Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lesson like?
Dressed in comfortable clothing, the student explores simple
everyday movements such as sitting, standing, and walking.
With verbal and hands-on guidance from the teacher, the student
learns to observe and change habits that interfere with optimum
functioning. Becoming aware of and changing these habits
builds a foundation for tackling more specialized activities and
learning to perform them from a place of balance and support rather
than from one of tension and effort.
How long does a lesson last?
A lesson is usually45 minutes long. The initial visit may last
a bit longer, so that the teacher has time to hear the student's
concerns and to answer any questions.
How many lessons will I need?
How many lessons does it take to play a musical instrument, to learn
to sing or dance, or to learn a martial art? Would you like to
learn to play a simple tune, learn a few basic ballet steps, or are
you looking for a new ongoing experience that will add a dimension
to your entire life in ways that you cannot predict? Both
options and everything in between are possible in studying the
Alexander Technique.
As with learning most arts, the Alexander Technique is an ongoing
investigation into becoming self-aware, and offers the knowledge to
enjoy subtle improvements in the way one goes about doing all that
he or she does. The number of lessons is something that each
student should discuss with the teacher, and will depend on the
student's long or short term goals.
Are lessons taught privately or in groups?
The Alexander Technique is primarily taught in weekly private
lessons. This is because each person presents his or her own
unique set of physical patterns and thought processes. On the
other hand, group classes, while not always conducive to addressing
an individual's particular needs, provide a larger forum for shared
experience, discussion, and reflection.
How is the Alexander Technique different from other
approaches?
The Alexander Technique is not a treatment such as massage or
chiropractic. It promotes self-care, the ability to balance
your own structure, soothe your own nervous system, and release your
own muscles.
The Alexander Technique is not a set of exercises, like yoga, t'ai
chi, or Pilates. It teaches you to be more aware of how you
move and to better coordinate your body in activity, thereby helping
you to do specific exercises with less strain and more comfort.
"You can't do anything you don't know if
you keep on doing what you do know."
F. M. Alexander