The ASO Newsletter - 30th Edition

Helping you stay connected to research on the Alexander Technique

Introduction

Last month, we shared three fascinating research papers by Rajal Cohen, M.AmSAT, Ph.D., and colleagues on the effects of postural instructions on people living with Parkinson’s and healthy older and younger adults.

This month, we are excited to share a two-part conversation with Rajal, where she discusses the background of the research, the methods used, and potential future work.

In the second video, Rajal introduces a new project, Posture Underground, and provides valuable insights into the interpretation and possible misinterpretation of the term posture.

Lighten Up! A Conversation with Rajal Cohen

Posture Underground: In Conversation Part II

To learn more about Posture Underground click here!

About

Rajal G. Cohen, Ph.D., M.AmSAT, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology & Communication Studies at the University of Idaho, affiliate faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences, and a member of the graduate faculty in the Human Factors graduate program. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles and chapters on the role of cognitive factors in human movement and posture, which have collectively been cited over 1000 times in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Dr. Cohen’s research is dedicated to exploring the interconnectedness of thought, action, and posture. She trains M.S. and Ph.D. students in the Mind in Movement Lab. Dr. Cohen completed her Alexander Technique training in 1997 at the Virginia School for Alexander Technique with Daria Okugawa. Learn more about Dr. Cohen here.

References

Cohen, R. G., & Hocketstaller, J. (2023). Postural instructions affect postural sway in young adults. Gait & Posture, 100, 193-195.

Cohen, R. G., Baer, J. L., Ravichandra, R., Kral, D., McGowan, C., & Cacciatore, T. W. (2020). Lighten up! Postural instructions affect static and dynamic balance in healthy older adults. Innovation in aging, 4(2), igz056.

Cohen, R. G., Gurfinkel, V. S., Kwak, E., Warden, A. C., & Horak, F. B. (2015). Lighten up: specific postural instructions affect axial rigidity and step initiation in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Neurorehabilitation and neural repair, 29(9), 878-888.

Thank You

Thank you for being here and supporting research on the Alexander Technique and its teaching. Special thanks to Rajal Cohen for her generous contribution to this post. To all community members who have contributed so far, thank you! Your work is appreciated and making a difference.

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