Potential Mechanisms of the Alexander Technique: Toward a Comprehensive Neurophysiological Model
A newsletter to help you stay connected to Alexander Technique related research.
The ASO Newsletter - 7th Edition
Thank you for being here and for your interest in research on the Alexander Technique and its teaching.
In this edition of the ASO blog series we hear from Tim Cacciatore PhD MSTAT and Rajal Cohen PhD M.AmSAT, two of the three authors of a recent paper published in the Kinesiology Review Journal. The paper, “Potential Mechanisms of the Alexander Technique: Toward a Comprehensive Neurophysiological Model” is an intriguing first step to help answer the question of why the Alexander Technique seems to have such wide-ranging benefits.
Researcher Interview Series -
Potential Mechanisms of the Alexander Technique: Toward a Comprehensive Neurophysiological Model
In this blog post, Erica Donnison of the ASO team invites Tim and Rajal to discuss the paper and how their new model fits within the existing knowledge of how the Alexander Technique works. Tim and Rajal (along with Patrick Johnson and Andrew McCann) are behind the Alexander Technique Science website which is where you will find the paper under discussion in this interview.
Tim Cacciatore, Ph.D., M.STAT, became interested in the Alexander Technique while pursuing a PhD in neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego. He went on to a postdoc at Oregon Heath & Science University where he helped develop a method to measure postural muscle tone with Dr. Victor Gurfinkel and performed several research studies on the Alexander Technique. He later moved to London to train as an Alexander Technique teacher and continued his research with Dr. Brian Day at University College London. Tim has published studies on postural tone, movement control, and the Alexander Technique in peer-reviewed journals. Learn more about Dr. Cacciatore here.
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.
Erica Donnison BSc., MSc., MSTAT, set up the STAT Research Group (SRG) during her time on the STAT Council and served as the group's Chair for several years. During this time, the idea for what is now Alexander Studies Online (ASO) was born. Erica graduated from the Cumbria Alexander Training School at Fellside in 2004, and has been teaching individuals and groups in Kendal and elsewhere since then. Her previous career as an Ecologist inspires her teaching with a love of natural movement and a fascination with how everything is inter-connected.
Additional Information
To read the article and paper discussed in this talk use the links below:
The summary of the paper by Andrew McCann can be found here https://www.alexandertechniquescience.com/general/overview/the-beginning-of-understanding-a-new-scientific-model-of-the-alexander-technique/
Access to the full paper can be found here https://www.alexandertechniquescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Cacciatore2020ATmodelKinesiologyReview.pdf
Member Contributions and Thanks
As always, we welcome your comments, suggestions and questions. Please use the Comment box below or email us at alexander.studies.online@gmail.com with any information, feedback, or questions. We will do our best to respond to you as soon as possible.
A special thanks to all ASO community members who have contributed to the ASO community. We are working hard to integrate all your thoughtful input and materials. Your comments, written contributions, reference updates for the Zotero library, and words of support are appreciated and inspiring. Thank-you!
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To keep the conversation going: reach out to us online, or email Erica and the ASO team at alexander.studies.online@gmail.com