Training to teach the Alexander Technique is a grueling process involving a minimum of three years of study. Official credentials are given and monitored by two international governing bodies, STAT (and its local affiliations throughout the world), or ATI - check that your teacher is accredited by at least one. Both of these bodies have their own web sites, including detailed information on the Alexander Technique, and lists of certified teachers:
Alexander Technique International www.ati-net.com
The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (UK) www.stat.org.uk
in Canada, www.canstat.ca
in Australia, www.austat.org.au
in the USA, www.alexandertech.org
Scientific Research on the Alexander Technique
For the last hundred years, a massive amount of anecdotal evidence has accumulated
regarding the success of the Alexander technique in dealing with a myriad
of health problems. Alexander’s own writings were published in the British
Medical Journal to great acclaim in the 1930’s, and in the 1960’s some experiments
on Alexander and measurable "functional changes’ were conducted at Tuft’s
University.
It is only recently, however, that a concerted effort has been made to increase
the medical ‘validity’ of the Alexander Technique. Recently published studies
on at AT and back pain and Parkinson’s disease, as well as an earlier trial
looking at the AT and lung function have firmly established the AT as an
established methodology offering benefits to students/patients that the
established medical world cannot.
Changing our patterns of movement and thought, our general ‘functioning’,
has significant impact on our overall health, and leads to measurable improvement
in conditions considered chronic by existing medical standards.
Further Research www.stat.org.uk/pages/research2.htm
From the British Medical Journal, and some history on the Alexander Technique
Chronic Back Pain
This study found a course of Alexander lessons left patients with significantly
reduced pain and that a year later, they continued to be almost pain free.
In the follow-up, the difference between patients undergoing a course of
Alexander (24 lessons) as opposed to sticking with ‘standard medical care’
was 3 days of pain in a month as opposed three weeks under physician care.
To read an abstract of the study as published by the British Medical Journal, click here.
The British Medical Journal also prepared a very informative video on the Alexander technique to accompany the publication of the study. To view it, go to: www.viddler.com/explore/atbmj/videos/1/50.909/
Parkinson's Disease
An initial trial in 2002 looking at the effect of Alexander lessons on students
dealing with Parkinson’s disease was so successful that it was followed
by a more in-depth study in 2004.
To read the abstract from the study, click
here: http://cre.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/16/7/695
To read the full study, click here: http://www.londonalexander.co.uk/Retentionofskills2004.pdf
Respiratory Function
To view the study on the Alexander technique and respiratory function, click
here:
www.chestjournal.org/content/102/2/486.full.pdf+html?sid=d0eb13cd-9993-4031-8037-0be1d87411fe
This is a study on respiratory function and AT.
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In the Press
With the conclusion of the study on the AT and chronic pain, more and more quality articles on the Alexander Technique are being published. Watch below as we update and add our favorites periodically.
The Alexander Technique and Drumming
http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/drums/how-to-improve-posture-with-the-alexander-technique-part-1-202601
