Continuing Professional Development

Last weekend I went away for an intensive bit of CPD with my old Alexander teacher John Nicholls. John was one of the principals at the college where I did my three-year teacher training about 25 years ago. He hasn't changed all that much to look at, which in itself is pretty amazing, but his use of himself and his coaching have continued to develop over the intervening years and are really, really awesome.

Needless to say, I learned a lot in my four lessons. However, half way through I distinctly felt as though I knew nothing! I felt like a complete beginner, gaining a brand new back, and that was both daunting and inspiring at the same time.

It's a long time since I've had any lesson that has been so revealing and changing. It will take some time to absorb and practice everything I discovered.

Anyway, I think it's a good thing when a teacher feels like a beginner again. Who would want to be taught by a know-it-all who believes they've nothing left to learn? Not me. And the brilliant thing about the AT is that you can never learn it all; never reach perfection but always learn and learn and learn, and the learning is a challenge but also a real pleasure.

The Alexander Technique: mindfulness in movement - a way of life:)