Alexander Technique

ptynan · 07-29-2006, 12:58 PM

Folks,

I am thinking about bringing in an Alexander Technique specialist to work with the brass and saxophone players at the university I teach at in the spring semester. If anybody has any experience with it or has at least tried it out I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on what the positive (or negative) aspects of having an Alexander Technique specialist give a clinic would be.

Best,
PT

eisprl · 07-29-2006, 01:11 PM

Hey

We had Alexander Tech representatives at Mount Allison once a couple years ago. I believe they have a clinic (is that what you would call it?) based out of Halifax. Also I have a friend who is a clinician for the Alexander Technique. I will try and get some contact info for you if you like. I am sure that she would know more about the benefits.

Cheers
Eric Sproul

KMT · 07-29-2006, 01:17 PM

I took Alexander Technique for a semester when I was at NEC. I have some friends that it has helped tremendously, but I am really on the fence. Some aspects were helpful, others were worthless to me.

eisprl · 07-29-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMT

I took Alexander Technique for a semester when I was at NEC. I have some friends that it has helped tremendously, but I am really on the fence. Some aspects were helpful, others were worthless to me.

Ya when they came to my school to talk about the program I went away still confused with what they actually do!

E.

Manny Laureano · 07-29-2006, 02:34 PM

The Alexander Technique and a primary knowledge of Yoga tenets have been, along with the things that I learned from Arnold Jacobs, the triumverate of information that transformed my playing and teaching. I recommend Alexander as highly as possible.

ML

Kenzo · 07-31-2006, 09:30 AM

Paul,

I studied AT privately and it was temendously helpful. My neck and upper back pain disappeared and my whole approach to pretty much everything changed. It felt as if I could move much more easily through my day.

My trumpet playing seemed easier and my mindset was more relaxed and I felt more centered. An absolutely positive experience for me.

Also, it helped my golf game too.

I would encourage you to go ahead with your plan and encourage your students to study AT.

Good luck!

eisprl · 07-31-2006, 12:57 PM

Is it possible to study it without a clinician? (through books etc?)

E.

Kenzo · 07-31-2006, 02:18 PM

I tried reading the books and manuals on AT on my own, some of it is not cut and dry so to speak. When dealing with the idea of "inhibition" it is hard to figure some of it out on your own. The thought of "not" doing and allowing the mind and body to follow is tricky since our perception of what we are/are not doing and our perceived position (body-wise) is space can be flawed. We may "feel" that we are not going to move an arm but the muscles may not totally release.

I know I may not be very clear. I found that once I got together with my AT teacher, things became very easy for me to understand and to put into practice. It really is a different way of self-perception if you will.

Check out www.atcne.com

There is a lot of great information there as well as their links page.

I hope this helps.

Albert Castillo · 08-16-2006, 03:59 PM

I have a private instructor of Alexander Technique, and it was the "change" for me. That should a must in all Universities!

noonan · 08-16-2006, 04:41 PM

I took lessons fairly regularly during my graduate degree and felt an immense improvement, particularly in my breathing. It seems impossible to learn from a book, and if you can't commit to or afford weekly lessons it can be tough. The key to learning a new 'use' of your body is to consistently reinforce it. A big part of college is being exposed to new things that you might not otherwise learn about, so I think it's great that you are giving your students a unique opportunity. Even if they can't take regular lessons now, you never know when the opportunity might present itself later down the road. I certainly hope to get the chance myself. Opened doors are definitely a good thing!

07-29-2006, 12:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
ptynan Pianissimo User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 232	Alexander Technique Folks, I am thinking about bringing in an Alexander Technique specialist to work with the brass and saxophone players at the university I teach at in the spring semester. If anybody has any experience with it or has at least tried it out I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on what the positive (or negative) aspects of having an Alexander Technique specialist give a clinic would be. Best, PT __________________ Paul Tynan "Now Available in California!!"

07-29-2006, 01:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
eisprl Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Halifax, NS CANADA Posts: 506	Hey We had Alexander Tech representatives at Mount Allison once a couple years ago. I believe they have a clinic (is that what you would call it?) based out of Halifax. Also I have a friend who is a clinician for the Alexander Technique. I will try and get some contact info for you if you like. I am sure that she would know more about the benefits. Cheers Eric Sproul __________________ Eric Sproul Practice is like filling a leaky bucket Bb: Yamaha Xeno 8335 C: Bach Stadivarious 239L and 25A leadpipe (Owned by Eric Sholtz) Flugel: Yamaha Bobby Shew 6310Z Mouthpieces: GR tech www.stadband.ca

07-31-2006, 09:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
Kenzo Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bristol, Connecticut Posts: 53	Paul, I studied AT privately and it was temendously helpful. My neck and upper back pain disappeared and my whole approach to pretty much everything changed. It felt as if I could move much more easily through my day. My trumpet playing seemed easier and my mindset was more relaxed and I felt more centered. An absolutely positive experience for me. Also, it helped my golf game too. I would encourage you to go ahead with your plan and encourage your students to study AT. Good luck! __________________ Kenny Roe http://www.geocities.com/keroe@snet.net/KenRoe.html

07-31-2006, 12:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
eisprl Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Halifax, NS CANADA Posts: 506	Is it possible to study it without a clinician? (through books etc?) E. __________________ Eric Sproul Practice is like filling a leaky bucket Bb: Yamaha Xeno 8335 C: Bach Stadivarious 239L and 25A leadpipe (Owned by Eric Sholtz) Flugel: Yamaha Bobby Shew 6310Z Mouthpieces: GR tech www.stadband.ca

07-31-2006, 02:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kenzo Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bristol, Connecticut Posts: 53	I tried reading the books and manuals on AT on my own, some of it is not cut and dry so to speak. When dealing with the idea of "inhibition" it is hard to figure some of it out on your own. The thought of "not" doing and allowing the mind and body to follow is tricky since our perception of what we are/are not doing and our perceived position (body-wise) is space can be flawed. We may "feel" that we are not going to move an arm but the muscles may not totally release. I know I may not be very clear. I found that once I got together with my AT teacher, things became very easy for me to understand and to put into practice. It really is a different way of self-perception if you will. Check out www.atcne.com There is a lot of great information there as well as their links page. I hope this helps. __________________ Kenny Roe http://www.geocities.com/keroe@snet.net/KenRoe.html

07-29-2006, 01:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
KMT Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 163	I took Alexander Technique for a semester when I was at NEC. I have some friends that it has helped tremendously, but I am really on the fence. Some aspects were helpful, others were worthless to me.

07-29-2006, 02:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Manny Laureano Utimate User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 5,989	The Alexander Technique and a primary knowledge of Yoga tenets have been, along with the things that I learned from Arnold Jacobs, the triumverate of information that transformed my playing and teaching. I recommend Alexander as highly as possible. ML

08-16-2006, 03:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Albert Castillo Pianissimo User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Munich Posts: 107	I have a private instructor of Alexander Technique, and it was the "change" for me. That should a must in all Universities! __________________ Albert A. Castillo

08-16-2006, 04:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
noonan New Friend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 17	I took lessons fairly regularly during my graduate degree and felt an immense improvement, particularly in my breathing. It seems impossible to learn from a book, and if you can't commit to or afford weekly lessons it can be tough. The key to learning a new 'use' of your body is to consistently reinforce it. A big part of college is being exposed to new things that you might not otherwise learn about, so I think it's great that you are giving your students a unique opportunity. Even if they can't take regular lessons now, you never know when the opportunity might present itself later down the road. I certainly hope to get the chance myself. Opened doors are definitely a good thing!

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