The Alexander Technique and the Pilates Method Today

With Pilates Instructor training, the situation is quite different. I think Lynee Robinson and Helge Fisher put it best in their book "The Mind Body Workout With Pilates and the Alexander Technique": "Unlike Alexander...Joseph Pilates never took the initiative of setting up an official training programme with the result that many of his disciples went on to teach their own versions of Pilates Method. The definition of what was, or is, true Pilates is somewhat blurred and, indeed, is still be debated today."

I believe this "blurring" is quite a bit more apparent with Pilates instruction today than is the case with the Alexander technique. A number of individuals have established their own versions of the Pilates Method and their own certification requirements. These requirements vary widely and, in general, require a much shorter period of training than is the case for Alexander Technique teachers. Generally it's only a few months or less. The surge in demand for Pilates classes in recent years seems to have outstripped the pool of people qualified to teach them, leading to worries about safety. A recent Wall Street Journal article titled "Is Your Pilates Instructor a Health Hazard?" addresses this question in some detail.

Clearly if you decide to take either Pilates Method classes or Alexander Technique lessons or classes, you are well advised to do some research and investigation first. Some very good advice for choosing an Alexander Technique teacher has been provided by Barbara and Bill Conable in their book "How to Learn the Alexander Technique, A Manual for Students". An edited version of their advice can be found at: http://www.alexandertechnique.com/choose

If you decide to take Pilates classes I would suggest paying a lot of attention to the nature of the instruction. The exercises should be done very slowly and carefully at first, with an emphasis on educating you about the body mechanics involved. I'd be very wary of about classes that seem more aerobic in nature. Finally, you should be able to see some concrete results in just a few sessions.

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Robert Rickover is a teacher of the Alexander Technique living in Lincoln, Nebraska. He also teaches regularly in Toronto, Canada. Robert is the author of "Fitness Without Stress - A Guide to the Alexander Technique" and is the creator of The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique website at http://www.alexandertechnique.com

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