Insights into The Alexander Technique from Michael Frederick, senior teacher in California

chocolate cake and sweets

By Ellen Bierhorst ~ Recently, I was telling my local colleagues about Michael Frederick’s explanation of the Technique.  One of those colleagues wrote this morning and asked me to repeat it in writing because she felt it very important.  This is what I wrote: People think it is about posture or pain relief or stress management or moving better/performing better.  It’s not…these are only results that occur when one becomes more mindful from an Alexander perspective. People further think it is about that wonderful feeling we get from the hands of the teacher, the “Ahhhhha,” the “A-Zone” as I call it. But that is a trap.  Not it . . . … Continue reading

Malibu Alexander Technique Retreat 2012

PACIFIC OCEAN SERRA RETREAT CENTER MALIBU

by Ellen Bierhorst ~ Can I really communicate the significance? Halfway through my fourth year as an Alexander Technique teacher, my fortieth year as a psychologist, I took a wild, extravagant notion to attend the Alexander Technique Workshops International six-day workshop in Malibu with Michael Frederick, Giora Pinkas, Lynn Charleson Klein, Frances Marsden, Carol Prentis, and special guest Rome Roberts Earle.  I’d never given myself such a lavish treat.  I had no idea what I’d be getting into; had some vague ideas of a kind of six-day AGM.  Not at all! I had no understanding of what it could do for me to be with twenty-five-plus other teachers and students in an intimate retreat setting with six master teachers.  It was a more concentrated infusion of Inhibition and Direction than even my training course experience.  The setting was a quiet and exceedingly beautiful sanctuary, the Serra (Franciscan) Retreat Center overlooking the blue Pacific.  Comfortable bedrooms, good food; congenial, supportive Alexander people all around.  The spirit of the group was what … Continue reading