Simple Moves

With Ted McNamara

Workshops from October 2011 to June 2012

“Nothing real can come into play unless the three forces (affirming, denying, reconciling) are at play.”
Patrick Macdonald

“One can take a step that is as profound as it is fundamental, that is to align upwards, direct upwards, and without denying the down, move upwards. If you go up, you help others to open and go up.”
Ted McNamara

This season of events at Studio One with Ted McNamara explores the principles of the Alexander Technique as they manifest in the basic procedures established by FM Alexander and the first generation of teachers. The importance of upward orientation which does not deny the downward force is the central and unifying principle.

Each event will offer an unhurried opportunity to work on only one procedure, from its preparation through to its application in life.

 Workshops for this Past Event

Chairwork

Sunday 16 October 2011
Learning to leave the back back without pushing with the legs to rise from a chair can take many years of patient and attentive work. Rising from the chair provides a simple but not easy stimulus to maintain the inhibition and upward orientation.

The Lunge

Sunday 18 March 2012
The lunge was one of Patrick Macdonald’s favourite procedures for learning to lower oneself without losing the back, to maintain the upward flow of energy as one descends. We will explore different preparatory movements and manifestations of the lunge.

Tablework

Sunday 06 May 2012
This session on tablework will address the importance of ‘listening’ with the hands to the whole spine as one works with the limbs. The limbs are energised by the spine and back at rest on the table as much as in movement.

Stillness in Movement

Saturday 02 June 2012
An additional Workshop with Ted McNamara
Following on from last season’s tribute to Patrick Macdonald, Ted McNamara returns for a workshop called Stillness in Movement. Ted will explore the rhythm of the Alexander Technique that comes into play when the forces of stillness and movement are working as one. It is a universal principle informing the dance, archery, sport, and music, among many other pursuits, when the energy is flowing and the intention as such disappears. There will be filmed excerpts as well as ample opportunity for hands-on work.

The stillness
in stillness
is not
the real stillness.

Only when
there is stillness
in movement
can the spiritual rhythm
appear which pervades
heaven and earth.
– Ts’ai-ken T’an