Beyond Posture Through Movement to Consciousness and Choice
By Fran Robinson

Those who learn the Alexander Technique follow Alexander’s journey from resolution of a physical problem to a realisation that
this work deals with consciousness and thinking itself. Frequently, posture-based problems and the resultant pain send people to an Alexander teacher.
As lessons progress people realise that their growing ability to change the physical habits which cause their problems not only makes them feel better but that it is self empowering. They start to use the awareness the Technique brings to view how they react emotionally and psychologically to the ups and downs of life, realising that reactions in these areas also affect the body. As consciousness increases, so do the choices we have in the way we live our lives.
While the Alexander Technique is popularly perceived as a “body technique” – with a bit of “mind” thrown in, we do not perceive it that way. We developed a 3-year training course which provides a route map for a journey of self development and personal growth. In addition we are offering places in the first year, as Foundation Year, to people who do not necessarily wish to train as teachers, but who wish to take their understanding and practice of the Technique to a stage beyond that of their one-to-one lessons.
Although some of our activities seem to be more “physical” than “mental”, all movements are preceded by thoughts, even though many of those thoughts are in our unconscious minds. During the Foundation Year of the training course students learn to become aware of many of their habitual unconscious thought patterns, through self observation and observation of their fellow students. Once students learn to monitor their thinking in seemingly ordinary activities, they start being able to discern their reactions to certain stimuli – both physical and emotional. This can be simply noticing what happens to your neck, head and back as you sit down, or as complex as discovering what your emotions are and what effect this has on your body when you hear something frightening, fascinating or exciting. But if we only stopped there in the discovery of realising what and how we do something, no change would occur.

To change the outcome you have to change the process
Nowadays the importance of changing habitual thinking in the “mental” rehearsal of “physical” activities is widely used by sports coaches, but Alexander had already realised prior to his arrival in England in 1904 that to change the outcome, you had to change the process.
He realised that in order to change the response to a stimulus, you have to change the thinking: the instructions from the brain that precede the reaction to that stimulus. Students practise putting Alexander’s idea of using this space between stimulus and response to bring about change in a wide variety of activities to discover that within this space live choice, change and the possibilities for transformation.
They start thinking about and observing seemingly mundane movements – sitting, standing, walking - but these familiar activities performed mindfully change the whole way we perceive ourselves in space and in the world. Students are also given situations which are not so familiar, for example, dancing, horse riding or public speaking as opportunities to observe their mental and physical response.
For those who wish become Alexander Teachers, they start to do “hands on” work on fellow students, under supervision. This hands on work becomes increasingly complex during the next two years of the Course and in their final term students take at least one completely new pupil through a course of lessons. There are no exams, but there is a system of continuous assessment and an outside Moderator who visits regularly.
The New Directions training course includes daily class work, written work, reading and discussion, taking small groups, anatomy and physiology, psychology and guidance in teaching and running a private practice. With experienced teaching staff who bring a variety of other skills like life coaching and counselling, horse riding, physiotherapy and pilates, to the course. New Directions Courses take place in Honiton and are recognised by the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique. For a curriculum call 01297 678168.