Alexander Technique of Austin

When I decided to give Alexander Technique a try I first read the book BODY LEARNING (2^nd edition) by Michael Gelb, and found it eye opening. Then I looked in Unilocal for reviews and found two teachers. I decided to try both teachers, starting with the one up north. I didn’t care for that session. The whole time was verbal guidance, like a mantra, («The neck lengthening. The top of the head rising and tilting forward.») as I repeatedly sat and rose. There was nothing for me to *process*. The only handout was a schedule of the costs for blocks of lessons.
With Anne Bogaev it was a world of difference. She started with observations that challenged my standard way of being («Most people place the horizon higher than it actually is.») and got me thinking, processing internally. Rather than a litany of «affirmations» throughout the session — which, I learn from further reading, is one school of training for Alexander Technique teachers — she gave me *Ideas* that sparked my own internal processing. At the conclusion of the session she gave me a number of interesting and helpful handouts for further exploration, as well as information specific to my area of interest (dance — Argentine tango).
That first session, combined with my readings, was incredibly transformational in the way I use and think about use of my body. At each subsequent session she came prepared with research and further written material on the interests I’d expressed the previous week.
I feel that Anne Bogaev is a highly skilled, highly effective Alexander Technique teacher who approaches each student as an individual — not to be processed and «taught» — but rather, to be empowered to explore and learn in their own unique ways.