“Alexander Technique Skype can work so well it’s ridiculous.” This is the first thing I said to my friend after just giving an Alexander lesson, long distance via Skype. Alexander Technique lessons via Skype is for people with no access to an Alexander Technique teacher.
Are Skype lessons just as effective as hands-on, in-person lessons? Of course not. But the only real question is:
Are Skype lessons better than nothing?
Skype lessons are very challenging for Alexander Technique teachers, who have undergone years of training in the use of their hands.
Removing touch from lessons is eliminating one of the strong, dramatic components of Alexander Technique lessons. It is demanding to give an effectual Alexander lesson limited to listening, speaking, conversing, teaching, modeling, observing, intuiting, and demonstrating, but it can be done.
As part of the certification program, Alexander Technique teacher trainees practice teaching a colleague without touch; only speaking. They also practice teaching silently; only by touching. Both ways are challenging, incomplete, yet effective.
Skype teaching requires the Alexander Technique teacher explain things clearly, simply, and be able to demonstrate what they are talking about. The teacher then watches, listens, and senses what the student is doing and how they are thinking. When one sense (touch) is eliminated, others are heightened.
Skype presents no barrier to the student learning the Alexander Technique principles, concepts, directions, body mapping, etc.
The teacher is able to observe the student apply the Alexander to sitting, standing, walking, bending down, doing kitchen work, breathing work, using the computer, playing an instrument, and countless other actions.
In the lesson just ended, my Skypee told me her neck pain is being relieved significantly by the lessons. The Alexander Technique is so powerful, it can even work in this challenging circumstance.
People have long-benefitted from by reading Alexander Technique books and watching videos, but Skype is more helpful than any self-study method.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
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