The Unknown in Hands-on Work

CANCELLED

Sunday 26 April
The Unknown in Hands-on Work with Jean M. O. Fischer
Inhibition is the source of creativity and the unknown. The unknown can only happen if our habitual way of reacting does not get in the way. By inhibiting our habitual reaction we allow for the possibility of something new to arise. Sometimes hands-on work becomes formulaic and repetitive and we are not as open to perceiving ourselves and our pupils as we could be. This workshop will start with a short lying-down (but with a different thinking process than normal), followed by basic hands-on preparation in ourselves and in pairs, and then putting hands-on each other, but in a way which is exploring how to be more sensitive, perceptive and non-judgemental in our hands-on work.

Sunday 26 April: 11am – 1:15 pm with a break.
For teachers. Max. 8 participants. To secure a place please email Jean.
Fee: €30.00.

Location: Das Wiener Ausbildungszentrum für Alexander-Technik (WAAT).

Advertising and marketing

 

CANCELLED

Saturday 25 April
Advertising and marketing with Jean M. O. Fischer
As a teacher for some 30 years in Britain I have participated in different PR strategies over the years. In this talk and discussion I want to share the different PR strategies STAT pursued, the different strategies we tried with the Pimlico Centre for the Alexander Technique, and those which other teachers have shared with me. There are a range of options which have been tested and which are available to us. Of course advertising is going to differ from country to country, and I cannot say what will work best in Austria. (Regina’s and my experiences in Austria are limited.) However, I can talk about my experiences in Britain. We will then have a discussion about what could work for each teacher as individual circumstances and skills are a factor. All very informal.

This is a FREE workshop for students on training courses and teachers. Max. 9 participants. To secure a place please email Jean.

11 am – 1 pm with a short break.

Location: Das Wiener Ausbildungszentrum für Alexander-Technik (WAAT).

Inner Space – The Final Frontier!*

 

 

 

 

Whereas we are normally conscious of the space surrounding us we are rarely conscious of our own ‘space’ – our size, our shape, the space we take up. We frequently diminish ourselves in two concurrent ways: 1. by too much tension which tends to pull us downwards and inwards, in effect squeezing ourselves; and 2. by collapsing (frequently called ‘relaxing’) which also compresses us, reducing our shape and size. Both decrease our ‘inner space’ which in turn affects the functioning of our entire organism, both physically and psychologically. For example by diminishing our breathing capacity, compressing our joints, narrowing our blood vessels, and therefore making us feel smaller. With the Alexander Technique we are not setting out with an idée fixe as to what we are or should be – there is no predefined ‘ideal’ posture – but we are learning how to prevent constricting ourselves. The AT is how to allow ourselves our true size and shape. And it is an ‘allowance’, not an imposition. We can allow ourselves to take up the space we inhabit. It is much more an ‘inner’ expansion rather than ‘outer’ expansion (although there are visible effects as well, these are side-effects and not the primary object of the AT). The Alexander Technique is inviting you to boldly go where you may have not gone before – your own personal and individual space.

* With apologies to Star Trek.

Alexander Technique Workshop Kunstuni Graz

                            

On Saturday 11 January 2019 we are offering an introductory workshop to the Alexander Technique for the Career Service Centre of the Kunstuni Graz, followed by the possibility for all participants to sign up for one individual half-hour Alexander lesson.

The Alexander Technique is ideal for performers and well-known for bringing about greater ease and more freedom in all movements, both in everyday movements such as sitting, standing and walking, and when performing more complex or demanding activities such as playing a musical instrument and performing in front of an audience. Many people applying the Alexander Technique also report psychological benefits over time, among them a reduction in stress. To stand or sit or move well while conserving energy and maintaining coordination is an essential skill for any performer. We will look at some basic movements, and teach participants about a different way of sitting which is better for their backs.

The Alexander Technique is usually taught in a series of individual lessons as they allow to give due attention to the individual situation, needs and habitual patterns of a student. All participants of the introductory workshop will have the possibility to sign up for one half hour introductory lesson with either Jean or Regina at the Alexander-Technik Studio Graz (Harrachgasse) which will allow them to have an experience of individual work.

This workshop will be held in English. For more information and booking please see the website of the Career Service Centre of the Kunstuni Graz.

Alexander Technique Introductory Workshops

Thursday, 12th March 2020, 7.00-8.30 pm or
Saturday, 6th June 2020, 10.30-12.00 noon

The Alexander Technique is about moving, sitting, standing more easily and freely in everyday life. Frequently we are using much more tension and effort than necessary in many day-to-day activities, and many people end up with aches and pain, for example back pain. The Alexander Technique is a very different approach, yet ultimately very simple. It is not a treatment, there are no exercises nor do you need any special equipment. We are retraining how we are using ourselves – our body and mind – in everyday activities. In this short workshop we will introduce some fundamental principles of the Technique via some practical demonstrations; we will look at some basic movements, and you will learn about a different way of sitting which is better for your back.

 

Who
Jean Fischer, assisted by Regina Stratil
Language: predominantly English

Fees and booking
Fee: €20 (per person and date)
Booking: jean@atstudio.at (Tel.: 0316/319468)
Max. 5 participants

 

When
Thursday, 12th March 2020, 7.00-8.30 pm or
Saturday, 6th June 2020, 10.30-12.00 noon
(same workshop on two different dates)

Where
Alexander-Technik Studio Graz
Harrachgasse 4/2 (1. OG rechts)
8010 Graz
Styria
Austria

Workshops in Maribor, Slovenia

Last Saturday we gave two Alexander Technique workshops to the Konservatorij za glasbo in balet Maribor – the Music and Ballet Conservatory in Maribor, Slovenia. About 30 students and teachers of the string department participated in these two theoretical and practical introductions to the Technique.

The Alexander Technique is an invaluable tool for learning to play with greater ease and prevent problems that often arise due to unnecessary strain and unhealthy movement patterns. It is adaptable to any musical activity because it teaches what to prevent, what ‘not’ to do. It is well known among musicians in several countries where it is part of the curriculum in music schools and music colleges.

The lying-down procedure – Step 3/3

Your Alexander teacher will have provided you with the classical directions of the Technique (along the lines of ‘neck to release, head free to go forwards and upwards’ etc., the exact phrasing depends on the teacher). Here inhibition (non-doing) and direction are closely choreographed in the activity of thinking. Every direction has to be preceded by inhibition so that the whole process is one of prevention and non-doing. The expansion and general release of the whole muscular system is first and foremost an undoing, only gradually does it become a subtle toning-up of the muscles, whereby the whole neuro-muscular system is enlivened, alive and alert, and in a state of readiness. Lying down is salutary for practising this thinking (inhibition and direction) which you can then continue as you resume your everyday activities. Ultimately the experiences of lying down inform how you go about daily life.

Many people find this simple (on paper) practice difficult, but with time and practice it becomes easy and flowing.

(Image adapted from Directed Activities by Gerard Grennell (© Mouritz, 2002).)

The lying-down procedure – Step 2/3

Whereas adopting the physical position is easy, the mental attitude required takes some practice. First, it is an attitude of observation and non-interference. It may take some time to allow the mind–body to quieten down; to reach some degree of stillness where you are not occupied with wandering thoughts, such as thinking of what you have done and what you are to do. We want to reach a point where it is alright to be present, to observe yourself without judgement and without trying to correct your position. To be quietly here and now, when awareness is happening by itself. Eyes are open and attention is gentle. It is not a matter of work, it is not a matter of sleep. Many thoughts and feelings may pass by, but you just observe them as they run through you.

Then, observe your breathing without interfering with it. For some, turning the attention to one’s own breathing immediately changes the breathing. However, with time and an non-interfering attention, you can observe your own breathing as it happens, without changing anything. This is a second step.

(Picture courtesy of © www.speek.de.)