Consolidate and develop your understanding of The Online Teaching Toolbox
and apply to it many arenas, especially for fitness, movement work and musicians

 


To attend this course,

you must have completed the course ‘The Online Teaching Toolbox for Alexander technique teachers’

In this ten module course with Penelope Easten
you will LEARN to:

  • deepen your quiet resonance and authentic voice with pupils

  • Learn your functional anatomy and how to explain the technique

  • Embody the procedures more deeply so that they self-organise

  • Build ever greater confidence for teaching online and hands off

Option to complete assignments in your own time-frame on teaching the material to pupils, to work towards a certificate of this approach to the Alexander work.

"I have learnt how to tone up appropriately, without stiffening, and so access greater strength and stability without losing flexibility" Chris

  • Apply Alexander work to yoga, fitness work, and walking – especially on rough terrain - to build greater stability and mobility in your torso, legs and arms.

  • Deepen your understanding of Alexander’s core procedures: ‘monkey’ & sit to stand, squatting, lunge, hands on back of chair, plus other original procedures that were done by Miss Goldie.

  • Learn to play an instrument responsively, through self-organisation, and combine adaptive muscle tone, delicacy and strength in everyday activities.

  • Learn to speak with embodied resonance, to bring your pupil to quiet.

We will consolidate our learning so far:

  • How to bring the pupil to quiet without using hands, so they are open to new experiences; 


  • Understanding the functional anatomy and neurology that underlies chair-work; discovering why FM and Miss Goldie almost only worked with the chair, working much more with the torso than is now done.


  • working with natural breathing - both to come to quiet, and to access muscles that have gone off-line, encouraging whole system integration.


  • How we are evolved to self-organise in relation to our environment: How to teach the pupil direct access to the self-organising power of the nervous system, 
    • to free our necks
    • stay toned and strong
    • to recruit intrinsic movement patterns such as a free neck and 'monkey' bending
    • feel connected to life


  • Making the stronger self-pulls that were probably taught on the first training course and subsequently watered down, to open and activate habitually tight muscles and bring in greater lengthening and widening for oneself. We will be learning to integrate these with whole body patterns and spatial thinking so that they become ever more don-doing.


  • How to use the material to theme lessons, encouraging pupils' understanding, empowerment to work on themselves, and motivation to learn.


Course delivery:

2 weeks for each module:
1st week: to consolidate learning,
2nd week: to deepen and apply the learning.
Teach pupils the material
and complete an assignment if you wish.

  • Each module will start with a review of the previous course module videos, and an option to learn the relevant functional anatomy with 'anatomy colouring book' sheets.

  • The first week's exchange will focus on building skills in teaching that module, and learning to explain it to pupils.

  • Option to complete the assignment checklist of teaching this module to pupils, in your own time-frame.

  • Each group meets every two weeks on Zoom to review, deepen and apply the work. All videos will be posted on this course site.

  • All participants are encouraged to explore these techniques straight away with their pupils, or willing friends or family

  • A second exchange is recommended to explore the new material together.

  • Full course notes: new expanded notes for OTT, full notes for advanced course material

  • Facebook forum as before

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Module 1, wk 1: review Balance of the head

    • timetable and reading list.

    • Lesson 1.1. Introduction and functional anatomy

    • Lesson 1.2. Freeing the neck.

    • Lesson 1.3. Finding the whole body bend.

    • Lesson 1.4: Learn your functional anatomy

    • Lesson 1.5. Laurence's first lesson. Freeing the neck

    • Lesson 1.6: Madlen's first lesson

    • Lesson 1.8: How I give a first lesson online.

    • 1.7: Bonus lesson: working with Alexander technique online. Pointers.

    • Lesson 1.10: partial falling squats

    • Lesson 1.9. Practice exchange for module 1

    • Lesson 1.9. UPDATED practice exchange for module 1

    • Teaching assignment 1: balance of the head.

    • UPDATED: Teaching assignment 1: balance of the head. Word doc.

    • UPDATED: Teaching assignment 1: balance of the head. Pages doc.
  • 2

    Module 1. Wk 2. the two types of inhibition.

    • Monday 9am group video

    • Monday 10.30am group video

    • Tuesday 5pm group video

    • Friday 2.30pm video

    • Friday 4pm group video

    • Laurence lesson 11. Opening and stabilising the lower body / Feet

    • laurence lesson 12. Inhibition
  • 3

    Module 2. Wk 1. Review of Exploring Spatial awareness.

    • Read these quick notes first please

    • Lesson 2.1: “The extended field of consciousness” and the right brain.

    • Lesson 2.2: Spatial awareness with 3D vision

    • 2.3: Spatial awareness of self

    • Lesson 2.4. Spatial awareness of the body in semi-supine.

    • 2.5: Laurence's second lesson. Spatial awareness

    • 2.6: Madlen's second lesson

    • Lesson 2.7. Notes on how I give a second lesson.

    • 2.8. Practice exchange for module 2.

    • UPDATED: 2.8. Practice exchange for module 2.

    • Teaching assignment 2. Spatial awareness

    • UPDATED: Teaching assignment 2. Spatial awareness. Word doc.

    • UPDATED: Teaching assignment 2. Spatial awareness. Pages doc.
  • 4

    Module 2, wk 2: responsive movements in life

    • Monday 9am group video

    • Laurence lesson 13. Opening and stabilising the lower body / Feet

    • M 2, wk 2, Tuesday group video

    • Laurence lesson 14. Responsive movements in life/Opening the hands

    • M2, wk 2, Friday 2.30pm group video
  • 5

    Module 3, Wk 1: Review of Opening and lifting the upper back

    • Timetable of tasks for module 3

    • 3.1: Our conception of ‘correct posture’.

    • Lesson 3.2: The primary and secondary curves of the body.

    • 3.3: pull to the elbow. the back arm lines.

    • Lesson 3.4: Integrating the pull to the elbow from the brain.

    • 3.5: Laurence's third lesson. Opening and lifting the upper back

    • 3.6: Madlen's third lesson

    • Lesson 3.7. Giving a third lesson - general principles.

    • Lesson 3.8: practice exchange for module 3

    • Learn your functional anatomy

    • UPDATED: Lesson 3.8: practice exchange for module 3

    • Module 3 assignment

    • UPDATED: Module 3 assignment, Word doc

    • UPDATED: Module 3 assignment, Pages doc

    • More on why we use the sticks, and other frequently asked questions.
  • 6

    Module 3, wk 2: Hands on back of chair and playing an instrument.

    • M3 wk 2, Monday 9am group video

    • M3 wk 2, Monday 10.30am group video

    • M3 wk 2 Tuesday group video

    • M3 wk 2, Friday 2.30pm group video

    • M3 wk 2. Friday 4pm group video

    • Laurence lesson 15. Stabilising the lower body / Widening the upper body / Integration

    • Laurence lesson 16. Directions - Oppositions

    • Laurence lesson 17. Walking / engaging deep hip rotators

    • Laurence lesson 18, part 1. Working on upper back/Directing arms and hands

    • Laurence lesson 18 part 2

    • ‘Goldie challenge of the week’ chart.
  • 7

    Module 4, Wk 1: Review of Opening and stabilising the lower body

    • 4.1: Defining and finding the neutral pelvis.

    • 4.2: Stabilising the base of the pelvis.

    • 4.3: integrating the pulls

    • 4.4. Full torso integration and elasticity.

    • 4.5: Laurence's fourth lesson. Opening and stabilising the lower body

    • 4.6: Madlen's fourth lesson

    • 4.7: practice exchange

    • 4.8. Learn your functional anatomy

    • Teaching assignment for module 4
  • 8

    Module 4, wk 2: Applying integrative thinking and pulls to yoga, fitness and inversions

    • group video Monday 9am

    • group video Monday 10.30am

    • Anatomy challenge, the thoracic muscles

    • group video Tues 5pm

    • group video Fri 2.30pm

    • group video Fri 4pm

    • Laurence lesson 19. Ribs at the back of the armpit.

    • Laurence lesson 20. Widening the chest, and transversus thoracis
  • 9

    Module 5, Wk 1: Review of Finding the natural breathing into the back

    • 5.1: the front arm lines - activating the full arm

    • 5.2: Introducing Natural breathing

    • 5.3: Video 3: Theory of natural breathing:

    • 5.4: integrating natural breathing with the pull to the elbow.

    • 5.5: Laurence's fifth lesson

    • 5.6: madlen's fifth lesson

    • 5.7: Practice exchange

    • functional anatomy - front arm lines

    • Teaching assignment for module 5
  • 10

    Module 5, wk 2: Breathing and walking, waking up the feet.

    • M5 wk 2. 10.30am Monday group video

    • M5 wk2. 9am Monday group video

    • M5 wk 2. Tuesday 5pm group video

    • M5 wk 2. Friday 2.30pm group video

    • M5 wk 2. Friday 4pm group video

    • Laurence lesson 21. Internal obliques, deepening into the groins, hip stability walking
  • 11

    Module 6, Wk 1: Review of The thoracolumbar fascia and the strong back

    • 6.1: sitting upright with strong self-supporting back.

    • 6.2: Finding your own support while leaning back in the chair

    • 6.3: The thoracolumbar fascia connects everything to everything.

    • 6.4: finding the strong back in ‘Monkey’

    • 6.5: Laurence's sixth lesson

    • 6.6: practice exchange

    • 6.7. Three anatomy challenges

    • Teaching assignment for module 6
  • 12

    Module 6, wk 2: 'Monkey', squat, sit to stand.

    • M6 wk 2. Mon 9am Group video

    • M6 wk 2. Mon 10.30am Group video

    • M6 wk 2. Tues 5pm Group video

    • M6 wk 2. Fri 2.30pm Group video

    • M6 wk 2. Friday 4pm Group video

    • Laurence lesson 22. Active hip folding in crouched walking

    • Laurence lesson 23. feeing ankles, wall work, monkey, squat
  • 13

    Module 7, Wk 1: Review of Finding the psoas and active hip folding

    • 7.1. Belly breath, awareness within the abdominal cavity.

    • 7.2. functional anatomy of the core abdominal muscles.

    • 7.3. finding tone in the psoas muscle.

    • 7.4: using the psoas in chairwork..

    • 7.5: Laurence's seventh lesson

    • 7.5: practice exchange

    • Module 7 assignment
  • 14

    Module 7, wk 2: Psoas and core muscles in yoga and fitness

    • Updated timetable for AOTT

    • M7 wk 2. Mon 10.30am group video

    • M7 wk 2. Tues 5pm group video

    • M7 wk 2, Fri 2.30pm group video

    • M7 wk 2, Fri 4pm group video

    • Laurence lesson 24. Psoas in yoga and fitness

    • Laurence lesson 25. Gym stuff.

    • M7 wk 2. Mon 7.30am group video

    • Laurence lesson 26, gym work (2)
  • 15

    Module 8, Wk 1: Review of balance of feet and legs

    • 8.1: the functional anatomy of the feet

    • 8.2: finding the power of the foot.

    • 8.3: alignment of the feet and the leg spirals.

    • 8.4: sit to stand with balanced, toned legs.

    • 8.5: Laurence's eighth lesson

    • 8.6: practice exchange

    • Module 8 Teaching assignment - Word

    • Module 8 Teaching assignment - Pages
  • 16

    Module 8, wk 2: Teaching balanced walking patterns

    • M8. Mon 7.30am group video, Teaching balanced walking patterns

    • M8. Mon 10.30am group video, Teaching balanced walking patterns

    • M8. Tues 5pm group video. Balanced walking patterns

    • M8. Three anatomy challenges

    • M8 Fri 2.30pm group video, Teaching balanced walking patterns

    • M8 Fri 4pm group video, Teaching balanced walking patterns

    • Laurence lesson 27 - balanced walking patterns

    • Laurence lesson 28. Gentle walking
  • 17

    Module 9, Wk 1: Review of Lifting the torso up out of the hips

    • 9.1: ‘Screwing the ankle’

    • 9.2: Pelvic lifts – lifting the torso up off the legs.

    • 9.3: Finding torque, and the power of walking

    • 9.4: Lifting arms above the head

    • 9.5: Laurence's ninth lesson

    • Practice exchange for module 9

    • M9 teaching assignment - Word doc

    • M9 teaching assignment - Pages doc
  • 18

    Module 9, wk 2: Strong movements for sports

    • M9 AOTT Mon 7.30am group video

    • M9 AOTT Mon 10.30am group video

    • M9 AOTT Tues 5pm group video

    • M9 AOTT Fri 2.30pm group video

    • M9 AOTT Fri 4pm group video

    • Laurence lesson 29. Walking with longer stride
  • 19

    Module 10, Wk 1: Review of the embodied voice

    • 10.1: The autonomic nervous system and the need for modulated voice.

    • 10.2: The whispered Ah with spatial awareness

    • 10.3: Speaking on the breath

    • 10.4: Speaking and communicating from the intelligence of the body

    • 10.5: Laurence's tenth lesson

    • 10.6. Practice exchange for module 10

    • module 10 assignment, Word

    • module 10 assignment, Pages
  • 20

    Module 10, wk 2: More on embodied speaking

    • M10 AOTT Mon 10.30am group video

    • M10 AOTT Mon 7.30am group video

    • M10 AOTT Tues 5pm group video

    • AOTT M10 Fri 2.30 group seminar

    • AOTT M10 Fri 4pm group seminar

    • Laurence lesson 30

Penelope Easten

Facilitator

Facilitator

Penelope Easten

Penelope’s story. I initially read zoology at Cambridge university. I took my first lessons in 1983 and qualified in 1989 from the North London Alexander School (Misha Magidov). After training, my use fell apart, as no-one had taught me to work on myself. This took me to Miss Goldie, who stripped away everything I had learnt, and rebuilt it as she saw the technique should be - a scary process! I worked with her for four years, and that began a thirty-year journey to understand the differences and power of Miss Goldie’s amazing work. It has taken me to many other teachers – including Erika Whittaker, John Hunter, and Jeando Masoero, and to many avenues of exploration and understanding – both scientific and alternative. From age seventeen, I also battled with another 30-year journey - with chronic fatigue syndrome. This is now sorted, but after it I needed to rebuild tone and strength, and increased calm and resilience, which this work has enabled. I have been teaching workshops on Miss Goldie’s work since the Oxford Congress in 2004, in UK, Ireland (including the Limerick Congress), Germany and America. My book: The Alexander technique. The twelve fundamentals of integrated movement was published by Handspring Publishing in March 2021. After 19 years in the West of Ireland, I now live in Edinburgh with my husband and dog, and nearby to my daughter and small grandchildren. I am passionate to share this work that can bring us such renewed vigour, sense of youthful springiness and calm presence.

join us in this further adventure of learning

This is the full Alexander technique, with all its original procedures and thinking, reframed for 21st century learning methods and understanding, to meet the needs of the modern pupil.

Pricing options

Choose the level that suits your current circumstances.