In this series, we are sharing excerpts from Idelle Packer's (ACAT, 1979) Training Journal, October 14, 1977 - Wednesday, December 13, 1978. The classes were taught by Judy Leibowitz. who was a founding member and the first Director of Training of ACAT from 1967 to 1981. Judy was the original Alexander Teacher in Juilliard's Acting Division, joining the program at its inception in 1968 by invitation from John Houseman. Judy taught in the Juilliard Acting Division until her death in 1991.

Be as an artist examining things

October 18, 1977

Just think about Alexander a little.

Give yourself directions.

Sit or lie down.

The focus is on the developing of the use of yourself.

You need a strong body, a strong Alexander body, which is not the ordinary strong body.

Since teachers spend a lot of time standing, we will work on standing.

Keep your eyes open.

See everything for its size, shape, and color.

Be as an artist examining things.

Float the head off the spine.

The torso is suspended between the ears.

Be conscious of the feet.

Which way are they pointed?

Release the hip joint.

Let the knees come forward. Bend over the toes.

Keeping the direction of the head.

Inhibit even though you don't know what you are inhibiting.

Idelle Packer, MS, PT, mAmSAT, certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, has been creatively exploring its broad application for over 35 years. In her private practice, Body Sense, in Asheville, NC, she teaches the Alexander Technique in context of physical therapy assessment and rehabilitation. She authored the chapter on the Alexander Technique in Springer Publishers’ Encyclopedia of Complementary Health Practices (1999). Her current passion is Contact Improvisation, a somatic and athletic improvisation form, to which she has been joyfully integrating the principles of the Technique over the past fifteen years.