Topf Technique/Dynamic Anatomy®–Nancy Topf

About Nancy

Nancy Topf (1942–1998), a student of Barbara Clark, pioneered Anatomical Release Technique, Movement Education, and Repatterning Work with collaborators John Rolland, Marsha Paludan, and Mary Fulkerson. Over thirty years, Topf developed her approach, called Topf Technique®/Dynamic Anatomy – recognized by ISMETA® as an official somatic movement education training. Topf was a choreographer, dancer, and internationally known teacher. She danced in the first formal showing of contact improvisation.

Nancy Died in 1998 when the plane she was aboard, SWISS AIR flight 111 bound for Switzerland crashed into the ocean off the coast of Nova Scotia. She was married to her long time collaborator musician and composer Jon Gibson with whom she had one son, Jeremy Gibson.

Excerpts + Writings

To read an excerpt of 'A Guide to a Somatic Movement Practice: The Anatomy of Center' by Nancy Topf, edited by Hetty King, click here.

Review of Guide to a Somatic Practice —Dance Chronicle

Nancy Topf Papers —NYU Fales Collection

Hetty & Nancy

This is footage of Hetty working privately with Nancy Topf, most likely 1996.

Hetty & Jenn Nugent

This is roughly 30 minutes of Hetty teaching Jenn Nugent sequences from the Topf Technique® at the BAX studio, most likely 1999-2000.

For information regarding workshops or classes in Topf Technique/Dynamic Anatomy® please contact Hetty directly or add your name to the mailing list.