What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique offers students the opportunity to gain ease and freedom in all activities - whether as refined as singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument; as demanding as long periods of using a computer, working with tools, or lifting and carrying; or as basic as how you sit, stand and walk in everyday life.

During lessons, students learn to observe harmful postural and movement habits. They begin to recognize patterns of tension and strain that can also restrict breathing and lead to an increase in overall stress. They become aware of how these unconscious tensions interfere with their optimal performance and daily activity. Students learn to quiet the interfering habits and are guided by the teacher into a more easful and optimal coordination, based on the principles of the Technique.
      
By learning to consciously coordinate ourselves, we can restore energy, feel more awake, enhance performance, improve balance and posture, and regain a sense of ease and pleasure in all that we do.

Read more about our Alexander Technique instructor, Lonna Wilkinson, on our Faculty page.

Alexander Technique Lessons and Classes

Workshop for Teens (14 - 17)
Thursday March 27, 5 - 6:30pm
OR
Saturday March 30, 10 - 11:30am
Tuition: $15

In this workshop students will assess their postural habits when standing or sitting. Through simple movement games and exercises, students will gain awareness of landmarks in the body that facilitate easy alignment. We will explore the dynamic relationship of the head, ribs, and pelvis, and gain a sense of ourselves as breathing, mobile, and 3-dimensional. Students will learn an easy practice to help reboot our innate reflex system that maintains our upright posture without tension or strain. Improved poise and balance in the body can free students to enjoy greater ease, freedom, and expressiveness in their musical performance.

Workshop for Adults
Thursday February 28, 6:30 - 8pm
OR
Saturday March 2, 10 - 11:30am

Tuition:$15

This workshop is designed for adults who would like to discover increased ease and lightness in any activity - sitting at the computer, gardening, holding a toothbrush or brush, lifting and carrying children, using tools or kitchen equipment, standing in lines, and running or walking. Students will assess their postural habits when standing, sitting, and walking. Through simple movement exercises, students will gain awareness of landmarks in the body that facilitate easy alignment. We will explore the dynamic relationship of the head, ribs, and pelvis, and how to facilitate the legs providing light, easy support. Students will learn an easy practice to help reboot our innate reflex system that maintains our upright posture without tension or strain. Improved poise and balance in the body allows us to enjoy greater ease, freedom, and expressiveness in musical performances or everyday activities.

Individual Lessons
Date/Time: TBD with instructor,
Four 30-minute lessons
Tuition: $115
Location: HHSOM

Individual lessons offer an opportunity for students to experience the principles of the Alexander Technique applied to their individual conditions and habits with the guided instruction of the teacher. Using verbal prompts and hands-on direction, the teacher helps the student bring about improved coordination and then guides them into simple movements of sitting, standing, and walking as the student learns not to interfere with the new coordination. A lesson also includes a "table turn" (student lies on a padded table) which allows the teacher and student to undo underlying tensions without the interference of the habitual holding patterns that result from our relation to gravity. The improved balance and poise can then be further applied to specific activities that are of interest to the student.