Our Work

Our work highlights the research and insights of our community. Share your contributions by collaborating with ASO here. Subscribe to our free newsletter here.

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 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 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.

Alexander Studies Online 2/6/24 Alexander Studies Online 2/6/24

Partnering with Poise – Research into how Alexander Technique lessons can help family carers

In this 39th edition, we delve into new research on how Alexander Technique (AT) lessons can help people who are a Care Giver or Care Partner for someone living with Parkinson’s, Dementia or other medical conditions. Monika Gross from The Poise Project shares insights from recent research undertaken with the University of Idaho on both in-person and online AT courses. This first part of a two-part series outlines the research background, significant outcomes, and the real need for AT to support carers in this field.

Alexander Studies Online 11/7/23 Alexander Studies Online 11/7/23

Restoring carers to themselves through the Alexander Technique

In this video, Charlotte Woods and Lesley Glover from ASO discuss an article co-authored with dementia expert Emma Wolverson, that explores how the Alexander Technique, even when learned for unrelated reasons, can unexpectedly improve one's ability to provide care. They touch on the embodied nature of caring, interoception and autonomy, "self-loss" among carers, and conclude by discussing implications for academics and the Alexander community.

Alexander Studies Online 9/5/23 Alexander Studies Online 9/5/23

An Interview with Monika Gross: Alexander Technique Research & Collaboration

Welcome to the 34th edition of the ASO newsletter. In this issue, we feature an illuminating interview with Monika Gross (The Poise Project) that revolves around crucial aspects such as bridging communication gaps between the Alexander Technique and other fields, amplifying public awareness of the profession, and establishing meaningful connections with research groups and healthcare practitioners.

Alexander Studies Online 4/4/23 Alexander Studies Online 4/4/23

Lighten Up! A conversation with Rajal Cohen - Part II

Following up on last month’s research on the effects of postural instructions on people living with Parkinson’s and on healthy older and younger adults. This month, we share a two-part conversation with Rajal, where she discusses the research and introduces a new project, Posture Underground.

Alexander Studies Online 3/7/23 Alexander Studies Online 3/7/23

Lighten Up! A conversation with Rajal Cohen - Part I

This month shares the background research to an upcoming conversation with Rajal Cohen, M.AmSAT, Ph.D., about a series of three papers she and colleagues published on the effects of postural instructions on people living with Parkinson’s and on healthy older and younger adults.

Alexander Studies Online 2/7/23 Alexander Studies Online 2/7/23

Embodied practices, the Alexander Technique, and self-compassion: An interview with Lisa Harris

“Can embodied practices, on their own, affect self-compassion?” This month we release an interview with Lisa Harris MSc, MSTAT about her unique MSc thesis which is entitled "An Exploration of Embodied Movement Practices as a Route to Self-Compassion”.

Alexander Studies Online 1/3/23 Alexander Studies Online 1/3/23

‘What on earth do we do with this data?’ Two experiences of writing up research for publication

This post introduces two new research articles based on the same data set but which adopted quite different approaches to writing up for publication. The papers are titled: Extending understanding of ‘care’ as an embodied phenomenon: Alexander Technique teacher perspectives on restoring carers to themselves, and ‘I am teaching them and they are teaching me’: Experiences of teaching Alexander Technique to people with dementia.

Alexander Studies Online 11/1/22 Alexander Studies Online 11/1/22

Alexander Technique group lessons in an exercise program for women following treatment for breast cancer: An Interview with Alazne Larrinaga

This month we release an interview with Alazne Larrinaga, an Alexander Technique teacher based in Galway, Ireland. Alazne talks about her MSc research project where she introduced Alexander Technique group lessons into an exercise program for women following treatment for breast cancer.

Alexander Studies Online 10/4/22 Alexander Studies Online 10/4/22

A New Alexander Technique Publication in the British Medical Journal on Low Back Pain: An Interview with Carolyn Nicholls

This month we release a talk with Carolyn Nicholls about a helpful and first-of-its-kind research project for the Alexander world that achieved publication in the prestigious British Medical Journal in 2021.
Led by Joseph Little, this research paper helps us understand the effects of a combination of Alexander Technique private lessons and group teaching on low back pain and demonstrated significant positive results.

Alexander Studies Online 9/6/22 Alexander Studies Online 9/6/22

The Healthy Young Musician Project: Alexander Technique Research at the Royal Academy of Music

This month we release a discussion about the Healthy Young Musicians research project carried out at the Junior Royal Academy of Music in the UK. This innovative project involved a series of Alexander Technique group lessons for young musicians at the Academy and included a research study running alongside to assess student change and progress in terms of mindset, health, and well-being. The collaborative approach taken by presenters helps pave the way for greater health in young musicians and demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration as a modern and positively impactful way to better understand and share the Alexander Technique.

Alexander Studies Online 7/5/22 Alexander Studies Online 7/5/22

Is it time to take stock of Alexander Teacher education? Research offers the means whereby.

Technological advances combined with the Covid-19 pandemic have brought about new practices in AT teaching and teacher education that were unimaginable only a few years ago. This month we release three videos in which Terry Fitzgerald PhD, MAusSTAT shares his insights and thoughts on Alexander Technique teacher training informed by his 2007 doctoral thesis that examined AT teacher education in the first decade of the millennium.

Alexander Studies Online 6/7/22 Alexander Studies Online 6/7/22

A Technique for Musicians

This month we release a paper written specifically for ASO by Malcolm Williamson (MSTAT). Malcolm played the viola professionally for over twenty years and draws on his extensive knowledge of the writings of F.M. Alexander and others to share his insights from working with students at the Royal Northern College of Music and professional musicians.

“By ‘sticking to principle’, as we say, we gradually and surely develop new ways of being true to ourselves, responding each time in ways that (re-)affirm the integrity of you as a person.”

Alexander Studies Online 5/3/22 Alexander Studies Online 5/3/22

Psychological and other ‘non-physical’ changes following Alexander Technique lessons

Many AT teachers will tell you that learning and applying the AT is helpful for stress, anxiety, and wellbeing, however until now the research evidence for these types of outcomes has never been put together and highlighted. In this 19th edition, Debbie Kinsey (PhD, ClinPsyD) and Lesley Glover (PhD, MSTAT) help summarise their recently published realist review on psychological and other ‘non-physical’ changes following Alexander Technique lessons.

Alexander Studies Online 5/4/21 Alexander Studies Online 5/4/21

ATEAM Commentary Part II

The Researcher Interview Series continues with a look into clinical research that has evaluated the effectiveness of Alexander lessons for people with various health-related conditions. This month is the second installment of commentary on the ATEAM back pain trial.

Alexander Studies Online 4/5/21 Alexander Studies Online 4/5/21

ATEAM Commentary Part I

The Researcher Interview Series continues with a turn to some of the clinical research that has evaluated the effectiveness of Alexander lessons for people with various health-related conditions. This month and next month we are focusing on the ATEAM back pain trial.