Guidelines for book sessions
in...@alexanderschool.edu.au
students at their induction session at the School for F.M. Alexander
Studies
Guidelines for the Book Sessions
January 22, 2007
We plan to cover Alexander's four books over a three year cycle during
the training. Because most other writings on the Alexander technique
are interpretations of the work presented in these books, we will not
be covering these books in detail.
However you are expected to read other writers, especially those books
marked by an asterisk in the recommended reading list.
On most Tuesdays we will cover a chapter or part of a chapter of one
of Alexander's books, and part of this session will involve breaking
up into small groups to discuss the reading. You will also be given a
number of questions to have prepared a short one-paragraph answer to,
to take to these groups. These questions normally will focus on making
sure you have a clear understanding of what FM was communicating -
such clear understanding is a prerequisite for any further discussion.
The discussion groups assume that everyone has read the relevant
section and the book sessions are an integral part of our Principles
of the Alexander Technique Modules. The readings also tie into and are
intimately related with all the practical and hands-on aspects of the
work. If you have not read the relevant section you will be asked to
read that during the book session and provide us with a written précis
of the reading or a written response to prepared questions.
The Aims of the Readings and discussion groups are as follows:
1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of what FM is communicating in
the reading, by being able to accurately paraphrase and explain the
gist of the chapter, or key sections of the chapter identified in the
questions. (This is the basis of all following aims).
2. Critically evaluate the reading in discussion
3. Identify sections of the reading which you feel have particular
relevance
4. Relate key aspects of the reading to your own experience
5. Relate key aspects of the reading to teaching the AT
6. Relate key aspects of the reading to other writings of Alexander
which have been covered previously
7. Relate key aspects of the reading to other ideas, information,
realms of life
8. Relate key aspects of the reading to the writings or teachings of
other AT teachers
9. Consider practical ways applying key concepts and ideas from the
reading
The following skills and attributes are ones which trainees need to
have or to develop in order to get the most out of these book sessions
1. to tolerate not knowing
2. to tolerate FM may be prejudiced and even flawed in some of his
thinking
3. to allow idealization of FM to be disappointed to some extent
4. to sustain attack on own thoughts and perhaps those of FM
5. to respect classmates struggle with concepts and comprehension of
writing
6. to listen to classmates and not try to resolve by giving them your
solution
7. to engage with own thinking process by answering own questions
8. to 'hold in mind' pieces of information without resolving it in
that particular discussion session
9. to care for classmates when confusion, hurt and conflict arises
10. to learn from each other by listening, taking in, sitting with
11. to develop the ability to read complex sentences
12. to understand that although in the beginning comprehension may be
difficult for some, that over time you will become more familiar with
the concepts and writing style