How to Find an Alexander Technique Teacher

There are several thousand Alexander teachers worldwide. Most of them are members of one or more professional societies that publish teachers lists and basic information about the Alexander Technique.

If you are fortunate enough to live in a city that has more than one teacher, you might want to try several before choosing one. Recommendations from friends and colleagues may be helpful. If you come across a teacher who does not belong to a professional society, ask about his or her training and teaching experience. Most Alexander teachers have completed a three-year full-time training course, although some have trained more informally on an apprenticeship basis.

Alexander Technique Professional Societies

UK and Worldwide

The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT)

20 London House

266 Fulham Road

London, SW10 9EL

Telephone: 0171-351 0828

Fax: 0171-352 1556

E-mail: info@stat.org.uk

Web site: www.stat.org.uk

Primarily in United States; some overseas membership

American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT)

401 East Market Street

Charlottesville, VA 22902

Telephone: (800) 473-0620

Fax: (804) 295-3947

E-mail: alexandertec@earthlink.net

Web site: www.alexandertech.com

United States and Worldwide Membership

Alexander Technique International (ATI)

1692 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor

Cambridge, MA 02138

Telephone: (617) 497-2243

Fax: (617) 876-2709

E-mail: corresponsec@ati-net.com

Web site: www.ATI-net.com

The Canadian Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (CANSTAT)

465 Wilson Avenue

Toronto, Ontario M3H 1T9

1-877-598-8879

Fax: (416) 631-0094

E-mail: canstat@istar.ca

Web site: www.canstat.ca

There are also professional societies in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, France, Israel, the Netherlands, South Africa and Switzerland. The addresses and phone numbers of these societies can be obtained from STAT. Most teachers in countries where there is no professional organization are members of STAT or ATI.

If there is no teacher available in your area, there are three things you can do:

* Attend a residential course

These are now offered in many countries. They run for a week or two at a time, and it is possible to learn quite a lot in that period. The teaching is concentrated and there are generally several Alexander teachers working as a team with the group. The courses are usually held in pleasant locations and are an enjoyable and beneficial way to get started in the Technique, or to refresh one's knowledge. Some teachers believe this is one of the best ways to learn the Technique. Most of the Alexander professional societies maintain a listing of upcoming Alexander workshops and residential courses.

* Travel to a teacher

It is not uncommon for pupils to spend a week or two in a city or town that has an Alexander teacher, taking a daily series of lessons during that period. This is often done in connection with business or vacation travel. Obviously, it is important to arrange the lessons well in advance of your trip.

* Bring a teacher to you

Some Alexander teachers regularly spend time away from their home base. It will require a certain amount of organizing on your part, but if you can get a half dozen or so people together and arrange accommodations and scheduling, it can be an excellent way to introduce the Technique to your community. As with residential courses, this solution offers the kind of concentrated instruction which works best for many students. Additionally, it is quite likely that someone in your area will, after having lessons, decide to enroll in a teacher training course. Then in three years time, you will have your own local teacher.

Robert Rickover, http://www.alexandertechnique.com/nebraska.htm (source: naturalhealthweb)

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