Every year for quite some time now, I have put out a Holiday Lesson Package special, which is available as a decorative gift certificate for holiday gift giving. After years of doing this, I have some thoughts about the process that I’d like to share with you as you contemplate your gift list for 2019. I’ve seen all kinds of people walk in my door after being given Alexander lessons as a present, and my own experiences in this area have prompted me to write this blog post as a gift-giving guide for potential students.
Look at the questions below and think about your loved one carefully to see if a gift of Alexander Technique lessons is the right gift for your loved one.
Look at the questions below and think about your loved one carefully to see if a gift of Alexander Technique lessons is the right gift for your loved one.
- Who are the lessons for?
- Are Alexander lessons a good investment for this person? Why do you want them to have lessons?
- What kind of learner is your loved one? Do they like quick answers? Gentle exploration? Deep dives into a topic?
Now that you’ve taken a moment to ponder your answers, I can share my thoughts on some of the most likely answers to the questions above.
1A) If the lessons are for yourself, CONGRATULATIONS! You are about to embark on a rewarding journey you will not regret, and I’ll be delighted to share that journey with you.
You can gift yourself this self-care package or ask a loved one to buy it for you.
Either way, you’ll be opening the door to a new way of being in the world.
B) If the lessons are for a loved one or a friend who has been saying that they want to take Alexander lessons for months or years, good for you! You have listened carefully to what your loved one wants and needs, and you’ll be facilitating the process for them. I can’t wait to meet your friend!
C) It’s always a delight for me to revisit former students who want a 30 minute “tune-up” package, or to give the gift of a private lesson to a student who can only afford to take my classes. For those people, it’s a great choice!
2) If the lessons are for someone that you think will benefit from Alexander Technique, but who knows absolutely nothing about it, use caution. Examine your motivation carefully. If you want to “fix” your loved one for any reason, make sure that issue (posture, ease, etc) is something you know they want to change as well. “Surprise” Alexander lessons may not turn out to be what you hoped, as each person really needs to come to the Technique on their own terms. Perhaps a different gift, but some Alexander Technique “education” this year instead? Point them in the direction of my blog posts or ask me to recommend a good book, video or website for you to get someone interested. If you really want to give them an experience, book one lesson with me to see if it’s a good “fit.” After that, your friend and I can talk about a package if it seems appropriate. If you have any doubts or questions, please give me a call and we can talk a bit about this before you make the investment in a lesson package.
3) That being said, one of the ways to determine if Alexander Technique lessons are right for your loved one is to consider the type of learner they are. People who benefit most from Alexander lessons are independent learners, who enjoy the exploration of a journey into themselves and how they are in the world. These people don’t have the expectation of a time agenda attached to lessons and are willing to explore what it may take for themselves to gain the maximum benefit.* People who have the hardest time adjusting to Alexander Technique lessons ask questions like “How long will this take? How many lessons until I “get it?” This not to say that people like this won’t benefit from lessons – in my opinion anything that slows us down or makes us look at ourselves and realize that there are no “right answers” in personal growth is a very good thing. But again, I’ll reiterate that a person needs to be ready for that kind of journey, or Alexander lessons can be very, very frustrating until and unless there’s a breakthrough of some kind. Alexander teachers don’t give students the answers or fix people – we meet people where they are and facilitate the student’s own personal discovery. So, people who want immediate answers find the Technique (and by association, me) difficult, because I won’t give them the quick responses they desire.
* The recommended minimum process is a one-hour lesson every week for 8 weeks. After that, we decide together what (if anything) is next, but the overall length of study varies from person to person.
If your loved one is ready for a process of at least 8 weeks that will open them up to being present in the world, that will reconnect them to their physical being, that will encourage them to put the devices down and be here now, that will bring them physical ease and a lighter way of carrying themselves in the world, then Alexander Technique lessons are an excellent investment on everyone’s part.
I hope these questions and my thoughts on answers give you helpful guidance on whether to purchase a lesson package. Again, I’m more than happy to speak with you and answer any further questions these might spark for you. Give me a call at 678-720-8717.
Wishing you all wonderful holidays, whatever you celebrate!
1A) If the lessons are for yourself, CONGRATULATIONS! You are about to embark on a rewarding journey you will not regret, and I’ll be delighted to share that journey with you.
You can gift yourself this self-care package or ask a loved one to buy it for you.
Either way, you’ll be opening the door to a new way of being in the world.
B) If the lessons are for a loved one or a friend who has been saying that they want to take Alexander lessons for months or years, good for you! You have listened carefully to what your loved one wants and needs, and you’ll be facilitating the process for them. I can’t wait to meet your friend!
C) It’s always a delight for me to revisit former students who want a 30 minute “tune-up” package, or to give the gift of a private lesson to a student who can only afford to take my classes. For those people, it’s a great choice!
2) If the lessons are for someone that you think will benefit from Alexander Technique, but who knows absolutely nothing about it, use caution. Examine your motivation carefully. If you want to “fix” your loved one for any reason, make sure that issue (posture, ease, etc) is something you know they want to change as well. “Surprise” Alexander lessons may not turn out to be what you hoped, as each person really needs to come to the Technique on their own terms. Perhaps a different gift, but some Alexander Technique “education” this year instead? Point them in the direction of my blog posts or ask me to recommend a good book, video or website for you to get someone interested. If you really want to give them an experience, book one lesson with me to see if it’s a good “fit.” After that, your friend and I can talk about a package if it seems appropriate. If you have any doubts or questions, please give me a call and we can talk a bit about this before you make the investment in a lesson package.
3) That being said, one of the ways to determine if Alexander Technique lessons are right for your loved one is to consider the type of learner they are. People who benefit most from Alexander lessons are independent learners, who enjoy the exploration of a journey into themselves and how they are in the world. These people don’t have the expectation of a time agenda attached to lessons and are willing to explore what it may take for themselves to gain the maximum benefit.* People who have the hardest time adjusting to Alexander Technique lessons ask questions like “How long will this take? How many lessons until I “get it?” This not to say that people like this won’t benefit from lessons – in my opinion anything that slows us down or makes us look at ourselves and realize that there are no “right answers” in personal growth is a very good thing. But again, I’ll reiterate that a person needs to be ready for that kind of journey, or Alexander lessons can be very, very frustrating until and unless there’s a breakthrough of some kind. Alexander teachers don’t give students the answers or fix people – we meet people where they are and facilitate the student’s own personal discovery. So, people who want immediate answers find the Technique (and by association, me) difficult, because I won’t give them the quick responses they desire.
* The recommended minimum process is a one-hour lesson every week for 8 weeks. After that, we decide together what (if anything) is next, but the overall length of study varies from person to person.
If your loved one is ready for a process of at least 8 weeks that will open them up to being present in the world, that will reconnect them to their physical being, that will encourage them to put the devices down and be here now, that will bring them physical ease and a lighter way of carrying themselves in the world, then Alexander Technique lessons are an excellent investment on everyone’s part.
I hope these questions and my thoughts on answers give you helpful guidance on whether to purchase a lesson package. Again, I’m more than happy to speak with you and answer any further questions these might spark for you. Give me a call at 678-720-8717.
Wishing you all wonderful holidays, whatever you celebrate!
For complete information on the Holiday lesson package deal, click here.
For more in-depth information on what a lesson with me is like, click here.
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