An interview with Jane Manning

Abstract

Jane Manning has been working in Los Angeles in the field of dance/movement therapy for thirty-five years. As a teacher, as a therapist, and as a trainer and supervisor of therapists, she has had a lasting impact on all of those fortunate enough to know her work.

I met Manning first in the summer of 1957 in the play yard at the nursery school attended by my children. At that time she was a teacher at the school and, in addition, she worked weekly with all the age groups in movement, in the way that only she seemed able to do. She was a tall, elegant, red-haired woman of singular beauty. Then, as now, she spoke in measured tones, often with pauses, even silences, between sentences. Then, too, she had a ready laugh and a look of merry spirits. Over the years since then she has been my teacher, mentor, colleague and friend. I was pleased and honored to be asked to do this interview.