The Alexander Technique for Performers

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Develop self-awareness. Students learn through hands-on work and various individual and group activities to recognize their own unconscious habit patterns regarding physical movement, speech and thoughts.

• Learn and practice the Alexander concept of inhibition in real time. Students develop the ability to control their minds through inhibition. This is the practice of stopping or pausing before starting an activity. There are many opportunities to practice this in class.

• Choose their responses and direct their action. After developing the skills of self-awareness and inhibition, the student is ready to act from a centered, conscious mind/body system.

• Simulate real-life circumstances in a supportive classroom environment. Students will have performance opportunities in front of their peers (singing, dancing, playing instruments, acting, speaking, or any activity in which more ease is desired - sitting, walking, typing on a keyboard, etc.), all while engaging the principles of the Alexander Technique.

• Participation, curiosity, and a desire to enhance performance skills are the most desirable goals for this class.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Attendance and Participation	70 points
Midterm Project	10 points
Final Project	10 points
Other written assignments	10 points

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
93-100	A
90-92.9	A-
86-89.9	B+
82-85.9	B
79-81.9	B-
76-78.9	C+
72-75.9	C
69-71.9	C-
66-68.9	D+
62-65.9	D
59-61.9	D-
58.9 and below	F

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance/participation is a graded component included in the student's final grade for this course.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

• Breath by James Nestor

• Yoga mat or blanket for floor work