Here you will find listed classes, workshops and other continuing education opportunities specifically for Alexander Technique teachers.
Trauma-Informed Alexander Technique
An Online Workshop for Alexander Technique teachers with Betsy Polatin
Sponsored by Alexander Technique Teachers of Greater Philadelphia (ATTGP)
Thursday, February 23, 2023
7:00 – 9:00 PM US Eastern Time (find your time zone here)
Delivered Live on Zoom
As Alexander Technique teachers, we don’t tend to ask students about their history of trauma. But for most people, there is one in some form.
We know that taking somebody to a more easeful comfortable place, as the Technique often does, can be very helpful. Sometimes that is enough for a lasting change. Yet other people are better served when their bracing patterns or traumatic holdings are addressed a bit more.
In this workshop, Betsy plans to point out some simple, yet effective, ways to somatically address these holdings. She will show you certain explorations that can bring a new awareness to both teacher and student. Betsy will demonstrate on one person, then the participants (who are encouraged to gather with at least one other registered participant if possible) will have the opportunity to practice with and/or observe each other to see what happens.
Some questions might be:
- How comfortable are you really with touch?
- I have said, “neck free” for a long time but my neck is not free. Why?
About Betsy Polatin
An internationally recognized breathing/movement specialist and best-selling author of HUMANUAL, Betsy Polatin, MFA, SEP, MAmSAT was a master lecturer and an assistant professor at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts for twenty-five years. Her background includes forty-five years of movement education and performance, as well as training in the Alexander Technique, yoga, meditation, trauma resolution, and the broader healing arts. Her work is greatly influenced by the teachings of Spiritual and Meditation Masters. Betsy leads international trainings where she presents her unique and revolutionary fusion of ideas: scientific knowledge combined with ancient wisdom and intuitive human creativity.
Betsy co-teaches with Peter A. Levine, PhD and Dr. Gabor Maté. She is the author of HUMANUAL: An Epic Journey to your Expanded Self and The Actor’s Secret. As a well-known educator, she has published numerous articles in the Huffington Post. She maintains a private practice online internationally and has a training/nontraining course. For more information, please visit: HUMANUAL.com
Workshop Registration
Registration is now open. Every teacher who attends must register individually.
Cost: $95*
*Register before February 2 and pay $75
*ATTGP Members: Check your email for special member registration information.
A recording of the workshop will be made available to everyone who registers.
Questions?
Contact ATTGP’s administrator, Imogen Ragone, at info@alextechgreaterphila.com.
Postgraduate Training with Brooke Lieb
Brooke Lieb, Director of Teacher Training at The American Center for the Alexander Technique, is available for private or shared Post Graduate lessons in Pipersville PA by appointment. Brooke is typically in Pipersville once a month on a weekend.
Continue to refine your hands-on skills; address specific pedagogical questions you have about your students; address your own use in teaching and in life. Private or shared lessons include hands on from me and the chance to put hands on for feedback. You may take one-on-one lessons or shared lessons.
Brooke’s Approach
I believe in cultivating your innate skills. Sessions build on what you are already doing effectively, and focus on empowering you to explore, experiment and ask your student to take a direct role in his or her own learning. The Alexander Technique is a highly effective tool in the hands of every Alexander Teacher.
Topics
• Understanding differences in learning styles, use patterns, and structural variations
• Giving and soliciting feedback from your student
• Matching your verbal instructions with your hands-on work
• Addressing your student’s interests and needs in the context of the Alexander principles.
• Developing your professional boundaries for long term success
• Staying interested and engaged in teaching
Supervised Teaching
In-Person supervised teaching: Sessions can include hands-on support for you while teaching; pedagogical suggestions to more effectively communicate your ideas; suggestions of how to address learning styles and your student’s use patterns in different ways through chair work, activities or tableware.
Skype sessions: I observe you as you work with your student. We decide ahead of time whether you would like me to share suggestions and observations during the lesson or opt to wait until after your student has left the lesson.
Fees for these services are $100/hour
Brooke Lieb (Director of Training, ACAT 2008-Present) joined the ACAT Faculty in 1992, and has been a Senior Faculty member since 1999. She served as Associate Director of Training from 2006 – 2008.
If you are interested, please contact Brooke at:
Office: (212) 866-0679 / ACAT: (212) 633-2229, or
brookelieb@mindspring.com