Training Course

The training course at LCATT offers a thorough Alexander Technique teacher training over a three-year period based on the requirements of, and accredited by, The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT).

Our vibrant school welcomes students to our course which gives a professional training in an encouraging and lively atmosphere. We are experienced at supporting people through their process of change and development and are very committed to teaching the Alexander Technique in a way which allows each person to make the work truly their own. In a practical context students will gain a strong foundation for making the Technique a lifelong process. By teaching its principles it is our intention to inspire personal and professional resourcefulness, creativity, maturity and independence, and to create good Alexander teachers.

Alexander Technique Training in LondonWe have, at LCATT, a core of three co-heads of training. They are all very experienced and have worked together for many years. They come from very different training backgrounds but have a deep respect for each other’s ways of working and so enhance each other’s skills. In addition, there is a team of other teachers who come into the school from time to time. This gives students a wide experience with both continuity and variety. We also have visiting teachers who bring ideas and skills of their own, sometimes in specialist areas. (Click here for a list of past visiting teachers) We also meet with other training courses to keep the connection with the bigger Alexander community.

Course Outline

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The major part of the course is practical and its core content is the development of the student’s own use and self-awareness according to Alexander’s principles of ‘inhibition and direction’. The timetable includes lessons, ‘turns’ and directed activities with teachers and other students. A fundamental aspect of the training is that the students are taught to work on themselves so that they can take this experience into their teaching lives afterwards.

Each term is loosely based on a theme of either something related to the Alexander Technique philosophy or some aspect of the practical work.

There is a gradual introduction of ‘hands-on’ skills taught in a variety of ways. Working through a range of ‘hands-on’ procedures students are taught to develop sensitivity in their touch and intuitive knowledge in their hands. They are encouraged to experiment, and with the support of the teachers they can learn to explore and trust their intuition so that they can find their own way through their personal Alexander development.

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Added to this there is specific training in improving observation plus coaching in verbal and presentation skills. Time is also given to doing voice work in relation to the Alexander Technique. Other specialist topics that have been offered by visiting teachers include work on eyes, feet, running, saddle work and more. Our moderator Lucia Walker also visits the school several times a term. Students are given an opportunity to learn to develop their own ideas for running groups and doing individual work within a group situation. Towards the latter part of the course students learn to work, under supervision, on members of the public to smooth the transition to becoming independent teachers. This includes teaching in a low cost ‘clinic’ at LCATT (see Postgraduate/ Supervised Lessons) and to assist Hilary King and other teachers with small introductory groups. After graduation there is the valuable opportunity to work with Judith Kleinman or Peter Buckoke at the Royal College of Music.

The theoretical part of the training includes the study of Alexander’s books and other texts, anatomy, discussions, videos/DVDs, presentations by students, writing of diaries and reports. There is often a lot of lively discussion, including at tea break, which we all take together.

Alexander Technique Training in LondonOnce a week we have a practical anatomy session showing how the Alexander Technique makes sense of the intrinsic design of the body. The resource of ‘body mapping’ is an integral part of the teaching on the course. Students leave with a good sense of their own anatomical structure and how to use this knowledge in their own teaching practices.
Students are expected to do a postgraduate teaching term after qualification, attending the school at least once a week, to help their transition to becoming working Alexander teachers (see postgraduate).They are always welcome to visit any time thereafter and many of them do. By the end of the training it is expected that students will have developed a knowledge and understanding of Alexander’s principles through their own use and their work with others so that they can continue their personal development and communicate the technique to others by the use of their hands, as well as verbally, in an independent and professional manner.

Take a look at the Alumni page to see what our graduates have been doing since qualifying.

Accreditation

Alexander Technique Training in LondonThe course is accredited by STAT (The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique). The requirements for training are 1600 hours, usually over a period of three years (nine terms). The course may be joined at the beginning of any term. The course is monitored, and students have the benefit of  working with a moderator appointed by STAT, in their sixth and ninth terms. On successful completion of the course students are awarded a STAT certificate and may become teaching members of the Society.

Hours and Fees

Learn to be an Alexander Technique Trainer in LondonThe course is full time over a period of three years with three terms a year. It runs for four days a week (Monday to Thursday) for four hours each day.

Monday 9am – 1pm
Tuesday 1pm – 5pm
Wednesday 9am – 1pm
Thursday 9am – 1pm

Students can start the training at the beginning of any term – September, January or April.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the course. Ours is a very welcoming atmosphere and we hope you will feel free to call or email to arrange a visit.

Fees are  £1,750 per term for a minimum of nine terms. A deposit is payable on accepting a place and this is offset against the final term of training.

TERM  DATES – 2024

Winter ‘24
8th January  –  28th March
Half term week of 12th Feb

Summer ’24
24th April – 18th July
Half term week of 3rd June

Autumn ’24 
9th September – 28th November
Half term week of 28th October

Application

Prerequisites for application are – previous Alexander experience, a lesson with the three directors and a visit to the school plus an application form. Please email for the form and further information.

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Sample Timetable

The sample timetable below applies when we are able to work in person in the school. During the pandemic we are working online with both theoretical and practical work. Through this we have been developing our work and gaining insights that we might not otherwise have done – albeit still missing the direct hands-on communication which we look forward to returning to in the future.

THEME Inhibition

MONDAY
9.00-9.10 Inhibition together
9.10-10.20 Work on self /with each other / turns
10.20-10.55 Hands on – groups
10.50-11.10 Individual hands-on session
11.00-11.20 Break
11.20-12.00 Work on self/wash up/lesson (11.20-11.50) and/or mini hands on session (11.30-11.45)
12.00 -12.20/30 Directed activity / procedure / saddle group
12.20/30-1.00 Talks / videos

TUESDAY
1.00-1.10 Inhibition together
1.10-2.20 Work on self / with each other / turns
2.20-2.55 Hands on – groups
2.55 -3.10 Individual hands-on session
3.00-3.20 Break
3.20-3.50 Work on self/washing up/lesson (3.20-3.50) and/or mini hands-on session (3.30-3.45)
3.50-4.05 Group talk through – student
4.05-5.00 Voice work

WEDNESDAY
9.00-9.10 Inhibition together
9.10-10.20 Work on self/ with each other / turns
10.20-10.55 Hands on – groups
10.50-11.10 Individual hands-on session
11.00-11.20 Break
11.20-12.00 Work on self/wash up/lesson (11.20-11.50) and/or mini hands-on session (11.30-11.45)
12.00 -12.30 Directed activity / student activity
12.30 -1.00 Books

THURSDAY
9.00-9.10 Inhibition together
9.10-10.20 Work on self/ with each other / turns
10.20-10.55 Hands on – groups
10.50-11.10 Individual hands-on session
11.00-11.20 Break
11.20-12.00 Work on self/wash up/lesson (11.20-11.50) and/or mini hands-on session (11.30-11.45)
12.00-12.40 Anatomy
12.40-1.00 Movement

 

The LCATT school and community of teachers wish to make the following equality statement.

We are a respectful caring community of learning. Our work is about creating safe spaces for positive change for all, and takes place through the practice of listening, connection and kindness, free of discrimination of any kind. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity. We at LCATT work on and teach an embodied practice of emotional intelligence and awareness passed from teacher to student. We strive to continually further develop, expand and critique Alexander’s ideas and the way they are taught today.
As such, any discriminatory or racist attitudes or language have never had a place within our institution, our practice or our culture. We wish to express our fundamental disagreement with any offensive and discriminatory passages in the body of Frederick Matthias Alexander’s writings. Whilst reflecting views that were commonly held at the time, they are unacceptable. These particular passages neither expound nor define the body of practice and theory that has become known as the Alexander Technique. At LCATT, since its opening in 2003, we made a conscious choice not to issue certificates based entirely on the material of Alexander’s four books, precisely for the reason that the technique that we practice teach and learn, is at odds with these offensive passages.
We would like to acknowledge the extent of unconscious bias, in the wider world and in our community. We are committed to enquiring, listening, learning and taking action to make our community a truly safe and equal space and removing any barriers that might get in the way of people engaging with our work.

 

COVID SAFETY PRACTICES FOR VISITORS

Whatever the new government Covid regulations will be, at Lcatt we will continue to take our Covid risk reduction protocols seriously. We are a close contact discipline, a more virulent version of Covid might emerge, and even “mild” infections may have long term consequences.

We will look after you to the best of our ability.

  • There are hand sanitisers inside the front door and outside the teaching rooms. 
  • Our rooms have air purifyers.
  • Windows and doors are open as far as possible.
  • Our rooms are as sterilisable as possible with chairs, tables, cushions etc covered with wipe down waterproof fabrics.

We request that you –

  • Do a lateral flow test (with negative result) before visiting.
  • Wear a suitable well fitting FF2 grade mask for close work. An alternative can be a well fitting three layer fabric masks with a filter and nose wires. (The thin disposable masks with gaps at the sides and/or nose and chin are not adequate). A fresh mask will be needed to start the school day ie. not the one that might have been on public transport on the way. 
  • Be aware of others and keep spacious except when putting hands on.
  • Thoroughly wash your hands or sanitise before and after putting hands on someone. Also generally as often as possible. 
  • As we will open windows and ventilate the rooms as far as possible, please bring warm clothing and a shawl or blanket for the colder weather.
  • Bring your possessions in a bag that you can hang on one of the pegs or leave on a shelf outside the toilet.
  • Leave shoes at the bottom of the stairs.

Thank you.