Gerda Alexander (February 15, 1908 – February 21, 1994) was a German / Danish teacher who developed a "bodymind technique" or "somatic practice" known as Eutony. As a young woman, Gerda was in contact with the vanguards of the arts, education, and movement culture in the early 20th century. From the 30's on, she started to develop her innovative method through her studies between movement and musicality, new pedagogies and neurosciences. Through Eutony, she collaborated with many medical centers, pedagogical institutions, and artistic training in Europe, North and South America and the Middle East. Gerda Alexander was a pioneer among the creators of somatic education practices in the world. Her school in Copenhagen trained professionals for 45 years. Life and work Gerda Alexander was born in Wuppertal, Germany and her parents were enthusiasts of Dalcroze Eurhythmics, passing on to her a similar interest in arts and movement. Gerda was born under the influence of Émile-Jaques Dalcroze in Germany. Gerda mentions that the "first contact [she] had with Dalcroze's work was some photographs from the first festival in Hellerau in 1911". She enrolled in the school of Otto Blensdorf (the Blensdorfschüle) in Wuppertal-Elberfeld and became an active assistant of the activities of the school. In 1926, Charlotte Blensdorf (Otto's daughter) was invited to teach Rhythmic Education for children and teachers at the first Institute for Scientific Pedagogical Research under the leadership of Peter Petersen, internationally known for the Jena-Plan, a postgraduate preparation for teachers in free schools. Gerda worked as Charlotte's assistant in this project and completed a year of practical work at Stradtroda, an institution of the State of Thüringen for all kinds of disturbed children and young people up to the age of 21, including criminal cases. About this work, Gerda says that she "have never since learned so much in pedagogy as during that year". Gerda was graduated in the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin in 1929. During this period, Dalcroze Eurhythmics was taught in all large universities and music schools in Germany. From her 16 years old, Gerda had several severe attacks of rheumatic fever, followed by heart diseases and a endocarditis, which hindered her mobility. She was hospitalized many times and had to find ways to move that would not overload her circulatory system. By her own difficulties, the ongoing reflections with her students of all ages and an enthusiastic inquiry about artistic development, she started