Mark Bennie

My Alexander Technique training

I have completed 1,600 hours, full-time training over 3 years in an approved training school. Schools in Australia are approved by the professional body AUSTAT, the Australian Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique. Each school maintains a 5:1 student/teacher ratio ensuring a high standard of instruction. I trained at the Alexander Technique Institute Teacher Training School in North Sydney and undertake postgraduate training to enhance my skills as a teacher.

What do Alexander teachers learn?

Alexander teachers are trained to observe faulty habits of posture, movement and reaction, firstly in themselves and then in others. They are taught how to prevent these harmful habits in themselves and latter to teach others how to prevent them as well. This involves learning the skill of using their hands on others firstly to stop these faulty habits and then facilitate improved co-ordination. Alexander teachers must themselves practice what they teach, as their own standard of co-ordination is all important in their effectiveness in guiding others towards improved co-ordination.

My background

My interest in the Alexander Technique stemmed from working in the IT industry. In investigating ways to cope with long hours working on a computer I came across it and decided to undertake a series of lessons. What attracted me was that it gave me a practical method whereby I could free myself from harmful postural habits acquired from years working in a sedentary desk job. After taking lessons for a number of years I was so impressed with the results that I decided to embark on a 3 year teacher training program to learn to teach it to others. I have been involved with the Alexander Technique either having lessons, teacher training or teaching for the last 21 years. My other interests include being a member of a change bell ringing band and a chess player.