The Alexander Technique invites a gentle re-education in how we meet life, physically, mentally and emotionally. Through awareness and curiosity, we begin to notice our habitual patterns and learn how to respond in new ways to unhelpful habits.
Lessons are practical and exploratory. I trained with Donald Weed in the Interactive Teaching Method, which is a playful and student-led approach. Any activity can be explored, from music, acting, dancing and singing to everyday things such as washing the dishes or brushing your teeth. I love this way of working because it helps us learn with curiosity and enjoyment. Don often said that we learn best when we are having fun, and I completely agree.
People sometimes think that the Alexander Technique is about posture or getting things right, but in many ways it is the opposite. My job is often to help people recognise where they are stuck in fixed ideas of what is correct, so they can rediscover their natural poise and gain the freedom to choose new responses.
Here is a favourite quote from one of Don’s books:
“F. M. Alexander is reported as being quite fond of saying, ‘You can do what I do, if you will do what I did.’
He observed himself in his manner of performing activities. He reflected upon the observations. He challenged his ideas with experiments.
It is as though people still believe that, with enough lessons from a sufficiently skilled or venerated teacher, they will not have to bother with a careful and close examination of who they are and how they work. They think they will not have to challenge their most basic ideas. They think they will not have to come to understand that what they do is not nearly so important as how they do it. They think they will not have to learn to replace their concepts of correction with concepts of prevention and reasoning. They still believe that they will not have to examine, evaluate, dismantle and reconstruct their entire means of taking in information and formulating responses, but will still be able to acquire the benefits of Alexander’s work.
And, unfortunately, to some limited and limiting degree, they can.”
Donald L. Weed
For me, this expresses the heart of the work. It reminds us that the Technique is not something a teacher can do for you, but something you learn through your own attention, curiosity and willingness to explore.