Philosophy

F.M. Alexander was one of the pioneers who brought the practice of mind-body unity into Western culture and into our modern world. Unlike body work, unlike mindfulness training of other sorts, the AT asks of us only everything: that we slow down, that we enter into our own experience through our sensory awareness, and that we take responsibility for what we are doing and how we are doing it.

Then we must dare--with the guidance of a teacher who has undergone this same process over a period of many years--to change, particularly when our habitual restrictions are causing us pain or are interfering with our aims. The good news is that every bit of attention we manage to give to the work will reward us - every step of the way - with greater self-knowledge, grace, and ease.

The Technique helps you to develop a personal practice - pausing, directing attention, discerning how your body balances and re-balances throughout your daily activities - which changes and deepens your relationship to yourself, to your activities, and to those around you. One practices the Technique for a lifetime; once you enter into the heart of the work you can escape neither the demands, nor the benefits, of an awareness so trained and refined.

Finally, the work can be taught - and is best learned - in a spirit of good will and with a hearty measure of humor. We are human, after all, and perfection for any of us, Alexander Technique teachers and students alike, is nowhere in sight!

home
about Sandra
philosophy
articles & audio
calendar
links