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What is Alexander Technique Training?

The Alexander Technique is a powerful method for improving self-awareness, posture, movement and choice, and it involves a profound re-education of both mind and body. When individuals come for a private session, they are more accurately described as pupils rather than patients or clients.

This terminology reflects the true nature of the Alexander Technique: a process of learning, unlearning, and relearning how to think, move, and change habitual responses to stimuli in order to master oneself and choose responses more consciously. By attending to your own use first, more freedom becomes available in the mind body.

The Training of an Alexander Technique Teacher

Becoming a teacher of the Alexander Technique is a rigorous and comprehensive process. It requires completing a three-year, full-time course that encompasses a wide range of subjects and practical skills. This training prepares teachers not only to guide their pupils effectively but also to embody the principles of the Technique in their own lives.

Course Content and Structure

The training involves approximately 1,600 hours of study over three years. It includes detailed instruction in anatomy and physiology, practical hands-on classes, and lectures on core concepts such as Inhibition and Direction. These principles are central to the Alexander Technique and focus on learning to stop habitual responses (Inhibition) and directing the body into better alignment and movement patterns (Direction).

Students receive both individual and group instruction in the Alexander Technique, with a significant emphasis on practical application. They engage in practical skills sessions, which may include using their hands, performing in voice, sports, or other activities, to apply the Technique in various contexts.

Specialized Training Components

  • Positions of Mechanical Advantage: Students learn how to use their bodies in the most advantageous and effective ways, minimising strain and maximising ease.
  • Body Mechanics and Posture: Understanding the relationship between use, poise, and posture is crucial.
  • Voice and Movement: Specialised tuition helps students use their voices and bodies more effectively, a skill essential for actors, musicians, and other performers.
  • Supervised Teaching Practice: In the final year, students undertake a supervised teaching practice, allowing them to refine their skills under the guidance of the Head of Training.

Training Environment

My own training took place at the Cumbria Alexander Teacher Training School from 2000 to 2003. The Fellside Centre in Kendal, where the course was held, provided an ideal environment for learning with its large, well-equipped rooms, a library, and even a studio for voice and movement. The immersive environment facilitated a deep and comprehensive learning experience. And I was also worked on by other trainees and experienced a breadth and depth of care that helped melt away years of conditioning, strain and heartache.

The Role of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT)

The training courses are approved by the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT), the largest training body globally. Upon completion, students receive a STAT certificate and can become members of the Society. The training is externally moderated by a panel of senior expert Alexander teachers, ensuring high standards and consistency across the board.

Personal Experience and Professional Development

Training as an Alexander Technique teacher was a significant investment for me, both financially and in terms of time. After my father passed away, I left a secure job at the BBC to pursue this path. The training not only equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge but also instilled a deep sense of commitment and passion for the Technique. Over the past 21 years, I have continually applied what I learned, helping numerous pupils transform their lives through this profound method.

Conclusion

Alexander Technique training is a journey of self-discovery, personal and professional development. It prepares teachers to help their pupils achieve greater ease, poise, and self-mastery. This comprehensive training ensures that teachers can guide others effectively while embodying the principles of the Technique in their own lives. If you are interested in exploring the Alexander Technique, I encourage you to seek out a qualified teacher and experience the transformative benefits for yourself.

Written by Lucy Ascham, Body & Soul Energy Expert

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What My Clients Say

“No pain in the night, no pain when I got up, no pain when I went for a run and no pain now! It’s much more than I expected, thank you! "

Steve

"It is as though I have been gifted an entirely new lens through which to view human behaviour, and it is a lens of compassion and empathy like no other. Due to this, I have been able to come to terms with the way my family operates, which has proven to be a great relief. I would definitely recommend working with Lucy. She held such a safe space for me and my vulnerability with great compassion and authenticity."

Elena

"Using these techniques has helped me reduce the day-to-day tension I’ve developed over a lifetime of anxious habits and hypersensitivity. It’s been amazing to re-learn how my body works, and how to swap out the survival mechanisms that got me so far, for habits more in keeping with how my body is happier to work."

Alex Booer

“I’ve been doing the Alexander Technique with Lucy over the past few months and my posture has improved enormously. I have a greater awareness of how my body functions and can recognise the signs of when I’m falling into bad habits."

Paul Tolton, Actor

"I feel present. Nice to feel here, not racing ahead. I have a more measured, calm approach. I’m less reactive and am learning to look after myself and choose my responses.”

Rosie

"I had a traumatic accident a few years ago. After you ‘wriggled’ my head it felt weird – and really good. I could walk evenly for the first time in years!! I’m making friends with my body.”

Zoe, Singer

"I have been happily surprised and have learned a lot about how my muscles and spine behave when I let them. I rapidly realised that AT is not in the least pseudoscience, rather it teaches one to be aware of how the body is holding itself."

Julian Davis, Retired Professor of Medicine & Pianist

"I've just had two enjoyable and useful sessions with Lucy on Zoom. I had been doubtful about how it would work but I was pleased with how it went. Of course, nothing is as good as face-to-face but we are where we are and this was great and has helped me to progress as I had hoped. Thank you. Looking forward to the next ones!"

Bev

"Lucy's sessions are amazing. Her unique blend of skills helped me have good posture without effort. Before this, I had seen many physiotherapists and osteopaths, but the pain kept coming back within a few weeks. Even after my first session with Lucy, the difference was so clear that my friends commented on it. After several months, the effects are being maintained with her support."

Julia
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