Day one of 625(ish)
Last night I began a journey that I've been thinking about taking for some time - I started my studies to become an Alexander Technique teacher.
Some of you read that and said, "Oh, very cool, I've kinda wondered about that."
Others of you read it and said, "I think I know what that is..."
And the last group of you read it and said, "um...huh?"
We were asked in class last night to describe Alexander Technique (AT) the way we would describe it to someone who didn't know what it was, here is my definition:
AT is a body awareness method. It helps you become aware of your habits and can help you better use your body the way it is meant to be used.
Is that the correct definition? Eh, it's as correct as it's going to get for this blog post :) The reality here is that I'm writing this for me and if you find it and want to keep up with it, more power to you.
There are five of us in this first cohort of the Salt Lake City AT training course. I am not the biggest socialite in the world and meeting and working with new people is out of my zone however, the other four people that I am in class with are some of the most non-judgmental, open-minded, well-read, down to earth, lovely people that I've ever met! We are from all walks of life, rock-climber, dancer, artist, teacher - ok that teacher thing - I'm pretty sure that all of us "teach" our trade so...yeah...
We talked about our experiences with AT, about the concept of inhibiting, right vs. wrong and if that concept really exists (especially in AT). We did "hands on" last night (I know that sounds weird but "hands on" is a BIG deal in AT), and it was almost a spiritual experience. The room was quiet as we were listening to our own body and responding to the person we were touching. Being experienced AT students our footfall was soft as we moved around the room, the chairs squeeking as we got up and down were really the only distraction in the room for about 45 minutes of "hands on."
Much as I'm panicked about doing this course - it's a lot of time and I'm so short on time as it is - I know it's the right thing to be doing. I know this will benefit me and my students, I know there are going to be some really hard things for me to come to terms with as I learn about myself but it will be ok, there are four other people and two instructors who are going to be there to make sure I do and survive the hard things.
Here's to inhibitions!! Here's to AT!
Some of you read that and said, "Oh, very cool, I've kinda wondered about that."
Others of you read it and said, "I think I know what that is..."
And the last group of you read it and said, "um...huh?"
We were asked in class last night to describe Alexander Technique (AT) the way we would describe it to someone who didn't know what it was, here is my definition:
AT is a body awareness method. It helps you become aware of your habits and can help you better use your body the way it is meant to be used.
Is that the correct definition? Eh, it's as correct as it's going to get for this blog post :) The reality here is that I'm writing this for me and if you find it and want to keep up with it, more power to you.
There are five of us in this first cohort of the Salt Lake City AT training course. I am not the biggest socialite in the world and meeting and working with new people is out of my zone however, the other four people that I am in class with are some of the most non-judgmental, open-minded, well-read, down to earth, lovely people that I've ever met! We are from all walks of life, rock-climber, dancer, artist, teacher - ok that teacher thing - I'm pretty sure that all of us "teach" our trade so...yeah...
We talked about our experiences with AT, about the concept of inhibiting, right vs. wrong and if that concept really exists (especially in AT). We did "hands on" last night (I know that sounds weird but "hands on" is a BIG deal in AT), and it was almost a spiritual experience. The room was quiet as we were listening to our own body and responding to the person we were touching. Being experienced AT students our footfall was soft as we moved around the room, the chairs squeeking as we got up and down were really the only distraction in the room for about 45 minutes of "hands on."
Much as I'm panicked about doing this course - it's a lot of time and I'm so short on time as it is - I know it's the right thing to be doing. I know this will benefit me and my students, I know there are going to be some really hard things for me to come to terms with as I learn about myself but it will be ok, there are four other people and two instructors who are going to be there to make sure I do and survive the hard things.
Here's to inhibitions!! Here's to AT!
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