Mabel Elsworth Todd: Difference between revisions

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Mabel Elsworth Todd

Mabel Elsworth Todd was an influential figure in the field of movement education and is best known for her work on the concept of "ideokinesis". Her ideas have had a significant impact on the development of modern dance, physical therapy, and somatic education.

Early Life[edit]

Mabel Elsworth Todd was born in the late 19th century. Little is known about her early life, but her contributions to movement education began to take shape in the early 20th century.

Ideokinesis[edit]

The term "ideokinesis" was coined by Todd to describe a method of using mental imagery to improve posture and movement. This concept is based on the idea that imagining a movement can facilitate the neuromuscular pathways necessary for that movement, leading to improved physical performance and alignment.

Principles of Ideokinesis[edit]

The principles of ideokinesis involve the use of specific mental images to promote better alignment and movement efficiency. Some of the key principles include:

Mental Imagery: Using detailed mental images to guide movement.
Neuromuscular Re-education: Re-training the body's movement patterns through visualization.
Postural Alignment: Improving posture by imagining the body in optimal alignment.

The Thinking Body[edit]

Mabel Elsworth Todd's most famous work, "The Thinking Body", was published in 1937. This book outlines her theories on movement and posture, and it remains a seminal text in the field of somatic education.

Content of The Thinking Body[edit]

"The Thinking Body" explores the relationship between the mind and body, emphasizing the role of mental processes in physical movement. The book covers topics such as:

Anatomy and Physiology: Basic understanding of the human body.
Psychophysical Unity: The interconnectedness of mental and physical processes.
Movement Efficiency: Techniques for achieving more efficient and graceful movement.

Influence and Legacy[edit]

Mabel Elsworth Todd's work has influenced a wide range of disciplines, including:

Dance: Her ideas have been incorporated into modern dance training.
Physical Therapy: Techniques derived from ideokinesis are used in rehabilitation.
Somatic Practices: Her work laid the groundwork for various somatic education methods.

External Links[edit]

[Mabel Elsworth Todd on Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456)

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-{{infobox person
+Mabel Elsworth Todd
-|name = Mabel Elsworth Todd
-|birth_name = Mabel Ellsworth Todd
-|birth_date = {{birth_date|1880|06|05}}<ref name=find_a_grave/>
-|birth_place = [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]], Onondaga, New York, United States
-|death_date = {{death_date_and_age|1956|12|14|1880|06|05}}
-|death_place = Los Angeles, California, United States
-|resting_place = [[Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse]], Onondaga, New York, United States<ref name=find_a_grave>{{Find a Grave | 92199592 | Mabel Ellsworth Todd }}</ref>
-|occupation =
-|parents = Luzerne A. Todd and Maria nee Rogers
-}}
-'''Mabel Elsworth Todd''' (1880 &ndash; 1956) is known as the founder of what came to be known as '[[Ideokinesis]]', a form of [[somatics|somatic education]] that became popular in the 1930s amongst dancers and health professionals. Todd's ideas involved using anatomically based, creative visual imagery and consciously relaxed volition to create refine neuromuscular coordination. Lulu Sweigard, who coined the term Ideokinesis, and Barbara Clark furthered Todd's work.<ref name='grinfeld'>{{cite web|url=http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~t656_web/Spring_2002_students/grinfeld_julie_ideokinesis.htm |title='The Idea of Ideokinesis' |accessdate=2007-01-10 |author=Julie Grinfeld |year=2002 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213011617/http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~t656_web/Spring_2002_students/grinfeld_julie_ideokinesis.htm |archivedate=2006-12-13 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Franklin, Eric. | title='Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery' | year=1996 | publisher=Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics | isbn=0-87322-475-2 | page=4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CBwV_g8DhEMC}}</ref>
-Todd's work was published in her book 'The Thinking Body' (1937), which is now considered by modern dance schools to be a classic study of [[physiology]] and the psychology of movement.  Her work influenced many somatic awareness professionals of her day, and is often cited along with The [[Feldenkrais method]] for its focus on the subtle influence of unconscious [[intention]] and attention.
+Mabel Elsworth Todd was an influential figure in the field of movement education and is best known for her work on the concept of "[[ideokinesis]]". Her ideas have had a significant impact on the development of modern [[dance]], [[physical therapy]], and [[somatic education]].
-== Publications ==
+==Early Life==
+Mabel Elsworth Todd was born in the late 19th century. Little is known about her early life, but her contributions to movement education began to take shape in the early 20th century.
-* Todd, M. ''Early Writings, 1920-1934''. Reprint. New York: Dance Horizons.
+==Ideokinesis==
-* [http://www.worldcat.org/title/thinking-body/oclc/500581270&referer=brief_results/ Todd M. ''The Thinking Body'']. 1937. Reprint. New York: Dance Horizons. {{ISBN|0-8712-7014-5}}
+The term "ideokinesis" was coined by Todd to describe a method of using mental imagery to improve posture and movement. This concept is based on the idea that imagining a movement can facilitate the neuromuscular pathways necessary for that movement, leading to improved physical performance and alignment.
-* Todd M. ''The Hidden You''. Reprint. New York: Dance Horizons, 1953.
-==References==
+===Principles of Ideokinesis===
+The principles of ideokinesis involve the use of specific mental images to promote better alignment and movement efficiency. Some of the key principles include:
-<!--See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes] for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags-->
+* '''Mental Imagery''': Using detailed mental images to guide movement.
-{{Reflist|2}}
+* '''Neuromuscular Re-education''': Re-training the body's movement patterns through visualization.
+* '''Postural Alignment''': Improving posture by imagining the body in optimal alignment.
-{{Authority control}}
+==The Thinking Body==
+Mabel Elsworth Todd's most famous work, "The Thinking Body", was published in 1937. This book outlines her theories on movement and posture, and it remains a seminal text in the field of somatic education.
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Todd, Mabel}}
+===Content of The Thinking Body===
-[[Category:Exercise instructors]]
+"The Thinking Body" explores the relationship between the mind and body, emphasizing the role of mental processes in physical movement. The book covers topics such as:
-[[Category:Creative arts therapies]]
-[[Category:Dance writers]]
-[[Category:1880 births]]
-[[Category:1956 deaths]]
-[[Category:Somatics]]
-[[Category:Burials at Oakwood Cemetery (Syracuse, New York)]]
+* '''Anatomy and Physiology''': Basic understanding of the human body.
+* '''Psychophysical Unity''': The interconnectedness of mental and physical processes.
+* '''Movement Efficiency''': Techniques for achieving more efficient and graceful movement.
-{{Dance-bio-stub}}
+==Influence and Legacy==
-{{dictionary-stub1}}
+Mabel Elsworth Todd's work has influenced a wide range of disciplines, including:
+* '''Dance''': Her ideas have been incorporated into modern dance training.
+* '''Physical Therapy''': Techniques derived from ideokinesis are used in rehabilitation.
+* '''Somatic Practices''': Her work laid the groundwork for various somatic education methods.
+==See Also==
+* [[Somatic Education]]
+* [[Alexander Technique]]
+* [[Feldenkrais Method]]
+==External Links==
+* [Mabel Elsworth Todd on Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456)
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Todd, Mabel Elsworth}}
+[[Category:Movement Educators]]
+[[Category:Somatic Practitioners]]
+[[Category:20th-century American Writers]]
+[[Category:Women in Science]]