Finding a Teacher

Alexander Technique teaching is regulated by Teachers' Associations in the various countries where it is taught (see AT Links) with statutes and codes of conduct that must be adhered to by teachers. The oldest is STAT (Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique) in London. Other Associations may be affiliated with STAT, or may be independent like Alexander Technique International. The important thing is to make sure you're getting a properly qualified teacher. She or he must have successfully completed a three-year course at an accredited school and be in possession of a diploma. Lists for the UK and the world can be obtained from STAT. They are not complete, as they list only those teachers qualified under STAT teacher-training courses. Check with your country's Teachers' Association for the full lists.

How many lessons will I need?

How long is a piece of string? The Alexander Technique will give you the tools necessary to improve your functioning, but you're the one behind the steering-wheel learning to drive, so there can be no fixed number of lessons that guarantees improved well-being. In general, though, you should have a good idea of the Technique and be able to apply its basics to your everyday living after about 20 or 30 lessons. As with driving, you just have to practice it, and it gets easier and better the longer you've been doing it. Most students come back regularly for refresher courses after their first run of lessons.

Since we're dealing on a practical, physical level with our unconscious personal habits in everyday body behaviour, it's important to have the first lessons close together. At the beginning our habits are bound to be too strong for us, and the little conscious awareness we gained during the lesson will be quickly submerged under our automatic responses, so we need to be constantly brought back to look at ourselves until that becomes a habit of its own.

I always, therefore, ask students to come at least twice a week for the first ten lessons, and then reduce according to the needs of the individual. Of course one can learn the Technique with one lesson a week, but it tends to be uphill work.

You wear your ordinary clothes, just so long as they're not too restrictive to movement. My lessons last three quarters of an hour, apart from the first two, which last an hour.

Can I Learn the Technique in a Group Course?

An introductory group course over a weekend can be fun and get us off to a good start. I love taking these classes. But we're dealing with the highly individualised ways in which each one of us chooses to be and act in the world. Like fingerprints they are unique to us. So individual lessons are essential.

I no longer have space for new Alexander pupils at the moment, sorry.