The Annual Alexander International Summer Retreat

Immersion Into the Alexander Work
August 8 - August 15, 2010


Our multi-cultural event!

Students and teachers gather from the USA, Europe, and Asia to be together, study together, and celebrate together. Most of our days and evenings are spent outside in nature, on trails, on top of mountains, on the earth, close to the clouds.

Habits fall from our shoulders. Perceptions change. New freedoms are found. Life shifts. We find ourselves receiving a much needed vacation from ourselves.

We leave, more in touch with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.

Our Summer Gathering begins with dinner on Sunday, August 8, ending Sunday at noon on August 15. This 8 day period of immersion into the work allows students at varying levels, from novice to professional, to deepen their understanding of Alexander's most essential principles. We have found that a longer retreat truly deepens your experience. By making the Retreat longer and the cost lower, the faculty earns less, but our students get more. We prefer it that way.

Our Summer Northern New Mexico Retreat is not like a course in school. It is less about learning and more about unlearning. It is a "re-treat", a leaving behind, in order to return to something that has been lost. Our summer days are full – with sessions scheduled morning, afternoon, and evening - Breaks are worked in throughout each day. These "full" summer days are reminiscent of the "full" summer days of childhood. Long days of light, activities and fun. Learning sinks in naturally and effortlessly.

Morning Sessions are spent applying the work directly to our physical and personal lives. During these sessions, students are grouped according to their skill level. Newcomers are introduced to the work, while teachers and teachers-in-training focus on learning the necessary skills for imparting the work to others, both individually and in groups, in ways that are engaging and enjoyable.

Together, we explore how thoughts, senses, and emotions effect our bodies, our actions, and our interactions. Deep experiences of being and moving well are internalized. We learn how to prevent injuries, and how to recover from injuries. Our understanding of the body, neurologically and muscular-skeletally, becomes clearer. We also experience the role organs play in facilitating ease of movement and internal support.

Afternoon Sessions are action oriented. - performing arts, fine and craft arts, work, fitness, outdoor activities... whatever is relevant for you. Groups are divided by areas of interest rather than skill level. Several times throughout the week late afternoon sessions include "lying down work", simple ways of learning how to rest constructively.

Sunset Sessions are often spent hiking in O'keeffe Country, at Ghost Ranch, or swimming and canoeing at Abiquiu Lake, or simply sitting and taking in the vast beauty of Northern New Mexico.

Evening Sessions are light and fun often involving Alexander games, casual performing, impromptu dancing and singing on cool evenings around a warm fireplace.

Kids and families are more than welcome to the Retreat. There is childcare in the morning activities. The kids spend their time with a gifted elementary school teacher. Lots of arts, crafts, games and playing outside. Additional childcare can be arranged upon request.

Levels of Study

Personal Study – for the newcomer or anyone interested in a comprehensive introduction to Alexander Work. The focus is on the Work, as inspired by Marjorie Barstow, the first person certified to teach Alexander's work.

Teacher Training - for those who are in training to become Alexander teachers – from any school, worldwide. Many of our teachers-in-training from Germany and Japan come to study together in Northern New Mexico. It is the annual event when our International Alliance Community gathers and celebrates our multi-cultural diversity!

Teachers in Training continue learning needed skills for imparting the work. Time is put aside for career counseling - sharing successful teaching and marketing strategies for establishing viable work as an Alexander teacher.

Post – Graduate Study
Students have been graduating from our schools for the past 25 years. Every summer some venture back into our community/school to reconnect, to be re-inspired, and to contribute what they have learned from their experience as teachers. They get to study with Alexander Alliance directors from other countries, teachers with whom they have not worked. It is gratifying to watch how emotionally satisfying it is for graduates to touch base with their beginnings as teachers.

Teaching Apprentices
Our apprenticeship program is limited to two teachers each summer who have been actively teaching for at least three years. These two apprentices work side by side the senior teachers throughout the entire retreat. This is a true passing on of knowledge, deeply gratifying for both the apprentices and the senior teachers. Room, board and tuition are paid for by the faculty. (Apply early by emailing us at office@alexandersw.com.)

Tuition for our 8-day Alexander International Summer Retreat: $1000.00.