Teaching the Alexander Technique: Active Pathways to Integrative Practice
September 23    3-6 p.m.
​11042 27th Ave NE     Seattle, WA 98125
Light Refreshments and Libations!
 
From the Introduction to the Book:
“While the book is intended for people who are teaching the Alexander Technique, the truth is that ultimately all of us must teach ourselves this elegant process. For anyone reading this as a student of the Alexander Technique,the ideas in this book offer you an opportunity to take on that role of teacher for yourself.” 

I am offering the course that was described in one of my chapters in Galvanizing Performance:

Drama 455   Introduction to the Alexander Technique
Summer A –Term   June 18-22, 2018
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Hutchinson Hall 303
2 credits (VPLA)

 
“The Alexander Technique is constructive, conscious kindness to yourself, cooperating with your design, supporting your desires and dreams.” – Madden
Cathy’s class is a playful and practical exploration of the Alexander Technique. Each day, the sequential process is applied to the activities you care about  - from your daily and/or professional life. Information, observation of yourself and others help you access the gifts of your physical and vocal coordination.
 
If how you have been moving has brought discomfort to you, then you will get tools to restore comfort and pleasure to what you do.  If you want to build skills, the Alexander Technique provides the foundation to pursue excellence.
 
In class work will be tailored to the needs of the enrolled class members. This course is of particular interest to students of drama, music, dance, education and psychology, and is useful to anyone who moves.
 
The text for the course is Madden’s book, Integrated Alexander Technique Practice for Performing Artists: Onstage Synergy.
 
This summer's class is being taught in the intensive format that Madden teaches at Alexander Technique training schools around the world. The class meets daily from 6:30-9:30pm, June 18-22, 2018.

Information on how to register is found at -
​
https://www.summer.uw.edu/registration-costs/key-dates-deadlines/
 

Thanks to Kathy Driscoll , Sydney Alexander Technique, BodyMinded, for creating the video.
​

Jessica Kingsley Publishers is announcing the book I co-edited with Kathleen Juhl:
​
"The Alexander Technique is a special form of mind/body practice that focuses on improving efficiency through learning and understanding movement and behavior. Galvanizing Performances applies the teachings of this practice to the performing arts. Through theatre, music, and dance, the contributors, all artists themselves, demonstrate how deliberate movement can improve an individual’s art and bene t their general health and wellbeing.
Using special case examples and in-depth analysis over a range of performance arts, this book supports instruction of effective movement and the Alexander Technique within different artistic disciplines for students and teachers alike.
Cathy Madden is the principle lecturer at the University of Washington School of Drama, as well as Director of the Alexander Technique Training and Performance Studio in Seattle and Associate Director for BodyChance in Japan.
Kathleen Juhl is a professor of Theatre at Southwestern University where she teaches an Alexander Technique class for actors, musicians, and voice performers. Kathleen has taught the Alexander Technique at national and international opera festivals.
Contributors: Debi Adams, Sarah Barker, Corinne Cassini, Kate Conklin, Julianne Eveleigh, Paul Hampton, Julia Guichard, Harvey Thurmer, Michael Frederick, Elaine Williams, Patricia O’Neill, Robert Schubert, Crispin Spaeth  "
*****
Of particular interest to those interested in the Alexander Technique are the AT Perspectives that are at the beginning of each chapter.  As we were editing the collection, we realized that each author looked at the work through a particular personal lens so we asked everyone to invite us into the prism of their approach.

To order the book, you can use the link below (and note that on the form, you can select what country you are in to expedite the process):  www.jkp.com/us/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=72&url=http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781785927201

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A joy in teaching is that every teaching moment is a visit to a new world....in which we each create our own personal approach to everyday mastery.

While initially studying AT seems to be more about restoring our ability to cooperate with our design, its ultimate value lies in its ability to assure a constantly evolving, usually pleasurable, efficient response to the tasks of our lives. 

​And isn't it wonderful how many tasks humans do!

Tomorrow I will be flying home from Japan after nearly a month of intensive teaching.

And the heroes and heroines of the trip are my translators!

Without them, I would still teach something – but the depth of the interactions would be limited as we all attempted communication in various forms of mime and Japlish. 

Ken, Naoko, Shigeko, Isuzu, Yasuhiro, Michiko, and Kanae –as you know more deeply than I – words are an approximation of meaning.  My gratitude for your contribution to my ability to invite people to new ideas is splendiferous.

As this picture of Ken in the act of translating for me illustrates, it can be quite a task to be my translator!

This is a picture of my studio after a lesson this week!  While my studio often looks a bit sculptural after a day of teaching, this is perhaps the most distinct. 

Seeing it – after the lesson – awakened a recognition of my passion for this work.

While it is a universally applicable process, it is always a celebration of the uniqueness of each person who encounters it.

For the past several summers, I have had the joy of teaching a workshop at a retreat center north of Seattle, near Snohomish.  (the picture is from one of the paths near the center.)  Students whom I met in Japan come here to explore new questions in a beautiful setting (with lovely food as well.)

This year there are a few spots available for others to join us. ( The workshop is simultaneously translated into Japanese.) The details follow.  Please let me know if you would like to join us.


Workshop in Snohomish. June 21 at 5 p.m. to June 26 at 11:30 a.m.
There are a few spots available in a residential workshop with participants from Japan so the workshop will be taught with translation.  There will be a morning session an afternoon  session. Housing $500 ; Food $250 ; Tuition $600 ; Total $1350
3317 187 Ave. SE, Snohomish, WA 98290

 Mornings only option -  9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Monday to Thursday and ending at 11:30 a.m. on  Friday. Tuition would be $350 for the full week.

Registration is open for my annual residential on the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington.  This picture is from one of our outdoor classes. Our dates are:
August 23- September 1, 2015
Three Options
Full Session August 23 –September 1
Main Session  August 23 to August 28
 Extension   August 29 -September 1

Renew and rediscover the joy of a cooperating coordination in a natural setting that reflects and amplifies your intentions.

Classes meet for 3 hours in the morning and one and one half hours in the early evening, allowing everyone time to explore San Juan Island—-hiking, whale watching, kayaking, ferry riding, artwork, or just reading a book on a beach. The class is limited to 16 people, and is customized to the needs of the registrants. Come renew yourself in the Pacific Northwest!