=============================

DIRECTION : FREEMAIL
September, 2001 Vol 4 No 1

=====================

1.EDITORIAL : New helmsman Paul Cook has a say.

2. ALEXTECH LIST NEWS : Kay Hooper faithfully returns to sum up the Alextech List, after 12 months.

3. !NEW! at-public LIST LAUNCH : Freemail talks to Kevin Wooding and finds out why he has initiated a new List for the worldwide Alexander audience.

4. DIRECTION JOURNAL OFFER : Nick Chance opens the coffers for a welcome back Freemail spree.

5. FORTHCOMNG EVENTS : With AT organisations registered in 20 countries worldwide there's a constant supply of events to keep on top of, take a look at the diversity.

1. EDITORIAL

Well with a 12 month gestation period, there's no excuses not to live up to the reputation Freemail has built in the past as the definitive online newsletter for the Alexander Technique Community. The only catch is that I'm new to the online publishing world and expect to not only make mistakes but plan to make them big! Afterall there's no use trying to be right.....right?

Thankyou for your patience and to all the new subscribers who have been faithfully signing up week in, week out THIS IS IT!

In this issue,  we renew our friendship with some of the personalities that have defined Freemail as the best source of what's happening in Alexander Technique worldwide.

Kay Hooper who has tirelessly scanned the Alextech List melting pot for ground breaking news is back on board,  Nick Chance gives Freemail subscribers a deal on all things media, from Direction Journal, to the worldwide Alexander Directory, to Videos, Books and so on.

We also talk to a new leader in the List arena, Kevin Wooding founder of AT-public, and promise to bring other characters of the Alexander World as they emerge as voices of authority, from time to time, and believe me they love doing that!

With a readership of well over 200 subscribers we provide the net savvy with a market to promote residentials, courses and meetings around the world and an up-to-date summary of all the goings on.....let me know all.

I look forward to chatting with all of you throughout my term as Freemail Editor and welcome all feedback and suggestions to keep abreast of the absolute latest in Alexander Technique.

Cheers,

Paul Cook
Editor

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. ALEXTECH LIST NEWS

The alextech list draws some very articulate thinkers, some of whose posts are quite difficult
to reduce.  The post I have chosen to highlight is regarding the concept of simplicity in AT work,
with some lovely distinctions coming down from the Marj Barstow lineage through Franis Engel:

>>>>>>Marj told me that you have to use the words and concepts that you find help you to communicate. "If you say something and people pull down in response to what you said, try saying something else." I saw her agree with someone's terminology that ran directly opposite to words she usually used. Because they were moving up beyond their habits when they said the words, she agreed.

So I would agree that is what's complex in disabling our own justifications for keeping and using our habits. Freedom is very unsettling. Freedom is complex and rich and we want to crawl back into
our little familiar box of habits to feel safe again. To say that moving toward freedom is "simple" can trivialize the need people seem to have to run back to our habitual comfort zone, complicated as it may be. Sometimes to say "simplicity" is a handy challenge - and sometimes it's just a trite paradoxical goal of mastery.<<<<<<

I daresay that writing likes this makes the art of writing seem "simple"! To read the complete
post, consult digest #176.

Another recent topic that has urged creative responses is that of teaching AT teachers. This work, sometimes compared to the unfortunate onion or other form of layered vegetation, does have  numerous levels of learning and teaching. How does teaching "teachers" differ from teaching "students"? Again, an excerpt from a well-written post from David Moore:

>>>>>>>It is clear that being able to put hands on in a way that will not pull your pupils down & give them a stimulus to expand, comes from the development of the trainees CCC in everyday activities. To be able to do this however is not necessarily an act of teaching, if the teacher is not in touch with the thinking process of the student.

I eschew the type of hands on training of putting a hand here and another there in a particular manner - direct yourself  monkey, one hand on, then the other hand on, direct yourself,  then connect between the hands etc. This is breaking up what must be a whole activity into bits and pieces.

Trainees then begin to think in bits and pieces, to become stiff  and over-focused on themselves. There may be a basics to learn, but it is quite possible to overlearn them. Mostly I come to specific aspects of the use of the hands when something isn't working. And mostly it isn't a problem of the hands but of the intention and thinking behind the hands.  Trainees need to observe fully who they are putting hands on, and to observe the thinking and structure of the person they are teaching, and to approach the person as
they themselves move up and expand. The idea that all you have to do is to put your hands on and give directions is simply ludicrous.<<<<<<<<

Read his whole post and those of others on this topic in digests #178 and 179, and, if you are so motivated, join in.
 

Kay S. Hooper

The sponsor of the list is DIRECTION, the international journal of the Alexander technique.

3.!NEW! at-public LIST LAUNCH

I've been asked to say a few words on AT-public, the new Alexander Tech list - and why it's available.

This new list is the result of several months of discussion between Jeremy Chance, Paul Cook and myself. For some time it seems that many of us have wanted access to a different kind of discussion list from the current alextech-list; a list where members of the public will feel more at ease to take part, and also a place where the diversity of the Alexander community is acknowledged and supported.

For myself, it has always been my understanding that the Alexander Technique is nondenominational. I know that there are large numbers of people from different walks of life who have taken up the Technique, and it is my intention to help create a forum where many more people feel welcome to express an insight or ask a question, and thus gain understanding for themselves and possibly a little
clarity for others on what, exactly, is the "Alexander Technique".

I feel that the current discussion list has a definite place as a source for those wishing to deal with the particulars of historical/philosophical context of the Technique, and also for those wanting to gain understanding of what constitutes the "purity" of the Technique.

I'm hoping to strike a balance - if you'd like to join me, then please send an e-mail as follows:

How to Join

(Send to) majordomo@alextech.net

(Body of message) subscribe at-public

If you have html e-mail, you can click on the following link - if all goes well, it should open an e-mail in your software, with the address and message body already filled in. Then all you need do is click on send:

mailto:majordomo@alextech.net?body=subscribe at-public>Subscribe at-public

Alternatively, the attached link should work for those with plain text e-mail

Once you have sent the initial subscription e-mail, you will then receive a confirmation e-mail with an authorisation key - once you've received that, and sent it back, you'll then be subscribed and receive guidelines for the list. You can then post  to the list  by sending e-mails to:

mailto:at-public@alextech.net>at-public@alextech.net

Hope to see you there!

Kevin Wooding
 

4. DIRECTION JOURNAL NEWS 

 1. ---> DIRECTION - http://www.directionjournal.com/
 The next issue Vol 2 No 10 is due for release early 2002.
 Same price for a 2 issue subscriptions at $39 / £22.
 Save $8 / £6 on single issue prices. Order at:
 new_order/orderform_1.php

 2. ---> Alexander DIRECTORY - http://www.directionjournal.com/md/
 MD listings for DIRECTION subscribers cost $20 / £12 for 2 issues.
 THE Global Directory on the Alexander Technique will publish its
 5th Edition with DIRECTION Vol 2 No 10. MD online is available to
 internet users, and the printed version is posted to a range of
 people interested in the Alexander Technique across 42 countries.

 3. ---> $58.50 for Engleberg @ $39 + Brighton or Sydney @ $19.50, ends 31.9.01.

 Kind regards,

 Nick Chance
 Publisher, DIRECTION Journal, Alexander Directory
 nick@directionjournal.com
 http://www.directionjournal.com

 DIRECTION Journal - HEAD OFFICE
 ABN: 84 002 833 927
 Post: PO Box 770, Spit Junction NSW 2088, AUSTRALIA
 mailto:nick@directionjournal.com
 Tel: +612 9960 7728 Fax: +612 9960 7729

5.FORTHCOMING EVENTS

 Annual Residential Course at Healesville, Melbourne, Australia
28th Dec 2001 to 2nd January 2002
http://www.alexanderschool.edu.au/ontos/index.htm

The School for FM Alexander Studies in Melbourne, Australia
Introduction To The Alexander Technique with David Moore
Sunday 16th September 10am - 1pm. Cost 27.50
Introductory Voice Course with David Moore
Sunday 16 September 2 - 5pm. Cost $27.50
David Hall Workshop for Teachers and trainees
Sunday 2nd September 10
Salsa Dance with Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method
Saturday 1st September 10am to 5pm with David Hall. Cost $80 ($59 concession)am to 5pm Cost $85 & GST $8.50 = $93.50

NEW Teacher education Program begins in Seattle.
http://www.performanceschool.org/home.htm

Beginner Workshops in 2001, Canberra, Australia
20 October, 3 November
http://www.alexandertechnique.aust.com/articlesnews.html

Byron Bay , NSW, Australia
Wednesdays 22nd August to 26th September 7 - 9pm
Info: Marie Hayes 02) 6680 9770 or 02) 6684 3374
http://www.alexandertechnique.com.au/index.html

Events and Courses for UK and Europe
http://www.stat.org.uk/announcements.html

From: 07/10/01 To: 14/10/01
HOLIDAY COURSE IN SOUTHERN FRANCE
Teachers: Jonathan Snell and Hilary Thacker
Details: A relaxing but stimulating holiday course. Learn and apply The Alexander Technique in
            the gentler hills of the beautiful Ardeche region near the source of the Loire.
More Information: From The Castle Centre, Edinburgh on 0131 556 6641
E-mail: snell@dial.pipex.com
Cost: £590 including tuition and full board accommodation (own travel arrangements)

From: 15/06/02 To: 22/06/02
29th ANNUAL BARSTOW/ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE INSTITUTE
Teachers: Robert Rickover
Details:
             Doane College is located on a beautiful 300 acre campus of modern and historic
             architecture nestled among lovely ponds, bridges and winding paths. The Institute is
             open to new and experienced students and emphasizes the unique approach to
             teaching the Technique pioneered by the late Marjorie Barstow.
More Information: From Robert Rickover, 2434 Ryons Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68502, USA. Telephone: (402) 475 4433
Web site: http://www.barstowinstitute.com
E-mail: robert@alexandertechnique.com
Location: Doane College, Crete, Nebraska (near Omaha, Kansas City and Lincoln).

KAUAI ALEXANDER COURSE 2002
MAY 21 - 28, 2002
Since 1990 we have organized an annual residential course on the beautiful island of
Kauai in Hawaii. The main idea was to offer individual work in the Alexander Technique
in a small group setting, during an intensive six-day period. As our goal of keeping the
course small (10-12 students), we also realized the importance of free time to absorb
the information and enjoy the island.
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
For information and registration, please call (310) 277-0009
E-mail: Jeanlouisr@mediaone.net
http://www.alexandertechworks.com/

The Moving Body
A Two-Day Exploration Into How We Are Designed to Move and Function
DATES : October 13 and 14th Charlottesville, VA
CONTACT :   Virginia School for the Alexander Technique
               1021 Sheridan Avenue
               Charlottesville, VA
               Call Daria Okugawa at 804-977-7186 for further information.
For many more Events see: http://www.alexandertech.org/