Company Z Dance Trust - Artistic Director: Timothy Gordon, Alexander Technique

Timothy Gordon and Mercedes Villanueva

F. M. ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE.

The work of F. M. Alexander is recognized internationally as a "Revolution in thought and action" (J. Dewey). It is taught in such prestigious institutions as The Julliard School - New York, The Royal Academy of Music - London, Le conservatoire de Paris and privately to actors, dancers, singers and musicians. The Alexander Technique’s ability to enhance performance and prevent injury and stress are well known and documented.

"The most valuable knowledge we can possess is of the use and functioning of the self." (F. M. Alexander)

TIMOTHY GORDON, PROF. DIP. SVLAT— STAT

Has had a varied and international career in dance. He has been a dancer with The Australian Ballet Company, Nederlands Dans Theater and Ballet Frankfurt and has taught in some the worlds foremost Ballet companies including The Australian Ballet, The Stuttgart Ballet, Ballet Frankfurt, The Vienna Stadtsoper Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet, The Tokyo Ballet and for five years was a regular guest teacher for the Bejart Ballet - Lausanne, Switzerland. From 1987 - 1990, he was a senior tutor at the Australian Ballet School, Australia's foremost dance institution and has choreographed for both Ballet and Opera.

His interest in the work of F. M. Alexander has developed along side his work in dance. Having completed his Alexander training in Fribourg, Switzerland, Timothy has given workshops, private sessions and has written about the influence of the Alexander Technique on Dance and Ballet in particular.

"Every dancer must learn to work with their own unique creative potential, structure and ability. Not by forcing the structure and mind into submission but by allowing the creative act to unfold in a holistic and consciously directed manner. This reveals what the art of dance is all about—expressive unity."

VALERA KOLTSLOV (New Zealand)

"I always feel better after Alexander Technique. Each session I feel like we’re dipping the cloth in the dye, then it dries for a week or two and the colour fades, but with each dip it retains more and more colour. I’m like the cloth and the dye is natural posture! Positive changes in posture come hand in hand with positive changes in my experience of life."

ERIC WAGNER (San Francisco Ballet - USA)

"After working with the Alexander Technique, I feel balanced and free. When I took class afterwards I found that I could use energy to balance and counter balance myself. I felt like a marionette and that my joints were free."

MERCEDES VILLANUEVA (Soloist - Bejart Ballet - Lausanne, Switzerland)

"It is difficult to admit that after so many years enjoying dance and looking at my body in the mirror, I never stopped to discover it. After two months of working with the Alexander Technique, I found a new world of knowledge open in front of me. The words harmony, conscious, involved, lightness and effect come to my mind when I think of my sensations during an Alexander lesson."

ALEXANDRA KONTRUS (Ballerina - Wienerstadtsoper – Vienna, Austria)

"It’s a great feeling. You feel like you are getting taller and can see around you, as if from upstairs. You feel free. You can stand on your feet more consciously. The connection between your head, neck, back and limbs are logical and not broken. If you can see yourself in the mirror, you look like a different person."

Alexander Images

Click images to enlarge


Encouraging Length Throughout the Back and Legs	Allowing the Head to Lead the Body Forward and Up


Effects of Alexander Technique, Demonstrating Gradual Change and Ease in the Primary Control, the Head-Neck-Back Relationship

More Information

Alexander Journal

Timothy Gordon's Alexander Technique sessions are available by appointment.
Please email
alexandertechnique@companyzdance.co.nz
or phone
021 1603098

Further information on Alexander Technique, visit
ATTSNZ, The Alexander Technique Teachers Society of New Zealand
http://www.alexandertechnique.org.nz/