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).
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:
141 Mont-Royal Avenue East
Montreal, QC H2T 1N9
Phone:
438-409-3243
Email:
brigitte@alexandertechniquemontreal.ca
Website:
www.techniquealexandermontreal.ca
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 it’s 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 recognised 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
