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Alexander Studies Online 12/6/25 Alexander Studies Online 12/6/25

ASO Annual Review - 2025 Alexander Technique Research & Insights

In our 2025 annual review, we reflect on a year of Alexander Technique inquiry spanning neuroscience, psychotherapy, integrative health research, and the embodied arts. This edition brings together a summary of interviews, research, and practitioner reflections exploring muscle tone regulation, wellbeing measures, gender and embodiment, trauma-informed practice, and personal reflection, highlighting the expanding connections of AT across disciplines.

Alexander Studies Online 11/1/25 Alexander Studies Online 11/1/25

Alexander Technique and Trauma: Exploring the Intersection

In this newsletter, we release a written piece by Niall Kelly who reflects on his observation that trauma responses can arise in Alexander Technique lessons. Drawing from his teaching practice and research into trauma, he shares examples from his work with students and invites reflection on how the AT community can engage more openly with this topic while staying within the scope of AT teaching.

Alexander Studies Online 10/4/25 Alexander Studies Online 10/4/25

Hands, Wrists, Fingers; Mind, Heart, Soul

This month we are posting a written piece by Pedro de Alcantara, author and Alexander Technique teacher. Pedro explores his experiences using his hands throughout his life, and he shares his thoughts about how miraculous the human hand is. This personal essay is based on Pedro's creative process while developing his new book on the subject.

Alexander Studies Online 9/6/25 Alexander Studies Online 9/6/25

Psychotherapy, Counselling, and Alexander Technique Teaching: An Interview with Brigitta Mowat

In this episode, Brigitta Mowat, AT teacher and psychotherapist, reflects on how these two disciplines intersect and inform each other. The conversation touches on her MSc research, the role of counselling skills in AT teaching, working with emotion in the teacher–student relationship, and how touch in AT may sometimes lead to emotional release.

Alexander Studies Online 7/12/25 Alexander Studies Online 7/12/25

Connected Conversations: Psychotherapy and the Alexander Technique

In this episode, Marcus James—AT teacher and psychotherapist—joins Lesley Glover to discuss how these two disciplines intersect and inform each other. Their conversation touches on working with emotion in an AT context, the overlap between AT and body-focused therapies, and how Marcus draws from both fields in his approach to teaching and care.

Alexander Studies Online 6/7/25 Alexander Studies Online 6/7/25

Capturing Well-being Outcomes: The Warwick Holistic Health Questionnaire and Its Relevance to Alexander Practice

This month, ASO’s Connected Conversations features Dr Nicola Brough, who presents the Warwick Holistic Health Questionnaire—a Patient Reported Outcome Measure designed to capture wellbeing outcomes in complementary health approaches. She discusses its development, use in craniosacral practice, and we explore it’s relevance for Alexander Technique teaching and research.

Alexander Studies Online 5/3/25 Alexander Studies Online 5/3/25

Connected Conversations: Exploring the Space Between – Alexander Technique and Craniosacral Therapy Practice

This month, ASO’s explores Connected Conversations with interviews featuring Alexander Technique teachers who integrate another professional practice alongside their teaching. In this episode, Adrian Farrell shares his embodied perspective on combining AT with craniosacral therapy—exploring touch, therapeutic roles, the challenges of articulating embodied experience, and more.

Alexander Studies Online 4/5/25 Alexander Studies Online 4/5/25

Alexander Technique, Gender, and Embodied Empowerment

In this episode, ASO revisits the theme of psychological and non-physical outcomes in Alexander Technique work, as explored in Kinsey and Glover’s realist review (see Episode 19). Erica Donnison interviews AT teacher Abi Wright, founder of She Stands, a AT based project focused on empowering girls and women to feel at home in their bodies and confident in taking up space.

Alexander Studies Online 3/4/25 Alexander Studies Online 3/4/25

Rethinking The Science of Muscle Tone - Part II

In this episode, ASO team member Erica Donnison continues her conversation with Dr. Tim Cacciatore, co-author of the open-access paper Central Mechanisms of Muscle Tone Regulation. Tim explores how these findings connect to key concepts in Alexander Technique teaching. A must-watch for teachers, trainees, and students. Paper linked in the article.

Alexander Studies Online 2/4/25 Alexander Studies Online 2/4/25

Rethinking The Science of Muscle Tone - Part I

In our 50th episode, Erica Donnison interviews Dr. Tim Cacciatore on muscle tone regulation, its role in balance, pain, and performance, and its significance for AT practitioners and clinicians. He addresses misconceptions about the reflex model and highlights how modern neuroscience advances our understanding of AT. Stay tuned for Part II. The paper linked here is open-access.

Alexander Studies Online 1/7/25 Alexander Studies Online 1/7/25

Bridging Practice and Research: Insights for Alexander Technique from Acupuncture Care and Research

In Episode 49, we explore the intersection of practice and research with Mandy Brass, MSc, a Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture practitioner. Mandy shares insights from her service evaluation at Dimbleby Cancer Care, an integrative oncology center in London. Using self-report measures, she captured her patients' experiences, offering valuable lessons for Alexander Technique teachers seeking to integrate research into their professional development.

Alexander Studies Online 12/3/24 Alexander Studies Online 12/3/24

ASO Annual Review - 2024 Alexander Technique Research & Insights

In our 48th newsletter we release our annual review. Discover a summary of this year’s look into Alexander Technique research, including its impact on pain management, caregiving, musical education, embodied learning, and more. Explore interviews, studies, and insights that highlight the profound influence of AT across disciplines.

Alexander Studies Online 11/5/24 Alexander Studies Online 11/5/24

Capturing Experience: Exploring Self-Report Measures in Alexander Technique Research

In Episode 47 we release a podcast style discussion with members of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) Research Group as they explore the use of self-report outcome measures in AT research. Widely used in research and healthcare, these tools allow individuals to share personal insights on their experiences and health. Join us for an insightful listen into how these measures can deepen our understanding of the Alexander Technique.

Alexander Studies Online 10/1/24 Alexander Studies Online 10/1/24

Exploring the Wisdom of Senior Teachers: Ruth Rootberg on 'Living the Alexander Technique’

This month, Lesley Glover interviews Ruth Rootberg, author of Living the Alexander Technique, discussing her insights from senior teachers on aging with poise. Rootberg shares her approach to the project and wisdom garnered on practicing the Alexander Technique through later stages of life, with reflections on ongoing self-work and growth.

Alexander Studies Online 9/3/24 Alexander Studies Online 9/3/24

Putting the body back into prayer

This month we explore the spiritual dimension of the Alexander Technique (AT) through an insightful interview with Dr. Jennifer Fox Eades, an AT teacher, ordained priest, and third-order Franciscan. In the discussion, Jennifer talks about elements of Franciscan thinking and practice and how these relate to her AT practice as explored in her new book, Embodying Prayer: Exploring Franciscan Spirituality with the Alexander Technique.

Alexander Studies Online 7/2/24 Alexander Studies Online 7/2/24

Time as an element in the curriculum at The Royal College of Music

This month we release an article by Judith Kleinman exploring the evolution of Alexander Technique (AT) at the Royal College of Music (RCM), focusing on Time as a crucial element in student learning. Integrated into RCM's degree programs and available as individual lessons, AT has been offered since the 1960s, with group classes starting in 1991. The curriculum has evolved gradually through observation, analysis, and iteration. Emphasizing Time enhances students' understanding of presence, reaction, and time flow, vital for musical performance and personal development.

Alexander Studies Online 6/4/24 Alexander Studies Online 6/4/24

Part II - How can learning and using the Alexander Technique enable us to reduce and better manage chronic pain?

This month, we release part II of a conversation with researchers and Alexander teachers Mari Hodges and Tim Cacciatore, as they discuss their recent work on pain with Julia Woodman. They continue to explore the shift from a bio-medical to a bio-psycho-social model of pain, delve into potential mechanisms for pain reduction observed in research participants, and discuss future research plans.

Alexander Studies Online 5/7/24 Alexander Studies Online 5/7/24

How can learning and using the Alexander Technique enable us to reduce and better manage chronic pain?

In our 42nd ASO newsletter, researchers and Alexander teachers, Mari Hodges and Tim Cacciatore talk with Julia Woodman about their recent work on pain. They relate the revolution in pain science – from a bio-medical to a bio-psycho-social model – to how Alexander teachers can use this knowledge when working with people living with chronic (persistent) pain. This is the first of a two-part interview-based post.

Alexander Studies Online 4/2/24 Alexander Studies Online 4/2/24

In Conversation: Regina Stratil's Path to Uncovering Irene Tasker's Story

In the 41st edition, Malcolm Williamson engages in dialogue with Regina Stratil, the author of the book "Irene Tasker - Her Life and Work with the Alexander Technique." The conversation delves into Stratil’s journey in researching and writing the book, shedding light on her research and compositional process. She shares insights into Tasker's life and contributions, highlighting the significance of this important figure within the historical tapestry of the Alexander Technique.

Alexander Studies Online 3/5/24 Alexander Studies Online 3/5/24

How Alexander Technique lessons can help family carers - Part II

In the second part of this two-part series, Monika Gross elaborates on communicating research findings into how Alexander Technique lessons can assist caregivers for individuals living with Parkinson’s, Dementia, and other medical conditions. Additionally, a copy of a podium presentation delivered at the 2023 European Alzheimer’s Conference is provided.