Outgrowth: The Itcush Method

Amelia developed a series of theories and exercises that she later named the Itcush Method. Amelia’s goal was self-care: the capacity to maintain and heal one's own unique body, independently, day to day.

Her work began in the context of professional dance and grew into a much broader approach to all kinds of bodies and circumstances.  Each new demand she encountered evolved her approach; methods of adaptation became central to the practice.   

Amelia Itcush, lecture demonstration, 2010, Davidson, SK: 

"During my training, Nehemia was only doing select exercises – Aleph Tav, Pullaway, Sliding Down the Wall and the Mitzvah Exercise. We were not allowed to put hands on during the first year of training and because I couldn’t put hands on, I became very interested in the pro-active aspect of exercises.

I spent time working to strip down exercises to find the core of what is effective in an exercise. This alone brought about many changes in my body.

This is a pro-active way that I could help myself. With the exercises, I could continue the changes made from a private session until I could see Nehemia again. Nehemia said:

“Don’t call these exercises the Mitzvah.”

This is the distinction between Mitzvah Technique and Itcush Method. Itcush Method helps to release and open up the body to prepare it for change."