Teacher Training Programme

Robin and Béatrice Simmons have been leading training courses in England and Switzerland since 1982, and have qualified many teachers who practise worldwide. Their curriculum is based on a recognised programme initiated by STAT (Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, UK) and has been appropriately adapted for trainees in Bangalore. Robin and Béatrice are committed to a high standard of training, and plan to invite moderators and guest teachers once the programme is fully established.

Trainees will gain tools to support their continuous learning, both personally and professionally. Body, mind, and spirit will be addressed equally. As the programme allows for rolling admissions, trainees will be guided along individual paths, learn how to work on themselves, and gain insight into how F.M. Alexander made his discoveries.

Please note: only people who successfully qualify through the teacher training programme can go on to teach the Alexander Technique.

Guideline of Content and Development of Competencies

Year 1: Laying the Foundation for the Full Training

  • Introduction to the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and concepts of the Alexander Technique
  • First skills in observation of the Use of the Self, and in visual, acoustic, and touch awareness
  • Exploration of new psychophysical experiences
  • Processing and establishing of the awareness and reflection of one’s own patterns of reactions and attitudes
  • Integration of the processes and application of the work on oneself in daily life
  • Introduction to ‘positions of mechanical advantage’
  • Specific knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and psychology
  • Programme of reading and reporting

Year 2: Continuous Deepening of the Work of Year 1

  • Skills in the Use of the Self
  • Application of positions of mechanical advantage to initiate learning and enhance conscious processes
  • Deepening the process-oriented and psychophysical concepts of the Alexander Technique
  • Specific knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and psychology
  • Programme of reading and reporting

Year 3: Continuous Deepening of the Work of Years 1 and 2

  • Skills in the Use of the Self
  • Skills to initiate and create learning processes
  • Application of positions of mechanical advantage to initiate learning and enhance conscious processes
  • Deepening communication skills in relation to our work
  • Hands on work, initiating movements as process- and observation-oriented ways of working
  • Evaluation and observation skills
  • Specific knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and psychology
  • Programme of reading and reporting

Year 4: Transition into the Professional World

  • Deepening the teaching skills
  • Continuous deepening of the work of Years 1, 2, and 3
  • Skills in the Use of the Self
  • Supervised teaching and assisting of other teachers
  • Specific knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pathology and psychology
  • Programme of reading and reporting

Detailed Programme Structure

Year 1

Training in the presence of the Heads of Training

  • 28 May–15 June (Tuesday–Saturday), 5–8 PM—45 hours over three weeks
  • 1–19 October (Tuesday–Saturday), 5–8 PM—45 hours over three weeks

Each week of group work includes one 20-minute individual session at a day/time TBD.

Programme of Self-Observation and General Observation

Working on oneself is essential to the training. Students must seek out examples of good and poor use around them. By being continuously on the lookout for patterns of use in themselves and others, they develop observation skills. Students will submit regular and scheduled reports on their work in private and in groups. The observation programme involves dedicating seven hours a week for 36 weeks to the practice. General attention and observation should continue into daily life throughout the year.

Theory, Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and Psychology

  • Students will read, discuss, and report on the books of F.M. Alexander and those of others in the field.
  • Anatomy, physiology, pathology, and psychology will be taught via email and Zoom.
  • Students are required to complete a talk, reading reports, and written self-observations.

Zoom Sessions

Zoom sessions with the Robin and Béatrice will keep students on track. The sessions will include visual demonstrations and discussions. The virtual meetings will happen on Thursdays, 6–8 PM IST on the following dates in 2019:

  • 11 and 25 April
  • 9 and 23 May
  • 11 and 25 July
  • 5 and 19 September
  • 7 and 21 November
  • 5 and 19 December

Programme Outline from 2020 onwards in the presence of Heads of Training

  • 3.5-year programme
  • Group meetings four days/week for 32 weeks/year (448 hours/year)—3.5 hour-long meetings
  • Three weekend intensives over three years (45 hours)
  • Individual lessons (11 hours over 3.5 years)

Total hours: 1624

Please note: as the course allows for rolling admissions, trainees will be certified when they complete the required number of hours (a minimum of 1624).

Fees & Enrolment

Yearly fee — ₹72,000
Option to pay in monthly instalments (₹18,000 initial payment followed by instalments of ₹6,000)

Please write to us (alexandertechniquebangalore@gmail.com) to enrol.