Update on New Active Issue [3.9]

The articles for the new Active issue on topics; Tennis, Running, Swimming, Pilates and Golf will be worth the wait. 

"A Direction Journal stays in print for many years" I was once reminded. Years of use for students and Alexander teachers alike. When I set out interviewing the most knowledgeable Alexander teachers in their respective fields my excitement grew quickly. Let's change the conversation in the sporting world to include knowledge that Alexander teachers have been using to enhance performance for many decades! 

Results are what the end-driven sporting fraternity want. Let's not waste time explaining how the Alexander technique works... a topic that bogs even the best versed teachers down in words that are misinterpreted by the receiver.

"Let me show you" is the reply that's needed when faced with the invitation "what's Alexander technique got to do with my golf swing?"

The articles in this new issue empower Alexander teachers to reach those who want help but don't know where to look. 

An extract or two will appear here over the coming weeks to prove there is actually an Active issue written and awaiting layout and print. Thanks for waiting. PC

Gelb Rides the Wave...Again

Just a quick announcement to share Michael Gelb's new book "BRAIN POWER: Improve Your Mind as You Age". It debuts today.

He produced a series of Leonardo Da Vinci inspired books during one of the greatest book/movie/hysteria movements of all time when the popular Dan Brown book The Da Vinci Code took the world by storm. Perfect timing.

Now with Baby Boomers becoming more aware of how retirement affects the mind and with the new attention to neuroplasticity capturing so much attention he's done it again.

Click Here to Order

"This book presents the most essential, practical, research-validated information on how to improve your mind as you get older. 

It includes a section entitled "Balance and Poise: The Missing Links in Healthy Aging"  featuring a strong endorsement  and description of the Alexander Technique."

Endorsements:

"A blueprint to optimize your brain and improve the rest of your life." Daniel G. Amen, MD, author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

"You will find, on every page, useful and intriguing knowledge, resources, practices, exercises, and technologies to unleash your brain power and improve your mind as you age. Buy it, read it, live it!" Tony Buzan, author of Use Both Sides of Your Brain

"This book offers an excellent collection of tools to improve your mind and life. I hope everyone will read this wonderful resource, which can help us all to not just survive but thrive." Bernie Siegel, MD, author of 365 Prescriptions for the Soul and A Book of Miracles

Click here to purchase the 248 page paperback at Amazon for only $9.95!!

Affiliate Program Introduced

Most changes at Direction seem to be driven by necessity these days.

I was interviewed by Luke Ford, a recent graduate Alexander teacher in USA and mentioned to him that I would be happy to create a link to the Direction website that calculated traffic from his very busy website.

An "Affiliate" is like a commissioned sales person. Whatever sales that generate from click-throughs from Luke's website I pay a 20% commission. It's an idea that I've wanted to set up for quite a while but just haven't made the time to do so. Also, offering a commission has been criticized in the past as people think that rather than pay someone else 20%, it's better to just reduce prices this same amount for everyone.

But in the new world of social validation, recognizing people for their time spent recommending your products is common practice...perhaps more ethical nowadays than ever before. Due to the large modern social networks which react quickly to non-authentic conversation, a trusted and true comment on the value or benefit of a product/service is worth so much more.

So the good news is that anyone can become a Direction Affiliate! Simply click on the link at the left of the page and apply. You don't have to own a website... but an email address is mandatory. I've created a bunch of different ways you can recommend Direction Journal, from logos to simple text links.

One simple strategy is to put our logo on your website. Another is to mention Direction Journal to people you know via email or a blog post or facebook(to name a few). If people click on your unique link we can then record any purchases they make at our website for up to 12 months! Each month we pay out a minimum of $50AUD via Paypal or you can use the credit to purchase Direction products for yourself.

If you find a way to bring the Direction Journal back catalogue into a library, then 20% of that sale amounts to almost $200. Public Libraries are obligated to pay double the list price of our magazines for copyright clearance (allowing them to reproduce unlimited photocopies of articles and multiple loans etc.). As a student teacher, this could be a good way to supplement your school fees...and publicize Alexander technique at the same time.

I'll make other suggestions as time passes... but for now the top priority for me is to complete the Active Issue (3.9)... something that I've been striving to do since July. The plan is to ship it for Christmas to subscribers. We have an amazing Tennis article, Running, Golf, revolutionary Pilates information, Swimming and Skiing covered. So many physical pursuits in the Alexander world and the potential for so many more.

Look forward to your comments below.

Congress Update

Back in Australia after a great trip to Lugano... the most expensive city in Europe! The experience at congresses is something like a theme park... so many workshops and presentations plus hundreds of friends and colleagues all eager to share and learn. In case you haven't had time to look, I posted a few photos and videos at the facebook page (http://facebook.com/directionjournal). I also had full intentions of writing a few summaries here during the week but there was hardly time to eat let alone write.

The program put together by Jamie, Bob and Irmel was packed. The most common complaint I heard was "how am I supposed to choose which workshop... there are so many great options!" Even though the numbers were down on last congress, it seemed like there was just the right amount of people attending. Many motivating and inspiring stories of success from teachers in the field and much science and progress supporting the work that we already know works. Rachel Zahn's presentation was probably the highlight for me and I'll dig back through my notes to give you a summary in a day or two. Kevan Martin also brought everyone through an emotional journey via Elisabeth Walker's life story.

Stay with me... I'll bring you some more news soon.

PC

Subscription Offer Extended... a bit

Due to feedback that this is all too rushed (and complicated)... I've extended the offer a few more days until July 31st. After this time I'm off to Lugano. Please watch this new video below for a better explanation of the offer and more info on the bonus resources you get inside new Direction Journals.

And I've worked out how to flip a video so that things I hold in front of the camera can be read! duh

cheers Paul

Subscription Offer for Next 7 Days

In my very first foray into video on the web... I celebrate with an offer to subscribe that I've never made before. Plus, if you're not aware of my personal story of pain that led me to the Alexander Technique I share some of that here too...

Watch and enjoy as I tie my tongue in knots in a couple of places. Hopefully you understand my Australian accent! If not, let me know by posting a message below the screen.

Currency Change Update

For the last 6 months we've been researching a better way to accept credit card payments. The two different systems that we've offered since 2008 are Paypal (with credit card option) and Clickbank (credit card with paypal option). Both of these options were set up to keep our operational currency in US Dollars.

However... Clickbank is cumbersome for us to sell products through and doesn't allow multiple items to be purchased! For example, if you want a subscription but also some of the back issues at the same time, this cannot be done. And Paypal is good for some, but not for others...

So, we've decided to plug in a standard merchant system from our local bank (St George) here in Australia from now on. Unfortunately, this now forces us to bill in Australian dollars. It is kinda coincidental that the Australian dollar is doing well on the international market right now...but that's something that we have to wear when the rates go back the other way eventually!

The prices have not changed, they are simply in AUD instead of USD. On the "Subscribe" page above there is a free currency converter so that you can input YOUR CURRENCY against the Australian dollar before you subscribe. That way you can make a note of the amount that will be charged to your credit card (give or take a few cents depending on our bank).

If you would like to post a cheque instead of using credit cards etc, we now accept cheques in $USD, $AUD, EURO and GBP Sterling. Simply print off the subscription form and send it with your cheque.

But... be sure to calculate the exchange rate before you post please.

More news soon...PC

Teaching Children Issue Shipped

Thanks for your patience, we have finally kissed our latest issue goodbye and it will be landing around the globe over the next 2 weeks via DHL.

Working with children is a lost legacy of the originator of the Alexander technique. Whilst FM Alexander attempted to impart his discoveries to the next generation it was disrupted by two world wars and the desperate need for adults to learn how to become conscious. Since his death in 1955, few teachers have succeeded in making a career of teaching children the Alexander work. We have interviewed and picked the brains of half a dozen in this new issue and look forward to a new era of enlightenment for children as this information is shared and studied around the world.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you our latest journal, Teaching Children. Please use the following links to check out excerpts, audio interviews, images, video and downloadable material to study. Yes, it's all free. Make sure you share all of this information with as many people inside and outside the education system. It's time for a renaissance in childhood education and the Teaching Children issue is the first key in unlocking this new potential for our next generation.

PC

Ordering Info Here

EXTRACTS

Extract 1: Kids on the Court

Extract 2: The Education System

Extract 3: Blending Alexander into a Child's Life

Teaching Children New Issue

I have good news! The new issue has returned from the designer and it looks stunning. Would you like a sneak peek at the cover? Click here to see: Teaching Children

Many hurdles have been jumped (some crashed into) in the process of creating this issue but the wait will certainly be worth it. Articles and interviews with some of the most inspirational Alexander teachers in the world will put FM's legacy back in front of the next generation. Once you have studied the material in this edition of DIRECTION you will have the tools, evidence and confidence to support your foray into the local school or kindergarten.

Following hot on the heels of the Teaching Children issue will be two more issues by Christmas. While there has been a large gap since the Schools of Thought issue in April, the writing and interviewing has not stopped. The new Active Issue (Sports/Fitness issue) encompasses Pilates, Tennis, Golf, Running, Swimming and a few other active pursuits in relation to the Alexander principle. Active lifestyles are becoming more and more important as our population ages. With thousands of hapless baby boomers being thrust into group fitness sessions without movement awareness on a daily basis, a new wave of injuries promises to fill the pockets of physiotherapists and other treatment professionals. (not to mention the drug corporations)

An unprecedented opportunity exists for Alexander teachers to participate in designing mindful movement activity (hey, that rolls off the tongue well) as demand increases for better quality instruction. Think about what Pilates did for the so-called fitness/health industry as far as being more mindful and specific about exercise. I'm looking forward to bringing you the life's work of some inspired Alexander teachers who teach Alexander to people via their preferred activity. Imagine if Alexander technique could become known as a revolutionary new adjunct to golf instruction or learning to play tennis! Would that increase the work prospects for our profession?

I'll be back in touch when we start shipping the new issue to subscribers...hopefully in the next few weeks.

Thanks for your patience.

PC

Rick Brennan, Successfully Selling the Alexander technique

Rick Brennan

NEXT LIVE INTERVIEW: August 9th, 11pm GMT (6pm EST-USA)

I interviewed Rick for the recent DIRECTION issue, Schools of Thought as he runs a highly successful teacher-training school in Ireland. Success as a training school to me isn't the number of people on your course or how many people you graduate, it's about how successful your graduates are upon entering the real world. In that interview several months ago I was literally champing at the bit to ask him other questions...questions that Alexander teachers often ask me.

Rick's expertise is in selling Alexander technique to the common person...the normal people of the world! Author of numerous books and never backward in coming forward to the public, Rick has all the techniques for touching people deeply enough to want more. Join me as I pick his brain on how Alexander technique is going to survive the next decade, with or without scientific support to freewheel on.

More about Richard

Richard Brennan has studied the Alexander Technique since 1983 and has been teaching the technique full time since 1989 he travels throughout Europe giving talks and courses on the Technique. He has taught the Technique at many educational centres including Galway University, Limerick University, Dartington College of Arts, Middlesex University and in the music Department of DIT, Dublin 

Richard has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines including The Irish Times, The Sunday Tribune, The Irish Examiner, Cosmopolitan, Hello and Home and Country; he has appeared on BBC I & RTE 1 and been featured on BBC Radios 4 & 5 as well as many local Radio around Ireland and the UK. He has written four books on the Alexander Technique, which are translated into eight languages including Russian and Hebrew which are on sale world-wide and his first book – The Alexander Workbook is currently being updated after having sold more than 100,000 copies. He has also written many articles on the technique for a variety of newspapers and magazines.

Richard lives in Galway, Ireland where he is the director of the Alexander Teacher Training College, Ireland (STAT approved). He has also been the President and Vice- President of the Irish Society of Alexander Technique Teachers. (ISSAT) and he was also guest presenter for the AmSAT annual conference in San Francisco in 2009 and gives workshops at the International AT Congress.

More on Richard's website here