My training to teach the Alexander Technique

Teacher:
Mark Bennie
M.AUSTAT
M.STAT(UK)
BSc(Hons)

Phone:
0400 741 703

Email:
mark@alexander-
technique-sydney.com.au

Address:
1 Gowrie St
Newtown, Sydney

									"The Alexander Technique will benefit anyone whether they are an elite athlete or whether they just wish to live life without the aches and pains that many people suffer and accept as part of life. It is a pity that these techniques are not shown to us all at an early age for I have no doubt that this would alleviate many of the causes of ill health in our communities." [1]
								
									Greg Chappell, Cricket Player

My Alexander Technique training

I have completed 1,600 hours, full-time training over a minimum of 3 years in an approved training school. Schools in Australia are approved by the professional body AUSTAT, the Australian Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique. I am also certified to teach by the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique United Kingdom, STAT(UK), which is the internationally recognised representative body for teachers. This society recognizes common professional standards in teacher training worldwide. Each school maintains a 5:1 student/teacher ratio ensuring a high standard of instruction. I trained at the Alexander Technique Institute Teacher Training School in North Sydney and regularly undertake postgraduate training to enhance my skills as a teacher.

What do Alexander teachers learn?

Alexander teachers are trained to observe faulty habits of posture, movement and reaction, firstly in themselves and then in others. They are taught how to prevent these harmful habits in themselves and latter to teach others how to prevent them as well. This involves learning the skill of using their hands on others firstly to stop these faulty habits and then facilitate improved co-ordination. Alexander teachers must themselves practice what they teach, as their own standard of co-ordination is all important in their effectiveness in guiding others toward improved co-ordination.

My background

My interest in the Alexander Technique stemmed from working in the IT industry. In investigating ways to cope with long hours working on a computer I came across it and decided to undertake a series of lessons. What attracted me was that it gave me a practical method whereby I could free myself from harmful postural habits acquired from years working in a sedentary desk job. After taking lessons for a number of years I was so impressed with the results that I decided to embark on a 3 year teacher training program to learn to teach it to others. I have been involved with the Alexander Technique either having lessons, teacher training or teaching for the last 7 years. My other interests include being a member of a change bell ringing band and a competitive chess player.

[1] - Former Australian test cricket captain and coach