Retraining Resources

• Alexander, F.M., abridged and edited by Daniel McGowan. Alexander Technique; Original Writings of F. M. Alexander. Burdett, NY: Larson Publications, 1997.
  This book contains selections from F. M. Alexander’s writings.

• Conable, Barbara. How to Learn the Alexander Technique. Portland, OR: Andover Press, 1995.
  This publication is a terrific and easy to read introduction to the Alexander Technique.

• Conable, Barbara. The Structure and Movement of Breathing. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2000.
  This is Barbara Conable’s excellent introduction to breathing which was written for choirs to keep in their folders. It is a concise and clear presentation of this very important and often misunderstood information.

• Conable, Barbara. What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body. Portland, OR: Andover Press, 2000.
  This is the original Body Mapping text which has inspired a series of discipline-specific versions soon to include “What Every Trombonist…”

• Delman, Russell. The Embodied Life. Audio cassettes or cds available through: http://www.russelldelman.com/
  In this set of recordings, Russell Delman leads the listener through a series of movements based on Feldenkrais lessons.

• Dispenza, Dr. Joe. Rewiring Your Brain to a New Reality. Audio CD available through: http://www.drjoedispenza.com/order_form.html
  Dr. Dispenza is a neurologist who is at the forefront of the study of neuroplasticity. This lecture outlines what our brains are capable of and presents some of the research supporting the idea that we can retrain ourselves.

• Feldenkrais, Moshe. Awareness Through Movement. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1977.
  This is Moshe Feldenkrais’ original book and presents his teachings in relearning how to use one’s body efficiently and without pain and injury.

• Frederikson, Brian, ed. John Taylor. Arnold Jacobs: Song and Wind. Windsong Press, 1996.
  This book presents many of Jacobs’ teachings in addition to information about his life and career. Also included is a good bit of anatomical information as it relates to brass playing.

• Gelb, Michael. Body Learning. New York, NY: Henry Holt and co., 1981.
  This is an entertaining and well written book about the Alexander Technique and its applications in everyday life and the workplace.

• Gilmore, Robin. What Every Dancer Needs to Know About the Body. Portland, OR: Andover Press, 2005.
  This book contains body mapping information relevant for all disciplines as well as some effective self-directed activities for developing global awareness.

• Hanna, Thomas. Somatics. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 1988.
  This book will help reawaken the mind’s control of movement, flexibility and health.

• Hanna, Thomas. The Body of Life. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1993.
  The subtitle to this book sums up its content: “Creating New Pathways for Sensory Awareness and Fluid Movement.”

• Jacobs, Arnold, compiled by Bruce Nelson. Also Sprach Arnold Jacobs. Buchloe, Germany: Polymnia Press, 2006.
  This publication is a compilation of the teachings of the great pedagogue and tubist Arnold Jacobs.

• Kapit, Wynn, Lawrence M. Elson. The Anatomy Coloring Book. New York, NY: Benjamin Cummings, 2002.
  This textbook is a tool for body mapping – color the pictures to learn how your body is constructed and how it moves.

• Mark, Thomas, Roberta Gary and Thom Miles. What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2003