Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery, Second Edition, expands on the classic text and reference written by Eric Franklin, an internationally renowned teacher, dancer, and choreographer who has been sharing his imagery techniques for 25 years. In this new edition, Franklin shows you how to use imagery, touch, and movement exercises to improve your coordination and alignment. These exercises will also help you relieve tension, enhance the health of your spine and back, and prevent back injury. This expanded new edition includes • more than 600 imagery exercises along with nearly 500 illustrations to help you visualize the exercises and use them in various contexts; • audio files for dynamic imagery exercises set to music and posted online to the book's product page; and • updated chapters throughout the book, including new material on integrated dynamic alignment exercises and dynamic alignment and imagery. This book will help you discover your natural flexibility and quickly increase your power to move. You'll learn elements of body design. You'll explore how to use imagery to improve your confidence, and you'll discover imagery conditioning programs that will lead you toward better alignment, safer movement, increased fitness, and greater joy. Further, you'll examine how to apply this understanding to your discipline or training to improve your performance. Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery, Second Edition, will help you experience the biomechanical and anatomical principles that are crucial to dancers, other performing artists, yoga and Pilates teachers and practitioners, and athletes. The techniques and exercises presented in the book will guide you in improving your posture—and they will positively affect your thoughts and attitude about yourself and others and help you feel and move better both mentally and physically.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Posture and Dynamic Alignment Chapter 1: Roots of Imagery for Alignment In Search of Ideal Posture Somatic Disciplines Summary Chapter 2: Postural Models and Dynamic Alignment What Your Posture Reveals Postural Habits Rich Sources for Dynamic Alignment Summary Chapter 3: Foundations of Mental Imagery Brain as the Basis for Imagery Brain and Consciousness Nervous System Neuroplasticity and Imagery Developing Mind: The Role of Imagery Summary Chapter 4: Change Through Imagery Four Steps for Change Body Image as Basic Feedback Developmental Patterns and Mental Imagery Wrong Habits That Feel Right Retaining Your Progress Motivation and Change Summary Chapter 5: Benefits and Types of Imagery Benefits: What Imagery Can Do for You Types of Imagery Styles of Imagery Delivery Self-Talk: The Internal Monologue Summary Chapter 6: General Guidelines Before Using Imagery Factors That Influence Successful Imagery Guidelines for Using Imagery Training Your Ability to Use Imagery Concentration and Attention Stages of Learning Positions for Anatomical Imagery Work Using Imagery When in Motion Image Narrative, Image Bundles, and Relational Imagery Summary Part II: Biomechanical and Anatomical Principles and Exercises Chapter 7: Finding Your Center and Befriending Gravity Planes for Direction and Location Central Axis Body Geography Joint Movements Force Matter and Mass Summary Chapter 8: Laws of Motion and Force Systems Newton's Laws of Motion Force Systems Lever Systems Energy Conservation Ability of Materials to Resist Force Dynamic Stability Summary Chapter 9: Joint and Muscle Function Joint Types Bones Connective Tissue and Fascia Muscles Summary Part III: Exercises for Anatomical Imagery Chapter 10: Pelvis, Hip Joint, and Company Pelvic Arches Balancing the Pelvis Motion of the Pelvic Halves Counterrotation and Three-Dimensional Alignment Pelvic Powerhouse Hip Joint and Femur Iliopsoas and Piriformis Summary Chapter 11: Knee, Lower Leg, and Foot Knee Tibia, Fibula, and Ankle Foot Summary Chapter 12: Spine and Body Wall Functioning Spine Pelvis Vertebrae Facet Joints Discs, Spine, and Psychology of Pain Spinal Ligaments Musculature of the Abdomen and Back Abdominal Wall and Fascia Abdominal Muscles and the Concept of Core Stability Summary Chapter 13: Shoulders, Arms, and Hands Suspension of the Shoulder Girdle Glenohumeral Joint Scapulohumeral Rhythm Elbow Wrist and Hand Summary Chapter 14: Head and Neck Atlas and Axis Skull Suboccipitals Mandible Hyoid and Tongue Eyes Nose and Mouth Summary Chapter 15: Rib Cage, Breath, and Organs Rib Cage Breath Support for Abdominal Organs Skin as an Organ Summary Part IV: Returning to Holistic Alignment Chapter 16: Definitions of Dynamic Alignment Plumb Line Median Alignment Defining Ideal Alignment Dynamic Versus Static Alignment Dynamic and Static Stability Pulling Up and Ideal Alignment Summary Chapter 17: Integrating Dynamic Alignment Exercises Alignment in Supine Positions Alignment in Sitting Positions Standing and Walking Alignment Releasing Excess Tension Continuing Imagery Exercises