Educational Programs
Alexander Technique Canada (ATC) is currently designing a pilot community project, entitled “Change Habits, Find Freedom” that will offer multi-week Alexander Technique courses to different segments of the Canadian population in different provinces.
The purpose of this pilot project is to teach participants the principles of the Alexander Technique so that they can apply them to their unique circumstances and increase their sense of well-being. The classes will actively involve the participants, who will receive practical hands-on experience exploring the Technique in gentle activities such as walking, sitting, or standing. They will also discover the importance of “constructive rest,” and study what it means to give “directions” in the body. In addition, they will receive a list of suggested reading materials to complement what they are learning in class.
Participants will have an opportunity to delve much more deeply into Alexander Technique than would be available to them in a one-day workshop.
Program Outcomes
It is expected that participants will come away from these courses with:
- An understanding of the principles of the Technique
- Greater self-awareness
- Concrete ideas on how to improve their posture and breathing
- An ability to change physical and mental habits that interfere with optimal functioning and well-being
- A capability of inhibiting poor psycho-physical responses to their environment
Applications
Working closely with certified Alexander Technique teachers, ATC will design a number of different
educational courses targeted to specific interests of the public. ATC will build courses that may include working with individuals who want to:
- Play their musical instrument with greater ease
- Improve their mobility issues, such as seniors, accident victims, and those with Parkinson’s Disease
- Manage workplace injury and speed recovery
- Decrease the level of chronic pain they experience
- Improve their athletic performance
- Learn tools to manage their stress
- Improve their posture while working at a desk or in a more active setting
- Change their habits to eliminate repetitive strain injuries
- Maximize their potential as dancers
- Gain greater stage presence, confidence, and healthier voice production as actors or public speakers
- Improve their health and well-being
Course Evaluations
Through participant and instructor questionnaires, before and after the multi-week course, data will be collected and analyzed to confirm the efficacy of the course materials and based on the feedback, ATC will refine course material as needed. ATC also intends to partner with scientific researchers who would design a study examining and measuring the specific benefits of teaching Alexander Technique within a group environment.
