldenkrais Method and Pianists: A Pilot Study of Objective Measurement of Posture and Movement -- Part II. Discussion and Recommendations for Future Research

PART III. Studies in Creative Practice. 8. Mapping Body Awareness onto Piano Performance for Artistic Rejuvenation / Alan Fraser -- 9. Building a Model for Injury Prevention in Music Pedagogy Rooted in Feldenkrais's Philosophy and Methodology for Learning / Lisa M. Burrell -- 10. A Sense of Safety: Polyvagal Theory, the Feldenkrais Method and the Acting Process / Victoria Worsley -- 11. Curing the Acting Habit: The Feldenkrais Method, Actors, Compulsion and the Performing Arts Industry / Mark Lacey -- 12. Tuning the Body: Acting, Dancing and Singing from Rehearsal to Performance / Marcia Carr -- 13. Food for No-Thought ... Meandering between a Personal Somatic Practice and Feldenkrais Teaching / Sylvie Fortin.

Description based upon print version of record.

OCLC control number change