FM-Alexander-technique-research.jpg

About ASO

Alexander Studies Online (ASO) is a volunteer-based organization directed by an editorial board and operating in collaboration with the STAT Research Group (SRG). The editorial board includes Kathleen Ballard, Erica Donnison, Lesley Glover, Mark Vasak, Julia Woodman (chair of SRG), and Charlotte Woods. Special thanks go to David Gibbens, whose initial efforts form the foundation of this project.

The vision of Alexander Studies Online (ASO) is to foster a deeper understanding of the Alexander Technique through disciplined inquiry.

Our Team

  • Lesley Glover - PhD, MSTAT

    Lesley Glover is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull. She is an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist and Health Psychologist. She qualified as an Alexander Technique teacher in 2014 and is a member of the STAT Research Group.

  • Julia Woodman - BSc, PhD, MSTAT

    Julia Woodman’s background is in immunology research, followed by 20 years in biotech and medical communications / clinical trials. Since 2010 she has been active in research on the Alexander Technique and was part of the study team for the large randomised controlled clinical, trial, ATLAS. Julia is Chair of the STAT Research Group, and also Head of Training at Edinburgh Alexander Training School. She qualified from the Manchester Alexander Technique training school in 2006 and has a busy practice teaching one-to-one, groups and in business.

  • Kathleen Ballard, BSc, PhD, MSTAT

    Kathleen Ballard qualified as an Alexander Technique teacher in 1984. For many years she taught at the Carrington’s school in London and later was a senior visiting teacher at the Manchester training school. She has run numerous workshops for Alexander teachers in the UK and taught abroad. After gaining a PhD in Zoology in 1965, Kathleen joined the Institute of Physiology, University of Glasgow as a lecturer and then Research Fellow. Insights from this background have influenced and inspired her Alexander teaching and writing. Kathleen is an active member of the STAT Research Group and was part of the research study team for both the ATEAM back pain trial and ATLAS neck pain trial. She has served on STAT Council and STAT committees.

  • Erica Donnison, BSc, MSc, MSTAT

    Erica Donnison set up the STAT Research Group (SRG) during her time on the STAT Council and served as the group's Chair for several years. During this time, the idea for what is now Alexander Studies Online (ASO) was born. Erica graduated from the Cumbria Alexander Training School at Fellside in 2004, and has been teaching individuals and groups in Kendal and elsewhere since then. Her previous career as an Ecologist inspires her teaching with a love of natural movement and a fascination with how everything is inter-connected.

  • Mark Vasak, B.Mus, M.OT, CANSTAT

    Mark Vasak has a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, and holds a Bachelor of Music. He qualified from the Vancouver school of the Alexander Technique in 2012 and teaches AT on faculty in The Capilano University Theatre department and in a busy private practice. He was executive co-director of Alexander Technique Canada and Canadian ATAS representative from 2015-2018 and is a member of the STAT Research Group.

  • Charlotte Woods, EdD, MSTAT

    Charlotte Woods retired from a Senior Lectureship at the Manchester Institute of Education, University of Manchester in 2016 after almost forty years of international experience in education. She qualified as a teacher of the AT in 2017 and is a member of the STAT Research Group.

Our Supporters

We are grateful to The Society of Teachers of The Alexander Technique (STAT) who provide funding to support this venture, and to the STAT Research Group (SRG) who volunteer their time to provide editorial and organizational leadership.

We are grateful to The Society of Teachers of The Alexander Technique (STAT) who provide funding to support this venture, and to the STAT Research Group (SRG) who volunteer their time to provide editorial and organizational leadership.