An Outline of the Training
The duration of the course is three years. Each year consists of 30 weeks, divided into three terms - Autumn, Spring and Summer. The college is open on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday.
- During the first year of the training the core-work is primarily devoted to learning how to improve one's own self-awareness and 'use' of the body as a whole. It involves a process of change and individual development, which builds the foundation for the use of your hands and your interaction with others in teaching. You will start to learn how to 'put hands on' with other participants on the course. You will also study the fundamental principles of the Technique in depth.
- In the second year, as the growing awareness of the 'use' of the self continues, there will be more emphasis on working on other students. You will learn how to use your hands to help release tension in other people. You will also build up your practical knowledge about ailments that pupils commonly present (e.g. back-pain, RSI, asthma, arthritis etc).
- In the third year you will progress from practising on fellow students to supervised and then unsupervised practise on members of the public. You will also draw on case study material. The continuing self-improvement, knowledge, skills and individual expression developed in the first two years are enhanced by being put into practice. The main aim for the last year is to refine your practical skills and build confidence in your ability to teach the Technique.
Throughout the course the students receive lessons in anatomy and physiology. The study of Alexander's four books will be a major part of the whole three years. Other books on the technique and related subjects will also be studied and discussed. Interaction between the individuals in the group is also used as a preparation for presenting and speaking about the Technique in one's own individual style, with confidence and openness. Students will gain awareness of the possible emotional effects of Alexander work, and how to deal with them. The student's progress is assessed in an on-going way, both practically and by means of some written work.
Specific Content of the Curriculum
A large part of the course consists of practical Alexander-work. This work aims for a continuous development of the understanding of and feeling for the different principles of the Alexander Technique, even after completing the course. These principles that are discussed in great detail include: primary control, inhibition, use and functioning, directions, no-endgaining, doing and non-doing, the means whereby, faulty sensory perception, psycho-physical integration and force of habit.
The most common elements of an Alexander lesson are covered, namely: observation of oneself and others during standing, sitting, walking, bending, constructive lying down (semi-supine) and breathing. We will also examine our use while performing a whole range of everyday activities such as eating, drinking, speaking, writing, washing-up, etc.
These principles are the building blocks on which the technique is founded. It is therefore of fundamental importance that each student not only learns a more co-ordinated use of their body, but a calming of the mind and emotions as well. A student's development is worked on under direct guidance by experienced teachers in small groups. The rest of the time the students of different years are together so that they can exchange their experiences.
Weekly Course Content
During each week each student has:
- Individual short lessons every day.
- Two to three half-hour "hands-on" groups per week
- Some form of directed "daily-activity" or established "procedure" Eg. chairwork, tablework, whispered 'ah', standing, walking, waiting, sitting, squatting, lying and rising etc.
- A lecture/discussion period every day, covering Alexander's books, related literature, one of Alexander's principles, anatomy and physiology.
Students are also expected to work on themselves both during course hours and
outside of course hours, and they have access to a growing library of relevant books, articles and videos.
Visiting Teachers
Every term there will be visiting teachers from other countries including the UK, Europe, USA, Australia and Japan to help on the training course and give their own unique way of presenting the training course. Teachers who have previously visited the course include Harriet Anderson, David Bainbridge, Glenna Batson, Alan Capel, Jeremy Chance, Barbara Conable, Deirdre Crean, Diane Gaary, David Gorman, Trish Hemmingway, Anne Johnson, Alan Mars, Jennifer Mizenko, Gabriela Oprotkowitz, Giora Pinkas, Alice Pryor, Rosa Luisa Rossi, Refia Sacks, Tommy Thompson, Azize Sterling, Elizabeth Walker.
Course Hours and Term Dates
The training course consists of a total of 1600 hours, over ten terms. Course hours are as follows:
2:30pm till 6:30pm on Tuesday
9.30am till 4pm on Wednesday
9.30am till 1.30pm on Thursday
9.30am till 11am on Friday
Approximate term dates
Autumn mid Sept - mid Dec
Winter early Jan - mid March
Summer mid April – end of June
There is a week's half-term break
each term.
In addition to the above hours, all students will spend a minimum total of ten days working with the public, whilst under supervision, in a residential course setting.
Students can expect to spend additional time engaged in personal study.
Course Fees
The fees for the course are 1950 Euro a term which is payable on the last day of the previous term. A 600 Euro deposit is payable when accepted onto the course. The balance to be paid on the first day.