I find it difficult to put into words what I feel about the week we have just spent with you. I will find the words, of course and I will write an article and feed back for you, But for now I just want to let you know, with a large lump in my throat, and to give you a huge thank you for all of it. I don’t think in all my many years I have had such an experience and gained so much from just a week. You were so generous, perceptive, caring and, yes, loving in a very directed way. You gave each of us something special and individual.

www.bodylearningcast.com

the latest one is by David Gorman, who trained me. Go listen!

snorkelling

I have had a very good two workshops in Alonnisos so far this summer and two more to go:

chilling out after lunch

teachers week is starting Friday 16th, booked out,  and still a couple of places left for all comers on September 3rd.

to the monastery

Here are some photos of classic moments on boat trips and walks:

disembarking at Skantzoura

Experience Speaks for the Alexander Technique from Thomas Glen Cook on Vimeo.

This lovely little film has just come out  by Thomas Glen Cook. http://www.vimeo.com/12544184

It is a lovely selection of Alexander students talking of their experience with the work, with some footage of lessons:  guitarist/songwriter, politician, artists, bassoonist, actors, blind students, young people, older people….

It is an unhurried presentation – the work in action – student based and lasts about 20minutes. I highly recommend. Here’s the intro:

“This film does not define what the Alexander Technique is, nor did it ever intend to.It is rather an attempt to capture an impression, a rough sketch of Alexander’s discoveries with a mosaic of voices.

For those who have had lessons, these voices will surely resonate with a sense of familiarity. For those who have never encountered the Alexander Technique, perhaps these voices will spark a curiosity to learn more.”

FM Alexander teaching

 the best known is Aldous Huxleys’ Eyeless in Gaza. You can read all about this and others at http://alexandertechnique.com/ats/fiction/ 

One day there will be a book or play all set around the work. But I haven’t finished it yet….

You can also see a short film excert of Alexander on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbeXjewVmME Very raunchy  picture behind him!

in which Richard Armitage describes his routine of lying down in semi-supine every morning as part of his healthy life style:
‘It’s a way of helping my voiuce production and control, but when my stress levels are high during filming, it gives me a break. I lie on the floor with a book over my head….(SURELY HE MEANS UNDER??)…….while I focus on the exercise. On the shoot on South Aftica I fell asleep pretty much everytime I did it.’

It is true. if I am in need of sleep, and I lie down in semi-supine on the floor….well it’s the best cat nap I ever have, and my back is soooolong and wide when I wake up.

The picture is of Misha a theatre student of mine lying down in the dressing room at the Criterion Theatre in London’s West End before the ArtsEducational Showcase this March.

semi-supine for stress

 Bit cramped but still possible for getting the voice and the nerves sorted.

This is very well written and observed, particularly useful if you are still thinking Alexander is all about posture!

running

Very pleased to hear from Peter a long term student of mine that he knocked off a further 15 minutes from his time in the London Marathon this year.  Here’s what he said last year…

‘Thanks for all you your guidance and help over the past few months leading up to my London Marathon run – I was delighted to have got round in 3h 16 minutes and beat my previous time by a whopping 41 min. I came to you in search of advice on how to move my limbs more naturally but I have benefited from you teaching in a much wider way. Not only can I run now faster, longer, with less pain and more enjoyment but I’ve also learnt how to focus on the present moment in all aspects of my life, removing the stresses and strains that previously occupied my mind and making me feel more energetic. I always look forward to our weekly sessions as a chance for relaxation and learning more about the technique……
  It’s all true! Thanks again, you’ve really revolutionised how I look at the mad world which I live in!’

youngest student of the alexander technique...

This is Faye. She is two years old and the sister of one of my theatre students. Scarlett was lying down in semi-supine as part of my Facebook Event. Faye wanted to know what Scarlett was doing and insisted on joining in……..Faye is not so much a student but a teacher of the Alexander Technique. I was watching 3 children all under 5 on the Tube with their mother. They were so easy in their movement, so There, so non-doing, without guile, without trying, without trying to get anything right. They were just there.

Like Faye – just lying there, and her shoulders so wide and open….widening, lengthening……although I gather from her big sister she can be a bit of a pickle too!

another day in paradise

Well if you are a fan or member of my ‘I like lying down in semi-supine’ group on Facebook, you will have got the invitation already. Let’s all lie down from 2pm this Sunday March 28th, no matter where you are for 20 minutes and feedback, report with photos if poss to the group wall. …lie down with friends or on your own….invite all your friends and family…maybe we’ll get a world record number! Have fun!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=299418182371