Date: Saturday, May 10, 2013
2-5pm
Location: Berkeley, CA
$150
$120 for full time students (please bring your student ID to the workshop)
Sign up here
The thinking person's solution for pain and stress
"What we normally break down into separate segments of
movement, emotion, posture, thought, individual spirit, expression, energy, psyche, sensation, voice, gesture etc.
and how these aspects are consciously embodied, connected and choreographed in the moment, could be characterized in the Alexander Technique as 'the use of the self.'"
John A. Baron
What is the Alexander Technique?
The Alexander Technique is a form of psycho-physical re-education and one of the most proven self-care methods for chronic pain management and can also help with neck pain, back pain, lack of vitality, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, TMJ, vocal challenges, arthritis, breathing, balance, coordination, computer-related injuries, migraine headaches and other conditions.
The Alexander Technique is a one hundred year old proven method, successfully used by performing artists, athletes and health professionals as a means of employing correct body know-how. This educational technique teaches individuals to first recognize certain habits, individual response pattern and movements that are harmful and then to reduce and eliminate them.
A recent in depth study published by the BMJ proves that this work can reduce back pain by 85%, and results last over time.
This program offers participants a practical means for addressing their physical, intellectual and emotional well-being at work and everyday life.
Benefits:
• Freedom of movement
• Release of pain
• Increased awareness
• Mind/Body integration
• Undoing of tension
• Health and well-being
• Prevention of injuries
• Mindfulness in action
Who benefits:
• People with aches, pain and injuries
• Anyone motivated toward self-empowered healing
John A Baron Alexander Technique from Art of Conscious Living on Vimeo.
Professor Nicolas Tinbergen, in his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize, chose to speak about the Alexander Technique:
"I recommend the Alexander Technique as an extremely sophisticated form of rehabilitation... From personal experience we can already confirm some of the seemingly fantastic claims made by Alexander and his followers - namely, that many types of underperformance and even ailments, both mental and physical, can be alleviated, sometimes to a surprising degree, by teaching the body musculature to function differently. We already notice, with growing amazement, very striking improvements in such diverse things as high blood pressure, breathing, depth of sleep, overall cheerfulness and mental alertness, resilience against outside pressures, and in such a refined skill as playing a musical instrument." Professor N. Tinbergen,1907-1988, Nobel Prize for Medicine, 1973
About John A. Baron
John has a creative arts and business background. He was a professional actor for ten years working in theater, film and television in England, Scotland and Europe. Later he launched his own publishing company, Marketing Media. It was during these years, John became acquainted with the Alexander Technique.
In 1982 he was persuaded by the Director of the North London School for Alexander Technique, Misha Magidov, to enroll in the three year Teacher Training Program. John completed his training in June 1985 and was admitted as a full member to the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, STAT.
In February 1986, John moved to Rome, Italy to establish a private practice teaching the Alexander Technique. Within six months, he had established a full practice working with musicians, chronic pain patients and people from all walks of life. In 1990 he was invited to address the National Conference for Rehabilitative Medicine at San Camillo Hospital in Rome. John led many workshops in Italy, Germany and England during his “European” period of teaching the Technique. In 1992 he took the California plunge and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with his family. Once there, he quickly established a successful private practice in Sausalito, CA.
In his practice, John has collaborated with many health care professionals; acupuncturists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, medical doctors, massage therapists etc. He has worked extensively with performing artists who have suffered “on the job” injuries (he works in-house for the San Francisco Ballet), as well as people who suffer from repetitive stress injury (RSI) and general muscular skeletal problems.
Outside his private practice, John is the Co-Director of the Alexander Education Center in Berkeley, CA, a training school for future teachers of the Alexander Technique. He has presented numerous workshops at Universities and Colleges and taught his own course “Tension and Performance” as a credit class at California State University, Hayward. He devised his Kines-Tech program and an in-house postural re-education training program that addresses the prevention of “over-use” injury in the workplace, which has been commissioned by by several Bay Area corporations, including Firemans Fund. A full time teacher of the Alexander Technique since 1985, John has over 20,000 hours of hands on teaching experience. John recorded F.M. Alexander’s “The Use of the Self”, one of Alexander’s most important works, as an audio book on tape for Big Sur Tapes. He continues to teach workshops and week long residential courses in Europe, as well as the United States, but his main focus is in working one on one from The Alexander Technique Studio in Sausalito..
Please find more information about the Alexander Technique and John A. Baron, here.
Testimonials from the previous Alexander Technique workshops at the Center for Personal Growth
What did you like best about this learning experience?
"John's bright up energy and openness. The organic feel to the introduction of many deep principles in the work and the ease and invitation to experience it and 'go somewhere new' in my field of awareness about myself and others."
Eileen Standley, Clinical Professor at Arizona State University-Herberger College for the Arts/School of Dance
"What I liked about this workshop was how easy it was. Easy to find, easy to show up, easy to be a part of. What surprised me about this workshop was how much information that was given in such a short amount of time, without a feeling of being rushed.I left with a much more complete understanding of Alexander work. I felt that I had several tools that I could continue to use and work with on a daily basis. I felt inspired to try new things with clients I have been working with. And I had a remarkably good time.
Carla Rae Ortiz, Integrated Awareness® Teacher
"This was a good introduction to AT. I liked the location, the instructor, and that it was hands on. Each person demonstrating their sitting motion and then to have it corrected was good for everyone to see."
Monique Murphy
"I enjoyed the personal attention given probably due to the fact that the class size was small. I enjoyed the class size being the way it was...less is more. I liked John's enthusiasm for the subject and the fact that he speaks positively and suggests subtle ways to possibly improve without criticism."
"Everything. The venue was beautiful. The group was warm, open, engaging. John was fantastic. And of course, it was Monika's kick-off for the new Center for Personal Growth. I feel honored to have been a part of it."
Pamela Siliato
"I liked John's style -- very engaging and endearing. I really liked the hands-on work -- those where great take-aways and I have been using them - I already feel the difference -- I highly recommend this workshop!"
Mark B.
"You and John made it feel like a very safe space. It was wonderful to be with people from varied backgrounds but with similar interests, I liked the space, the casual atmosphere, and that it was a small group. I especially liked learning from John, obviously a professional and expert in his field. I appreciated the way he taught (the Michelangelos were enlightening!) and responded positively to everyone, treating each of us individually, and drawing everyone's personal body issues into a common issue so we could all relate to one another. Thanks, too, for the water and healthy snacks!"
"That I can improve a lot "just" by letting go."
Anne Howland, Massage Therapist
"The warm, welcoming atmosphere created by John and Monika. The workshop was experiential and engaging. I walked away with a lot to think about and practice in regards to self care."
Beth Alexander
"Small group; very thorough introduction to the techniques, and actual hands-on experience."
Dan Weiss
What do you think about the instructor, John A. Baron?
"A wonderful teacher. I loved the freedom and ease he exhibited and the acceptance and honesty with which he taught and communicated. His obvious love for the work was also really inspiring."
Eileen Standley, Clinical Professor at Arizona State University-Herberger College for the Arts/School of Dance
"I thought John was terrific. He was comfortable to be around, intelligent, articulate, and had a wonderful presence and grace about him."
Carla Rae Ortiz, Integrated Awareness® Teacher
"John Baron obviously thoroughly knows what he is talking about. He was approachable and friendly. He explained concepts well." Monique Murphy
"I thought John was a pleasant enough man who seems to care about his work and the people he's working with. He is approachable and open to inquiry and does not come across as judgmental or elitist."
"Excellent. I loved him, Monika. He is very skilled, informed, and a gentle soul on top of it!"
Pamela Siliato
"John was great"
Mark B.
"He is great! I'm looking forward to meeting him again."
Anne Howland, Massage Therapist
"terrific; engaging, helpful, generous, and knowledgeable"
Dan Weiss
"John is highly skilled and knowledgeable. He is attentive to his students and instantly puts everyone at ease."
Beth Alexander
Testimonials from other workshops by John A. Baron:
“For those who hurt through 'misuse', there is nothing comparable to John Baron’s particular approach, whether that be medical, chiropractic, whatever. For an adult life I have suffered back pain; I have tried every conceivable approach; only this approach has been able to see me through to real improvement and restored health.”
Pieter C. Van den Toorn, Professor University of California, Santa Barbara
John is a creative instructor who has the highest ethical standards. I have referred many of my own patients and others to him. All of my referrals have done well. I give him my highest recommendation.”
Richard A. Blasband, M.D.
“Many musicians from the Rome Opera have greatly benefited from John’s work, including myself. John receives accolades from performing artists in Rome.”
Franco Bottone, General Manager, Rome Opera
“A colleague recommended I see John Baron who practices the Alexander Technique. Over the next several weeks he showed me how to release my postural defects thus taking pressure off the injured area, allowing it to heal and not regress. I have avoided the surgery my neuro-surgeon strongly recommended. Throughout the course of this treatment I have seen a number of doctors. They are amazed by my recovery.”
David Neuman, San Francisco Symphony
“John Baron’s approach to The Alexander Technique expertly dovetails with an Osteopath’s approach to health and healing.”
Jeffrey Etemad, M.D. DO.
“John Baron has a deep insight into the process by which movements are controlled and acquired. More importantly, he skillfully uses that insight to help individuals discover more adaptive and efficient ways of performing tasks that range from the mundane activities of daily living to the astonishing feats of the elite performer.”
Dr. David Anderson, Chair, Department of Kinesiology, San Francisco State University
“Amazing work, ever so profound.”
Bertrand Vanderville, M.D. D.O.
“John is an experienced and highly skilled practitioner and I have increasingly come to value his help with my patients.
David Kell, M.D. Physical Medicine Specialist
Cancellation Policy:
For Workshops reservations, we will request a 50 Dollar deposit. If you cancel less than 2 weeks before the workshop, you will forfeit your deposit. The balance is due on the day of the workshop. You can use google checkout on this site or bring cash/a check to the Workshop.
