Contact:
Jerry Sontag
2560 9th Street, Studio 123A
Berkeley, California 94710-2581
510-486-1317
The Alexander Technique
An Educational Method
The Alexander Technique is an educational method that helps people recognize and prevent habitual tension patterns from interfering with their daily activities.
The Technique is based on the discovery that excessive tension in the head, neck and back causes problems in coordination which affect one's ability to move with freedom and ease. This interference also tends to cause more rigid thinking patterns. The Alexander Technique takes a unique approach to addressing these problems. By learning how to take the time necessary to respond to the world around us in a way that does not elicit the tension patterns of the head, neck and back, our ability to move with greater freedom and to think with greater flexibility increases.
The challenge of the Technique is to find ways to constantly renew our interest in being conscious of the way we engage in our daily activities so that we include an interest in how we use ourselves while we live our lives.
Why use the Technique
Students come to the Technique because of poor posture, problems in playing a musical instrument, back pain, or an interest in learning how to move through their day with greater pleasure and ease. Whatever the reason a student arrives at a lesson, the lessons themselves are directed toward the general change in coordination we are trying to make. Specific problems, and specific skills, are addressed within this larger context, and specific changes often occur when the general tension patterns are dealt with. It is often a surprise for a student to discover that something they've done for their whole life has been done with two or three or even four times as much effort as is necessary for even the simplest activities: walking, brushing your teeth, sitting in a chair. It takes the pleasure out of life. When you learn to stop making that extra effort, your activities become more pleasurable.
Looking for a Teacher
Jerry teaches in Berkeley, California, completed his three year teacher training in 1985, and has been teaching ever since. He is a STAT and AmSAT certified teacher. Jerry teaches private students at his studio on 9th Street at Dwight in Berkeley. Lessons are 45 minutes long and cost $55.
For people looking to become teachers of the Alexander Technique, Jerry runs a 3-year teacher training program. For more information on training, click on Alexander Technique Training Course.
If you are looking for a teacher somewhere else in the Bay Area, or in the country, Jerry can help you find a certified teacher in your area.