The Alexander Technique

About the Alexander Technique

The technique invented by F.M. Alexander is a world-renowned re-education system for bringing about ease and co-ordination into movement, posture, breathing and vocal use. F.M. Alexander’s most famous book is The use of the self, which describes his observations in attempting to change his postural habits and the general "use" of himself. Early in his career Alexander worked with voice and breathing problems, later developing hands-on treatment and guided procedures for a wider audience who suffered from a broad range of ailments, including unsightly "posture".

"The most valuable knowledge we can possess is of the use and functioning of the self." (F. M. Alexander)

The Alexander teacher uses words and gentle touch to guide the student through simple everyday movements, such as walking, standing up, sitting down, lunging etc, teaching students to observe their own habits of tension and at the same time promoting new ways of moving with greater ease.
There is also "lying down work", where the teacher adjusts the student’s alignment lying down, focusing on the spine and major joints to promote relaxation and awareness. Lessons are around 40mins in duration. Like learning anything, the Alexander Technique takes time and lessons can vary from a few to many.

• Everyone who is interested in self development, from child to adult
• Anyone wishing to improve their general co-ordination, posture and awareness
• People in a profession where their own movement requires care and direction
• Dancers, Actors, singers, musicians, artists, teachers and anyone in the public eye
• People with breathing or vocal difficulties and excessive tension
• People who suffer from pain related to mis-use of the body and postural habits, including back, neck and shoulder pain
• People to cope with situations of undue or extended physical or emotional stress

Contact an Alexander teacher and discuss your situation to book an initial lesson. You can then gauge if the technique addresses your particular needs and concerns.
All the members of ATTSNZ have attended a three-year full-time training programme approved by an Affiliated Society, and are bound by the ATTSNZ Code of Ethics.

Alexander Technique lessons given by Timothy Gordon

A 75-minute introductory session in the Alexander Technique, its principles and practice.
Learn to change unhelpful tension patterns through guidance and observation, bringing ease into whatever you do in work or play. Simple actions such as sitting, standing, walking, changing weight, breathing, voice and movement can all be improved with the Alexander Technique.
Anyone can join, this workshop is open to the public. However, please book in advance.

Time:	11:45 - 13:00
Schedule:	Sunday, 5 September - Introduction I Sunday, 19 September - Introduction II Sunday, 3 October - Introduction I Sunday, 17 October - Introduction II Sunday, 7 November - Introduction I Sunday, 21 November - Introduction II Sunday, 5 December - Introduction I Sunday, 19 December - Introduction II
Venue:	14B Westmoreland Street East, Grey Lynn, Auckland Google Map
Fees:	$20 (cash only)
Remarks:	You may need loose clothes, socks, towel, and water bottle. Also, consider bringing mat for lying on the floor.
Booking:	Email:contact@timothymgordon.com Mobile phone: 021 1603098

• Introduction I - general introduction of the Alexander Technique
• Introduction II - based on a special topic for the day
• Please take at least 1 session of Introduction I before you attend Introduction II
• Please subscribe our mailing list to receive news and updates.

Private and group sessions can be tailored to suit particular requirements. Introductory workshops are available by appointment. Please feel free to make enquiries by Email;
alexandertechnique@timothymgordon.com
or phone
021 1603098

• A brochure can be downloaded from here (PDF file, 117KB)

Click images to enlarge
Encouraging Length Throughout the Back and Legs	Allowing the Head to Lead the Body Forward and Up

Effects of Alexander Technique, Demonstrating Gradual Change and Ease in the Primary Control, the Head-Neck-Back Relationship

TIMOTHY GORDON, PROF. DIP. SVLAT— STAT

Has had a varied and international career in dance. He has been a dancer with The Australian Ballet Company, Nederlands Dans Theater and Ballet Frankfurt and has taught in some the worlds foremost Ballet companies including The Australian Ballet, The Stuttgart Ballet, Ballet Frankfurt, The Vienna Stadtsoper Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet, The Tokyo Ballet and for five years was a regular guest teacher for the Bejart Ballet - Lausanne, Switzerland. From 1987 - 1990, he was a senior tutor at the Australian Ballet School, Australia's foremost dance institution and has choreographed for both Ballet and Opera.

His interest in the work of F. M. Alexander has developed along side his work in dance. Having completed his Alexander training in Fribourg, Switzerland, Timothy has given workshops, private sessions and has written about the influence of the Alexander Technique on Dance and Ballet in particular.

"Every dancer must learn to work with their own unique creative potential, structure and ability. Not by forcing the structure and mind into submission but by allowing the creative act to unfold in a holistic and consciously directed manner. This reveals what the art of dance is all about—expressive unity."

TIMOTHY GORDON and Mercedes Villanueva

VALERA KOLTSLOV (New Zealand)

"I always feel better after Alexander Technique. Each session I feel like we’re dipping the cloth in the dye, then it dries for a week or two and the colour fades, but with each dip it retains more and more colour. I’m like the cloth and the dye is natural posture! Positive changes in posture come hand in hand with positive changes in my experience of life."

ERIC WAGNER (San Francisco Ballet - USA)

"After working with the Alexander Technique, I feel balanced and free. When I took class afterwards I found that I could use energy to balance and counter balance myself. I felt like a marionette and that my joints were free."

MERCEDES VILLANUEVA
(Soloist - Bejart Ballet - Lausanne, Switzerland)

"It is difficult to admit that after so many years enjoying dance and looking at my body in the mirror, I never stopped to discover it. After two months of working with the Alexander Technique, I found a new world of knowledge open in front of me. The words harmony, conscious, involved, lightness and effect come to my mind when I think of my sensations during an Alexander lesson."

ALEXANDRA KONTRUS
(Ballerina - Wienerstadtsoper – Vienna, Austria)

"It’s a great feeling. You feel like you are getting taller and can see around you, as if from upstairs. You feel free. You can stand on your feet more consciously. The connection between your head, neck, back and limbs are logical and not broken. If you can see yourself in the mirror, you look like a different person."

• Click to open Alexander Journal

• ATTSNZ The Alexander Technique Teachers Society of New Zealand
• ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE FACTFILE The Wellness Directory
• "Continuing Ed: The Alexander Technique" at Pilates Pro website
• Interview by the New Zealand Opera "Timothy Gordon - Choreographer, Eugene Onegin"
• Article "Why it's good for your posture and balance?"
• YouTube "The Alexander Technique: First Lesson"
  Excerpts from a full DVD introduction to the Alexander Technique with William Hurt and teacher Jane Kosminsky