Is The Alexander Technique A Cult?
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Luke Ford
May 6, 2013, 10:50:27 PM5/6/13
to alex...@googlegroups.com
I just had a conversation on Facebook with an opera singer who regarded the Alexander Technique as a cult.
Emma Stace Darling luke. i went to an alexander person once....they said relax and i did. they said. my god i have never known anyone who can turn on and off that quickly and completely.
19 minutes ago · Unlike · 1
Luke Ford Why did you have only one Alexander lesson?
18 minutes ago · Like · 1
Emma Stace Darling erm...i think i just explained that. i do it al right naturally.
17 minutes ago · Like
Luke Ford so you didn't discover anything from your lesson?
17 minutes ago · Like · 1
Emma Stace Darling that i was doing it all fine. i am naturally placed well. no problems. and how extortionately expensive it is. and a bit hippy for me. a bit ....smug
16 minutes ago · Like
Emma Stace Darling i never met one who wasn't superior. or who had any money thought they charge the earth. and i never met one who i felt comfortable with and in the world of opera EVERYONE takes alexander technique. i know all about it i assure you.met the weirdest people.
13 minutes ago · Unlike · 1
Luke Ford Interesting!
11 minutes ago · Like · 1
Luke Ford I love your feedback on my profession! Hilarious!
10 minutes ago · Like · 1
Luke Ford How much were people charging and what did you think would be a reasonable charge? What did you do in your lesson? What was taught to you in the lesson?
9 minutes ago · Like · 1
Emma Stace Darling i went to meet 6 practitioners. and knew two out of work. all the same. ALL THE SAME... i consulted one who made me pay £100. and told me i was fine. nothing wrong. i moved naturally perfectly. he siad he could fine tune but i thought i would spend the money on jewellery instea
9 minutes ago · Like
Luke Ford All smug and superior!?
9 minutes ago · Like · 1
Emma Stace Darling i learnt nothing. told you how much charge was. no it was too much for one 4o minute session
9 minutes ago · Like
Emma Stace Darling he taught me how to stand up. said i did it perfectly well. the best he had ever seen in 40 years. i said thanks. and learnt f*** all.
6 minutes ago · Unlike · 1
Emma Stace Darling i know a lot of ppl who like alexander, but you know the fact is, i dont like all the birkenstock wearing floaty trousers stuff. i dont like nose rings and goaty beards and eating seeds i all felt very like a sect to me. and it ruins its image too.
4 minutes ago · Unlike · 1
Luke Ford Alexander Technique is something I devote my life to, so it is interesting to see how the Technique came across to you.
4 minutes ago · Like · 1
Emma Stace Darling yeah all smug n superior.
4 minutes ago · Like
Emma Stace Darling yes i know that. so i am kindly giving you my views on it to help you. its like a cult so i know it wont put you off it. you'll dig your heels in (in perfect balance ) even further.
3 minutes ago · Like
Luke Ford Hilarious! I can wait to tell my Alexander friends.
3 minutes ago · Like · 1
Emma Stace Darling you meant cannot?
3 minutes ago · Like
Emma Stace Darling there you go. my alexander friends. like a cult.
2 minutes ago · Like
Luke Ford That's awesome! Even some Alexander teachers have asked if we are a cult? I did some videos and blog posts on just this theme.
2 minutes ago · Like · 1
Emma Stace Darling bet they all wear flat shoes and the girls have long flowing hair and nose studs and eat organic
2 minutes ago · Unlike · 1
Emma Stace Darling you see how you put yourselves across? no wonder none of you are rich! even with your charges
2 minutes ago · Like
Tim Kjeldsen
May 7, 2013, 9:06:52 AM5/7/13
to Alextech list
Methinks the lady doth protest too much
(Mind you, if you’re going to charge £100 a lesson, you had better be very good!)
Tim
(Mind you, if you’re going to charge £100 a lesson, you had better be very good!)
Tim
--
noel
May 9, 2013, 9:39:35 PM5/9/13
to AlexTech Mail List
List, Luke
I think I'm insulted. At least I would be if I knew what Birkenstock
was!
What struck me here was the circumspection of her teacher(s). Now
establishment medicine and some alternatives attract criticism for
'fabricating' conditions. Being honest in that regard is probably a
good thing. However a couple of points.
It's my understanding that the quality of the voice can alter with the
position of the head. Did they experiment in this regard? Even if the
best position was 'unnatural' it still would have shown her what was
possible -something she might never know.
What about at the higher and lower registers? Even someone who has
instinctive good use is likely to betray some tension when pushed to
the limit. I attend a community choir and we just sing till we are
sung out. That hardly seems to capture the 'fine tuning' required of a
professional.
NoelH
I think I'm insulted. At least I would be if I knew what Birkenstock
was!
What struck me here was the circumspection of her teacher(s). Now
establishment medicine and some alternatives attract criticism for
'fabricating' conditions. Being honest in that regard is probably a
good thing. However a couple of points.
It's my understanding that the quality of the voice can alter with the
position of the head. Did they experiment in this regard? Even if the
best position was 'unnatural' it still would have shown her what was
possible -something she might never know.
What about at the higher and lower registers? Even someone who has
instinctive good use is likely to betray some tension when pushed to
the limit. I attend a community choir and we just sing till we are
sung out. That hardly seems to capture the 'fine tuning' required of a
professional.
NoelH
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