In which a review of existing theories leads to yet another theory; that, too, is rejected in favor of the priority of tradition, and the essay proceeds to an appeal for a return to Ida Rolf’s original formulation. But this is discovered to be ambiguous, and the essay concludes, inconclusively, with speculation as to what to do for the best.

I first met Judith Aston in 1977, at a jogging workshop at Mt. Tamalpais High School, in Marin County, California. I don’t remember much of the content of the workshop (there was some good advice about my elbow position), but I remember Judith herself vividly. One action particularly sticks in my mind: she was demonstrating how we tense ourselves into patterns as we prepare to take action; she said, “I’m going to hit the ball!” as she assumed the stance of a baseball batter – serious, intent on the pitch. It was both comical, a cartoon character, and perfectly illustrative of her point, that she didn’t need all that counterproductive extra effort to hit the ball. And then in a moment she transformed back again. I think she could have made an excellent actress.