Pilates and Alexander

Joseph Hubertus Pilates and the Pilates Method

Frederick Matthias Alexander and the Alexander Technique

The Men, Their Discoveries, and Their Legacies

Anyone familiar with the original writings of Joseph Pilates* and F. Matthias Alexander* will be struck by the parallels between their analyses of why the physical functioning of most adults has become compromised. Both men began their investigations as a result of serious personal challenges. Both men were in part inspired by their keen observations of the way animals moved. Both placed a tremendous emphasis on movement quality and both were aware of the close link between mind and body. Both developed specific systems designed to help others improve their physical functioning. Both men lived into their mid-eighties and were actively teaching their methods until shortly before their deaths.

The parallels go on and on. Of course there are some significant differences. Perhaps the most important is this: Pilates developed a series of very specific exercises designed to correct posture and movement limitations while Alexander emphasized learning how to change one's thinking in order to re-direct posture and movement patterns.

It is the purpose of this site to bring together information about these two great pioneers, their discoveries and their methods of instruction. I strongly believe this can lead to a better understanding of both men's' contributions in the field of human movement and to ways in which their discoveries and methods can be used to complement one another.

My name is Robert Rickover and I have been a teacher of the Alexander Technique for over twenty-five years. More recently I have had studied the Pilates Method and that study has inspired me to create this site. If you have had experience with these two methods, I urge you to consider contributing to this site. Articles, link suggestions and any other help you can think of are most welcome. You can reach me from this Contact Page This site is a service of Alexander Technique Nebraska and Toronto, and Life Bridge Coaching

Below you will find links to articles about Pilates and Alexander. More are coming soon.

Alexander Technique and the Pilates Method of Movement Re-education: A Biomechanical Perspective by John Macy, PT

Teaching a Pilates Mat Class with the Alexander Technique by Diane Young (originally published in the AmSAT News)

A series of nine articles by Robert Rickover:

Pilates and Me . Pilates, Alexander, Animals and Fitness . Pilates, Alexander and the Usefulness of Exercises . Pilates, Alexander and the Health of the Human Race - Part 1 . Pilates, Alexander and the Health of the Human Race - Part 2 . The Differences in Pilates’ and Alexander’s Approaches to Self- Improvement - Part I . The Differences in Pilates’ and Alexander’s Approaches to Self- Improvement - Part II . The Strengths and Weaknesses of Pilates’ and Alexander’s Approach to Self-Improvement . The Alexander Technique and the Pilates Method Today

The Alexander Technique and Pilates Exercises – The Similarities and the Differences by Fran Robinson

Beyond the Ab Crunch - Pilates and the Alexander Technique- by Jane Staggs

MP3 interview with Jane Staggs: Listen. Download

Why the Alexander Technique? by Carrie Wood

Alexander Technique and the Pilates Method of Movement Re-education: Scoliosis and Healing by Wallis M. Mason, Certified Pilates Mat & Reformer Instructor

*Return to Life Through Contrology and Your Health: A corrective System of Exercises That Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education by Joseph H. Pilates, Man's Supreme Inheritance, Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual, The Use of the Self and The Universal Constant in Living by F. Matthias Alexander. Alexander's books, and many other books and videos about the Alexander Technique can be ordered from The Alexander Technique Bookstore(USA and Canada) in Association with AMAZON.COM and AMAZON.CA, and from The Alexander Technique Bookshop(UK) in Association with AMAZON.CO.UK

Pilates' books can be ordered from AMAZON.COM, AMAZON.CA AND AMAZON.CO.UK using the links below:

A Pilates Primer: The Millenium Edition by Joseph H. Pilates, Judd Robbins and William Miller/Paperback/Published 2000. This book contains both of Pilates' books (listed individually below). Explains Pilates' principles and theories about health and fitness as well as the details of the exercises, poses and instructions developed by Joseph and Clara Pilates. Click here for Price and Availability Information(USA) Click here for Price and Availability Information(Canada) Click here for Price and Availability information(UK)
	Your Health: A Corrective System of Exercises That Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education by Joseph H. Pilates and Judd Robbins/Paperback/Published 1998. First published in 1934, this book explains the principles and theories about health and fitness developed by Pilates. Click here for Price and Availability Information(USA) Click here for Price and Availability Information(Canada) Click here for Price and Availability information(UK)
Return to Life Through Contrology by Joseph H. Pilates and William Miller/Paperback/Published 1998. First published in 1945, this book provides details of the exercises, poses and instructions developed by Joseph and Clara Pilates. Click here for Price and Availability Information(USA) Click here for Price and Availability Information(Canada) Click here for Price and Availability information(UK)
The Mind Body Workout - With Pilates and the Alexander Technique by Lynne Robinson and Helge Fisher explores some of the connections between Pilates' and Alexander's ideas. You can order this book using the link below from Amazon.co.uk
	The Mind Body Workout - With Pilates and The Alexander Technique by Lynne Robinson and Helge Fisher/Paperback/Published 1998. A series of gentle stretch exercises based on the Pilates Method and the Alexander Technique. Click here for Price and Availability Information from Amazon.co.uk

The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique provides comprehensive information about all aspects of the Technique. I am not aware of a comparable Pilates site, but a Google search for "Pilates" will point to the sites of a great many Pilates instructors, studios and organizations.

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This site is a service of Robert and Anne Rickover. Robert Rickover is a teacher of the Alexander Technique in Lincoln, Nebraska. He also teaches regularly in Toronto, Canada. Robert is on the faculty of the annual Nebraska Wesleyan University High School Solo Singer Workshop and Alexander Technique Workshops of Omaha. He is the Director of Alexander Technique Workshops - Bring a Workshop to Your Area and Movement Coaching by Phone and is the author of Fitness Without Stress - A Guide to the Alexander Technique. Click here to arrange a lesson or workshop with Robert *** Life Bridge Coaching with Anne Rickover Are you at a place of transition in your personal or professional life? Would you like to feel a stronger spark of enthusiasm for what you do? Would you like someone to help clarify where you want to go and how to get there? Anne Rickover is a Life Coach who will work one-on-one with you to form strategies built on your personal strengths to bridge the gap from where you are to where you want to be. Using phone and email, Anne can serve as your Life Coach no matter where you are located. Click here to set up a Free Introductory Session with Anne and visit her Website