Alexander Technique teachers help people to move, stand, walk and breathe in ways that don’t involve unnecessary muscular effort. The technique aims to re-educate the mind and body through a series of gentle movements. Teachers use hand skills and verbal instructions to help clients to correct problems, showing them how to apply the technique in everyday life.
Work activities
The Alexander Technique was developed by Frederick Matthias Alexander, an Australian actor and author. One of its main aims is to re-establish the relationship between the head, neck and back. This makes up the core of the body, which acts as the foundation for the strength of our limbs and the working of our breathing systems. First, the teacher asks careful questions to try to find out why the client is experiencing problems. This can involve discussing the client’s personal situation. The teacher might also look at how the client carries themselves and holds tension. Then, the teacher uses gentle hands-on guidance and verbal instructions to help the client find ease of movement. The aim is to help the client become aware of the unnecessary tension that has been created, and to understand how to apply the technique to everyday situations. In the lesson itself, the client might benefit enormously from using the new, re-learned movements. The teacher might be able to reduce aches and pains very quickly. However, the client will need to use the technique for themselves, outside the lessons, if they want to make a significant change in their lives. In-between lessons, the client will need to practise the technique, so it becomes something that they put into use all the time.
Alexander Technique teachers believe that using the technique effectively helps people to move with less effort, be more alert and focused, and to breathe and speak more easily. They believe that the technique can help the client to be calmer and more confident. Usually, it takes a number of sessions to begin to put the Alexander Technique into practice in daily life.
Alexander Technique teachers see clients with problems such as:
* Anxiety.
* Headaches.
* Performance issues (actors, dancers, singers, musicians and athletes).
* Specific medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson’s disease.
* Sports injuries.
Personal qualities and skills
To be an Alexander Technique teacher you’ll need:
* Patience, tact and sensitivity.
* The ability to listen to clients, and to explain things clearly.
* Practical hand skills.
If you’re self-employed, you’ll need financial, organisational and other skills to run your own business.
Pay and opportunities
Earnings for Alexander Technique teachers vary depending on the number of clients they see and the amount they charge. They might choose their hours of work to suit their clients. Evening and weekend work is common, and some teachers work part-time.
Most Alexander Technique teachers are self-employed. Employers are drama schools, colleges and universities, where Alexander Technique teachers deliver lessons to students as part of the curriculum. Opportunities for Alexander Technique teachers occur mainly in towns and cities, throughout the UK.
Teachers might work from home or hire a room at a complementary therapy centre or visit clients’ homes. Some teachers run adult evening classes.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Because most Alexander Technique teachers are self-employed, very few vacancies are advertised. Employers might advertise through job boards and local/national newspapers. Employers such as drama and music colleges might also advertise on their own websites.
Entry routes and training
The Society of Teachers of The Alexander Technique (STAT) approves three-year, full-time training courses. You can find a list of courses on the STAT website. Entry is usually for people who have taken a number of lessons; you should contact individual course providers to find out their requirements. There is continuous assessment; some courses might involve some written work. The Professional Association of Alexander Teachers (PAAT) has its own training courses, based in Birmingham. The PAAT Training Course is run over four years.
You could progress to a training post (working with new Alexander Technique teachers) or specialise in a particular client group, for example, actors, musicians, children or sports professionals.
Qualifications
There are no set academic entry requirements for the courses approved by the Society of Teachers of The Alexander Technique (STAT), or the Professional Association of Alexander Teachers (PAAT) Training Course. GCSEs in English and maths may help, as in most careers.
Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.
Skills and knowledge developed in work such as teaching, training or counselling are useful. New entrants are normally self-funded. The cost of training to full qualification varies but can be expensive.
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