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The Lesson
The Alexander Technique is
usually taught in weekly private lessons thirty to forty-five
minutes in length. Introductory workshops, small group
classes, intensive residential courses, and
lecture/demonstrations are also available. (See the
Learning-for-Living Program.)
A course of thirty private
lessons is recommended to ensure that you have gained enough
skill to continue improving without a teacher. Students often
discover that the technique brings surprising benefits beyond
what they had sought initially, and continue to study for a
longer period. Other students stop weekly lessons but return
periodically for refresher lessons or group classes to further
hone their skills.
Lessons are structured around
three primary activities:
Chair Work – Standing and sitting in a chair offers
a simple framework for observing habits of harmful posture,
malcoordination, and over-reaction. While the teacher gently
supports and guides you in and out of the chair, you will
begin to experience a new sense of ease, lightness, and
improved coordination.
Table Work – As you lie on your back on a padded
table, the teacher lightly lifts and supports your legs, arms,
head, and neck. This allows you to begin learning to release
chronic tension habits caused by being upright. You will also
learn to practice and develop two specialized skills of
conscious awareness--inhibition and direction—that enable you
to prevent tension habits and to enhance locomotor skill.
Application Work – The teacher guides you in
skillfully performing a wide array of activities from
improving your breathing, sitting, walking, and standing, to
learning to stretch your muscles effectively and practicing
developmental movement skills such as crawling, bending, and
reaching. You’ll learn to improve your overall coordination as
you perform common, everyday activities such as sitting at a
computer, jogging, climbing stairs, and standing at a counter,
then progress to more complex activities such as playing an
instrument, dancing, running, or hitting a golf ball.
Photos by Matt
Mitchell ^
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