Alexander Technique Public Speaking Courses
Aims of the Course:
This course has nothing to do with content, i.e. it is not about how to write an effective presentation or lecture. The aim of the course is to help people overcome physical, emotional and psychological blocks to their becoming an effective speaker.
Typical Candidates for this Course:
People who have difficulties with public speaking for lectures, presentations, teaching, meetings, conference calls, etc. Difficulties typically include loss of voice, poor projection, mumbling, voice too quiet, breathing issues, tension, agitation, clarity, etc.
Course Content:
The course starts with an initial assessment to determine whether Alexander Technique is a suitable course of action for an individual. If so, then the precise content of the course will be tailored to the needs of that individual. However, in general, Alexander Technique is based around helping the student to fully understand how the different parts of the skeleton and the muscles work together to provide balance and freedom not only in the body but in particular in the voice (The Alexander Technique was originally developed for people with voice problems and only later applied to general back, neck and joint problems).
In addition the course contains hands-on work to facilitate the changes plus applied work on projection, presence and a relaxed delivery of the student's own content.
Outcomes:
Individual outcomes will vary, of course, depending on the nature of the original problem and the student's level of motivation for change, but typically they will feel more relaxed, comfortable and confident as they engage their audience. Typically, they will feel in control of their body rather than their body being in control of them.
Some student comments:
"I found the Alexander sessions very helpful in relation to standing and head-position when lecturing, etc.: they enabled me not only to speak without a hint of strain during a 50-minute lecture but, by freeing the production of my voice, also to use much greater variety in terms of pitch, intonation, volume, etc. Both the stance and the head-position contributed to a greater sense of being in command of my body - and therefore of the situation - which enabled me to concentrate more fully on the content of the lectures.
Gail adjusts the way she teaches to the individual very much in that she ensures she understands what the person's daily routine and approach to life is. Then she uses her experience to select a teaching style that is going to be most successful in helping each individual. Gail is constantly picking up clues and finding out more about how each individual person reacts to things and so she then modifies and expands her teaching accordingly. As a teacher myself, I appreciate this sense of flexibility and constant fine-tuning of Gail's approach."
Gwyneth R, University Lecturer"For several years before Alexander Technique, I had trouble with my back and my knee, but worst of all with losing my voice. I am a lecturer and my voice is therefore crucial to my work.
I approached Alexander Technique with a lawyer's healthy scepticism, but by this time I was willing to give anything a try. The results were amazing! Alexander Technique made me realise that posture and the way you move affects the way you speak. The way you hold yourself and the way your head rests on your neck affects the quality of the voice you are able to produce.
Gail is really quite inspirational as a teacher! She just has such a lovely personality, is incredibly supportive and makes the work enjoyable and easy to pick up."
Anne B, Law Lecturer
Gail Barlow is the Director of Dolphin Alexander Courses, which she set up in 1990 after completing the three-year full-time Alexander Technique Teacher Training Course and qualifying as a Teacher of the F M Alexander Technique.
Gail trained as an Alexander Teacher in the eighties and has now worked with over 2,000 people in the UK and Europe. She is now a very experienced teacher and is able to 'tune in' and work with each person in a method and at a pace uniquely suited to their individual needs.
She is a Member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT), which was founded in 1958 and is the oldest and largest professional body of Alexander Technique teachers in the world.
Data protection and privacy
Any contact and other personal details that you provide to Gail will only be used to communicate with you regarding your appointments and to provide necessary information regarding your Alexander Technique course. Any information held will be deleted 12 months after you cease to be a student. Personal information regarding students will be kept strictly confidential.