Click here to go back to complete list of courses in all areas

Teachers: to add to, correct or enquire about this page click here

Group courses and workshops in the Midlands and North of England

This page was last updated on June 29th 2009

The Society of Teachers of the
This page lists short courses, workshops, holidays and retreats on the Alexander Technique in the Midlands and North of England. If you cannot find a course to suit you, contact a local teacher who will be able to give you more information.

Click on one of the links below to see details of that course.

Introductory Workshop on Mindful Yoga with the Alexander Technique in Blackburn with Alison Marsden

Group courses in Hebden Bridge and Leeds with Grant Ragsdale

Alexander Technique one day introductory workshop in Blackburn with Richard Marsden

Eight week afternoon course in Burley-in-Wharfedale with Alma Goodall

Ten week evening course in Otley with Alma Goodall

Alexander Technique introductory workshop in Ashton, Preston with Richard Marsden

Weekend workshop: Fellside development Course at Fellside Alexander School, Kendal, Cumbria with Michael Hardwicke et al

Introductory workshop in Loughborough with Verónica Bellón

Ten week evening course in Chapel Allerton, North Leeds with Annie Whitehead

Introductory Alexander Technique Workshop in Langho, Blackburn with Richard Marsden

Ongoing class Tai Chi with the Alexander Technique in Barbon, Kirkby Lonsdale with Richard Marsden

Weekly class Mindful Yoga with the Alexander Technique in Barbon, Kirkby Lonsdale with Alison Marsden

Introductory Courses: Take the Strain out of Everyday Life, in Lichfield with Christine Rapley

Crossing the Line - Natural Running Course in the Lake District with John Woodward, Janet Dutton and Tom Urry, May 2009

Easter Holiday Workshop: Three days at Fellside Alexander School, Kendal, Cumbria with Michael Hardwicke et al

Summer Holiday Workshop: Three days at Fellside Alexander School, Kendal, Cumbria with Michael Hardwicke et al

Summer Holiday Course: Five days at Fellside Alexander School, Kendal, Cumbria with Michael Hardwicke et al


Introductory Workshop on Mindful Yoga with the Alexander Technique
in Blackburn
with Alison Marsden

10.30am to 3.30pm
Sunday 9th August 2009
at The Sanctuary of Healing, Dewhurst Road, Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8AF
Telephone: 01254 246940
www.thesanctuaryofhealing.co.uk
Cost: £40

For full information contact
Alison Marsden on 015242 73291
www.integratinghealth.com

What is Mindful Yoga with the Alexander Technique?
Mindful Yoga with the Alexander Technique invites the stretch rather than imposes it. This style of yoga helps bring your awareness to the journey of the movement rather than the end posture itself. We develop attentive awareness with movement and breathing rather than putting stress on the body to achieve the posture. These principles of inviting, increasing awareness and attending to the journey are at the heart of Alexander Technique.

Fitness has three aspects:
Stamina, strength and flexibility.

Flexibility is the most important. The way you move whether it is weight lifting, playing golf, walking, swimming or running really affects your health. Yoga with the Alexander Technique can help you safely reduce injuries, osteoporosis, postural problems, back pain, arthritis etc. It can also help you avoid them as a preventative measure.

Why have a regular yoga routine?
For the same reason you brush your teeth everyday. What you do on a daily basis can have remarkable effects. Our habits creep in without us realising it and we end up moving in a way that can actually damage our joints and muscles. This class will help you learn how to stretch in balance bringing integration back into the body in your daily life.

Course Content
How to improve your own body awareness; Anatomy of stretches; Building up the confidence and understanding of your own yoga practise; Principles of the Alexander Technique that you can use daily; Aspects of habits and how they affect our life; Understanding how we maintain our health and get it back if we’ve lost it! The course will be very practical, building on your own unique experience.

Open to all. Follow on day sessions will be available in September/October 2009.

Drop in weekly sessions also available.

About Alison Marsden
Alison has been teaching the Alexander Technique for eight years. She started her own daily yoga practice over 20 years ago. She has used these 2 practices to recover from injuries, child birth, as a preventative health measure and to sustain her energy as a parent. With this experience she has built her own unique style of yoga emphasising the importance of integration and mindfulness of movement.

Alison is also a Reflexologist, has trained as a Doula and specialises in pregnancy and child birth. She has a love of free movement and her gurus are her two sons aged three and five, full of expansive movement!

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Evening and daytime group courses
in Hebden Bridge and Leeds
with Grant Ragsdale

Group courses

Three week course commencing Friday 28th August 2009
Place: Location : The Salem Centre, Hebden Bridge
(For map go to
www.ragsdale.co.uk/salemmap.gif)
Time: 10.00am to 12.00 noon
Cost: £20
Suitable for: Everyone
For more information please contact Grant Ragsdale
Email:
check my website www.ragsdale.co.uk
You can download an application form from www.ragsdale.co.uk/hbaug09.doc
or ring me on 0113 2445559

Eight week course commencing Tuesday 29th September 2009
Place: The Swarthmore Centre, Leeds
(For map go to www.ragsdale.co.uk/swarthmoremap.jpg)
Time: 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Cost: £56 - some concessions available at £42
Suitable for: Everyone
To book: Contact the Swarthmore Centre during office hours on 0113 2432210
For more information please email me at
check my website www.ragsdale.co.uk
or ring me on 0113 2445559

Six week course commencing Friday 9th October 2009
Location : The Salem Centre, Hebden Bridge
(For map go to www.ragsdale.co.uk/salemmap.gif)
Time: 10.00am to 12.00 noon
Cost: £40
You can download an application form from www.ragsdale.co.uk/hboct09.doc
Suitable for: Everyone
For more information please email me at
check my website www.ragsdale.co.uk
or ring me on 0113 2445559

One day introductory courses

One day introductory course on Saturday 14th November 2009
Times: 10.00am to 3.00pm
Location: The Swarthmore Centre, Leeds
(For map go to www.ragsdale.co.uk/swarthmoremap.jpg)
Cost: £25 - some concessions available at £19
Suitable for: Beginners
To book: Contact the Swarthmore Centre during office hours on 0113 2432210
For more information please email me at
check my website www.ragsdale.co.uk
or ring me on 0113 2445559

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Alexander Technique one day introductory workshop
in Blackburn
with Richard Marsden

Sunday 2nd August 2009
10.30am to 4.00pm

At The Sanctuary of Healing, Dewhurst Road, Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8AF
Telephone: 01254 246940
Website:
www.thesanctuaryofhealing.co.uk

Cost: £40 - includes entitlement to an individual consultation for £20 (normally £40).

About the Alexander Technique
One of the main principles of the Alexander Technique is that your spine is the essential support structure. All our functioning depends on this structure performing its role in a flexible, natural way. In the Alexander Technique we learn how to release the muscles of the spine and go about our tasks in ways which promote health in our daily lives.

Booking
Booking is essential as numbers are limited to provide more individual contact with hands-on guidance. Please contact Richard Marsden.

For booking and further information:
Please call Richard Marsden on 015242 73291
Email:
Website: www.integratinghealth.com

Please wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a mat/blanket to lie on with some paper back books to be used as head rests. Also bring a packed lunch.

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Eight week afternoon course
in Burley-in-Wharfedale
with Alma Goodall

The setting for this course is in the Garden Room of a lovely new Building. One "wall" is constructed of large patio doors, leading out onto decking and a newly planted garden with a stream all of which is private to this room. There are no steps to the room. Easy parking, and nearby railway and bus stop.

Place: The Garden Room, Burley-in-Wharfedale Parish Rooms, Station Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale, West Yorkshire.

Day and time: Fridays, 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Duration: Eight weeks

Start date: 25th September, 2009 (With a half term, same time as schools)

Level: Beginners, and also those with some experience (No two courses are ever the same!).

Cost: £55 for the course (16 hours)

To book: Post cheque for full amount payable to Alma Goodall to:
Alma Goodall, Strathmore, Silver Mill Hill, Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire. LS21 3BJ
Please include your name, address and phone number.

Places are limited; advanced booking is essential.

For more information regarding the course content, suitability etc please contact Alma Goodall
Telephone: 01943 463049
Mobile: 07729 885 814.

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Ten week evening course
in Otley
with Alma Goodall

The venue for this course is about five minutes from the bus station. There is plenty of on site parking.

Place: Prince Henry's Grammar School, Farnley Lane, Otley LS21 2BB

Day and time: Thursdays, 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Duration: Ten weeks with school half term

Start date: 24th September 2009

Level: Beginners, and also those with some experience (No two courses are ever the same!).

Cost: To be arranged. Standard and Concessions. (The latter is for State Pension, Job Seekers and Income Support only.)

To book: Contact Margaret Chilton 01943 855 678, at the Grammar School.

For more information regarding the content, suitability etc. please contact Alma Goodall
Telephone: 01943 463049
Mobile: 07729 885 814.

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Alexander Technique introductory workshop
in Ashton, Preston
with Richard Marsden

Saturday 11th July 2009
10.00am to 3.00pm

At Remedy Centre for Health
166 Tulketh Road, Ashton, Preston
Telephone: 01772 761166
www.remedycentre.co.uk

£35 - includes entitlement to an individual consultation for £20 (normally £40)
Booking is essential as numbers are limited to six to provide more individual contact and supervision.

Please wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a mat/blanket to lie on with some paper back books to be used as head-rests.
Also bring a packed lunch.

About the Alexander Technique
One of the main principles of the Alexander Technique is that your spine is the essential support structure. All our functioning depends on this structure performing its role in a flexible, natural way. In the Alexander Technique we learn how to release the muscles of the spine and go about our tasks in ways which promote health in our daily lives.

Further information: Please call Richard Marsden on 015242 73291
Email:
Website: www.integratinghealth.com

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Weekend workshop: Fellside development Course
at Fellside Alexander School, Kendal, Cumbria
with Michael Hardwicke et al

Trying is onyly emphasizing the thing we know already.

Change involves carrying out an activity against the habit of life.

There is no such thing as a right position, but there is such a thing as a right direction.
FM Alexander

The Fellside Development Course provides a unique opportunity to explore the Alexander Technique in depth. The Technique is the main vehicle of the Development Course, underlying every aspect of the course. Much of the considerable experience and ways of communicating the Technique at Fellside is employed.

Working deeply with the Alexander Technique forces us to revise our idea of ourselves and therefore how we experience the world. On this development courses we do this in a safe and supportive environment. The Alexander Technique is developed with teachers hands-on contact and there will be voice, movement, Living Alexander Anatomy, Individual sessions and other activities. It is an opportunity to develop more choice about our responses and more congruency in our expression.

Teachers
The teachers on the course will be Alexander Teachers who are associated with the Fellside School and the coordinating teacher will be Michael Hardwicke.

Michael Hardwicke has been part of the Alexander School since it began in 1985 and is co-director of the teacher training programme.

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, July 11th and 12th 2009
Cost: The cost for the whole weekend will be £105.
Deposit to reserve a place is £25 (cheques to: Development Course).
Location: Fellside Alexander School is situated in a 19th Century building with panoramic views over the medieval market town of Kendal, surrounded by the hills of the English Lake District.
Accomodation: There is a range of accomodation available if needed, including B+B, student houses and in the school itself.
Enquiries: Contact Michael Hardwicke on 015395 31781 or email
Website:
www.fmalexandertechnique.co.uk

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Introductory workshop
in Loughborough
with Verónica Bellón

Get a back for life
Regain control of your Body
Alleviate Pain
Improve Posture and Performance

Introductory workshop
Saturday 9th May, 10.00am to 1.00pm
at The GAIA Centre, 17 Frederick Street Loughborough

Limited number of places available
Price £5 per person
(Donated to Rainbows Children’s Hospital)

For bookings please call 01509 556101
or email
Visit:
www.veronicabellon.com

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Ten week evening course
in Chapel Allerton, North Leeds
with Annie Whitehead

Ten Mondays starting on April 20th

The course will take place in Chapel Allerton, North Leeds

You can choose to attend either 6.30pm to 7.30pm or 8.00pm to 9.00pm; four places are available for each time.

Cost: £120 this includes a complimentary individual lesson in addition to the workshops.

For more information visit www.alexandertechniqueleeds.com

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Introductory Alexander Technique Workshop
in Langho, Blackburn
with Richard Marsden

Sunday 7th June 2009, 10.30am to 4.00pm

The Sanctuary of Healing, Dewhurst Road, Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8AF
Telephone: 01254 246940
www.thesanctuaryofhealing.co.uk

Cost: £40 - includes entitlement to an individual consultation for £20 (normally £35).

About the Alexander Technique One of the main principles of the Alexander Technique is that your spine is the essential support structure. All our functioning depends on this structure performing its role in a flexible, natural way. In the Alexander Technique we learn how to release the muscles of the spine and go about our tasks in ways which promote health in our daily lives.

Booking is essential as numbers are limited to provide more individual contact with hands-on guidance.

Please wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a mat or blanket to lie on with some paper back books to be used as head-rests. Also bring a packed lunch.

Further information:
Please call Richard Marsden on 015242 73291
Email
Website www.integratinghealth.com

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Ongoing class Tai Chi with the Alexander Technique
in Barbon, Kirkby Lonsdale
with Richard Marsden

Be still like a mountain, flow like a great river.
Lao Tzu

Ongoing course commencing Wednesday 25th February 2009
10.30am to 12.00 noon

Barbon Village Hall, Barbon, Kirkby Lonsdale
Cost £7 per session, pay as you go

At last here is a practice where you can learn the ancient art of Chi Gong (gentle Tai Chi breathing and movement exercises) with a strong flavour of the Alexander Technique whose movement principles will help you move well with more conscious awareness. This is a gentle way to gain flexibility and balance at your own pace.

Come along and see if this is for you.
All ages and standards of fitness welcome, wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Any questions contact Richard Marsden on 015242 73291
Email

Richard Marsden is a registered instructor of Tai Chi Chuan with The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain. Richard is also an Alexander Technique teacher and is a teaching member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Weekly class
Mindful Yoga with the Alexander Technique
in Barbon, Kirkby Lonsdale
with Alison Marsden

New weekly class starting on Wednesday 11th March 2009
2.00pm to 3.30pm
Barbon Village Hall, Barbon, Kirkby Lonsdale
£7 per session
Parking outside hall

Suitable for beginners in yoga and the Alexander Technique, or for those who wish to learn a new technique that will enhance their existing yoga practice.

Please bring with you a few paper back books and a mat.

Further information:
Telephone Alison Marsden 015242 73291
Email
Website
www.integratinghealth.com

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Introductory Courses
Take the Strain out of Everyday Life
in Lichfield
with Christine Rapley

Venue: Guildhall, Lichfield
Dates: Saturday 25th April, 2.30pm to 5.00pm
or
Saturday 13th June 10.30am to 1.00pm
Cost: £25
Teacher: Christine Rapley
Contact: 01543 262346
or email

The theme of the workshops will be:
Problems We All Share: the stress & strain, the aches & pain of everyday life and the inability to adequately meet life’s constant challenges.

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Crossing the Line - Natural Running Course
in the Lake District
with John Woodward, Janet Dutton and Tom Urry

23rd to 25th May 2009

Course Objectives
The objectives of the course will include the following:

Course structure
The typical course is split into the following sessions:
Morning: warm up and group running
Afternoon: individual Alexander lesson, personal video session, free time
Evening: topical debate, expert analysis, group dinner

The activities will take place in the idyllic La'al Barn and on location (depending on the weather).
Each course is limited to 8 participants to ensure individual attention from the tutors.

Location
The Village of Kirkby-in-Furness lies alongside the beautiful Duddon Estuary two miles south of the Lake District National Park. The area offers a stunning variety of running terrains both on and off road. The Duddon Estuary is a place where sky, sea and landscape sweep together to form a fantastic open space waiting to be explored.

Who is the course for?
We are happy to work with people from all levels of running experience and ability but we do suggest, as a minimum, you can run 5kms in around 30 mins. The course will offer you a choice of running shorter or longer distances depending on your preferences.

Price
Cost (excluding accommodation) is £220 which includes lunch.

Teachers
John Woodward has a lifelong interest with human movement. After taking a degree in psychology he researched into movement control at Nottingham University and afterward played and taught guitar. In 1985 he qualified as an F M Alexander Technique teacher after studying at the Alexander Teaching Associates College in London and with Don Burton in the Lake District.
John's Alexander Technique practice in Lancaster was established in 1985.
Janet Dutton runs for fun and fitness and the pleasure of being out in the fresh air, swims because she loves the water and rows because it is just about one of the best ways to spend your time when not running or swimming.

After a series of running injuries, and after the benefit of Alexander lessons throughout the 1990s, Janet decided to train as an Alexander Teacher in 2000. Now happily qualified Janet uses the technique in all her sporting activities and beyond.

Tom Urry is a filmmaker and sports video analyst. Having trained as a cameraman and editor Tom combines a background in video production with a long-standing interest and involvement in sports coaching. Work for Bolton Wanderers provided the catalyst to combine these interests and has lead to the development of the mvsport project. Offering video services to sport we enjoy clients as diverse as FIFA and the Natural Running Course.

More information and booking
For more information please see our website at
www.naturalrunning.co.uk
You can also download a booking form from the site. We can provide information on local places to stay.
You can also ring us on 01524 844 299 or email on
Our postal address is Natural Running Course, Bashful Alley Centre, Bashful Alley, Lancaster LA1 1LF

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Easter Holiday Workshop
Three days
at Fellside Alexander School, Kendal, Cumbria
with Michael Hardwicke et al

Easter bank holiday weekend: April 11th, 12th and 13th 2009
Saturday 11.00am to 6.00pm
Sunday 10.00am to 5.00pm
Monday 10.00am to 4.00pm

Course description
On this three day course you will learn to find more of your natural support mechanism by letting-go and releasing unnecessary tension.

You will learn to build core muscle strength by practising the skills of releasing and directing yourself when at rest and in everyday activities.

This is a good introductory course, and also provides insights to those already engaged in the Alexander Technique.

Learning is integrated by a rich mixture of the following:

The approach is practical and experiential; The course aims to give you an enriching practice for your daily life.

The Alexander Technique
FM Alexander discovered a practical and enhancing way of coordinating body and mind in all activities. By consciously directing the way we move instead of relying on habit we can change the way we use our muscular system and avoid strain, tension and fatigue. Practising the Alexander Technique brings more efficiency to our movements, an expansion of our attention and gives us a basic principle that we can apply to many areas of our lives.

Location
Fellside Alexander School is situated in a 19th Century building with panoramic views over the medieval market town of Kendal, surrounded by the hills of the English Lake District.

Leading teacher
Michael Hardwicke has been running courses at Fellside Alexander School for the public for over sixteen years and is the Co-Directorof the Alexander Training Programme. He continues to be excited and rewarded by the discoveries of FM Alexander and how they can be made accessible for people.

Accomodation
There is a good range of accommodation available including B+B, guest houses, hotels, farmhouses and in the school itself. Other alternatives and lists can be provided and help given to find something suitable. The school has a good kitchen/café area where some meals can be taken together.

Price
The price of all tuition is £140

Booking
Send a £30 deposit (cheques to: Alexander Courses): to Newton Farm Cottage, Newton-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6JJ

A receipt, maps and helpful notes about accommodation will be sent by return.

For information on all aspects of the course contact Micahel Hardwicke on 015395 31781
Email:
Website:
www.fmalexandertechnique.co.uk

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Summer Holiday Workshop
Three days
at Fellside Alexander School, Kendal, Cumbria
with Michael Hardwicke et al

August bank holiday weekend: 29th,30th and 31st August 2009
Saturday 11.00am to 6.00pm
Sunday 10.00am to 5.00pm
Monday 10.00am to 4.00pm

Course description
On this three day course you will learn to find more of your natural support mechanism by letting-go and releasing unnecessary tension.

You will learn to build core muscle strength by practising the skills of releasing and directing yourself when at rest and in everyday activities.

This is a good introductory course, and also provides insights to those already engaged in the Alexander Technique.

Learning is integrated by a rich mixture of the following:

The approach is practical and experiential; The course aims to give you an enriching practice for your daily life.

The Alexander Technique
FM Alexander discovered a practical and enhancing way of coordinating body and mind in all activities. By consciously directing the way we move instead of relying on habit we can change the way we use our muscular system and avoid strain, tension and fatigue. Practising the Alexander Technique brings more efficiency to our movements, an expansion of our attention and gives us a basic principle that we can apply to many areas of our lives.

Location
Fellside Alexander School is situated in a 19th Century building with panoramic views over the medieval market town of Kendal, surrounded by the hills of the English Lake District.

Leading teacher
Michael Hardwicke has been running courses at Fellside Alexander School for the public for over sixteen years and is the Co-Directorof the Alexander Training Programme. He continues to be excited and rewarded by the discoveries of FM Alexander and how they can be made accessible for people.

Accomodation
There is a good range of accommodation available including B+B, guest houses, hotels, farmhouses and in the school itself. Other alternatives and lists can be provided and help given to find something suitable. The school has a good kitchen/café area where some meals can be taken together.

Price
The price of all tuition is £140

Booking
Send a £30 deposit (cheques to: Alexander Courses): to Newton Farm Cottage, Newton-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6JJ

A receipt, maps and helpful notes about accommodation will be sent by return.

For information on all aspects of the course contact Micahel Hardwicke on 015395 31781
Email:
Website:
www.fmalexandertechnique.co.uk

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Summer Holiday Course
Five days
at Fellside Alexander School, Kendal, Cumbria
with Michael Hardwicke et al

Wednesday August 19th to Monday August 24th 2009
The first session begins at 5.30pm on the first day and the course ends at lunchtime on the last day.

Course description
The course provides an opportunity to explore how the Alexander Technique can help us find an easier, more free and effective way of going about our lives. The course works well as an introduction to the Technique and a good refresher for those already involved in this approach to life. The course will use a variety of approaches to understand the principles of the Technique and how we can integrate them into our lives. An important feature of the course is to give a clear understanding of our structure. This more accurate body sense makes it a lot easier to assimilate and apply the Technique. Each participant will receive two individual sessions.

The approach is practical, experiential and related to everyday life.

The Alexander Technique
FM Alexander discovered a practical and enhancing way of coordinating body and mind in all activities. By consciously directing the way we move instead of relying on habit we can change the way we use our muscular system and avoid strain, tension and fatigue. Practising the Alexander Technique brings more efficiency to our movements, an expansion of our attention and gives us a basic principle that we can apply to many areas of our lives.

Location
Fellside Alexander School is situated in a 19th Century building with panoramic views over the medieval market town of Kendal, surrounded by the hills of the English Lake District.

Leading teacher
Michael Hardwicke has been running courses at Fellside Alexander School for the public for over sixteen years and is the Co-Directorof the Alexander Training Programme. He continues to be excited and rewarded by the discoveries of FM Alexander and how they can be made accessible for people.

Accomodation
There is a good range of accommodation available including B+B, guest houses, hotels, farmhouses and in the school itself. Other alternatives and lists can be provided and help given to find something suitable. The school has a good kitchen/café area where some meals can be taken together.

Price
The price of all tuition is £205

Booking
Send a £50 deposit (cheques to: Alexander Courses) to:
Newton Farm Cottage, Newton-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6JJ

A receipt, maps and helpful notes about accommodation will be sent by return.

For information on all aspects of the course contact Micahel Hardwicke on 015395 31781
Email:
Website:
www.fmalexandertechnique.co.uk

Go back to complete list of courses in the Midlands and North of England


Go to:
top of this page (all courses in the Midlands and North of England)
complete list of courses in all areas
home
map of website