Distilling Dart: Minding Bodily Approaches to Performance Through a Framework for Integration and the Alexander Technique

Abstract

The Dart Procedures, developed by anatomist and anthropologist Raymond Dart and Alexander Technique teachers Joan and Alex Murray, are a developmental movement sequence born from scientific, somatic, therapeutic, and dance histories. Located primarily in Alexander Technique and dance practices, the Dart Procedures “devolve” the mover in ways that echo the evolution of the human species (phylogenetic) as well as the developing human (ontogenetic). The distillation of overall bodily attitudes and patterning found in the Dart Procedures has been more formally articulated in a movement analysis tool called Framework for Integration that considers spinal patterning in varied models. Patterning and preferences of the head and spine in the sagittal plane are called primary, toward overall spinal flexion, or secondary, toward overall spinal extension/hyperextension. Applied Dart/framework concepts deepen bodily awareness and call attention to habits and interferences in coordination across all manner of performance disciplines. This chapter will cover a brief history of the Dart Procedures, identify bodily patterns and habits, and promote embodied applications the performer can explore for more conscious ease in movement.