What to Expect during your First Class
What to Expect in your 1st lesson
What happens in an Alexander lesson?
It’s typical to have a consultation of some kind either prior to your first class or as part of it. Ask an instructor about what to expect before your lesson.
Watch me working with a couple of students here!
Because Alexander is something you learn to apply as you are doing regular Life activities, you do not need to wear exercise clothes. Comfortable-casual works! I’ve worked with finance executives in suits and with personal trainers in Lululemon. As long as what you’re wearing doesn’t impede your movement and isn’t distracting to you, it’s fine!
You will not be asked to undress.
Your teacher likely will tailor a lesson to your unique body, mind, and needs (this is why talking via a consultation helps). However, initial Alexander lessons typically consist of basic movement you do everyday so you can start to become aware of habits you may (or may not) want to make more conscious. Experimenting with how you move while sitting in a chair, while standing and bending and what your associate with “doing nothing” (table work) are usual. An AT teacher also may look at walking, reaching, and at movement while you’re supported by a wall. If you play an instrument, they may ask you to bring it with you.
Because Alexander Technique is a self-study, an approach you learn and apply to life activities, many teachers assign daily practice (dedicated periods of time and/or more casual periods). Remember, you are going for lessons: you’re an active collaborator in your learning and you’re developing a skill/tool; you aren’t passive as you might be in a visit to a chiropractor or massage therapist or acupuncturist. You are not a “patient.” At the end of your class, ask your teacher what they’d like you to think about or do or read between lessons. Ask what their policy is about contacting them with questions between classes - we usually are happy to field them!
What Will You Learn in Alexander Class?
Learning in an embodied way is something human beings evolved to do; however, most of us have been (unconsciously) trained since childhood to not notice the bodily sensations we have in response to actions and responses. So you will be encouraged to learn experientially (not as a brain on a hat-rack):
That everyone has unnecessary tension patterns in their body they may be experiencing (or may be unaware of), why we do, and how you can move out of yours.
How the head-neck-back relationship effects how we feel and function (well or not so well) in our daily lives.
How thought impacts our bodies and vice-versa.
That we can choose response vs. reactivity.
How to become aware of everyday movements like sitting, standing, walking, and reaching.
How your awareness in these simple activities (and your decision to change how you do them) can lead you to feel and function better, overall
Things to practice on your own to begin to address why you are coming to AT which actually work (if you do them as advised).
Find an Alexander Technique Teacher
Google for someone nearby (use your zip code in the search) or ask friends for recommendations.
Make sure your teacher is certified by a training course that requires the international standard of 3 years / 1600 hours of training. Sorry, but the Opera or Dance or Theatre teacher who's had some Alexander classes is misguided if they claim they’re teaching you Alexander Technique. Attempts to do usually are misleading, confusing, and unhelpful. I mean: I have had singing lessons and do sing well; but I do NOT assert that I’m a singing teacher or that I can help you master Bel Canto repertoire. 🤣
Give a teacher a couple of lessons to determine if you are a good match. Reading reviews and recommendations are only a little helpful. No matter the discipline, not every teacher resonates with every person.
After something labeled a class or lesson, I always ask myself “what did I learn and do I have a way of applying it?” Is your teacher teaching you? Are they showing you how to teach yourself/ how to practice between lessons?
Contact the American Center for the Alexander Technique or the American Society for the Alexander Technique for help in finding nationally-certified teachers near you.