Alexander Technique Sign up now for one of our group classes! Wednesday evenings, 7-8 PM, at the Sherman Oaks Studio or Thursday afternoons, 2-3 PM, at the Mid-Wilshire Studio The Alexander Technique has long been an open secret among performing arts professionals.  The dancer, the actor, the singer, the musician, the performer all use their body as forms of expression.  But is it locked up?  Is it free?  Is all the energy you need for your best performance available when you need it?  The Alexander Technique is a gentle method of changing the way performers inhabit their bodies and their breath. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination.  It can help you discover new ways of performing with awareness and grace while releasing unnecessary tension. The Technique helps you think differently about your body every time you play an instrument, perform an aria, dance a pas de deux, tell a joke, or act in a play.  Alexander Technique Instructors:  Amy Pell (Sherman Oaks) Marisa de Silva (Mid-Wilshire, Santa Ana & In your home) Click to watch video on Alexander Technique Read more about The Alexander Technique  Alexander Technique Group Classes Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 PM July 7, 14, 21 & 28 $180 for the 4-week session Class size 2 - 4 people  Location:  Sherman Oaks Studio (map) Ventura Canyon Avenue, Sherman Oaks 91423 SCHEDULE: • Week 1 - Introduction to the Alexander Technique • Week 2 - Understanding Anatomy & Movement • Week 3 - Integrating singing & the Alexander Technique • Week 4 - 1/2 hour private session For more information, please e-mail Amy Pell at amy@lorimoranmusic.com or call 323-653-5929, ext. 11. Group class instructor, Amy Pell is a graduate of the American Center for the Alexander Technique in New York City.  Her specialty is working with performing artists.  She served on the faculty of The Juilliard School, taught at Stratford’s Shakespeare Festival Theatre and Los Angeles OperaWorks, guest lectured at many universities most notably Columbia, Boston, York University, UC Irvine, and has worked with private clients for many years. Thursdays, 2:00 - 3:00 PM June 10, 17, & 24 $135 for the 3-week session Class size 3 - 6 people  Location:  Mid-Wilshire Studio (map) 6399 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 111, Los Angeles, 90048 SCHEDULE: • Week 1 - Introduction to the Alexander Technique • Week 2 - Integrating singing & the Alexander Technique • Week 3 - 1/2 hour private session For more information, please e-mail Marisa de Silva at marisa@lorimoranmusic.com or call 323-653-5929, ext. 15. Group class instructor, Marisa de Silva is a soprano and an AmSAT (American Society for the Alexander Technique) certified teacher of the Alexander Technique. She completed her 1600-hour training at Alexander Technique Urbana where she studied with master teachers, Rose Bronec and Rick Carbaugh.  During her training she taught the Alexander Technique through the Dance Department of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In the summer of 2009, she served as faculty member at the Barcelona Festival of Song where she taught Alexander Technique to singers and pianists. Sign-Up Form Alexander Technique Group Classes Student's Full Name: Parent/Guardian Name: (if student is under 18) E-mail address: Telephone: Age of student: Physical limitations: Class you wish to join: Wednesdays at Sherman Oaks Studio Thursdays at Mid-Wilshire Studio Comments and questions: We will never share your information with any outside party. More about the Alexander Technique: The Alexander Technique is a discipline and a means to relieve the pain and stress caused by everyday misuse of the body.  With a focus on movement, the Alexander Technique is aimed at alleviating pain, promoting rehabilitation, improving breathing, and decreasing stage fright, as well as improving other conditions related to previous physical habits. It is commonly taught by a trained practitioner, a professional trained in the art of observation and expert guidance, who provides hands-on coaching in a one-on-one learning process, tailored to your needs.  Group sessions are also available and effective. Over a course of sessions, you learn to release muscular tension and restore your body's original poise, improving your overall functioning.  You learn how to sit, stand and move — with safety, efficiency and ease. Who can benefit from the Alexander Technique? Noted actors, musicians and athletes have used it for over 100 years to enhance performance and stage presence. Among them are Sir Colin Davis, William Hurt, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Paul McCartney, Kelly McGillis, Paul Newman, Lynn Redgrave, Maggie Smith, Mary Steenbergen, Sting, Robin Williams, Joanne Woodward and members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Origin of the Alexander Technique F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) was a Shakespearean actor who developed problems which resulted in losing his voice. After doctors informed him there was no physical cause he looked at his own movement for the source of his vocal trouble. Through nine years of rigorous self-observation and experiment, he solved his problem, developed a full, rich voice and discovered what he named the primary control. Alexander observed that the relationship between the head, neck and torso is primary in controlling posture, movement and function. He determined that he was needlessly stiffening his whole body in preparation to recite or speak. Further, Alexander observed that many individuals experiencing voice problems tightened the musculature of the upper torso, especially the neck, prior to phonation in anticipation of the act of voicing. He suggested that this pattern rotates the head backwards and downwards in relationship to the spine, disrupting efficient overall body alignment. Research The Alexander Technique is supported by leaders in the field of mind/body medicine and behavioral science as a means to modify stress responses, alleviate chronic pain and weakness as a result of poor posture or repetitive demands, and enhance rehabilitation following surgery or injury. Further, the Technique has been suggested to improve breathing and stamina for athletes, people with asthma, tuberculosis, and panic attacks. It can help performers manage stage fright, become more spontaneous, and increase skill repertoire. A.T. can be an adjunct to psychotherapy for people with disabilities, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, panic attacks, stuttering, and chronic pain because it can improve stress management abilities. The Alexander technique has also been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic or recurrent back pain. Learning the Alexander Technique What happens in a session? In an Alexander Technique session, your teacher observes how you move, helps you understand how your movement affects your physical condition, and gives hands-on assistance to help students change your previous physical habits. Can I learn the Technique on my own? Habits are, by their nature, unconscious. Though you may try to effect changes by yourself, it takes the trained eyes and hands of a teacher to help you perceive and change your ingrained patterns. With a gentle, supportive touch, your teacher helps you notice areas of tension and experience your body in a new way. How long does it take?  What does it cost? Duration of study depends on your initial condition and personal goals. To enjoy the full benefit, a recommended course is 30 private sessions. Lessons average 30-45 minutes. Rates vary depending on your teacher. For more information about the Alexander Technique, please visit these sites: www.alexandertechnique.com  www.alexandertech.com  www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/aug/20/health.healthandwellbeing