Holiday Newsletter
My Ergonomic Chair:
52 Reasons to Try the Alexander Technique
The “ My Ergonomic Chair ” blog gives 52 reasons to try the Alexander Technique. The extensive list of benefits includes: help with sleep, improved postural tone, better breathing, management of Parkinson’s Disease, and reducing repetitive strain injuries. Included are citations from a number of studies and personal testimonials. The list of 52 is grouped into convenient subcategories, including “Pain and General Wellness,” “Athletes,” “Elderly,” “Professionals,” and “Musicians and Singers.” Link
Holiday Gift Certificates
Give the gift of freedom and ease of movement, reduced tension, and healthy and comfortable posture this holiday season. To purchase a gift certificate, phone the Center, 703-821-2920 or e-mail info@alexandercenter.com.
Holiday and Winter Intensives
Marian's Intensives have been pivotal weeks in my understanding and practice of Alexander Technique. While I've been enjoying all the benefit that come with weekly lessons, I've made exponential progress during the Intensives. The experience of daily lessons is so transformative, I do whatever I can to participate in the Intensives every time they are offered.
– Aaron Goldman
Principal Flute
National Symphony Orchestra

Often the New Year begins with a gym membership and attendance for several months that peters out. I chose a different route this year and invested in 5 daily lessons over a 7 day period. I gifted myself a new body in a short time; it moves more naturally and freer and I feel full of energy. I relished the week and have invested in a second to consolidate and advance. I have taken about 20 years of Alexander lessons and I have never changed so quickly. Thanks Marian for this opportunity.
–Gwynn Sturdevant, Ph.D.
Back when F. M. Alexander was teaching his technique, people would usually take half-hour Alexander lessons five days a week for a month or more (per F. M. Alexander's requirement). This worked very well, as daily, private lessons provide for more in-depth and rapid learning and improvement. This is still the most beneficial and efficient way to learn the Alexander Technique. Following on this tradition, Marian Goldberg is offering special daily intensives this winter:

Five-Lesson Intensives
Five 1/2 hour lessons over the course of six days
Fee: $265
  • December 26 - December 31
  • January 2 - January 7
  • January 9 - January 14
  • January 16 - January 21
  • January 23 - January 28

Ten-Lesson Intensives
Ten 1/2 hour lessons over the course of two weeks
Fee: $520
  • December 26 - January 8
  • January 9 - January 21

15-Lesson Intensive
15 1/2 hour lessons over the course of three weeks
Fee: $765
  • January 2 - January 21

20-Lesson Intensive
20 1/2 hour lessons over four weeks
Fee: $990
  • January 2 - January 28

Payment for the full series is due at the first lesson. No more than one lesson per week of a series may be rescheduled (with 24-hour advance notice) unless there is snow, in which case more than one lesson may be rescheduled. 
 
Space is very limited for intensives. To schedule a series or for more information, phone Marian, 703-821-2920 or e-mail info@alexandercenter.com.
Winter Lesson Series 
FM Alexander teaching a child. Photograph of F. M. Alexander © 2016, The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, London
Alexander Technique chair turn. © 2016 Marian Goldberg
This winter, two series of private Alexander Technique lessons with teacher Marian Goldberg are being offered at special rates: 
  • Five 1/2 hour lessons at a special discounted rate of $275. (Standard rate is $325 for five lessons or $65 per lesson.)
  • Three 40 to 50 minute lessons for $195. (Standard rate is $255 for three lessons or $85 per lesson.) 

These series of lessons are for: 
  • People who have not taken a course of 30 lessons but would like to experience the change and improvements that come with an in-depth experience of the Alexander Technique.
  • Those who have previously taken a course of lessons and would like a refresher.
 
The series of five half-hour lessons must be completed within six weeks of purchase and by March 4. The series of three lessons needs to be completed within three weeks of purchase and by March 4. Payment for a full series is due at the first lesson. Rescheduling requires 24-hour advance notice. The total number of lessons that may be rescheduled is limited to one, unless there is snow, in which case more than one lesson may be rescheduled. 
 
To schedule a series or for more information, phone 703-821-2920 or e-mail info@alexandercenter.com .
Aphorisms by F. M. Alexander

F. M. Alexander's secretary, Ethel Webb, occasionally wrote down especially interesting comments she overheard him giving to students during their lessons.

On stopping habits of undue tension and strain:

"Trying is only emphasizing the thing we know already."

"You can't do something that you don't know, if you keep on doing what you do know."

"However people thought they could change by doing the thing they have always done, which represents their habits, beats me."

We can throw away the habit of a lifetime in a few minutes if we use our brains."

From Aphorisms by F. Matthias Alexander
 Photographs of F. M. Alexander © 2016, The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, London
Alexander Technique Center of Washington
  © 2016 Marian Goldberg