Alexander Technique Course (Level 3 Diploma)

A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain a diploma in the Alexander Technique.

Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning course The Alexander Technique is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for an exam or career through home study.

What's more, because the distance learning Level 3 Diploma in the Alexander Technique course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

Some people move with grace and ease and seem to have good posture, freedom of movement and general well-being. Whereas others, use ourselves very badly - collapsing, tensing, distorting ourselves in almost every moment of our lives.

The Alexander Technique is more than just acquiring a 'good posture'; it is a process by which an individual can learn awareness of their physical and psychological self in order to transmit positivism through body movements.

Of course the Alexander Technique can help many physical conditions such as back pain, stress and sleep disorders. In addition it can be used to help musicians, sports men and women, and a whole range of task related physical activities where posture, balance and awareness of movement facilitates and promotes full function without predisposition to damage or pain. In addition, the technique can be useful in pregnancy and during childbirth.

This course is designed for those wishing to learn the theory and belief behind the Alexander technique with an aim to take practical training to practice as an Alexander Practitioner/Teacher, and also for those who have an interest in learning the process for themselves.

The ten modules will cover everything from anatomy and physiology, psychology, specific movements and postures, Alexander lessons, and practitioner role and responsibilities, and will also give guidance on professional affiliation, codes of conduct and how to establish a teaching practice.

Module 1
The musculoskeletal system and sensory perception
The first module will cover the musculoskeletal system and sensory perception in much detail. More importantly it will provide students with a solid anatomical and physiological basis to build on and develop throughout the course. Within this module students will look briefly at what can go wrong with above systems in terms of relevance to the Alexander Technique practitioner:

• Bones and bone formation
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Muscles
• Movement: how we move and the skeletal framework
• Sensory perception
• The five senses
• How we perceive special concepts and relate this to movement

Module 2
The evolution and relevance of the Alexander Technique
The technique has evolved over time and it is critical that students develop at least a basic understanding of how it has become what it is today. This section will go right back to its origin and explains how it has emerged through history to its present state. There will also be discussion about the relevance of the concepts within the technique and how it applies to modern life.

• F. M. Alexander and the origins of the Alexander Technique
• The use of the 'self' and taking responsibility for one's own health and wellbeing
• Raising awareness of the 'self' and re-education in order to embed new concepts and behaviour
• Changing behaviour, reinforcement and cognitive processes including looking at psychology associated with these concepts, and how behaviour changes are facilitated and maintained relevant to the technique
• The psychology of the 'self' and how concepts of change relate to it

Module 3
Inhibition, thinking and breathing
The manner in which everybody breathes can affect the posture of any individual. In order to maintain good posture, good breathing is crucial and also for self awareness. Specific breathing techniques and patterns can be adopted to promote a cycle of non-harm to ultimately achieve that good posture that is desired and raise physical awareness.

• Breathing, and the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and breathing process; how oxygen absorption is relevant to muscle and movement
• Natural or unconscious inhibition
• Conscious inhibition
• Thinking and being
• Tension release
• Learning direction

Module 4
Basic movement and normal postures
We all have a range of everyday movements and postures which we engage in without thought. In this module we look at these movements and examine the rationale behind some of their applications. This section introduces students to the beginning of seeing where the Alexander Technique 'fits' into a 'remedial' cycle and also how it can be relevant to promotion of a positive process of movement and harm prevention. It will look at the following subject areas and how they can affect it:

• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Various activities such as driving, reaching for things, sitting at a desk, working on a computer, carrying shopping, sitting on a sofa etc

Module 5
Stress reduction and tension release
Stress can take many forms and can have both positive and negative effects on individuals. Many theorists have come up with ways to define what stress is and the list of events that cause it is endless. Stress is a major problem in everyday modern life and can be minor such as feeling pressure at work to actually taking time off and receiving medication.

Tense muscles can result in harmful posture and movement of the body. In order to reduce stress we first have to understand the physiology or 'mechanics' behind the process and then look at the adjustments and changes necessary to reduce and relive this cycle.

• What is stress? We look at the physiology behind the stress response and the link between right and left side of the brain relevant to the Alexander Technique
• We look at how increasing levels of stress elicits tension thus affecting movement and posture
• We demonstrate and discuss exercises to promote self-awareness and reduce stress
• We demonstrate and discuss the semi-supine position and how this promotes tension release and stress reduction
• We demonstrate and discuss standing from the semi-supine position

Module 6
The delivery of the Alexander Technique: Lesson 1
This is the first of three modules where specific postures and techniques are described and discussed in much detail. Each posture and technique will be explained in full and instruction on how to convey the posture and ensure correct application will also be given to give the best results.

Students will also be given information on the teaching and lesson process from both a practitioner and client perspective in all 3 lessons. This module will contain drawings, images and graphical representations as aids to study and best enhance the students learning capabilities. You may also need to practice the postures yourself and/or engage a volunteer in order to gain more from the experience.

Module 7
The delivery of the Alexander Technique: Lesson 2
This is the second of three modules where specific postures and techniques are described and discussed, and it will follow on logically from module 6, building a comprehensive library from which the student can develop their practical skills.

Module 8
The delivery of the Alexander Technique: Lesson 3
This is the third and final module where specific postures and techniques will be described and discussed. This module will also present a 'generic' lesson format which is intended to give the student practitioner/teacher a working example.

Module 9
Alexander Technique applications
In this module students will look at specific applications or situational context in which the Alexander Technique may be used in isolation, or as part of a collaborative programme:

Module 10
Practitioner responsibilities

Minimum 16 years of age. Educated to at least Grade C GCSE standard or above.