Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery

by Eric Franklin

Destined to become a classic text and reference, Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery shows you how to use imaging techniques to improve posture and alignment and release excess tension. The book's 195 illustrations will help you visualize the images and exercises and show you how to use them in a variety of contexts.

Part I of Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery discusses the origins and uses of imagery and includes 36 exercises that demonstrate dynamic alignment in practice. You'll explore the importance of posture and dynamic alignment and discover how to use imagery to affect body movement.

Part II explains the biomechanical and anatomical principles behind complex imagery and illustrates 52 exercises to bring these principles to life. You'll learn how to use basic physics to create a strong yet fluid balance in your muscles and joints.

Part III provides 250 anatomical imagery exercises to help you fine-tune alignments and increase body awareness. The exercises focus on different regions of the body--the pelvis, hips, knees, lower legs, spine, shoulders, arms, hands, head, and neck--as well as on breathing. You can select specific images to address individual needs or follow the sequence presented in the book.

And Part IV provides 23 holistic exercises to sculpt and improve alignment in various positions--standing, supine, and sitting. These exercises will help you establish a body image that facilitates dynamic alignment and releases excess tension.

By practicing the techniques described in Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery, you'll tap into the power of imagery and create better movement.

Genres: Fitness, Bodies, Health, School, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 17, 1996

About the author

Eric Franklin is the founder and director of the Franklin Method. He created the Method over 25 years ago, first teaching in Switzerland, Germany and Austria and further in the USA, China, Japan and many other countries. He earned his BS from the University of Zurich and his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Eric teaches at universities and schools throughout the world including the Juilliard School in New York, Rutgers University, the University of Vienna, the Royal Ballet School and the Laban Center in London. He has taught Beyonce’s & Celine Dion’s world tour dance companies. In 1998 he introduced the first dance conditioning methodology to mainland China.

Eric presents his work at numerous conferences, such as the World Congress for Lower Back and Pelvic Pain, the Pilates Method Alliance and the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. Eric Franklin is author 21 books, including of Dynamic Alignment through Imagery (2012), Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance (2013), Relax your Neck – Liberate your Shoulders (2002), Pelvic Power (2003), Inner Focus, Outer Strength (2006) and Beautiful Body, Beautiful Mind (2009). Eric Franklin’s books have been translated into German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, French, Czech, Chinese and Korean.

Reviews

[Vitali · Rating 5 out of 5]

The name of the author is Eric Franklin (not sure how to send this feedback to the 'librarians'.

Yes it is a great book, and not just for dancers, but everyone who wants to improve their alignment or movement patters. Eric has studied Body-Mind Centering and his books are a wonderful exhample how BMC can be transmited to a larger public. He uses wonderful illustrations that are hard to forget. It is a powerful book.

[Tishia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very informative. It is a creative way to work with the body, using imagery to affect movement. Franklin is a highly trained movement professional, and his book is very useful for dancers or any person wanting to improve their quality of movement.

[Cassie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. I truly admire Franklin's ability to explain complex sciences like physics & anatomy in a way that is simple and applicable. His imagery work completely redefined the power of the MindBody connection for me, and was the first time I even remotely understood simple physics. Can't wait to finish the sections on the shoulders and breathing. This is a great study for movement instructors or enthusiasts who want to gain a greater understanding of what their body is and how it works.

[Henedchoueiry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to stay focused in reading it but very rich in information. I have gotten it 5 years ago but never read it from cover to cover. A workshop would probably be very useful in order to read through the book a bit quicker

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful resource for dancers of all kinds. Comprehensive without being confusing. Great illustrations and incredibly useful exercizes to make the most of your body's potential for movement.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me to think about the way bodies move in a different light. The imagery is very helpful in my instruction of Pilates and Gyrotonic.