How the A.T. works: What Happens in an Alexander Technique Lesson?

A private lesson can be 30 to 60 minutes long and classes can be 2 to 3 hours long. A student may take a short series of lessons or classes or study for several years, depending on your personal goals and the the condition of your body.

In a lesson, a student practices becoming aware of unconscious habitual ways of moving and thinking. Then you learn to stop tightening your body and interfering with your body’s natural alignment and reflexes when you perform your daily tasks. You learn to use some basic ideas to conserve your energy but direct your body to do what you want it to do.

Students are fully clothed and loose comfortable clothing is recommended to facilitate movement. Jano frequently uses a mirror to help you see what you are doing. A small skeleton and anatomical pictures are often used to improve your knowledge of your body so that you can move with an understanding of how the body is designed to move. 

A gentle non-invasive touch is used to guide you to release excess tension and move with improved coordination into activities such as sitting, standing, walking and bending. Then you may receive some hands-on work lying down on a table or the floor so you may reduce long term tension and have a quiet opportunity to become more aware of your body. If you are interested, specialized tasks such as typing, driving, singing, speaking, using tools, picking up laundry or practicing a sport may be explored.

Unique to Jano’s style of teaching is the incorporation of a variety of movement studies (with the hands-on work of the Alexander Technique) that enhance your perception of your use of yourself and promote greater joint mobility, muscular flexibility and balance. She draws upon her background as a dancer, t’ai chi chuan instructor and exercise instructor as well as her personal experience with rehabilitation from back injuries and ankle surgeries.

Students then practice between lessons to incorporate what they have learned into their daily lives. Some students read recommended books or listen to sound tapes to enhance their understanding.