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Time as an element in the curriculum at The Royal College of Music
This month we release an article by Judith Kleinman exploring the evolution of Alexander Technique (AT) at the Royal College of Music (RCM), focusing on Time as a crucial element in student learning. Integrated into RCM's degree programs and available as individual lessons, AT has been offered since the 1960s, with group classes starting in 1991. The curriculum has evolved gradually through observation, analysis, and iteration. Emphasizing Time enhances students' understanding of presence, reaction, and time flow, vital for musical performance and personal development.
Restoring carers to themselves through the Alexander Technique
In this video, Charlotte Woods and Lesley Glover from ASO discuss an article co-authored with dementia expert Emma Wolverson, that explores how the Alexander Technique, even when learned for unrelated reasons, can unexpectedly improve one's ability to provide care. They touch on the embodied nature of caring, interoception and autonomy, "self-loss" among carers, and conclude by discussing implications for academics and the Alexander community.
Opera and Alexander Technique: What are the connections?
This month we explore the unique challenges that opera places on the human voice as we delve into connections between Opera and the Alexander Technique (AT). Led by Gabriella Minnes Brandes, six video clips and written text explore research, process, practice, and performance in real-time with opera singers Shana White and Brittany St. Claire. Join us for this insightful journey and the open intersection of worlds in which AT supports sound quality, embodied awareness, and dynamic performance.
An Interview with Monika Gross: Alexander Technique Research & Collaboration
Welcome to the 34th edition of the ASO newsletter. In this issue, we feature an illuminating interview with Monika Gross (The Poise Project) that revolves around crucial aspects such as bridging communication gaps between the Alexander Technique and other fields, amplifying public awareness of the profession, and establishing meaningful connections with research groups and healthcare practitioners.
Why research the Alexander Technique?
This month, ASO (Alexander Studies Online) introduces its first podcast-style post titled "Why research the Alexander Technique?" Join us for a discussion with the members of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique Research Group (SRG) as they explore how curiosity, challenges, and practical insights from research on AT can relate to one's personal explorations and practice.
Soma in the City: How does listening and responding to a ‘somatic podcast’ drawing on the Alexander Technique, affect one’s relationship with urban space?
This month we present a summary of research by Korina Biggs undertaken as part of her M.A. in Dance and Somatic Well-Being at the University of Central Lancashire. The study drew on the Alexander Technique and aimed to connect somatic perceptual/movement practice with challenging urban environments, exploring the potential of digital technology to deepen the connection to one's psychophysical self and surroundings.
Why have a curriculum for an experiential practice?
This month we release an article by Judith Kleinman that explores how a curriculum can act as a flexible tool to support Alexander Technique teaching, foster professional development and communication with other fields, and enrich the learning journey of the student.
Lighten Up! A conversation with Rajal Cohen - Part II
Following up on last month’s research on the effects of postural instructions on people living with Parkinson’s and on healthy older and younger adults. This month, we share a two-part conversation with Rajal, where she discusses the research and introduces a new project, Posture Underground.
Lighten Up! A conversation with Rajal Cohen - Part I
This month shares the background research to an upcoming conversation with Rajal Cohen, M.AmSAT, Ph.D., about a series of three papers she and colleagues published on the effects of postural instructions on people living with Parkinson’s and on healthy older and younger adults.
Embodied practices, the Alexander Technique, and self-compassion: An interview with Lisa Harris
“Can embodied practices, on their own, affect self-compassion?” This month we release an interview with Lisa Harris MSc, MSTAT about her unique MSc thesis which is entitled "An Exploration of Embodied Movement Practices as a Route to Self-Compassion”.
‘What on earth do we do with this data?’ Two experiences of writing up research for publication
This post introduces two new research articles based on the same data set but which adopted quite different approaches to writing up for publication. The papers are titled: Extending understanding of ‘care’ as an embodied phenomenon: Alexander Technique teacher perspectives on restoring carers to themselves, and ‘I am teaching them and they are teaching me’: Experiences of teaching Alexander Technique to people with dementia.
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- 2023
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