Teacher Training Schools
Becoming a qualified Alexander Technique teacher requires training at an accredited school for a minimum of 1600 hours over three years. The student/teacher ratio within the school is typically five to one. Students experience practical hands-on work, which accounts for 80% of the total training hours, while the remaining 20% may include readings, assignments, and discussion relating to the pedagogical issues of Alexander Technique.
Most schools usually require potential teacher trainees to have a series of private lessons with an accredited teacher before being admitted into the school.
There are currently two qualified teacher-training schools in Canada that meet the standards of Alexander Technique Canada (ATC) and the Alexander Technique Affiliated Societies (ATAS). Please see immediately below for more information on the Toronto School of the Alexander Technique (click on the right tab) and the AT BodyWise Learning Centre in Ottawa (click on the left tab).
Alexander Technique BodyWise: Centered Learning (Ottawa)
AT BodyWise: Centered Learning offers a three-year (1600 hours) teacher training course under the direction of brigitte Caron.
The teacher training program is certified by Employment and Social Development Canada to issue tax receipts.
The school is bilingual and welcomes English and French–speaking students.
Les informations au sujet du cours de formation pour devenir enseignant à L’École de Technique sont disponible en français.
The training course is dedicated to providing individual guidance and attention as the basis for acquiring the practical hands-on and verbal skills necessary to become a masterful teacher.
brigitte brings a fresh, contemporary approach to the learning and teaching of the principles that make up the Alexander Technique. She supports work exchanges between AT teachers of all experience levels through regular professional development opportunities, as well as post-graduate work.
Contact Us
Address:
1574 Walkley rd
Ottawa, ON
K1V 6P5
Testimonials
Sometimes the culture and learning environment of a school is best expressed through its graduates:
“Being in brigitte’s training course was an amazing experience and truly life- changing. Every day was a voyage of discovery led by brigitte, our chief explorer, into the fascinating psychophysical world of the Alexander Technique. She made it fun and interesting and always encouraged us to explore on our own in an ambiance that was kind and non-judgemental. Her enthusiasm was infectious and laughter was always a part of the day. If you are interested in deepening your understanding of the Technique and obtaining solid AT skills in a warm and encouraging atmosphere, this is the school for you.”
– Mary Ellen Hurd, Graduate, Dancer, Marketing Professional
“brigitte, directrice de l’école de Technique Alexander de Montréal, est une enseignante hors-pair, généreuse et attentionnée, qui a à cœur l’expérience
authentique que vivent ses élèves, tout en sachant sagement lâcher prise pour permettre au cheminement de chaque individu de suivre son cours.”
– Emmanuelle Lambert-Lemoine, Altiste, Éducatrice En Musique, Étudiante Invitée
Toronto School of the Alexander Technique
The Toronto School of the Alexander Technique was founded by Elaine Kopman in 1992. She graduated from the Jerusalem School of the Alexander Technique in 1979 and started her teaching practice in Toronto in 1982. Elaine is the director of the training course and is assisted by Howard Bockner who graduated from the school in 1999.
The Technique is taught classically, based on the five major principles of the Technique developed by F.M. Alexander and as outlined by Patrick Macdonald in his book, The Alexander Technique as I See It.
There is a maximum of ten students during the three-year course. After a three-month probation period, students begin training in “hands-on” work. In the third year students are given the opportunity to apprentice. The school also offers a post-graduate year.
Contact Us
Address:
620 Wilson Avenue, #210
Toronto, ON M2P 2H2
Testimonials
“Committed to teaching her students a thorough understanding of the Primary Control and the precepts of Inhibition and direction, Elaine Kopman, director of the Toronto School of the Alexander Technique never wavers from F.M. Alexander’s stated principles. Her work, informed by Shmuel Nelken, Patrick Macdonald, Margaret Goldie, Nelly Ben-Or and Rivka Cohen is rich, superb and influential. The atmosphere in the school is engaging and positive, yet serious – always emphasizing the importance of “the work” and its usage. As the assistant, Howard Bockner is wonderful in his clarity and is tireless as a mentor in the class. The Toronto School of the Alexander Technique has been a treasure of inestimable value for me.”
– Gary Labovitz, Past President, CanSTAT
“This school is so amazing that it attracts students from an astonishing variety of backgrounds and motivations. I have created precious links with my schoolmates during the three years of training under the clear guidance of the school director Elaine Kopman and her assistant Howard Bockner. When I graduated in 2019, shortly after obtaining Canadian citizenship, I decided to start my practice in Toronto in order to continue to benefit from the exceptional support provided by the school on my journey to become an established and well-recognized Alexander Technique Teacher. This school still plays a very important role in my own development, and in the future I am also hoping to expand my teaching practice into France, my country of origin.”
– Nathalie Rémond, Graduate
