Leaders in Distance Learning

Level 3 Diploma in Alexander Technique

Introduction

Some people move with grace and ease and seem to have good posture, freedom of movement and general well-being. Whereas others, use ourselves very badly - collapsing, tensing, distorting ourselves in almost every moment of our lives.

The Alexander Technique is more than just acquiring a 'good posture'; it is a process by which an individual can learn awareness of their physical and psychological self in order to transmit positivism through body movements.

Of course the Alexander Technique can help many physical conditions such as back pain, stress and sleep disorders. In addition it can be used to help musicians, sports men and women, and a whole range of task related physical activities where posture, balance and awareness of movement facilitates and promotes full function without predisposition to damage or pain. In addition, the technique can be useful in pregnancy and during childbirth.

This course is designed for those wishing to learn the theory and belief behind the Alexander technique with an aim to take practical training to practice as an Alexander Practitioner/Teacher, and also for those who have an interest in learning the process for themselves. The ten modules will cover everything from anatomy and physiology, psychology, specific movements and postures, Alexander lessons, and practitioner role and responsibilities, and will also give guidance on professional affiliation, codes of conduct and how to establish a teaching practice.

Each module will be themed and followed by an assignment where you will receive detailed feedback from your tutor to ensure that you understand the concepts underpinning the course materials. There will also be some additional written activities within modules which are intended to help with assignment planning and for essay revision purposes (these will not be marked by the tutor). Following completion of the course there will be a 5000 word extended essay project, and for this you will be given the choice of several questions, so that all learning styles preferences are accommodated as far as possible.

The modules will include graphical representation of techniques and positions, so additional materials are not necessary in order to complete the course. However, you will be required to practise the postures and teaching methods, so access to a suitable area (in your own home would suffice) will be necessary, the use of an upright chair (kitchen/dining type), a Yoga mat or large towel (for semi-supine positions), and a note book and pen for making notes as we progress through the course. In addition, there may be times when you will need the help of a volunteer when practising your teaching techniques.

The following module descriptors are brief content guides to the course components and should provide a holistic overview of structure and format.

Course Modules

Module 1: The musculoskeletal system and sensory perception

The first module will cover the musculoskeletal system and sensory perception in much detail. More importantly it will provide students with a solid anatomical and physiological basis to build on and develop throughout the course. Within this module students will look briefly at what can go wrong with above systems in terms of relevance to the Alexander Technique practitioner:

• Bones and bone formation
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Muscles
• Movement: how we move and the skeletal framework
• Sensory perception
• The five senses
• How we perceive special concepts and relate this to movement

Module 2: The evolution and relevance of the Alexander Technique

The technique has evolved over time and it is critical that students develop at least a basic understanding of how it has become what it is today. This section will go right back to its origin and explains how it has emerged through history to its present state. There will also be discussion about the relevance of the concepts within the technique and how it applies to modern life.

• F. M. Alexander and the origins of the Alexander Technique
• The use of the 'self' and taking responsibility for one's own health and wellbeing
• Raising awareness of the 'self' and re-education in order to embed new concepts and behaviour
• Changing behaviour, reinforcement and cognitive processes including looking at psychology associated with these concepts, and how behaviour changes are facilitated and maintained relevant to the technique
• The psychology of the 'self' and how concepts of change relate to it

Module 3: Inhibition, thinking and breathing

The manner in which everybody breathes can affect the posture of any individual. In order to maintain good posture, good breathing is crucial and also for self awareness. Specific breathing techniques and patterns can be adopted to promote a cycle of non-harm to ultimately achieve that good posture that is desired and raise physical awareness.

• Breathing, and the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and breathing process; how oxygen absorption is relevant to muscle and movement
• Natural or unconscious inhibition
• Conscious inhibition
• Thinking and being
• Tension release
• Learning direction

Module 4: Basic movement and normal postures

We all have a range of everyday movements and postures which we engage in without thought. In this module we look at these movements and examine the rationale behind some of their applications. This section introduces students to the beginning of seeing where the Alexander Technique 'fits' into a 'remedial' cycle and also how it can be relevant to promotion of a positive process of movement and harm prevention. It will look at the following subject areas and how they can affect it:

• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Various activities such as driving, reaching for things, sitting at a desk, working on a computer, carrying shopping, sitting on a sofa etc.

Module 5: Stress reduction and tension release

Stress can take many forms and can have both positive and negative effects on individuals. Many theorists have come up with ways to define what stress is and the list of events that cause it is endless. Stress is a major problem in everyday modern life and can be minor such as feeling pressure at work to actually taking time off and receiving medication.

Tense muscles can result in harmful posture and movement of the body. In order to reduce stress we first have to understand the physiology or 'mechanics' behind the process and then look at the adjustments and changes necessary to reduce and relive this cycle.

• What is stress? We look at the physiology behind the stress response and the link between right and left side of the brain relevant to the Alexander Technique
• We look at how increasing levels of stress elicits tension thus affecting movement and posture
• We demonstrate and discuss exercises to promote self-awareness and reduce stress
• We demonstrate and discuss the semi-supine position and how this promotes tension release and stress reduction
• We demonstrate and discuss standing from the semi-supine position

Module 6: The delivery of the Alexander Technique: Lesson 1

This is the first of three modules where specific postures and techniques are described and discussed in much detail. Each posture and technique will be explained in full and instruction on how to convey the posture and ensure correct application will also be given to give the best results.

Students will also be given information on the teaching and lesson process from both a practitioner and client perspective in all 3 lessons. This module will contain drawings, images and graphical representations as aids to study and best enhance the students learning capabilities. You may also need to practice the postures yourself and/or engage a volunteer in order to gain more from the experience.

Module 7: The delivery of the Alexander Technique: Lesson 2

This is the second of three modules where specific postures and techniques are described and discussed, and it will follow on logically from module 6, building a comprehensive library from which the student can develop their practical skills.

Module 8: The delivery of the Alexander Technique: Lesson 3

This is the third and final module where specific postures and techniques will be described and discussed. This module will also present a 'generic' lesson format which is intended to give the student practitioner/teacher a working example.

Module 9: Alexander Technique applications

In this module students will look at specific applications or situational context in which the Alexander Technique may be used in isolation, or as part of a collaborative programme:

• Sports and fitness: this may be in order to achieve better level of fitness or for amateur or professional athletes wishing to develop correct posture and movement skills relevant to sports performance
• Pregnancy and birth
• Performers such as musicians and singers: here, for example the correct posture and breathing can prevent injury and pain, in addition to which will be a positive tool to enhance performance
• Health care workers: here for example, correct posture will help prevention of injuries due to lifting etc.
• Individuals with musculoskeletal conditions: management of painful conditions, pain management and improved function
• Other relevant applications

Module 10: Practitioner responsibilities

In the last module, students deals with when working with the general public. In any context, it is important that you have knowledge of specific legislation and frameworks relevant to practitioner responsibility, public liability and therapeutic environments to ensure the safety of all parties involved with the technique. This module seeks to address some of these issues, giving the student practitioner the basic knowledge of how to set up an Alexander Technique practice.

• Ethical considerations such as data protection, issues of confidentiality etc.
• Professional codes of conduct
• Professional bodies and affiliation
• Training and professional development Business considerations such as public liability, premises legislation, record keeping and documentation, fees and client contracts etc.

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