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by Ken Thompson. Delving into the Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Gherand Samhita and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Ken explains the origins of this ancient art of self development and ponders the reasons for taking up Yoga practice. Ken began teaching Yoga in 1965 and has been a council member of the British Wheel of Yoga since 1966. He has taught Alexander Technique since 1979, and founded the Essex Alexander School in 1988.
by Ken Thompson. Interest in Yoga throughout the Western world has increased enormously during the latter part of the 20th Century and is continuuing to do so. Where do we start when contemplating Yoga practice?
Interviewed by
Lyn Charlson. Are there similarities between Yoga and Alexander Technique? Can
the two disciplines be combined into a greater learning possibility?
At what point does the study of Yoga leave behind Alexander Technique? These
questions and more are tackled by Michael, a veteran of 25 years in the Alexander
Technique field, and Sigrid, who has 30 years Yoga teaching experience to share.
Drawing on experiences with Desikachar and Carrington, this is one discussion
that is not to be missed.
by Suzanne Fawlkner. The philosophical base of each discipline heads in a similar direction argues this writer, with one small(or major) distinction. What is this one percent that differentiates Yoga and Alexander Technique?
by Diana Hook. Bringing Yoga into daily life has been made all the more easy by naming common poses as every day activities. This is East infiltrating West at the most creative level. Find out how to make Yoga relevant to a culture very far removed from the inventors of this ancient practice.
by Karyn Chapman. Teaching Yoga since 1977 and Alexander Technique since 1985, Karyn pulls no punches in describing the majority of Western Yoga as endgaining at it's worst. A Yoga teacher needs to learn about Alexander Technique to teach Yoga effectively and with 3 Yoga degrees to her name, she speaks with authority. "We're not going to stop people from exercising, therefore we should educate them on the best possible means to do so."
by Mervyn Waldman. Where to begin in that first meeting with a pupil? What to expect and what to ask? At this level, every student and teacher are equal. The options are many, but is there need for a format, a routine, a system? This writer outlines one possible approach to ponder and perhaps experiment with. As a practising naturopath and osteopath since 1974, Mervyn brings a well-rounded perspective to his Alexander work, teaching from 1991.
by Terry Fitzgerald. Are we a profession? Should we be pursuing accreditation? And if we should, is competency- based assessment and training possible or desirable?
by Paul Cook. The first issue to be published...EVER...without an editorial from Jeremy Chances. I hear sighs, perhaps relief, perhaps regret. Nevertheless DIRECTION is moving on. Yoga predates Alexander a few thousand years however the West has picked it up and started running in the last decade. Another fitness revolution perhaps, or is there more to the picture than merely endgaining movement? BTW I don't think we'll stick with the issue title!
by Chris Steven.
Brand new to the DIRECTION team, following the untimely passing of Dr Garlick,
Chris brings degrees in physics and biomedical engineering to the role of Science
Editor. He is a researcher at the University f Surry and Queen Mary's Hospital
in London, in the motion analysis laboratories. He was a training course director
from 1987-99 and is a former chair of STAT.(Society of Teachers in London) He
has authored three books and several research papers on the AT. Teaching since
1979, Chris' wealth of experience is a tremendous addition to DIRECTION.
by Thomas Myers.
Developing a language to bridge somatic practices might be a daunting task,
but this Rolfer is well on his way. Author of the Anatomy Trains, available
from Amazon, Tom is pioneering the work of bringing somatic modalities together
with common terms of reference. Can it be done? This topical piece might just
plant some seeds for the future.
Colour illustrations of myofascial "trains" of support through the
body. A FIRST for DIRECTION!
by David Horsman. A pilgrimage along the Rua Franco in Santiago de Compostela coaxes this writer towards some connections between inhibition, non-doing and renunciation. "They form the primordial and only methodology by which we can experience reality as it happens."
Fresh Voices - From WATTS, Wellungton, New Zealand. Meet the new school mates.
Mis Direction - a comic look at the oh-so-serious issues of the electronic era.
FreeMail Internet Roundup - A review of the more interesting posts on the AlexTech mailist that is sponsored by DIRECTION. Click here to join the list.
Epiphanies - more thoughtful passages from Lawrence Bruce.
STATNews Roundup - Politics, science and regulatory news from the mother ship. Reviewed by Franis Engel.
AUSTAT News Roundup - Politics, science and regulatory news from down under. Reviewed by Louise Gauld.
AmSAT News Roundup - Politics, science and regulatory news from up over. Reviewed by Lawrence Bruce
ATI News Roundup - Politics, science and regulatory news from all over. Reviewed by Paul Cook
Walter Carrington Recalls FM - Christopher Waring Westby mines some gems from Walter's memory.
WWW Web Reviews - David Billingham returns to alert us to new websites, new ideas and tips on how to make the www work for us.
Book Reviews - New titles, new avenues explored. Lawrence Bruce has been doing some 'cover to cover'.
Video Review - Grant Dillon joins DIRECTION for the cushiest job in the building!
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