An Introduction to Alexander Technique

This introduction to Alexander Technique will use a mixture of explanation, verbal instruction and delicate manual guidance in simple activities like standing, sitting and lying down to help participants discover how it feels to balance, move and breathe more easily.

During the session you will learn how to begin to change your situation for the better whether working, resting or playing.

Alexander Technique has been proven to give long term benefits to people with chronic lower back pain.

About the tutor

Philip Johnston is from Northern Ireland where he trained with Helen Lewis and danced in her company: The Belfast Modern Dance Group.

His professional career began in London dancing for several companies before relocating to Norway to begin directorship of the Norwegian Modern Dance Company. He relocated to the United States where he received an MFA in Dance and PhD in Theatre at the University of Illinois.

Philip was an Associate Professor for the Dance and Theatre Departments at the University of Illinois where he taught a variety of courses for both departments. His choreographic work for dance, theatre and opera was presented in the United States at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and in Scandinavia, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Philip has been studying the life-long practice of T’ai Chi and Qigong since first introduced to both practices by Gerda (Pytt) Geddes, his teacher at the London School of Contemporary Dance. He has taught T’ai Chi and Qigong to dancers, actors, musicians and many others at the University of Illinois. Philip is also a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique and trained with Joan and Alex Murray in the United States.

Philip returned to live in his native Northern Ireland in May 2020.