Description:

This free workshop will teach basic self-care principles for managing and preventing chronic back pain and will discuss recent research published in the British Medical Journal, on how the Alexander Technique helps back pain. All participants will have the opportunity to experience hands-on Alexander instruction. If you would like to stay and experience additional work with the teachers, beyond what we do during the one hour workshop, we will be available for an additional half an hour.

Presenter:

Judith C. Stern MA, PT is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique (1987) and a licensed physical therapist practicing privately in Westchester County, New York. Judith received her Bachelors of Science degree and her Post-graduate Certificate in Physical Therapy from Simmons College in 1968, and holds a Masters Degree in Health Education from the University of Florida (1979). Her background includes 40 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist. The last 20 years have been devoted to teaching the Alexander Technique. She lectures on and teaches the Alexander Technique in the United States, Europe and Israel. Judith has presented the Technique to the medical students at Columbia University and The Albert Einstein College of Medicine; to physical therapy students at Mercy College and Touro College; to graduate dentists at New York University; and to physicians and performing arts faculty at the Aspen Music Festival's conference on medical problems of Performing Artists.

She will be assisted by local teachers Amira Alvarez, Constance Clare-Newman, Lenka Fejt, and Josephine Gray.

Location:

The Workshop will take place at the Hotel Whitcomb Main Ballroom
1231 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 (Between 8th and 9th Street, Civic Center BART)

Registration:   

Registration is required. Please click here to send an email request to register or call (415) 999-5159.

Cost:               FREE

Description:

Based on her research project at the Longy School of Music, Ms. Oosterbaan will guide participants to effectively integrate Alexander Technique concepts with musical performance. She will teach practical ways that include how the swinging bow arm impact the performer's sound, balance, and ease of playing. Bring your instruments.

Presenter:

Karen Oosterbaan is an Alexander Technique teacher and professional violinist in the Boston area. She has given a series of Alexander Technique workshops at the New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music, and American String Teacher's Association. She received her MM at New England Conservatory, her GPD at the Longy School of Music, and her BM at Vanderbilt University.

Location:

The Workshop will take place at the Musician's Union, 116 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Registration:   

Registration is required. Please click here to register. When you get to the registration page, click "register now" and then select public.

Cost:               $10, or free to Musician's Union members.

Description:

This workshop will introduce how the Alexander Technique can be applied to piano playing, achieving a more coordinated piano technique and in preventing playing-related injuries. A number of participants will receive individual "hands-on" work at the piano. Please bring something to play if you're interested in working with the instructor at the piano.

Presenter:

Laura Klein has been teaching the Alexander Technique since 1987, and has been a professional jazz pianist for over thirty years. She has worked extensively with pianists and other musicians, and has given presentations at music schools and departments, including UC Berkeley and San Jose State University. Ms. Klein has a B.A. in Music from SUNY Buffalo, attended Berklee College of Music, and is trained in the Taubman piano method.

Location:

The Workshop will take place at the Musician's Union, 116 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Registration:   

Registration is required. Please click here to register. When you get to the registration page, click "register now" and then select public.

Cost:               $10, or free to Musician's Union members.

Description:

This workshop is an introduction to how the Alexander Technique can benefit wind, brass and percussion players. Understand how excessive tension may be affecting your sound and your vulnerability to injury. Bring your instruments.

Presenter:

Lori Schiff has been on the faculty at the Juilliard School since 1991 and The Aspen Music Festival and School since 1993. She works extensively with singers and instrumentalists. She qualified as an Alexander teacher in 1987 and was a teacher at the Metropolitan Opera Young Artists Development Program for 6 years. She holds degrees from Northwestern University (1982, B.Mus Trumpet) and Manhattan School of Music (1985 M.Mus Trumpet).

Location:

The Workshop will take place at the Musician's Union, 116 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Registration:   

Registration is required. Please click here to register. When you get to the registration page, click "register now" and then select public.

Cost:               $10, or free to Musician's Union members.

Description:

Do you want to sing with greater ease and joy? The Alexander Technique originated in vocal work and has since helped thousands of singers enhance their instrument. This workshop will introduce the basic principles of the Technique and individual hands-on work will be available. Singers of all styles of music are welcome, whether or not you have vocal problems. Accompanist is available.

Presenter:

Jane Heirich's teaching has focused on the intersection of two learning processes: the more than 100-year-old Alexander Technique and the centuries-old bel canto vocal singing tradition. Ms. Heirich has 40 years of experience working with many different singers--from rock to opera, and everything in between. Recently retired from 32 years of teaching at The University of Michigan's Residential College, she maintains a private teaching studio for voice and Alexander Technique lessons, and is the Director of an Alexander teacher-training course. Her book, "Voice and the Alexander Technique: Active Explorations for Speaking and Singing," was published by Mornum Time Press (2005).

Location:

The Workshop will take place at the Musician's Union, 116 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Registration:   

Registration is required. Please click here to register. When you get to the registration page, click "register now" and then select public.

Cost:               $10, or free to Musician's Union members.

Description:

Steven Shaw's step-by-step approach enables swimmers of all abilities to crawl with confidence and style. Discover how to be more streamlined, increasing efficiency and stamina by using the arms to move forward (not pull back) and to breathe without shortening the neck.

Presenter:

Steven Shaw, founder of the Shaw Method and author of two books, is world renowned for his application of Alexander's principles to swimming. He is up to date with the latest developments in swimming technique training and has worked closely with a number of the world's leading aquatic innovators. Steven Shaw will be joined by a Shaw swimming instructor and Alexander Technique teacher Glenn Kenreich.

Location:

The Workshop will take place at the Cathedral Hill Pool and Athletic Center, 1333 Gough Street, San Francisco. (They will NOT be handling registration. To register, use the link below.)

Registration:   

Registration is required. Please click here to register. When you get to the registration page, click "register now" and then select public. Maximum registration of 20 people.

Cost:               $150 (early registration until May 10th); $170 (registration May 11th and later).

Description:

The Alexander Technique is a means of identifying mental and physical habits that interfere with one's ability to attend to the moment and make choices. Through observation, dialog and hands-on work, this workshop will introduce principles of the Technique and examine common assumptions (and their accompanying sensations) of such dancerly concerns as strength, support, stability and power, opening the body and brain to new information and refining the organization of the performing body and mind.

Presenter:

A graduate of American Center for the Alexander Technique, Shelley Senter has taught privately and at Movement Research (NY), Theatre Contemporain de la Danse (Paris), Casa Hoffman (Brazil), Impulstanz (Vienna), the San Francisco School of Circus Arts and at Mills College (CA). She has been involved with postmodern and experimental dance for over 25 years.

Location:

The Workshop will take place at the ODC Dance Commons
351 Shotwell Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Registration:   

Registration is required. Please contact ODC Dance Commons to register or call (415) 863-6606.

Cost:               $50

Description:

Double certified AmSAT/Linklater Voice teachers Geordie MacMinn and Ruth Rootberg will introduce ways in which the Alexander Technique and Linklater Method can open your voice up to express the wide range of emotion and thought pleasurably, and without strain.

Presenters:

Geordie MacMinn is on the faculty of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Drama, where he teaches Voice & Alexander Technique. He is a Designated Linklater Voice Teacher and has completed post-graduate Alexander teacher trainings with John Nicholls and Jessica Wolf.

Ruth Rootberg is a certified Alexander Teacher, Designated Linklater Voice Teacher, and Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst. She served on the faculty of Yale School of Drama (1995-2000) and Theatre School of DePaul (1993-1995). She edited "Teaching Breathing: Results of a Survey" and currently teaches the Alexander Technique privately in Amherst, MA.

Location:

The Workshop will take place at the Hotel Whitcomb
1231 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 (Between 8th and 9th Street, Civic Center BART)

Registration:   

Registration is required. Please click here to register. When you get to the registration page, click "register now" and then select public. Maximum registration of 20 people.

Cost:               $40

Description:

'The Art of Running' workshops are based on the proven principles of the Alexander Technique, which encourage good use of the body and greater awareness of the way it functions. These practical workshops - bring running shoes, please - are geared for all levels (absolute beginners to seasoned marathoners) and will teach participants how the Alexander Technique can facilitate speed and ease while reducing tension and injuries.

You will learn to:
       - Release tension and stiffness
       - Run without injury
       - Increase performance without strain and pain
       - Identify & change harmful habits that keep you from performing to your full potential
       - Overcome self-imposed limitations

Includes individual Video Analysis of your running.

For more information visit: http://www.amiraalvarez.com/running/

Presenters:

Malcolm Balk lives and teaches in Montreal. His 'Art of Running' workshops have been enjoyed all over the world. He is the author of 2 books including "Master the Art of Running: Raising Your Performance with the Alexander Technique." As a competitive Master's runner, he has completed six marathons, the last being a sub 3 hour effort at age 50. He will assisted by local teacher Amira Alvarez.

Location:

The Workshop will take place at the Hotel Whitcomb
1231 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 (Between 8th and 9th Street, Civic Center BART)

Registration:   

Registration is required. Please click here to register. When you get to the registration page, click "register now" and then select public. Maximum registration of 20 people per workshop.

Cost:               $90