Alexander Technique - Foundation Course

- NEW DIRECTIONS -

School of Alexander Technique Studies

 

E

Explore……

     

THE ALEXANDER INTERFACE

where mind and body meet – consciously

“Change involves carrying out an activity against the habit of life”  
F.M. Alexander

ONE YEAR FOUNDATION COURSE

A Journey of Personal Growth and Discovery

 

The standard Alexander Teacher Training is of three years duration, leading to formal qualification and membership of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT).

However, at NEW DIRECTIONS we recognise that some people may wish to pursue Alexander studies more on the basis of personal development and to bring the Technique more fully into their lives, than to become an Alexander Teacher.

The first year of the NEW DIRECTIONS Alexander Technique Training Course, which can be described as a Foundation in Alexander Studies can be seen as an ideal experience for such people. 

Concentrating as it does on work on the Self and the core principles of the Alexander Technique, this Foundation Year provides the perfect vehicle for self discovery and applies both to the individuals who wish to extend their experience of the Technique beyond the point they can achieve by private lessons,  and also to the teacher trainee.

Under the guidance of fully qualified and highly experienced tutors we offer the opportunity to practise using this Technique for Change by encouraging: 

 “outer activity” – so-called ‘physical activities’, the minutiae of daily life, (such as walking, sitting, bending, making a cup of tea), any specialised activity or hobby you already do, (singing, riding, playing an instrument/sport or art activity) and the learning of new skills too,  plus

“inner activity”-  your own thought processes which underlie your “outer activities” 

We will explore:

E              how intention drives activity

E              how the tool of conscious, constructive thinking can be used to challenge, reassess and change the habits of a lifetime

E              how to bring poise and choice into every moment of our life, and improve our chosen activities

E              how the way we use ourselves contributes to health and well-being (or their opposites)

E              how ‘feelings’, both physical and emotional are intimately connected

E              how to return to ‘neutral’ in our life, both in busy times and as a form of relaxation

E              how Alexander’s discoveries and principles are underpinned by modern knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology and Body-Mechanics

 

Upon satisfactory completion of the Foundation Year Journey of Growth & Development Course, students will receive a Certificate of Completion.  If students wish to continue the teacher training course, they can enter the second year of training immediately, or at a later stage (subject to certain criteria).

 

 

Note:  

The practice developed by F.M. Alexander of teaching through direct hand contact is known as ‘hands-on’. In line with the tradition of Alexander training and the policy of many other STAT recognised training courses, students do not generally do ‘hands-on’ work on other people during the first year.  Students learn to improve their own use and stay neutral in the face of strong habitual drives to ’get things done’ or try and change things directly.  

 

“You are not here to do exercises or to learn to do something right, but to get able to meet a stimulus that always puts you wrong and learn how to deal with it.”

 

                                                                       F.M. Alexander