Teacher Training Course

'The Northern California Center for the Alexander Technique' is a three - five year program leading to certification by the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT). The curriculum is devoted to helping students fulfill the requirements needed for teacher certification, aiding in establishing and maintaining a teaching practice, and addressing each student's individual needs and concerns. Classes are located in the beautiful Portside complex adjacent to San Francisco Bay in Redwood City, California. George Lister is the director of training. He is assisted by his wife Sally Munro who is a professional singer and singing teacher as well as Alexander Teacher, and colleague Rita Rivera, Alexander teacher and professional dancer and dance instructor.
Class hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. There are 36 class weeks per year divided into three, 12 week semesters. (see calendar). The school year begins mid September and concludes mid July. Visiting teachers are welcomed and study exchange programs with prominent certified training courses are encouraged and accredited. Upon completing the minimum three and maximum five years study, students will have accumulated the 1600 hours necessary for certification by AmSAT.

Students receive hands on work each day from the director, staff teachers and visiting

teachers and are gradually encouraged to interact amongst themselves to experience the power and intimacy of one on one work. Using the medium of hands on work, students learn to develop and incorporate a strong foundation of inhibition, the most basic and important of Alexander's principles. Creating a willingness to inhibit (ie stop and re consider), allows students of this training course to reach a deeper understanding of themselves, maintain the integrity of Alexander's principles and teachings, and fulfill their potential as teachers of the Alexander Technique. For further discussion about inhibition, refer to the essays, "Leaving Yourself Alone" and "Page 124" on The Alexander Technique page on this site.

The curriculum at NCCAT includes the reading, study and lively discussion of all four of Alexander's books - The Use of the Self, Man's Supreme Inheritance, Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual and The Universal Constant in Living (published by Mouritz, UK), and the talks of Walter Carrington compiled in The Act of Living and Thinking Aloud (Mornum Time Press). Students are encouraged to investigate additional written material about the Technique and bring their discoveries to class. George Lister conducts our Tuesday and Friday talks about Alexander’s books and Carrington’s talks, which encourage trainees to explore their own feelings and sensitivities as they arise. It is through this careful study that the essence of the Alexander Technique becomes available. George received his Alexander training from The Center for the Alexander Technique, Menlo Park California and was certified as a teacher in July, 1994. He teaches private lessons in San Francisco and Redwood City, and he founded The Northern California Center for the Alexander Technique in September, 2004.

Sally Munro trained with Frank Ottiwell and received her certification from the Alexander Training Institute of San Francisco in 1996. Her singing career has included solo performances in concert and recital in the United States, Europe, Russia and South Africa, and many years singing with the San Francisco Opera. In addition to her considerable experience teaching hands on work, she offers the opportunity to learn to integrate the principles of the Technique to be more aware of the use of the body when speaking or singing. Her once a week voice class helps students to identify and consider habits that are interfering with breathing and the freedom to make an easy, unforced sound.

Rita Rivera received her teaching certification from The Center for the Alexander Technique, Menlo Park, California in 1993. Rita brings the experience of over 30 years of traditional dance training as well as specialized training in the healing arts. She has developed classes that use movement and awareness to facilitate transformation in the body/mind continuum. In addition to traditional hands on work, her once a week class helps gently guide and support students into the subtle evolution that takes place during the training program.

You will find complete information, histories and biographies of Sally Munro and George Lister on their pages on this web site. For Rita Rivera, please refer to her site at www.ritarivera.com.

The training course is located on the beautiful peninsula of the San Francisco Bay Area, immediately adjacent to San Francisco Bay and convenient to both San Francisco and San Jose. Temperate, year round climate and nearby beaches and mountains provide a wonderful setting for many outdoor activities. Close proximity to San Francisco offers the culture and entertainment of one of the world's truly cosmopolitan cities.

We would be pleased to hear from you and to have the opportunity to arrange a visit to the training course.

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Training Location/Contact Information

E-Mail: georgeilister@alexvoce.com

The Northern California Center for the Alexander Technique

501 Seaport Court, Suite 104 (click to see our location)
Redwood City, CA 94063
650- 298-9150
FAX 415-681-1173

AND
1458 30th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122
415- 681-1172

Hours:
Mon. - Fri. 10:00 am - 1:00 pm