Hello,

The Student Life Culture Center at Seoul National University will be offering an in-person Alexander Technique course for September and October as outlined below.

We hope for your interest and participation.

This course will be conducted in person at the Student Life Culture Center (Building 63, 5th floor, Student Hall).

(Note: The in-person Alexander Technique program and curriculum differ from the online version. You may enroll in both.)

• Application Link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerRafjDtxjUzERXNqDREZIZUvSzP_Xjykb-bdTvA1Imwto6Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

• Application Deadline: 10:00 AM, September 10

• Participant Selection and Notification: Individual notification by text or email by 4:00 PM, September 10

• The Alexander Technique is a progressive program (6 sessions), not a single-session course. Please apply only if you can attend all 6 sessions.

• Attendance will be monitored. If attendance falls below 50%, you will be ineligible for future course applications.

• Enrollment in both the online and in-person Alexander Technique programs is possible.

Alexander Technique for a Relaxed Mind and Body: In-Person Course for September-October

The Alexander Technique focuses on the 'conscious use of self' to practice body use. It addresses how to use the body efficiently during everyday activities such as sitting, standing, and breathing, aiming to save unnecessary energy and promote health. Additionally, it helps to pause and calm the mind and emotions, alleviating tension and stress to enhance overall physical and mental well-being.

■ Course Schedule: September 12 to October 24 (excluding October 3), every Thursday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• Recruitment for participants who can attend all 6 sessions

• To prevent no-shows, those with less than 50% attendance will be ineligible for future program applications

■ Instructor: Baek Hee-sook (Instructor from the Korea Alexander Technique Association)

■ Target Audience: 15 members of the Seoul National University community, including faculty, staff, instructors, graduate students, and undergraduates

■ Venue: Student Life Culture Center (Building 63, 5th floor, Student Hall)

■ How to Apply: Apply through the Google Form (link provided) or QR code (below). Application deadline is 10:00 AM on September 10.

■ Confirmation of Participation: Individual notification by 4:00 PM on September 10, considering application order

■ Cost: Free

■ Contact: kiw7355@snu.ac.kr

<Curriculum>

1st Week: Grounding and Breathing, Semi-Supine Position

2nd Week: Correcting Standing Habits, Efficient Bending Posture

3rd Week: Central Control and Direction, Relaxation While Lying Down

4th Week: Using Chairs, Training the Sit Bones, Shoulder Release

5th Week: Walking Habits and Corrections, Stopping and Choosing

6th Week: Using Hands, Posture for Chairs, Computers, and Phones

<Program-Related Q&A>

Q1: How does this in-person Alexander Technique course differ from the online version?

A1: The in-person course requires participation for two months (6 sessions) and allows a smaller number of participants to actively engage with their body and posture directly in the class.

Q2: How is the Alexander Technique class conducted?

A2: Each session lasts 50 minutes and introduces new training based on the curriculum. The instructor guides participants to be aware of their bodies and suggests ways to release tension. Using prepared chairs and mirrors helps participants recognize unnecessary movements. The course aims to help release accumulated weekly stress and foster a tension-free, comfortable life through consistent participation.

Q3: Is there a cost?

A3: The course is free of charge. It is supported by the Student Life Culture Center.

<Alexander Technique-Related Q&A>

Q1: What is the primary purpose of the Alexander Technique?

A1: The Alexander Technique is used for overcoming chronic musculoskeletal pain, enhancing overall well-being, and improving stress management. It is commonly applied in healthcare, as well as in performing arts and sports (e.g., Juilliard School, Royal Academy of Music, Yale School of Drama) (Eldred et al., 2015; Little et al., 2008; MacPherson, 2015; Preece et al., 2016; Glover et al., 2018; Gross, 2019).

Q2: What benefits does the Alexander Technique offer?

A2: Research shows that the Alexander Technique can improve pain management in patients, enhance performance in sports and arts, and contribute to better self-regulation of posture and movement, tension relief, emotional control, and improvement in chronic pain and stress. Specific findings include improved self-regulation of postural tension (Loram et al., 2016; Gurfinkel et al., 2006; Cacciatore et al., 2011), enhanced motor control (Cacciatore et al., 2011; Gurfinkel, 2009; Ivanenko and Gurfinkel, 2018), and relief from chronic tension in musicians (Austin and Ausubel, 1992; Cacciatore et al., 2011; Cacciatore et al., 2014; Cohen et al., 2020; Hamel et al., 2016; O’Neill et al., 2015).

Q3: What will be taught? Is it related to meditation?

A3: The Alexander Technique focuses on posture correction by examining and adjusting various movements. It addresses unconscious musculoskeletal contractions due to poor posture that can lead to tension and pain. It helps increase awareness of movement patterns during everyday activities like sitting, standing, and breathing, and reduces unnecessary movements. The course also aims to help participants focus on the present moment, improve emotional clarity, and reduce overall life tension. The instructor’s verbal guidance is a temporary aid; the goal is to help participants learn to re-coordinate their muscles and nerves independently.