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POISE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE STUDIO
This is a site for Jeremy Woolhouse - teacher of Alexander Technique in Hawthorn and Glen Iris, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Phone 9819 0845 email to:
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What happens in a Lesson : How many lessons
Lesson prices and policies : Rebates : Studio location
Contact Jeremy for more information
Alexander Technique looks at how we do things, the way we use ourselves in activity. It is a practical method of enhancing co-ordination, control and ease of movement. Students are activley engaed in a subtle and gradual process to develop a stronger sense of observation of the way they use their body and mind in activity.
Lessons are usually taught one to one by registered teachers who have completed a minimum three year training. The teacher will combine observation, dialogue and gentle manual guidance to help students improve their self-awareness, release habitual tensions and redirect effort into efficient movement. Principles are taught so the student can apply the technique to specialised skills, or in daily activities such as sitting, lying down, standing, walking, or lifting.
Alexander Technique has been successfully used to improve performance by prominent musicians, actors, dancers, elite athletes and sports people. A marked improvement in health has been experienced by sufferers of: repetitive strain injuries, back pain, neck pain, stress , stage fright, headache, stiffness in joints, mobility problems, poor circulation, speech disorders, and chronic fatigue.
F.M. Alexander was an Australian actor in the early 1900’s. His work in learning to overcome his loss of voice from habitual misuse forms the basis of the technique that is today taught in 40 countries and recognised by leaders in the medical, performing arts, sports and wider community.
Top : About Alexander Technique :What happens in a Lesson : How many lessons :About Jeremy : Studio location, lesson prices and policies : contact
WHAT HAPPENS IN A LESSON - download pdf (36kb)
The teacher will structure a progressive series of lessons, specific to the pupil’s needs. The content and presentation of lessons varies greatly between individuals. Initially, the teacher will discuss what has brought the student to the Alexander Technique. This may include questions about pain, medical history, relevant issues with work or a specialised skill. This information is always held in strictest confidence.
Before working with specialised skills or specific issues, it is important to establish a general positive attitude of the body, to use as a basis of co-ordination to more complex tasks. The teacher uses verbal instructions to bring about changes in the student, as well as using their hands (with the student’s consent) to help pupils interpret what is being asked. The touch is non-invasive, usually very light. Manipulation is not part of Alexander Technique.
The student is asked to engage with the tactile stimulus the teacher’s hand offers, and co-operate by entertaining a certain quality of awareness. As the lesson progresses, the teacher and student together devise a constructive method of thinking, which the student can use outside the lesson. The teacher’s contact brings awareness to subconscious habits, and has proved to be the most efficient way for the pupil to embody a new manner of movement.
The traditional way to begin learning application of the Alexander principles is sitting and standing from a chair, and lying down with the teacher working with you. The chair provides a practical way for the teacher to give students an experience of using themselves in a way which differs to their habit. We spend a great deal of time during the day sitting, so it is also a useful place to learn to refine coordination. The teacher has the student lie on a table to give them a supported place to work with releasing accumulated tensions. With more release, the skills students’ learn in the lesson become easier to apply.
Other educational tools add variety to the teaching of the technique. Teachers might use balance plates or fit balls, may work with the student in postures similar to yoga, on all fours or with movement progressions such as Dart procedures.
One of the aims of the technique is to be able to apply it in activity. This means that the benefits accrued in the lesson will continue to be promoted while the student is on their own. Students are encouraged to work with activity at various stages in the course of lessons. Common activities range from musical performance and public speaking to sports, housework or computer work.
As with any skill, Alexander Technique takes some commitment and engagement for it to be of use to the student. It differs from therapy in that the student is not passive, and differs from exercise because the skill learnt in Alexander Technique deals with co-ordination on more fundamental levels and is something which can be applied in daily activity.
Sometimes profound change happens in the first lesson, but the skill of Alexandrian thinking takes time to embody, and longstanding habits or conditions will take time to unravel. It is generally considered that 10 lessons give the student a practical understanding of the principles, and 30 gives enough accumulated input for him or her to competently apply the principles without the teacher. By this stage most students are aware of fundamental changes brought about by the technique.
Sessions are 45 or 60 minutes and are weekly, two or three times a week by arrangement with the teacher. It is usual to work without shoes. Because a lesson involves moving, and usually some work with the student lying, skirts or dresses are not appropriate and it is preferable for students not to wear sleeveless tops.
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Jeremy Woolhouse is an Alexander technique teacher, pianist, composer and teacher of music. As a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne) Improvisation stream, he has accumulated performance experience as a soloist, accompanist and ensemble player. He has been using Alexander Technique as a musician since 1998, lending him a deep appreciation of the application of Alexander Technique to professional performance.
In addition to teaching Alexander Technique, since 1998 Jeremy has operated an extensive music teaching practice specializing in teaching improvisation, jazz and contemporary music to pianists.
Jeremy has completed the 3 year teacher training to gain a diploma of Alexander Technique Teaching from the School of FM Alexander Studies in Melbourne. He is registered with the Australian Society of Alexander Technique (AUSTAT) as a fully qualified teacher of Alexander Technique.
For information about piano lessons, click here.
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LESSON PRICES 2008 - download pdf (103kb) Rebates
The first session is charged at the casual rate (with no obligation to continue). Lessons are by appointment only. Please e-mail or phone to book your time.
At your first session, your teacher will discuss with you what lesson arrangements are most appropriate for you. Students are usually recommended initially to book a block of lessons. These may be weekly, two or three times a week. Prior experience is generally preferred for casual lessons.
| 60 Min | 45 Min |
|
| 10 sessions | $570 |
$430 |
| 5 sessions | $295 |
$222 |
| 3 sessions | $181 |
$137 |
| CASUAL RATE | $60 |
$46 |
(Prices current from Jan 2008) Concessions apply for second family members and full time tertiary studednts. Prices include discount for multiple bookings.
Please pay by cash or cheque to “Jeremy Woolhouse” on or before the first week of lessons. If a lesson is missed, or cancelled with less than 36 hours notice, that week’s fee is forfeit. Subject to availability, and at the teacher's discretion, a late change of lesson to another time within that week may be possible, however given that the studio is heavily booked this is exceptional.
Casual lessons missed or cancelled with less than 36 hours notice will incur a 100% cancellation fee.
On the occasion your teacher ever needs to change a lesson time, 3 weeks notice will be given, and an alternate time arranged at your convenience. Lessons paid for, but cancelled with appropriate advance notice, or cancelled by the teacher, will be rescheduled, credited to the next invoice, or refunded on request. Absences advised before payment is made will not be charged.
Alexander technique is rebated by many medical insurance policies. Some rebate by up to 85% of the fee, but most are around $25 per lesson. Ask your teacher or your health fund for more information.
(Click here for a PDF (244k) of funds which have rebated Alexander Technique, but please note no responsibility is taken for the currency of the information as the page was last reviewed in 2003.)
Jeremy teaches from 2 locations; Glen Iris and Hawthorn.
Hortense St in Glen Iris 3146 is in the south east of metropolitan Melbourne, about 12 km from the CBD (melways ref 60 D8) in the vicinity of Ashburton 3147, Burwood 3125, Camberwell 3124 and Malvern 3144.
Mason St in Hawthorn 3122 is in the inner east of metropolitan Melbourne, about 3km from the CBD (Melways ref 44 K9 or map 2H J5) in the vicinity of Kew 3101, Richmond 3121 and Toorak 3142.
Both practices are in the city of Boroondarra. Melbourne is in Victoria, Australia.
Top : About Alexander Technique :What happens in a Lesson : How many lessons :About Jeremy : Studio location, lesson prices and policies : contact
Jeremy Woolhouse M AUSTAT
B.Mus, DipMusPerf, AdDipAlexTechTeach.
1/12 Mason St Hawthorn 3122
50 Hortense St Glen Iris 3146
contact
Phone:
Hawthorn Studio and all enquiries: 9819 0845
Glen Iris Studio (for attending students only): 9889 2773
Jeremy Woolhouse is a certified member of AUSTAT Inc, the Australian
Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.
PO Box 716 Darlinghurst NSW 2010
www.alexandertechnique.org.au
.Jeremy Woolhouse trained at the School for FM Alexander
studies: www.alexanderschool.edu.au
"The
Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique" has many other resources relating
to Alexander Technique www.alexandertechnique.com
Jeremy Woolhouse is also a pianist and piano teacher: www.jazzpiano.com.au