F. Matthias Alexander: The Man and His Work (Memoirs of Training in the Alexander Technique 1931-34)

Lulie Westfeldt was the only teacher from F. M. Alexander's first teacher training course - in 1931-34 - to write extensively about her experiences both as a student and as a teacher of the Technique. As well as providing an authentic and critical account of Alexander's teaching Lulie Westfeldt explains the fundamental principles of the Alexander Technique. As a child Lulie Westfeldt suffered from polio and she underwent several operations but these failed to help her. In her book she relates the remarkable beneficial effects which the Technique had on her physical and mental health and well-being. The many case histories from her teaching illustrate the Technique's wide field of application. List of illustrations Author's note and acknowledgements Author's preface John Dewey on F. M. Alexander Part One: Training with F. M. Alexander 1931-1934 1. My introduction to Alexander's work 2. My first series of lessons 3. Early days of the training course 4. Gradual change in my outlook on Alexander 5. Our progress in learning-some of the changes the work brought about in pupils 6. Alexander and opportunities 7. The Merchant of Venice 8. Learning to be teachers 9. A personal experience 10. Postscript to the teacher's training course 11. My teaching experience in New York City Part Two: Alexander's discoveries 12. Alexander's discovery of the HN & B pattern 13. Detailed discussion of the head, neck and back relationship 14. Other discoveries of Alexander's 15. Alexander's technique of inhibition< 16. Summary and evaluation Part Three: Appendixes A. Clarification of terms 1) and 2) B. Comments of John Dewey, Sir Charles Sherrington and G. E. Coghill on Alexander's search and discovery C. Review by Marjory Barlow of Lulie Westfeldt's 'F. Matthias Alexander' D. Two letters on Hamlet E. Newspaper reviews of Hamlet Index