In this series, we will share 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 it's inception in 1968 by invitation from John Houseman. Judy taught in the Juilliard Acting Division until her death in 1991.

“October 25, 1977: A question was asked regarding inhibition. Judy says it meant that one was specifically saying “no” to something one wanted to do. In general, leave yourself alone, do nothing. It has a very broad definition. One has to make this useful for oneself. Ron [Dennis] suggested responding to inhibition to an outside stimulus, such as answering a ringing telephone. Being with the steps rather than the good. Inhibition allows one to deal with the steps.”

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.