Several years ago, an unusual group of people gathered together for a unique purpose: to create two pioneer videos about the work of F. M. Alexander. Our mission was to help bring this remarkable work into the public domain, to educate people about the work and to help people to begin to use it for themselves. Almost all of us — an actor, videographers, designers, musicians and crew — were students of the Technique and our focus was intense. Our first video, FIRST LESSON, with actor William Hurt and me tells you who Alexander was and explains what the Technique is, how it works, why it works and how you can use it to create postural change and an organic/anatomical way of using your body. Good use of course, vitally affects how you function. For example, whether you are in front of the camera or holding the camera, you need to work with ease and without the aches and pains of excess tension. Our second video, introduced by Mr. Hurt, is SOLUTIONS FOR BACK TROUBLE with Deborah Caplan. Ms. Caplan was a master teacher and a physical therapist who spent over 30 years working with people from all walks of life who suffered with back pain. She is joined in this video by a singer, a photographer, a lawyer, a grandmother, a dancer and a teacher. She gives us the benefit of her enormous wisdom and specific instruction in how to use the Alexander Technique if you suffer from back trouble. Both videos have been reissued with additional materials and in DVD form by THE BALANCE OF WELL-BEING. They are sold on this web site and at amazon.com. For more information, go to Products. Our latest video is for another special interest group — dancers. Artists from our first shoot gathered together once again to create FOR DANCERS, THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE. In this 2-disc package, the Alexander principles are taught through the art of dance. Dancers are shown how to use Alexander to improve their technical facility and dance with greater freedom and daring. I am joined by dancers from the dance division of The Juilliard School, along with professionals, Brock Labrenz, Heidi Stoeckley and Gelan Lampert, Jr. and Alexander colleague, Anne-René Petrarca. Clearly I am enthusiastic. For the last 20 years I have been watching young dancers make incredible changes using this work. I am so grateful that we finally a DVD that can make the work available to all dancers, not just a few. I am happy to announce that FOR DANCERS is now available at this web site. Enjoy it! Jane Kosminsky b. Jersey City, New Jersey. Dance Award Winner, School of Performing Arts, 1960. B.A. language and literature, CCNY. Graduate, The American Center for the Alexander Technique. Has performed with the May O'Donnell, Tamiris-Nagrin and Norman Walker Dance companies. Soloist, Norman Walker Company, 1960-65. Soloist, Paul Taylor Dance Company, 1965-71; has toured extensively in U.S., Europe and Asia. Co-artistic director (with Bruce Becker) and principal dancer of 5 by 2 Plus, a modern dance repertory company, 1971-82. Restaged Paul Taylor's Aureole for productions of Nureyev and Friends and appeared as Mr. Nureyev's partner, Paris, 1974; London, 1976; Madrid,1978. Has choreographed plays for The Juilliard School, Off-Broadway, and Theater Row. Director of Dance, 92nd Street Y, 1986-1988. Faculty, The Neighborhood Playhouse, since 1988. Faculty, The American Center for the Alexander Technique Teacher Training Program, since 1986. The Juilliard School drama faculty, 1971-86. Dance faculty since 1986 teaching Alexander Technique for dancers. Member of the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT). In private practice in NYC. Has produced two pioneer videotapes for the general public about the Alexander Technique: First Lesson, An introduction to the Alexander Technique with William Hurt and Jane Kosminsky and Solutions for Back Trouble, A lesson with Deborah Caplan master teacher and physical therapist. Both were released in March 2000. Latest DVD — For Dancers, The Alexander Technique was released in the spring of 2005. Anne-Réne Petrarca graduate, The American Center for the Alexander Technique. Has been assisting Jane Kosminsky at The Juilliard School since 2001. Faculty, Dance Space Center in NYC; has taught at New York University Tisch School of the Arts, the Mark Morris Dance center and at Hunter College. Member of the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT). In private practice in NYC, she works primarily with dancers and choreographers. Her journey — to explore ways to incorporate the Alexander principles in her dance technique classes, choreography and performance. Recently, she has completed her MFA in dance at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. This site and all content Copyright 2005-2006 THE BALANCE OF WELL-BEING Site Design: Canfield Design Studios, Inc.