The Alexander Technique is a simple method for applying your rational mind to solve body problems. It has been used for over a century by actors, singers, dancers, musicians, scientists and managers to improve performance and appearance while increasing self confidence and well-being. It makes even simple movements feel lighter and easier, helps alleviate pain and stiffness, and helps you maintain a clear and balanced state of mind.

The technique is based on the understanding that the tensional balance between the head, neck and back can either enhance or hinder the body’s postural reflexes. We can learn to control this tensional balance consciously, and thereby find an easier and more coordinated way of using our bodies, both in action and at rest. This conscious control of coordination gradually comes to replace our previously acquired habits that might be restrictive or even harmful.

CURRICULUM VITAE GONNIE HEGGEN

Gonnie Heggen?is a dance artist based in Amsterdam, Holland,?who has worked as a choreographer, performer, improviser and teacher.?Her work is as much about theater as it is about dance.?She uses improvisation to transform a character into physical behavior and movement on stage.?In her performance pieces Heggen mixed elements of popular culture and spiritual trends with dance.

Education

Born 1962, Heggen studied musicology at the University of Amsterdam from 1980 - 1984.?She studied dance at the Theaterschool, School for New Dance Development in Amsterdam from 1984 - 1988 and in 1987 in New York with a.o. Ruth Currier and Sara Rudner.?Heggen joined DasArts in 1995, the Amsterdam School for Advanced Research in Theater and Dance Studies, and graduated in 1997 with her production of Looking for Peter for which she received a Choreography Award from the Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst. From 2004 – 2007 Heggen studied to become a certified teacher in the Alexander Technique at the Alexander Technique Centre Amsterdam.

Company work

From 1988 - 1994 Heggen has been a free-lance member of Yoshiko Chuma's company 'The School of Hard Knocks' in New York and has toured with it extensively both in the United States and in Europe. In 1991 she took part in 3 episodes of Paris based director Mark Tompkins's multi-media production 'La Plaque Tournante' in France and Germany.

Productions

From 1989 - 2003 Heggen has produced numerous works for theaters and festivals in Holland, Europe, the Untied States and Canada, and has toured extensively. Works included commissions from festivals like the Spring Dance festival and Festival a/d Werf, both in Utrecht, Holland, and Festival Sommer Szene Salzburg in Austria.
Heggen has been frequently supported by funding from the Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst and the Fonds voor de Podiumkunsten in The Hague, Holland.

Teaching

Gonnie Heggen has been teaching Movement Research at numerous workshops for students and professionals at schools, universities, studios and theaters both in Holland and abroad while on tour, a.o. at the Fontys Hogescholen in Tilburg, Holland, and at Sarah Lawrence College in New York State, at the Dance Department of the University of Montreal, Canada, and at SEAD Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance in Salzburg, Austria.?Currently she is a staff teacher at the Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, department School for New Dance Development where she also teaches Alexander Technique.