What to expect.
Chair Work
First, there's hands-on work that deals with getting in and out of a chair.
This isn't about sitting and standing or learning the “right” way to move. Rather, you're learning where you like to go wrong. How do you make things harder for yourself when sitting and standing? What habits do you have?
For example, do you like to use your arms to help you get up? Or maybe you find yourself pulling your knees together? Did you hold your breath?
In the Alexander Technique the teacher's hands are used only to guide and encourage a new ease of movement.
Table Work
Following chair is table work. Here one is fully clothed, in a come as you are, comfortable manner, on a standard massage table. The teacher makes their way around the body gently encouraging lengthening and widening. During table work you're learning to let go of habits of postural holding. Think of it as a time to decompress!
All the while you want to be aware of what's going on in your body and sensing the changes that are taking place. Enjoy the undoing! The Alexander Technique works with your body and brain promoting lasting long-term benefits. This allows the student to take the effects of a lesson with them.
Activity Work
Lastly, there's work in activity. This is the application portion.
Throughout the lesson, habits are found and avoided. Here we bring in an activity such as texting, tying your shoes, playing an instrument or whatever you’d like to look at to see how well you can stay with freedom and ease in your body.
This all sounds easy, but habits come back quickly! Because this type of bodywork deals with re-education, it leads to lasting long-term change. The Alexander Technique will help you rethink and reshape your ideas about movement and so much more.
Alexander Technique Lessons
There are no aggressive manipulations, protocols, or exercises.
Lessons can be thirty or sixty minutes in length.
As a general guideline ten to fifteen lessons are recommended to rethink and reshape your posture and movement.
Rates are variable with student discounts available.
Lessons can be held at Carlisle Bowen Works or at private residencies. Joe also works locally and regionally with athletes and performing artists in their own spaces.
Group work and workshops are available as well. These can be more introductory and general or specialized for a particular professional setting. Joe has given workshops at local universities and wellness centers for actors, musicians, dancers, and computer users.
Please contact Joe to discuss what you're looking for.
Lessons